UNIT -I

WH - QUESTIONS
WH questions ask for information. They are different from Yes/No questions.
There are 8 different WH question words:

Question Answer Example

What Thing What is that?
When Time When is the game?
Who Person Who do you live with?
Where Place Where do you live?
Why Reason Why are you happy?
How Directions/Feelings How are you?
Whom Person Whom do you live with?
Whose Belonging Whose book is that?

STRUCTURE
WH questions in simple present use “do” or “be”:

M
WH Questions with "do"

WH + DO/DOES + SUBJECT + VERB

O
C
S.
Examples:
U
C

• Where do you work?

FO

• Where does she live?

• When do you wake up?
TS

WH Questions with "be"

WH + BE + SUBJECT
EN

Examples:
• Where are you from?
D

• Who is that man?

U

• When is your class?

ST

Here are some example questions and answers:

Examples:
1. Are you from Canada?
Where are you from?
2. Where are you from?
I am from Japan.
3. What is your name?
My name is Jacob.
4. What is on the table?
A pencil is on the table.
5. When do you wake up?
I wake up at 7:30 am.
6. Why are you angry?
I am angry because I did not pass my exam.
7. Whose cat is this?
It’s my sister’s cat.
8. Which bag is yours?
The red one is mine.
EXERCISE

Frame suitable questions for the statements given below:

1. I live in London.
2. I wake up at 5.30 am.
3. My sister goes to the college at 8.00 am.
4. She bought the book on Tuesday.
5. The party is on Sunday.
6. Pauline knows the answer to the question.
7. She teaches us English.
8. Sugar makes tea sweet.
9. He met me this morning.
10. She was late because the bus was late.
11. John Milton wrote Paradise lost.
12. She knows the answer to this question

M
13. The book cost Rs.50.

O
14. She has done 25 exercises this week.

C
15. My husband travels abroad twice in a month.
16. She sells good cakes.
S.
U
17. The principal gave away the prizes.
C

18. My father reached home at 9 o’clock.

FO

19. He came here last week.

TS

20. I kept it in the pocket.

21. I go to school by car.
EN

22. He is three years old now.

23. The camera costs 55 Dollars.
D

24. I swim twice a week.

U

25. He is my brother Abishek.

ST

WORD FORMATION USING PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES

An English word can be divided into three parts: a prefix, a stem, and a suffix.
The ‘stem’ is the root or main word. Pre-means 'before’. A prefix, therefore, is
what comes before the stem. ‘A suffix’ is what is attached to the end of the stem.
Consider, as an example, the word ‘demagnetize’ (meaning 'to deprive of
magnetism'). The prefix is de- meaning 'reduce' or 'reverse'.’Magnet’ is the stem
or main word. ‘ize’ is the suffix.

Suffixes change the word from one part of speech to another. For example, -ly
added to the adjective quick gives the adverb quickly.
Prefixes, on the other hand, usually change the meaning of the word. For
example, un- changes a word to the negative. Unmagnetizable means 'not capable
of being magnetized'. Let us now consider some prefixes, their usual meanings,
and how they change the meanings of English words.
 Part 1: prefixes

Prefixes:
Negative & positive Size Location Time & order Number
un- semi- inter- pre- mono-
non- mini- super- ante- bi-
in- micro- trans- fore- hex-
dis- ex- post- oct-
re- extra- multi-
peri-

Study these tables. Try and find additional examples using your dictionary:

1. Negative and positive prefixes:

Prefix Meaning Examples

M
Negative: un- Not Unmagnetized

O
in- Not Incomplete

C
im- Not S. Impossible
il- Not Illegal
U
ir- Not irregular, irrelevant
C
FO

non- not connected with non-programmable

mis- bad, wrong Misdirect
TS

mal- bad, wrong Malfunction

dis- Opposite feeling Disagree
EN

dis- Opposite action Disconnect

D

anti- Against antiglare, antistatic

U

de- reduce, reverse demagnetize, decode

ST

under- too little Underestimate

Positive: re- do again Reorganize
Over- too much Overload
Part 2: suffixes

We have already seen how prefixes can change the meaning of a word. Let us
now consider some suffixes, their usual meanings, and how they change the
meanings of English words:

Suffixes
Nouns Verbs Adjectives Adverbs
-ance -ize -able -ly
-ence -ate -ible
-or -fy -less
-er -en -ic
 -ist -ify -ical
-ish
-ive

Study these tables. Try and find additional examples using your dictionary:

1. Noun - forming suffixes:

Suffix Meaning Examples
-ance State Performance
-ence quality of Independence
a person who programmer, operator, biographer
-er, -or
a thing which compiler, accumulator, processor, calculator
-ist, -yst a person who analyst, typist
-ian pertaining to Electrician
-tion, -ation the act of compilation
-ness condition of readiness, cleanliness, happiness

M
-ion action/state conversion

O
-ing Activity multiplexing

C
-ment state, action measurement, requirement
-ity state, quality
S.
electricity
U
-ism condition/state magnetism
C

