Let's Learn English Together

Everlasting Spring · 10-21-2008, 07:32 PM

B) Nominal Relative Clauses

A nominal or fused relative clause is a subordinate clause. Unlike the adjectival clause, nominal relative clause does not modify an external noun phrase, and instead has a nominal function fused into it. It functions as a subject of a sentence, direct object, indirect object, subject complement, object complement , prepositional complement and appositive

e.g.0

Whoever breaks the law will be punished. (subject)0
I don't know who did it. (object)0
The decision must depend on which we need. (prepositional complement)0
The question, who did it, has not yet been considered. (appositive)0
He gave whomever he invited a pleasant gift. (indirect object)0
You can call him whatever you like. (object complement)0
The problem is what he did. (subject complement)0

Here,( what he did) has the sense of that which he did, i.e. the thing that he did

Notice that: Nominal relative clauses are inherently restrictive. i.e. they are important to understand the sentence and can not be taken out

Notice that the nominal relative clause is one of the five major categories of nominal clauses. The other four categories are declarative clauses, interrogative clauses, to – infinitive clauses and gerundial clauses

Here is just an overview of nominal clauses as it's not our concern here

a) The that-clause, or dependent declarative clause:0
This can function as subject, direct object, subject complement, appositive and adjectival complement

e.g.0
That she is late is not surprising. (subject)0
I told him (that) she'd be late. (direct object)0
I'm sure (that) things will improve. (adjectival complement)0

b) The dependent interrogative clause:0
This can function as subject, direct object, subject complement, appositive, adjectival complement and prepositional complement

e.g.0
How the book will be sold depends on its author. (subject)0
I wasn't certain whose house I was in. (adjectival complement)0

c) To-infinitive nominal clauses:0
These can act as subject, direct object, subject complement, appositive, adjectival complement

e.g.0
He likes everyone to be happy. (direct object)0
His ambition, to be a doctor , was never fulfilled. (appositive)0
I'm glad to help you. (adjectival complement)0

d) Nominal -ing clauses (gerundial clauses):0
These can function as subject, direct object, subject complement, appositive, prepositional complement, adjectival complement

e.g.0
Lying to people is wrong. (subject)0
I don't enjoy reading novels. (direct object)0
I'm tired of working so hard. (prepositional complement)0

There is also a minor type of nominal clause, the "bare infinitive" clause (infinitive without 'to').0

e.g.0
All I did was (to) turn on the lights. (subject complement)0
Turn off the lights was all I did. (subject)0

Notice that the fused relative pronouns, such as what, whatever, and whoever, (in some of the examples above) can also introduce other kinds of clauses as well

To Be Followed

Everlasting Spring · 10-24-2008, 11:40 PM

C) Adverbial Relative Clauses

An adverbial relative clause is a clause introduced by the adverbs: why (for which) , referring to a reason, when ( in/on which), referring to a time, and Where (in/at which), referring to a place, Much as the adjectival clause, the adverbial relative clause can modify a noun or a noun phrase and it can be a defining or a non-defining relative clause

In the defining clause the relative pronouns (why, when) can be omitted; but (where) can not be taken out

e.g.0

why
I'd like to know the reason why he decided not to come. (formal)0
I'd like to know the reason he decided not to come. (informal)0

when
June is the month when many people take holidays.(formal)0
June is the month many people take holidays.(informal)0

where
She always had wanted to go to a place where she could rest from life pressure. (formal/ informal)0
She always had wanted to go to a place she could rest from life pressure. ( incorrect sentence; where can not be omitted)0

In the non-defining clause the adverb relative pronouns can not be taken out

e.g.0
She has a special memory of her wedding day, when she started a new life
He decided to immigrate to Australia, where he can work as farmer

BN: The clause that is used to modify the entire clause is called an adverbial relative clause. Only non-defining relative clauses can be used adverbially

e.g.0
He designed a beautiful house, which I think is very impressive

To Be Followed

Everlasting Spring · 10-25-2008, 05:40 PM

How to Form Relative Clauses

If two or more independent clauses are related, they can be joined together using relative pronouns

