Miss.

Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

SHORT NOTES
SHORT NOTES – GRammaR
1. Conditional Sentences
4 Types
Type 0 – General Truths
• Structure: If + present simple, present simple
• Example: If you heat water, it boils.
Type 1 – Real Future Possibility
• Structure: If + present simple, will + verb
• Example: If it rains, we will stay home.
Type 2 – Unreal / Imaginary Present
• Structure: If + past simple, would + verb
• Example: If I were rich, I would travel.
Type 3 – Unreal Past
• Structure: If + had + past participle, would have + past participle
• Example: If she had studied, she would have passed.

2. Elliptic Expressions (Short If Forms)

• If ever – very rarely
Example: He seldom, if ever, visits us.
• If so – if that is true
Example: Are you tired? If so, take a rest.
• If at all – even slightly / in any way
Example: She rarely speaks, if at all.
• If whether – used to show doubt between choices
Example: I don’t know whether he will come.

3. Direct to Indirect Questions

Rules
1. Remove quotation marks.

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Miss. Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

2. Change question form into statement form.

3. Use if / whether for yes–no questions.
4. Change pronouns and tense if necessary.
Example
• Direct: She said, “Where are you going?”
• Indirect: She asked where I was going.
• Direct: He said, “Do you like tea?”
• Indirect: He asked if I liked tea.

Conditional Questions
A conditional question is a question that includes an if-clause.
Direct Speech
• Rebecca said, “If I go to the park, will you come?”
Indirect Speech
• Rebecca asked if she went to the park, would I come.
Rules
• Change will → would
• Change question form → statement form
• Use asked if / whether
• Change pronouns correctly
Example
• Direct: He said, “If it rains, will you stay home?”
• Indirect: He asked if it rained, I would stay home.

LATIN WORDS
Greek/Latin root → English word(s)
1. labour → labour, labourer
2. liber → library, librarian
3. habito → inhabit, inhabitant
4. magnus → magnify, magnitude

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Miss. Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

5. verto → convert, revert, subvert

6. ager + cultus → agriculture
7. manus → manual, manufacture
8. annus → annual
9. navis / navigo → navigation
10. contra → contraband, contradict
11. dict / dictus → contract, dictation, edict, indict
12. cub / cubile → cubicle, cuboid
13. femina → feminine, effeminate
14. spect / expecto → expect, expectation
15. occupo / occupare → occupy, occupant
16. mare / marinus → marine, mariner
17. miser → miser, miserable
18. septem → September
19. satis + facere → satisfactory, satisfy
20. elephas / elephantus → elephant
21. barbaros / barbarus → barbarian
22. Britannia → Britain
23. captivus → captive
24. firmare / confirmo → confirm
25. defendere / defendi → defend
26. despero → desperate, despair
27. difficilis → difficult
28. exclamo → exclaim, exclamation
29. expello / expelli → expel, expulsion
30. flamma → flame
31. Germani → German, Germany
32. honestas → honest, honesty
33. medicus → medical, medicine
34. excito → excite, excitation

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Miss. Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

DICTATIONS
2nd Mid Term
1. independent
2. certificate
3. representative
4. veterinary
5. confidence
6. parachute
7. incalculable
8. gurgling
10. alternative
11. efficiently
12. ultimate
13. surplus
14. desperate
15. accustomed
16. urgent
17. submarine
18 techniques
19. exhausted
20. simultaneously
21. strength

CONNECTIVES
Meaning & Example
1. After (Time) – Shows one action happens later than another.
Example: After I finished homework, I watched TV.
2. When (Time) – Shows the time something happens.
Example: Call me when you arrive home.

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Miss. Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

