(5.1.1) Homonyms

Homonyms / Definition of Homonyms / What are Homonyms 

Some words have somewhat similar pronunciation but have different spellings and , of course, different meanings. They are called homonyms. Here under are given some of the words -
Access : way to a place, means of reaching somewhere. 
Excess : fact of being more than something or more than that is expected.
Adapt : make suitable (for a new situation, need, use etc.)
Adept : expert, skilled (in something, at or in doing something.
Adopt : take in one's family as a son / daughter or take somebody into one's family as a relation, especially as a son or a daughter.
Berth : a sleeping seat in a train, a ship or an aircraft etc.
Birth : coming to life, process of being born, coming into the world.
Cast : throw
Caste : hereditary  fixed class of society.   
Cite : give or mention as an example (especially by quoting from a book to support an argument etc.)
Site : place where something was, is or is to be. 
Plain : easy to see,hear or understand; area of level country.
Plane : flat or level surface ; an aircraft.
Stationary : not moving or changing.
Stationery : writing materials. 

(6.1.7) Parts of Speech

Parts of Speech

A part of speech is a class of words based on the work they do in a sentence.
Thus words are divided into different kinds or classes.
The words that we use can be divided into eight classes according to the work they do in sentences. These classes are known as parts of speech. They are:
1. Noun
2. Pronoun
3. Verb
4. Adjective
5. Adverb
6. Preposition
7. Conjunction
8. Interjection
1. Noun- A noun is a word used for naming some person, place or thing.
2. Pronoun - A Pronoun is a word used in place of a noun.
3. Verb - A verb is a word for saying something about some person or thing.
4. Adjective - An adjective is a word used to qualify a noun or a pronoun.
5. Adverb- An adverb is a  word used to qualify any part of speech except a noun or a pronoun.
6. Preposition - A preposition is a word used before a Noun or a pronoun to show its relation to some other word in the sentence.
7. Conjunctions - A conjunction is a word used to join words, phrases or sentences together.
8. Interjection - An interjection is used to express some feeling of joy, grief or surprise.

(6.1.6) Determiners / What are Determiners/ Kinds of Determiners

Determiners / Definition of determiners / Important features of Determiners / Kinds of Determiners

What is a  determiner?
A word or a group of words that comes before a noun or a noun phrase and modifies its meaning is called a determiner.
Other features of determiners : 
> The determiners also specify the quality of a noun.
> They determine the type of noun.
> Like adjectives they qualify the nouns that follow them.
> Determiners are the words that define and determine the category of nouns.
> They are also known as modifiers of nouns. They are used before nouns and denote whether the nouns are singular, plural, countable or uncountable. 
> Pronouns are not preceded by determiners.
Kinds of Determiners :
1. Determiners of Quantity-
Some, Much, Little etc.
2. Determiners of Number -
One, Two, Three, Many etc.
3. Demonstrative Determiners.
This, That, These, Those etc.
4. Possessive Determiners -
My, Our, His, Her, Their
5. Distributive Determiners -
Each, Every etc
6. Articles -
A, An, The
The important determiners are as follows :-
A, An, The, Some, Any, Few, A few, the few, Little, a Little, the Little, Each, Every, This, That, These, Those, Many, Many A, Much, Various, Several.

(6.1.5) Use of 'Have' as a causative verb

Use of 'Have' as a causative verb

As a causative verb 'have' is used when we engage or employ someone to do the work for us.
'Have' can be used in active voice and passive voice.
A. Causative verb 'have' in Active Voice -
Structure -
Subject + have + doer + verb in the first form without to + object.
1. I engaged a man to clean the room.
=  I had a man clean the room
2. We shall engage a new cook to prepare delicious food.
=  We shall have a new cook prepare delicious food.
3. The gardener plants the plants for me.
=   I have the gardener plant the plants.
B. Causative verb 'have' in passive voice -
As a causative verb 'have' is used in passive voice also.
Structure 
Subject + Have + object + third form of the verb + by + doer.
Examples.
1. The Principal has asked the clerk to collect the fees from the students.
= The principal has the fees collected from the students by the clerk.
2. The manager will engage a new man to watch the factory.
=  The manager will have the factory watched by a new man.
3. She asked the goldsmith to repair her chair.
=  she had her chain repaired by a gold smith.
Some more examples
1. The teacher will have the black board cleaned by me.
2. My brother had his suit washed by the dry cleaner.
3. She has a glass of water brought by the servant.
4. I had my trousers stitched (by someone).
5. You have your watch repaired (by the watch maker).

(6.1.4) Use of 'Get' as a causative verb.

Use of 'Get' as a  causative verb.