The relative pronouns that, who, whom, whose, which, where, when, and why are used to join clauses to make a complex sentence. A relative pronoun is used at the beginning of the subordinate clause which gives some specific information about the noun or the noun phrase in the main clause

e.g. The woman is my best friend. She lives next door

Here, the two independent clauses are related. The personal pronoun in the second clause refers to the subject of the first one. So, the second clause can be used as a relative clause modifying the subject of the first clause. The personal pronoun "she" can be replaced by the subjective relative pronoun "who" as shown below:0

The woman who lives next door is my best friend

Everlasting Spring · 10-25-2008, 07:53 PM

Using Pronouns Clearly

Because a pronoun refers back to a noun or takes the place of that noun, you have to use the correct pronoun so that your reader clearly understands which noun your pronoun is referring to

Therefore, pronouns should agree in number; agree in person and refer clearly to a specific noun0

a)Agreement in number

If the pronoun takes the place of a singular noun, you have to use a singular pronoun

e.g.0

If a student wants to concentrate on studying, he /she has to choose a quiet place
NOT:If a student wants to concentrate on studying, they have to choose a quiet place

Remember: the words everybody, anybody, anyone, each, neither, nobody, someone, a person, etc. are singular and take singular pronouns

Everybody ought to do his/ her best
NOT: their best

Neither of the girls brought her umbrella
NOT: their umbrellas

b)Agreement in Person

If you are writing in the "first person" ( I), don't confuse your reader by switching to the "second person" ( you) or "third person" (he, she, they, it, etc.). Similarly, if you are using the "second person," don't switch to "first" or "third."0

e.g.0

When a person comes to class, he/she should have his/her homework ready
NOT: When a person comes to class, you should have your homework ready

c)Referring Clearly to a Specific Noun

When using a pronoun, refer clearly to a specific noun and don't be vague or ambiguous

e.g.0

Although the motorcycle hit the tree, it was not damaged. (Is "it" the motorcycle or the tree?)0

I don't think they should show violence on TV. (Who are "they"?)0

Vacation is coming soon, which is nice. (What is nice, the vacation or the fact that it is coming soon?)0

Ahmed worked in a famous company last summer. This may be his life's work. (What word does "this" refer to?)0

If you put this sheet in your notebook, you can refer to it. (What does "it" refer to, the sheet or your notebook?)0

TO DEAL NEXT WITH THE LAST TYPE OF PRONOUNS

Everlasting Spring · 10-30-2008, 04:01 PM

The 5th Kind of Pronouns; Indefinite Pronouns

Indefinite Pronouns
Indefinite pronouns are used to refer to an identified but not specified person or thing. They convey the idea of all, any, none, or some

The most common indefinite pronouns are [all, another, one, each, each one, much, several, many, few, some, "SOME" words (somebody, someone, something, somewhere, sometime, sometimes), any, "ANY" words (anybody, anyone, anything, anywhere, anytime), everybody, everyone, everything, everywhere, nobody, none, nothing, nowhere]0

Notice that "any" & "some" can be used as a word by itself and can be joined to another word to form compound indefinite pronouns

Notice that some indefinite pronouns can also be used as indefinite adjectives

Pronoun Case

The indefinite pronouns do not change form in the subjective nor in the objective case. This means they can be used as subjects or objects

The Uses of Indefinite Pronouns

The pronouns (all, another, one, each, several, few, many, some, any) are used to refer to a person or a thing
e.g. Each is good. ( subject/ person or thing)0

The pronouns (anyone, someone, everyone, none (= no one)) are mostly used to refer to a person, but they can be also used to refer to a thing when there is a choice
e.g.0

Everyone is welcome to the party. (subject / person)0
Which design do you want? Anyone will be good. (subject/ thing)0