3. As (Time/Reason) – Shows two actions at the same time / gives a reason.

Example: As I was walking, I met my friend.
4. Because (Reason) – Gives the reason for something.
Example: He stayed home because he was sick.
5. Because of (Reason) – Shows reason + noun.
Example: We were late because of traffic.
6. Since (Reason) – Shows an obvious reason.
Example: Since it was a holiday, the office was closed.
7. If (Condition) – Shows a condition.
Example: If it rains, we will stay home.
8. Although (Contrast) – Shows contrast.
Example: Although it was late, they continued working.
9. Whereas (Comparison) – Shows difference.
Example: He likes tea, whereas his sister prefers coffee.
10. Therefore (Result) – Means “as a result”.
Example: He didn’t study; therefore, he failed.
11. Thus (Result) – Shows result in a formal way.
Example: He admitted his mistake, thus proving his honesty.
12. However (Contrast) – Means “but” (formal).
Example: I like dogs. However, I’m afraid of big ones.
13. Nevertheless (Strong contrast) – Means “in spite of that”.
Example: He was tired. Nevertheless, he continued.
14. In spite of (Contrast) – Means “despite this”.
Example: In spite of the rain, they played.
15. Despite (Contrast) – Same as in spite of.
Example: Despite being tired, she worked.
16. On the contrary (Opposite idea) – Corrects a wrong belief.
Example: He is not lazy. On the contrary, he is hardworking.
17. On the other hand (Alternative view) – Shows another point of view.
Example: This house is small. On the other hand, it is comfortable.
18. Nor (Negative agreement) – Adds another negative idea.
Example: She can’t swim, nor can she dive.
19. Thereby (Method/Result) – Shows method leading to a result.
Example: She followed the instructions carefully, thereby avoiding errors.

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Miss. Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

LETTER WRITING
Question:
Write a formal letter to the Principal requesting the renovation of your classroom.

Anuka Dimantha
Galhenawatta,
Kahawa.
10 th February 2026
The Principal,
Sankemta College,
Ambalangoda.

Dear Sir,
Requesting for a Urgent Classroom Renovation
I am writing to kindly request the renovation of our classroom. The walls of our classroom
are cracked and the paint is fading. Many desks and chairs are also damaged, making it
difficult for students to sit comfortably and concentrate on their studies. During rainy days,
water leaks through the roof, causing further inconvenience.
The poor condition of the classroom not only affects our studies but also lowers students’
morale. A safe, clean, and well-maintained classroom will encourage us to participate actively
in lessons and help improve overall academic performance.
A clean and well-maintained classroom environment is very important for effective learning.
Therefore, I respectfully request you to take the necessary steps to renovate our classroom as
soon as possible.

Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Anuka dimantha
(Class Monitor)

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Miss. Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

PREFIXES
Prefixes – Short Note
What is a prefix?
A prefix is a group of letters added at the beginning of a word to change its meaning.

Prefix Meaning Example Word Meaning

ab away, from abduct take away by force
ad to, towards adjoining joined to
ambi / amphi both ambidextrous able to use both
hands
ante before antenatal before birth
arch chief, main archbishop chief bishop
auto self autobiography life story written by
oneself
bene well, good benefit something helpful
bi two bicycle two wheels
bio life biology study of life
circum around circumference distance around
co / com / con together, with cooperate work together
de down descend go down
demi half demigod half god
dia across diameter line across a circle
em / en in, into enclose close in
equi equal equilateral equal sides
ex out exit go out
extra beyond extraordinary beyond ordinary
fore before foretell tell before
hemi half hemisphere half sphere
inter between international between nations
mono one monolingual one language

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Miss. Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

multi many multinational many nations

ob against obstruct block against
oct eight octagon eight sides
omni all omnipotent all-powerful
over above / too much overheat too hot
pan all pan-Asian all Asia
penta five pentagon five sides
peri around perimeter around edge
phil(o) love philosophy love of wisdom
poly many polyglot many languages
post after postpone after time
pre before preview see before
pro forward / for promote move forward
proto first prototype first model
pseudo false pseudonym false name
quad four quadrilateral four sides
re again rewrite write again
retro back retrospective looking back
semi half semicircle half circle
sub under submarine under water
super above superhuman above normal
tele far distance telephone sound from far
trans across transport carry across
tri three triangle three sides
ultra beyond ultrafast very fast
under below underground below ground
uni one uniform one form
vice in place of vice-president acting for president

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Miss. Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

FUTURE TENSE
1. Future Simple (Active)
• Form: will + base verb
• Use: Decisions, predictions, promises
• Examples:
o I will call you.
o She will win the prize.

2. Future Continuous (Active)

• Form: will be + verb-ing
• Use: Action in progress at a future time
• Examples:
o I will be studying at 8 p.m.
o They will be playing football tomorrow.

3. Future Perfect (Active)

• Form: will have + past participle
• Use: Action completed before a future time
• Examples:
o By Monday, I will have finished my homework.
o She will have left by 5 p.m.

4. Going to (Active)
• Form: am/is/are + going to + base verb
• Use: Plans, intentions, predictions (based on evidence)
• Examples:
o I am going to visit my friend.
o It is going to rain.