-dom domain/condition Freedom

FO

-ship condition/state relationship, partnership

TS

2. Verb - forming suffixes:

Suffix Meaning Examples
EN

-ize/-ise computerize
D

-ate Automate, activate, calculate

to make
U

-ify Simplify
ST

-en harden, widen, lengthen, shorten

3. Adverb – forming suffix:

Suffix Meaning Examples
electronically, logically, comparably, slowly, quickly,
-ly in the manner of
automatically, carefully
4. Adjective – forming suffixes:
Suffix Meaning Examples
-al Computational, logical
-ar circular, rectangular, cellular, regular
-ic having the quality of magnetic, automatic
-ical Electrical
-able Comparable
-ble capable of being Divisible
-ous like, full of dangerous, insiduous, miraculous
-ful characterized by helpful, careful
-less Without Careless, meaningless
-ish Like Yellowish
-ed computed, processed
having the quality of
-ive Interactive

EXERCISE

I Use the prefix 'un' to make opposites of these words.

1. able 2. happy
3. known 4. safe
5. common 6. selfish
7. lock 8. pleasant.

M
II Use the prefix 'dis' to make opposites for these words:

O
C
1. advantage 2. approval,
3. connect 4. honest
S.
U
C

5. like 6. obey
FO

7. loyal 8. trust
TS

III Use the prefix 'im' to make opposites of these words.

EN

1. patient 2. perfect
D

3. possible 4. polite
U
ST

5. mortal 6. moral
7. mature 8. pure
IV Use the prefix 'il' to make opposites for these words:

1. logical
2. legible
3. legal
4. literate

V Find the opposites for the words in the first column from the second column.
Ascend decrease Increase outside
Normal careless External useless
Careful abnormal Inside internal
Useful descend
 The Parts of Speech.

There are eight parts of speech in the English language:

noun, pronoun, verb, adjective,adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection. The part of speech
indicates how the word functions in meaning as well as grammatically within the sentence.
THE EIGHT PARTS OF SPEECH

There are eight parts of speech in the English language: noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition,
conjunction, and interjection. The part of speech indicates how the word functions in meaning as well as
grammatically within the sentence. An individual word can function as more than one part of speech when used in
different circumstances. Understanding parts of speech is essential for determining the correct definition of a word
when using the dictionary.

1. NOUN

M
 A noun is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea.

O
C
man... Butte College... house... happiness
S.
A noun is a word for a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns are often used with an article ( the, a, an), but not
U
C

always. Proper nouns always start with a capital letter; common nouns do not. Nouns can be singular or plural,
FO

concrete or abstract. Nouns show possession by adding 's. Nouns can function in different roles within a sentence;
TS

for example, a noun can be a subject, direct object, indirect object, subject complement, or object of a preposition.
EN

The young girl brought me a very long letter from the teacher, and then she quickly disappeared. Oh my!
D

THE EIGHT PARTS OF SPEECH

U
ST

There are eight parts of speech in the English language: noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition,
conjunction, and interjection. The part of speech indicates how the word functions in meaning as well as
grammatically within the sentence. An individual word can function as more than one part of speech when used in
different circumstances. Understanding parts of speech is essential for determining the correct definition of a word
when using the dictionary.

1. NOUN

 A noun is the name of a person, place, thing, or idea.

man... Butte College... house... happiness

A noun is a word for a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns are often used with an article ( the, a, an), but not
always. Proper nouns always start with a capital letter; common nouns do not. Nouns can be singular or plural,

concrete or abstract. Nouns show possession by adding 's. Nouns can function in different roles within a sentence;
for example, a noun can be a subject, direct object, indirect object, subject complement, or object of a preposition.
 The young girl brought me a very long letter from the teacher, and then she quickly disappeared. Oh my!

See the TIP Sheet on "Nouns" for further information.

2. PRONOUN

 A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun.

She... we... they... it

A pronoun is a word used in place of a noun. A pronoun is usually substituted for a specific noun, which is called its

antecedent. In the sentence above, the antecedent for the pronoun she is the girl. Pronouns are further defined by

type: personal pronouns refer to specific persons or things; possessive pronouns indicate ownership; reflexive
pronouns are used to emphasize another noun or pronoun; relative pronouns introduce a subordinate clause; and
demonstrative pronouns identify, point to, or refer to nouns.

The young girl brought me a very long letter from the teacher, and then she quickly disappeared. Oh my!

M
See the TIP Sheet on "Pronouns" for further information.

O
C
3. VERB
S.

U
A verb expresses action or being.
C

jump... is... write... become

FO

The verb in a sentence expresses action or being. There is a main verb and sometimes one or more helping verbs.
TS

("She can sing." Sing is the main verb; can is the helping verb.) A verb must agree with its subject in number (both
EN

are singular or both are plural). Verbs also take different forms to express tense.
D

The young girl brought me a very long letter from the teacher, and then she quickly disappeared. Oh my!
U
ST

See the TIP Sheet on "Verbs" for more information.