The pronouns (anybody, somebody, everybody, nobody) are used to refer to a person
e.g. She met nobody. (object of a verb)0

The pronouns (anything, something, everything, nothing) are used to refer to a thing
e.g. Everything is done. (subject)0

The pronouns (anywhere, somewhere, everywhere, nowhere) are used to refer to a place. They are called adverbs of place
e.g. You can find him somewhere

The pronouns (anytime, sometime, every time, no time) are used to refer to time. They are called adverbs of time
e.g. You can come anytime

To Be Followed

Everlasting Spring · 10-30-2008, 05:08 PM

Indefinite Adjectives

The Indefinite pronouns (all, another, one, each, several, many, few, some, any, every) can also be called Indefinite Adjectives as they sometimes act as adjectives modifying a noun or a pronoun

e.g.0

He visited many places. ( modifying a noun)0
All of them are for Ali. (modifying a pronoun)0
He likes few of Ahmed's favourite video games. ( modifying a phrase)0

The Uses of Any and Some

ANY is used in negative sentences or questions for both countable and uncountable nouns
e.g.0
Do you have any cheese? (question/ uncountable)0
He doesn't have any friends in Kuwait. (negative/ countable)0

ANY WORDS (anybody, anyone, anywhere, anything) are used in negative sentences or questions
e.g.0
Do you know anything about that boy? (question)0
She doesn't have anyoneto go with. (negative)0

SOME is used in positive sentences for both countable and uncountable nouns
e.g.0
I have some friends. (countable)0
I want some milk. (uncountable)0

SOME can also be used in questions when offering or requesting something that is there
e.g.0
Would you like some bread? (offer)0
Could I have some water? (request)0

SOME WORDS (somebody, someone, somewhere, something) are used in positive sentences
e.g.0
He lives somewhere near here

SOME WORDS can also be used in questions when expecting the answer (Yes)0
e.g.0
Did you meet somebody there? Yes, I met the manager

To Be Followed

Everlasting Spring · 10-30-2008, 05:35 PM

Assalamu Alaikum friends

Here is the last post related to the pronouns

A Puzzled Story

This is a little story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody

There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done

Have you understood anything?!!!0

Neither have I

0

Everlasting Spring · 11-10-2008, 04:44 PM

Colour Idioms

In the story below, you will find idioms with colours. An idiom is a fixed expression with a certain meaning. Here are some examples:0

If you keep spending your money like this you will be soon in the red.0
Oh come one, we all tell a white lie sometimes, don't we?0

Now read the short story and try to work out what the expressions in red mean:0

A Silver Lining

In a rash moment I said I'd buy my son a car for his graduation. The trouble was he had set his heart on a particular colour — white. It had to be white at all costs. I pointed out till I was blue in the face ( almost going out of my mind) that white was a very difficult colour to keep clean

But he was adamant and so in the end I decided to show the white flag (to surrender) as it were. We looked at dozens of white and off white cars but none seemed to be worth buying

Now, I'm a bit green ( rather inexperienced) about buying cars. I'm the perfect customer as far as the secondhand car salesman is concerned. Take the first place we went to. The manager rolled out the red carpet ( gave me preferential treatment) when he saw me coming. He started by showing me the most expensive models he could find, some of which made me turn green with envy ( I was quite envious) of anyone who could afford to buy one. But as soon as I mentioned the sort of age for the car I had in mind, he started to give me black looks ( started to frown). I can't describe the language he used when I gave some idea of the price I was thinking of because it would be red-pencilled ( censored)0