As a causative verb 'Get' indicates  persuasion. In other words as a causative verb get is used to persuade someone to do some thing, as:
I got Ramesh to drive me to the railway station.
Structure -
Subject + get (causative verb) + doer + to + action Verb  in the first form  + object.
Examples.
1. I Shall persuade him to read the paragraph.
= I shall get mahesh to read the paragraph.
2.  He asked me to bring a pen for him.
= He got me to bring a pen (for him)
3. She will tell him to draw water.
= She will get him to draw water.
4. The old woman could not get anyone to lift the box.
= The old woman could not get anyone to lift the box.
5. We should persuade them to walk fast.
= We should get them to walk fast.
6.  Ask the people to get up early in the morning.
= Get the people to get up early in the morning.
Some More Examples.
1. I got some villagers to push ;my car.
2. The old woman is getting Hari to write a letter.
3. The fox got the crow to sing a song.
4. I can get him to post the letter.
Use of Causative causative verb 'Get' in Passive Form -
As a causative verb 'Get' can be used in passive form also :
I got my clothes washed by the washer-man.
Structure
Subject + get (causative verb) + object  + third form of the verb of action + by + doer.
Examples :
1. Hari asked the gardener to water the plants.
= Hari got the plants watered by the gardener.
2.  The boy will ask me to read the letter.
=  The boy will get the letter read by my.
3. He posted the letter for me.
=  I got the letter posted by him.

(6.1.3) Use of 'Cause' as a causative verb.

Use of 'Cause' as a  causative verb

As a  Causative verb 'Cause' is used to inspire someone to do something.
I cause my brother to wash my clothes.
Structure.
Subject + Cause (Causative verb) + doer +to +first form of the verb + object.
Examples :
1. He asked me to walk to the left side of the road.
=He caused me to walk to the left side of the road.
2. I am going to ask her to sit quietly.
=I am going to cause her to sit quietly.
3. The teacher is saying me to understand well.
=The teacher is causing me to understand well.
4. The old man has asked him to go for a walk daily.
= The old man has caused him to go far a walk daily.
5. She  will tempt Ram to teach her English.
= She will cause Ram to teach her English.
6. Yesterday I told the passer by to push my car.
= Yesterday I caused the passer by to push my car.
Some more examples -
1. We may cause him to shut the window.
2. Ramesh caused Hari to post the letter.
3. I shall cause my sister to iron my clothes.
4. The teacher has caused him to take exercise daily.
5. How will you cause him to do this work ?

(6.1.2) Use of 'Make' as a causative verb

Use of 'Make' as a causative verb

As a causative verb 'Make' indicates the use of force or pressure.
In other words 'Make' is used when we force someone to do something.
The construction is (structure) -
Subject + Causative Verb (Make) + doer + verb in first verb + object.
1. The captain asked the soldiers to fall in the line. (without causative verb)
= The captain made the soldiers fall in line. (with causative verb)
2. My father asks me to go to school in time.
= My father makes me go to school in time.
3. He will force her to tell a story.
=He will make her tell a story.
4. They have forced me to sign an agreement.
=They have made me sign an agreement.
5. No one can compel me to change my mind.
=No one can make me change my mind.
6. Who will force her to clean the room?
=Who will make her clean the room?
Some More Examples
1. He made me laugh in the class.
2. The teacher makes the bad students stand on the bench.
3. Don't make the driver drive fast.
4. The bad weather will make us cancel our plan to go for a picnic.
6. He is making her finish the work.

(6.1.1) Causative Verbs./ What are Causative Verbs

Causative Verbs/ What is a causative verb

Causative verbs are the verbs which are used when somebody does not do the action himself, but he asks or inspires another person to do it.
The following are the causative verbs :
Make, get, cause and have.
'Make' indicates the  use of force or pressure :
I make my brother wash my cloths.
'Have' is used when we engage or employ someone.
I have the servant wash my clothes.
'Get' indicates the persuasion.
'Cause' is used to inspire someone to do something.
I cause him to clean the room everyday.
Some More Examples -
Mohan has the washer-man wash his cloths.
I shall have the carpenter make a chair.
She had the cobbler polish her shoes.
He made me laugh.
The principal did not make the peon clean the room.
I got my elder sister to make tea.
He caused his younger brother to go for a walk daily.

(3.1.3) Use of 'Quite'

Quite / Use of 'Quite'

'Quite' means 'completely' when it is used with a word or phrase which can express the idea of completeness e.g.'full', 'empty', 'finished', 'wrong', 'right', 'all right', 'sure', 'certain', 'ready' etc. and when it is used with a (very)  strong adjective or adverbs such as 'perfect', 'amazing', 'horrible', 'extraordinary' etc.
Examples :
The box was quite empty.
She is quite wrong.
It is quite extraordinary, I cannot understand it all.