4. ADJECTIVE

 An adjective modifies or describes a noun or pronoun.

pretty... old... blue... smart

An adjective is a word used to modify or describe a noun or a pronoun. It usually answers the question of which one,
what kind, or how many. (Articles [a, an, the] are usually classified as adjectives.)

The young girl brought me a very long letter from the teacher, and then she quickly disappeared. Oh my!

See the TIP Sheet on "Adjectives" for more information.

5. ADVERB

 An adverb modifies or describes a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.

gently... extremely... carefully... well
 An adverb describes or modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, but never a noun. It usually answers the
questions of when, where, how, why, under what conditions, or to what degree. Adverbs often end in -ly.

The young girl brought me a very long letter from the teacher, and then she quickly disappeared. Oh my!

See the TIP Sheet on "Adverbs" for more information.

6. PREPOSITION

 A preposition is a word placed before a noun or pronoun to form a phrase modifying another word in
the sentence.
by... with.... about... until

(by the tree, with our friends, about the book, until tomorrow)

A preposition is a word placed before a noun or pronoun to form a phrase modifying another word in the
sentence. Therefore a preposition is always part of a prepositional phrase. The prepositional phrase almost always

M
functions as an adjective or as an adverb. The following list includes the most common prepositions:

O
C
The young girl brought me a very long letter from the teacher, and then she quickly disappeared. Oh my!
S.
See the TIP Sheet on "Prepositions" for more information.
U
C

7. CONJUNCTION
FO

 A conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses.

TS

and... but... or... while... because

EN

A conjunction joins words, phrases, or clauses, and indicates the relationship between the elements
D
U

joined. Coordinating conjunctions connect grammatically equal elements: and, but, or, nor, for, so,
ST

yet. Subordinating conjunctions connect clauses that are not equal: because, although, while, since, etc. There are
other types of conjunctions as well.

The young girl brought me a very long letter from the teacher, and then she quickly disappeared. Oh my!

See the TIP Sheet on "Conjunctions" for more information.

8. INTERJECTION

 An interjection is a word used to express emotion.

Oh!... Wow!... Oops!

An interjection is a word used to express emotion. It is often followed by an exclamation point.

The young girl brought me a very long letter from the teacher, and then she quickly disappeared. Oh my!

See the TIP Sheet on "Interjections" for more information.

 Articles
Definite, Indefinite and No Article

The Indefinite Article – A / AN

We use A/AN with:

1. Singular nouns and the first time we refer to a person, animal or thing.

 a child
 an elephant
 a television

2. We don't use A/AN with possessive pronouns, demonstratives or cardinal numbers.

 My shirt is dirty.
 This car is expensive.
 One person is in the reception.

M
3. We use ONE (or more) instead of A/AN when the number is important.

O
C
 There is only one exit from the airport.
S.
U
What is the difference between A and AN?
C
FO

A is used when the next word begins with a consonant sound (b, c, d, f, g, h, j, k etc).
TS

 a book
 a table
EN

 a clock
 a university (because the beginning of university sounds like YOU-niversity)
D
U

AN is used when the next word begins with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u).
ST

 an apple
 an elephant
 an umbrella
 an hour (because the H is silent)

Try our game to practice the difference between A and AN.

The Definite Article – THE

We use THE with:

1. A singular or plural noun when it is clear/obvious which person or thing we are talking about.

 There is a lamp in my bedroom. (we mention the lamp for the first time)
 The lamp is next to the desk.

2. Anything which we identify immediately.

  We watched the new Brad Pitt movie last night.

3. Musical instruments (the violin, the guitar, the drums, the flute, the piccolo).

 She plays the piano.

4. Something that is unique or there is only one.

 the sun
 the moon
 the internet.

5. Names of rivers, seas, oceans, mountain ranges and deserts (always in capitals).

 The Mississippi River

 The Black Sea
 The Andes
 The Sahara Desert

M
6. Directions (cardinal points).

O
C
 the west


the south-east
the north-west.
S.
U
C
FO

No Article
We use no article with:
TS

1. When we refer to general ideas, plurals or uncountable nouns we do not use THE.
EN

 Religion is an important issue. (NOT The religion is an important issue)

D

 Mexican food is spicy. (NOT The Mexican food is spicy).

U
ST

2. Names of people, books and plays (unless it is part of the title).

 I have read Romeo and Juliet.

3. Towns, cities, states and countries.

 Cape Town
 Montana
 Vietnam

(Exceptions – The USA, The UK, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, The Philippines).

4. Lakes, single islands, continents or mountains.

 Lake Victoria
 Jamaica
 Asia
 Mt Fuji
5. Planets

 Mars
 Jupiter
 Saturn

6. Sports or games

 soccer
 tennis
 skiing
 monopoly

7. Meals

 breakfast
 lunch
 dinner
 supper

M
O
C
S.
U
C
FO
TS
EN
D
U
ST