5. Present Continuous for Future (Active)

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Miss. Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

• Form: am/is/are + verb-ing

• Use: Fixed arrangements / near future
• Examples:
o I am meeting my teacher tomorrow.
o They are traveling next week.

6. Present Simple for Future

• Form: base verb (3rd person + s)
• Use: Timetables, schedules
• Examples:
o The train leaves at 6 p.m.
o School starts on Monday.

7. “To be” + Infinitive (Passive Future)

• Form: to be + past participle
• Use: Instructions, formal future, obligations
• Examples:
o The parcel is to be delivered tomorrow.
o Students are not to open the exam paper early.
o This work is to be completed by Friday.

8. Passive Future Forms

• Future Simple Passive: will + be + past participle
o Example: The letter will be sent tomorrow.
• Going to Passive: am/is/are + going to + be + past participle
o Example: The room is going to be cleaned.
• Future Perfect Passive: will have + been + past participle
o Example: The homework will have been checked by 5 p.m.

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Miss. Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

PHRASAL VERBS
1. Make
• Make up – invent, lie, or reconcile → She made up an excuse.
• Make out – understand clearly → I can’t make out his handwriting.
• Make for – move toward → They made for the exit quickly.

2. Pull
• Pull off – succeed in doing something difficult → He pulled off a great performance.
• Pull over – stop a vehicle → The police asked him to pull over.
• Pull out – leave or withdraw → They pulled out of the agreement.
3. Put
• Put off – postpone → We put off the meeting.
• Put up with – tolerate → I can’t put up with the noise.
• Put on – wear or pretend → She put on a hat. / He put on a brave face.
4. Bring
• Bring up – mention → She brought up an important point.
• Bring about – cause → The new law brought about changes.
• Bring in – introduce or earn → The company brought in new policies.
5. Call
• Call off – cancel → They called off the match.
• Call on – visit or ask → The teacher called on me to answer.
• Call up – phone → I’ll call you up later.
6. Come
• Come across – find by chance → I came across an old book.
• Come up with – produce or think of → She came up with a solution.
• Come down with – get sick → He came down with the flu.
7. Catch
• Catch up – reach the same level → He ran fast to catch up with them.
• Catch on – understand or become popular → He finally caught on to the joke.
• Catch up with – face consequences → His mistakes caught up with him.

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Miss. Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

8. Crop
• Crop up – appear unexpectedly → Problems keep cropping up.
9. Do
• Do over – redo → I’ll do it over.
• Do away with – eliminate → We should do away with bad habits.
10. Enter
• Enter into – begin a formal agreement → They entered into a contract.
11. Fall
• Fall apart – break/collapse → The old book fell apart.
• Fall behind – lag → He fell behind in studies.
• Fall out – quarrel → They fell out over money.
12. Find
• Find out – discover → I found out the truth.
• Find fault with – criticize → He always finds fault with me.
13. Get
• Get along with – have a good relationship → She gets along with everyone.
• Get over – recover → He got over his illness.
• Get by – manage → We can get by with little money.
14. Give
• Give up – stop trying → Don’t give up!
• Give in – surrender → He finally gave in.
• Give out – distribute or stop working → They gave out flyers. / The engine gave out.
15. Go
• Go on – continue → Please go on with your story.
• Go off – explode, ring, or spoil → The alarm went off. / The milk went off.
• Go through – experience or examine → She went through a tough time. / Go through
the documents.
16. Stand
• Stand up – rise → Everyone stood up.
• Stand for – represent/tolerate → UN stands for United Nations.
• Stand out – be noticeable → Her talent stands out.

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Miss. Sevini Anuradhi ENGLISH LANGUAGE SHORT NOTES

17. Take
• Take off – remove or leave ground → He took off his shoes. / The plane took off.
• Take up – start hobby / occupy → She took up painting. / The sofa takes up space.
• Take after – resemble → He takes after his father.
18. Pick
• Pick up – lift, collect, or learn → She picked up the book. / I’ll pick you up.
• Pick out – choose → She picked out a dress.
• Pick on – tease → Stop picking on him!
19. Even
• Even out – make level or equal → The workers evened out the soil.
20. See
• See off – say goodbye → We went to see her off.
• See to – take care of → I’ll see to the arrangements.
• See through – realize truth / continue → I could see through his lies. / We’ll see this
project through.

GOOD LUCK MY KIDS AND LOVE YOU ALL

Good luck, my amazing stars!

Take your time, read carefully, and give your best.
Believe in yourself, stay calm, and don’t rush—success comes to those who focus.
Love always,
Sevini Teacher

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