(4.1.6) Use of 'No' and 'Not' / Difference between 'No' and 'Not'

Difference between 'No' and 'Not'/ Use of 'No' and 'Not'

(1) 'No' is used as an adjective.
'Not' is used as an adverb.
'No' is used before a noun. This noun can be singular or plural.
'Not' is used to make a sentence negative.
(2) No = Not any
'No' is an adjective.
'No' is used before singular and plural nouns.
After 'No' articles (a, an, the ) and possessive pronouns (my, his, their) are not used.
Examples -
The boy has no money to buy new books.
I have no pen to write with.
There are no boys in the class now.
No news is good news.
No one knows what will happen tomorrow.
(3) Not = A word expressing denial or negation.
> 'Not' is used as an adverb.
There isn't any book on the table.
> When 'Not' is used after the verb 'to be' (is, am, are, was, were, etc.) , the following patterns are used -
(A) Subject + verb to be + not + a/an + singular countable noun
There isn't a boy in the room.
( in this sentence 'any' can be used in place of 'a'.) There isn't any boy in the room.
He isn't a teacher.
(B) Subject + verb 'to be' + not + plural noun or uncountable noun (without any article)
They aren't cows.
There isn't light in the room.
(C) Subject + verb 'to be ' + not + adjective ( In this pattern 'No' cannot be used because 'no' cannot qualify any adjective.)
This picture is not beautiful.
You are not bad.

(4.1.5) Difference between 'In Time' and 'On Time' /Use of 'In Time' and 'On Time'

What is the difference between 'In Time' and 'On Time' (Use of 'In time' and 'On time' )

'In time' means 'not late' or 'early enough' or before the appointed time.
On time means 'not late' punctually, or  at the scheduled time.
Examples :
I went to the station in time to receive the Director.
In time to receive the director 'means' early enough to receive the Director.
The train arrived on time means the train arrived punctually.

(4.1.3) 'Many and Many a' / Difference between 'Many' and ' Many a'

What is the difference between 'Many' and 'Many a' ( The use of 'Many' and 'Many a')

'Many' is used with plural nouns to mean ' a large number of'.
Examples :
Many people feel that the law must be followed rigidly.
It is one of our many errors.
Many soldiers are killed in wars.
I have many friends.
They have many cows.
There are not many books in the library.
Were there many books in the library ?
He worked for many years and at last got success.
'Many a' is used with a singular noun and verb to mean 'a large number of '.
Examples :
Many a good man suffers due to the faults of others.
Many a good man  = Many good men
Many a soldiers is killed in wars.
Many a soldier = Many soldiers
It was known by only a few persons for many a year.
For many a year= For many years.
Many a student comes here to solve their problems.
Many a student = Many students.
'Many an' can also be used in place of 'many a' if a vowel sound giving words comes after it.
Many an engineer can solve this technical problem easily.
(Many an engineer = Many engineers)

(4.1.4)Fairly and Rather / Difference between Fairly and Rather

What is the difference between Fairly and Rather

1. 'Fairly' and 'Rather' are adverbs. They are used to express' to a moderate degree.'
2. 'Fairly' is used with a positive or pleasant idea.
'Rather' is used with a negative or an unpleasant idea.
 Examples :
The crow was fairly clever, but the fox was rather foolish.
Hari is fairly rich.
Ram is rather poor.
I did fairly well in the examination, but he did rather badly.
3. 'Fairly' is used with the favourable adjectives, or adverbs, as : well, nice, good, clever, wise, pleasant.
This idea is fairly nice.
4. 'Rather' is used with the unfavourable adjectives or adverbs, as :
 ugly, bad, silly, foolish, stupid, cunning.
His hand writing is rather ugly.
5. With adjectives or adverbs such as 'fast', 'slow', 'thick', 'thin', 'hot', 'cold', etc. which are not in themselves 'favourable' or 'unfavourable', one can express approval by using 'fairly' and disapproval by using 'rather', as-
The tea is fairly hot. (The speaker likes such hot tea.)
The tea is rather hot. (The tea is a little too hot for the speaker.)
Some more examples  -
1. It is rather cold today, I must put on an overcoat.
2. Be careful. That knife is rather sharp.
3. I showed him a book and he was fairly interested.
4. We have had a fairly good holiday.
5. she is rather a foolish kind of girl.
6. You can speak English fairly well.
7. The film was rather bad.

(3.1.2) The Use of 'Only' / How to use 'Only'

How to use 'Only'?

