Some Reminders On Grammar

GRAMMARTICAL REMINDERS 1.Plenty of + plural Noun - There are plenty of chairs. - Are there plenty of tents? - Has that hotel plenty of rooms for the people? 2. Let / make somebody do something - Do they let the dog lie under the table? - The boy lets his fishing-line go into the water. - Who let the little girl fall into the sea? - How do you make a boat go? - Who is making that dog walk slowly? - What made that bird fly away? 3. Feeling + adjective (adjective phrases / clauses) - She is feeling frightened (cold, hot, tired, hungry, thristy). 4. Present Perfect Tense: (a) for an action that finished a moment or two ago (b) for an action that is finished during some “present” (c) with ever, never,recently, lately, yet, since, already, always, sometimes, etc. Te action is thought of as taking place (or being repeated) up to the time of speaking. (d) for an action that took place at some indefinite time in the past. The result of the action is still apparent. 5. as (so) – (adj. or adv.) – as - as busy as a bee - as poor as a church mouse - as strong as a horse - as weak as water - as quiet as a mouse - as light as a feather - as green as grass - as black as night 6. enough

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(a) (Pronoun): Do the pigs get enough to eat? (b) (Adjective): The pigs get enough food. (c) (Adverb) (Enough follows the verb, adjective or adverb it modifies.): That man has worked enough. 7. either … or; neither … nor - There are neither cattle nor sheep in the cornfield. - Neither the rat nor the mouse is a useful animal. 8. used to (for habitual action in the past now discontinued) 9. right way (side) up; upside down 10. Not only … but … instead of both … and … 11. As… as… (a) as (Adj. or Adv.) as possible - The gardener keeps his garden as neat as tidy as possible. - They will fill the basket as full as possible. (b) as (Adj. or Adv.) as somebody possibly can (could) - The gardener keeps his garden as neat as tidy as he possibly can. - They will fill the basket as full as they possibly can. 12. had better / would rather + BARE infinitive - Hadn’t she better come nearer with her camera? - They’d better not let that crack get any bigger, had they? Had better - That boy had better be careful, or he’ll fall. - If they are tired, they’d better rest awhile. - If you can’t see at the back, you’de better come closer. - Hadn’t she come nearer with her camera? Would rather - They would rather play at Red Indians than spin tops. - Which would you rather stay at for a holiday, a farm or a villaga? - Would you rather have toys or books for a present? 13. as well as (The meaning is “and not only”.)

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- There are girls as well as boys in this picture. - We notice a windmill as well as a castle. 14. because of + NOUN or NOUN EQUIVALENT 15. wish (a) With were, not was: I wish I were (b) Other noun clauses, with that usually omitted: I wish (that) I could (c) Followed by would: I wish you would (d) Wish for: We couldn’t wish for finer weather. (e) Hope a person will have: He wished me a pleasant journey. (f) With oneself, etc.: You would wish yourself ddead, if you lived in here. Note: This reflexive use is not common. The form (a) is generally used instead. (g) Followed by to with the infinitive.* : I don’t wish to interrupt your work, but tea is nearly ready. (h) A command.* Note: Want may be used here when speaking familiarly: I wish you to be quiet, Mary, please. 16. If I (Past Tense), I would (Infinnitive) - If I had an axe, I would help him to split the wood. - If I had a garden, would you often pick a bunch of lovely flowers? - What would you do if you had a camera? - If that boy fell out of the tree, he would hurt himself. 17. As well as – the meaning is “and not only: - There are girls as well as boys in this picture. - We notice a windmill as well as a castle. - A fork as well as a spade is useful for digging. 18. May (might) as well - We may as well have tea now. - You might as well cut some more bread. - “Shall I draw the curtains?” “You might as well.” 19. At once = immediately - Go and wash your hands at once. Tea’s ready.

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- Do we stop work at once when the bell rings? - We’d better turn on the radio at once or we shall miss the news. 20. At once = at one time - All at once the neddle broke. - All at once the light went out. - All at once she dropped the tray. 21. TO HAVE (GET) SOMETHING + PAST PARTICILPE (PPII) - They have had some nice cakes made. - He is going to have (get) a new suit made. - Has that boy had his hair cut lately? - Father said, “I want to get this lock mended before tea-time.” 22. Adjective Phrase equivalent to: (a) an Adverbial Clause with because. - Driving carefully, he avoided accidents. - With a lot of stock to get rid of, the tailor is having a sale. - Being in a hurry, she went on her bicycle. (b) an Adverbial Clause with when. - Looking at the clock above the Town Hall, he realized that he would be late for his appointment. - trying to run across in front of the bus, he slipped and fell. - Walking along together, they talked of their experiences during the war. 23. Remind a person to; remind him of; remind him that - His wife reminded him to call at the post office. - The number on the car reminded him of a famous battle. - I reminded him that he had promised to send me a copy of his book. 24. I’m afraid (followed by a clause) = I think (but I’m sorry) - I’m afraid it’s not a true story. - I’m afraid it’s going to rain. - I’m afraid you won’t find the play very amusing. 25. In order to - Merchants must advertise in order to sell their goods. - We read the newspapers in order to know what is happening in the world.