From the beginning I was therefore somewhat browned off (fed up). Once in a blue moon ( very rarely), I thought do you come across a genuine bargain. I mean some of the dealers are thoroughly dishonest or is it that they are simply telling white lies (only half-truths)? The trouble is you have to buy a car in order to find out. At one garage, I actually caught one of the salesmen red-handed (in the middle of his act), just as he was gluing back a chip of paint that had fallen off. I put a black mark against his name ( didn't think much of his reputation). But what really made me see red ( get angry) was when I was told that I would only get an old wreck for what I was prepared to pay. Perhaps I was being a bit moderate but then I didn't want to end up in the red ( in debt) to the bank. The only way to deal with these salesmen is to put on a bold face. It doesn't matter if you have a yellow streak ( are a coward). You don't have to accept the first price and whatever you do don't give the green light (permission) to continue with the sale until you're absolutely satisfied

One weekend I decided to leave my car at home and go by train to a large car centre. I was feeling in the pink (very fit) as we approached the man standing by the sales office. He had one of those arrogant expressions that act rather like a red rag to me ( somehow provoke me). I told him straight that I knew his centre had been black listed by motoring organizations ( no longer approved by them) and therefore it was no good him trying to whitewash (excuse) all the stories I'd heard. That wiped the arrogant expression off his face. The only trouble was that I discovered that I'd not been talking to the sales manager but a fellow customer. In my confusion, I tripped over a spare tyre, rolled over and ended up in a ditch

When I got home I was black and blue all over ( covered in bruises).0

By the sixth weekend of looking, I was understandably feeling rather blue (somewhat depressed). I'd even considered getting a car through the black market ( by some dishonest means).0

But everything cloud has a silver lining ( things improve in the end). And that Sunday was a red letter day ( a special day to remember), since we finally found a car. We were out driving in the countryside when out of the blue ( totally unexpectedly), we saw a notice advertising cars for sale in a farm yard

We saw a man in a brown study (deep in thought) sitting in a small hut. He was the farmer cum salesman from whom I eventually bought the car. He quickly dispensed with all the red tape ( all the formalities) and very soon I had it in black and white ( in writing) that the car belonged to me. It's quite a good car and it's white or to be more accurate, it's more what you would call two tone. You see with the white there's quite a bit of brown ( known less colourfully as rust).0

I wish you like it

Everlasting Spring · 11-10-2008, 04:51 PM

Assalamu Alaikum
Hi my dearest friends. I miss you soooooo much

WOooo ….. What a tough couple of weeks
I don't know why we can not enjoy the rain without improving some health problem
You know some of the most joyful moments in my life is to play under rainwater
My mother keeps saying I'm a child & I keep saying concerning rain, I'd like to be a child forever

Never mind, I'm OK now & here I am again <<<<

welcome back ever

I wish the inputs I've posted here are so helpful

I don't know if the topics posted are needed

or some other inputs are preferred

Also, I don't know if the way used to explain is OK

or some other ways are preferred

Give me hints and it would be my extreme pleasure to help

With all my love

Everlasting Spring · 11-16-2008, 11:00 PM

-ible and -able

Many words end in -ible and -able. Sometimes it is difficult to remember which spelling to use.

The -ible ending:

The -ible ending is for words of Latin origin. There are about 180 words ending in -ible. No new words are being created with -ible endings.

Here are the most common examples:

accessible
admissible
audible
collapsible
combustible
compatible
comprehensible
contemptible
credible
defensible
destructible
digestible
divisible
edible
fallible
flexible
gullible
horrible
illegible
implausible
inaccessible
incontrovertible
incredible
indefensible
indelible
inedible
insensible
intelligible
invincible
invisible
illegible
irresistible
irreversible
ostensible
permissible
plausible
possible
responsible
reversible
sensible
susceptible
suggestible
tangible
terrible
visible

The -able ending :

•non-Latin words, for example: affordable, dependable, washable

•new words, for example: networkable, windsurfable

Rule

This rule can help you decide the correct spelling. It works most (but not all!) of the time.
Remember, if you are not sure about a word, it is probably best to use a dictionary.

Here is the rule:

•If you remove -able from a word, you are left with a complete word.
•If you remove -ible from a word, you are not left with a complete word (note that accessible, contemptible, digestible, flexible and suggestible above are among the exceptions to this rule).0

ALLAH BLESS YOU

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