Only: (adjective) sole, single. alone.
Only: (adverb) solely, exclusively.
Only: (conjunction) but, except.
Read the following sentences:
1. The old woman lost her only son.
2.Your son is only leaving now for the front.
In the sentence 1, the word 'only' means that the old woman had no other son except the son referred to.
In the sentence 2, the word 'only' emphasizes that the son is leaving now and did not leave earlier.
Some more uses of 'Only': 
(A) In the sense of 'exclusively' :
I want to buy only the latest edition of this book.
The TV is to be used for only educational purposes.
(B) In the sense of 'just', 'merely' :
He is only a child; how can he understand such a complex issue?
(C) When 'only' is used after 'can' or 'could', it stresses that there is no other option available than what has been said:
I can only sympathise with you.
We can only feel sorry for him.
(D) "Only' is used to emphasize the appropriateness of a certain course of action or behaviour:
Ramesh is your close friend. It is only natural that he rejoices at your victory.
Note:-
'Only' should be used immediately before the word that it modifies or refers to. Care should be taken in the use of 'only', else one may be misunderstood. Look at the following sentences:
1. Only Ram promised to give me a book. (i.e., Ram and nobody else.)
2. Ram only promised to give me a book.( i.e. Ram did not give it away.)
3. Ram promised to give me only a book. ( i.e. a book and nothing else.)
Some more examples -
Only Sita promised to help me.
Sita only promised to help me.
Only I saw her yesterday.
I saw only her yesterday.
I saw her only yesterday.

(4.1.2) Difference between People and Peoples

What is the difference between 'People' and 'Peoples'

The use of 'People' and 'Peoples'
1. 'People' is a collective noun which though singular in form, is used as plural; as,
Some people are mad after riches.
Many people were standing in a queue.
2. As a common noun 'People' means 'a nation', and is used in both singular and plural; as,
The Indians are a hard working people (nation).
There are many peoples (nations) in Europe.
3. 'Peoples' - the members of a particular nation or community or ethnic group.
The native peoples of Canada.
4. 'Peoples' - a body of persons sharing a common religion, culture or language.
The peoples of central Asia.

(7.1.1) Abbreviations

What is an abbreviation?
An abbreviation is a short form of a word or phrase.
A
ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
AFMS : Air Force Medical Service
APEC : Asia Pacific Economic Corporation
ATS : Aviation Turbine Fuel
B
BARC: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
BDO : Block Development Officer
BHEL : Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
BBL : Big Bash League

C
CBEC: Central Board of Excise ad Customs.
COP : Conference of the Parties
CPEC : China Pakistan Economic Boarder
CIL : Coal India Limited

D
DSP : Deputy Superintendent of Police
DDCA : Delhi and District Cricket Association
DSC : Defence Security Corps

E


F
FAO: Food and Agriculture organisation.
FMS : Faculty of Management Studies
FSSAI : Food Safety and Standards Authority of India

G
H
I
IETE: Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers.
ILO: International Labor Organisation.
IB : International Boarder
ICMR : Indian Council of Medical Research
IOC : Indian Oil Corporation
ICEX : Indian Commodity Exchange
IAF : Indian Air Force

J
K
L
LIC: Life Insurance Corporation
M
N
NAC : National Advisory Council
NSSO : National Sample survey Organisation
NSS : National Service Scheme
NEAT : National Exchange for Automated Trading
NDMA : National Disaster Management Force
O
ORF: Observer Research Foundation
ONGC : Oil and Natural Gas Corporation.
P
PPP : Purchasing Power Parity
PBL : Premier Bedminton League

Q
R
S
SPC : Strategic Forces Command
SCS : South China Sea

T
TGT : Trained Graduate Teacher

U
V
W
X
Y
Z

(4.1.1) Difference between 'A number of' and 'The number of'

What is the difference between 'A number  of---' and 'The number of ---'

'A number of'' means 'many'.
'The number of' means 'a single figure'
"A number of ---" is treated as a plural subject so it takes a plural verb:
A number of books are lying on the floor.
A number of boys have already come here.
A number of students have got good marks in English.
A number of girls are absent today.
"The number of ----" is treated as a singular subject so it takes a singular verb:
The number of girls in the class is twenty.
The number of books missing is not known.

3.1.1 The use of 'Just'

What are the uses of 'Just'

The word 'Just' has various uses and meanings:
(1) 'Just' is used as an adverb of time with the present perfect tense:
The bell has just rung.
Here 'just' means 'a very short time ago.'
(2) Just = Exactly
This will be just the place.
The weather is just right, not too hot, not too cold.
(3) Just = Only
Just a minute.
There is just one apple left.
(4) Just = After a short time
The train is just going to start.
(5) Just = Approximately
It is just about ten o'clock.
Some more examples -
1. Every thing happened just as you said it would.
2. I was just leaving the house when you came.
3. Surely you are not serious. You are just joking.
4. This present is just what I was wanting.
5.My grandmother is just about ninety years old.