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26. It is (is it)… that… - It is the shops with the most atttractive windows that sells most goods. - It is the narrow streets that cause traffic-blocks. - It was the pearls in the jeweller’s that I admired most. 27. Take into account = to take notice, pay attention to, concern to - The speed and direction of the wind must be taken into account when an aeroplane is landing. - Don’t forget to take into account the possibility of a strike at the factory. - Did you take into account the size as well as the weight of the packing-cases? 28. Moreover - Travel by air is much safer now, and crashes are comparatively rare; moreover, costs have been decreased. 29. Otherwise (a) in another way. - I said that canals in this country were seldom used nowadays, and that we shouldn’t waste money on them; but he argued otherwise. (b) in other respects. - The park is small, but it is otherwise satisfactory. (c) if not - The car must have good springs; otherwise it will be impossible to use it on these rough roads. 30. Anticipatory Subject + PPII. It… (fake subject IT) - It is known whether they will be able to afford to travel by air. - It is said that customs officers never accept a bribe (ăn hối lộ). - It happened that one of the aeroplanes was delayed by mechanical trouble. - It is hoped that every effort will be made to increase exports. - It is certainly astonishing that one small ship can hold so much. 31. Due to; owing to / because of. Due is still regarded as an adjective and must be linked to an noun. - The start was delayed owing to / because of the snow. - The explosion was due to an escape of gas.

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- Owing to / Because of lack of care, much of the glass was broken. - The damage was due to carelessness. 32. Imperarive + and = if clause + main clause. - Give the boy the least chance, and he’ll find an excuse for not being in the office. - Put up anotice, and everybody will see it. - Send him a bill, and he pays at once. 33. So long as = If - So long as you spend less then you earn, you’ll be able to save money. - I don’t mind his taking the foreign stamps off the envelopes so long as he doesn’t waste time. - You can sit at this desk so long as you don’t hnder me in my work. 34. By degrees. To a certain degree - Most of the discomforts of railway travel have been overcome by degrees. - Adverstisements influence us all to a certain degree. 35. I can’t (couldn’t) help + VERBING - I can’t help being curious about what is in those baskets. 36. I can’t (couldn’t) help + NOUN AND NOUN EQUIVALENT - I know the train was late, but don’t put tha plame on me. I couldn’t help it. 37. It can’t (couldn’t) helped - If the last train’s gone, it can’t be helped. But inquire again at the booking-office. - We were disappointed at not getting corner seats, but it couldn’t be helped. 38. (It) looks as though (if) + Past Tense = (it) seems - That man on platform 12 looks as though he had no one to give him a welcome. - It looks as though nobody valued that bicycle much. - It doesn’t look as if many people wanted light refreshments. 39. WHATEVER introducing (a) a Noun Clause - You can have whatever you like in the dining-car. - They sell fruit-juice here. Buy whatever kind you fancy.

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- At whatever time you go there is always something of interest to be seen at a railway station. (b) an Adverb Clause - Whatever you do, don’t neglect to take an interesting book with you. - soldiers and sailors must do their duty, whatever fate may have in store for them. - Whatever else they do, the railway company should consider the convenience of the passengers. 40. Shall, should, with all Persons after make certain, intend, etc. - It is their intention that the children shall have a delightful holiday. - The guard is determined that the train shall start on time. - The manager proposed that tickets should include the cost of lunch on the train. 41. in order that - The bill was passed in order that the line might be extended another fifty miles. - Wise people take their holidays early in order that they won’t have to travel in crowded trains. - They examined the system carefully in order that any slight faults might be remedied. 42. in spite of + NOUN / NOUN EQUIVALENT - He ran to catch the train in spite of his weak heart. - In spite of the immense difficulties, George Stephenson was successful in overcoming people’s prejudices (định kiến, thành kiến) against his invention. - Some of the railway employees have a peculiar pronunciation, but in spite of this most travellers can understand them. 43. No sooner … than … - No sooner had the children got into the train than they began to quarreled. - No sooner had he got out of the train to buy a newspaper than the train began to move. - No sooner had he sprung into the carriage than he found he had left his bag in the waitng-room. 44. He had hardly (scarcely) … when … / Hardly (scarcely) had he … when … - They had hardly (hardly had they) got into the train when the whistle sounded. - The train had hardly left the station when a severe storm came on. - Scarcely had he entered the dinning-car when he had the good fortune to meet an old friend.

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45. Adj. + as he was = (a) An Adverb Clause of Cause - Ashamed as he was of his old, worn suit, he didn’t like to go into the restaurant. - Confident as he was that his watch was right,he didn’t hurry to the station. - Sensible as he always was, he took a return ticket. (b) An Adverb Clause of Concessioin - Bald as he was,he dare not go into the station-master’s office. - Gentle as she was, she could not hide her anger when the porter sat on her hatbox. - Patriotic as he was, he had no love for fighting. 46. What … for? = Why? - When the kind old lady saw the dear little girl in tears, she asked her what she was crying for? - What were they cheering for when the train went out? - What are you whispereing for? Speak up. 47. Rgardless of - Regardless of the danger to himself, he risked his life by ging back into the burning carriage and saving his friend. - He usually trevals first class, regardless of the expense, because he hates disconfort of any kind. 48. On purpose - The little boy struck his sister on purpose, not by accident - They went on the trip to Sandy Bay on purpose to see the wreck. 49. Bound to (= must, Present and Past) - A boiler is bound to burst if the pressure becomes to great. - Our suit-cases were so much alike that we were bound to confuse them. (= W did confuse them). - I’m bound to say that I envy all these people going away on holiday. -

oOo –

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