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Punctuation: The Comma That Kills!

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The Use of the Comma

• To separate a vocative from the remainder of a sentence:

Patricia, we very much doubt whether it can be done.

• To separate a parenthetical clause from the remainder of a sentence:

Arthur, absent-minded as usual, had forgotten the invitation.

• To separate direct speech from its reporting verb and other words:

"Sit down", she said quietly, "and listen to what I have to say."

• To separate items in a list of enumeration:

Robert ordered half a loaf of fresh bread, some local butter, some cheese, a large onion, and a pint of beer. (the final comma can be omitted)

I don't know when he will come, how he will come, with whom he will come, or whether he will come at all!

BUT somethimes the presence or absence of a comma changes completely the meaning of a sentence:

The twins, Mary and Helen, went home early. (two people)

The twins, Mary, and Helen went home early. (four people)

Let's eat grandpa!!!

Let's eat, grandpa.

• To separate an adverbial clause from a main clause:

As soon as he arrives, give him this note.

If you want any help, just let me know.

• To distinguish a non-defining (parenthetical) relative clause from a defining one:

The animals, which had not been brought under cover, were killed by the sub-zero temperatures. (= all the animals)

The animals which had not been brought under cover were killed by sub-zero temperatures. (= only some animals - the ones that had not been brought under cover)

• After each of two or more adjectives or prepositions:

She is a clever, but a self-opinionated, woman.

• To indicate the omission of a part of a sentence:

Molly and Carol will go with Philip in the Mazda; you and John, with me in the Bentley!

(omitted: will go)

 

 

Apply

1. Apply = put into use

If you learn to apply the rules in Grammar, you will be able to write correctly.

2. Apply for = ask to be given

Have you applied for the post you were interested in?

3. Apply to = concern

The teacher's remarks did not apply to all students.

4. Apply something = put on a surface

You must apply this cream on dry skin.

5. Applied (adjective) = put into practical use

I have never passed an exam on applied mathematics.

6. Apply yourself to something / to doing something  = give all your attention in order to succeed in doing something

She applied herself to cooking and soon became an excellent cook.

 

Christmas Lunch - Reading Comprehension

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions which follow . Complete sentences are not necessary but your answers must be accurate!

The English are not particularly famous for their tasty food.
However, there are occasions when even the English do
themselves proud, and one of these is Christmas. Christmas for
the English is a time of "goodwill and peace to all men", a time
when children are spoilt silly and stay up all night, and grown
ups have no guilt feelings about being extra lazy and self­
indulgent. It is a time when relations are nice to each other,
when they sing carols together and eat, drink, and make merry
to their heart's content.

Preparations for the next Christmas begin almost as soon as the
last one is over. The famous Christmas pudding, which consists
of raisins, dates and an assortment of nuts and brandy, is made
immediately after the previous Christmas and is left to mature
for a whole year. The goose, turkey or duck - most people have
turkey these days, is bought some days in advance and hung to
allow it to become tender and acquire flavour. On Christmas
day, it is thoroughly cleaned and then stuffed. Two stuffmgs are
generally used; a herb stuffmg, consisting of bread mixed with
herbs, spices and onions, and a chestnut stuffmg. The bird is
placed in a hot oven and allowed to roast slowly for between
three and six hours. The pudding is steam-boiled in water for
about an hour.

After a glass of sherry or mulled wine, heated red wine with
sugar, cloves and a little brandy, the meal proper begins. The
first course is something light, either sliced melon or grapefruit,
often with a sugared sherry on top. This whets the appetite and
prepares the palate for the main course. The bird, which by this
stage should be crisp and brown, is cut into slices and served
with stuffmg, roast potatoes and a variety of vegetables, the
favourites being Brussels sprouts and carrots. All this is
accompanied by a rich brown gravy poured over everything.
Then comes the pudding. It is taken out of its bowl, steaming
hot, and brandy is poured over it and lit, so that the pudding,
often with a bit of holly stuck in the top, arrives at the table
flambe. It is served with brandy butter (brandy mixed with
butter) and whipped cream. Those who still have an empty
corner somewhere finish off with cheese - Stilton or Cheddar,two famous English cheeses. Throughoutthe meal, of course, red or white wine is drunk.

When the meal is over, people retire to the sitting- room for
brandy, liqueurs or coffee to gather strength for the washing-up.
Finally, the assembled company is jolted back to reality by the
lady of the house who reminds everyone about the washing-up.
Traditionally, this was done by the ladies, but today everybody,
regardless of age or status, pitches in. Some gather the dirty
dishes while others wash, dry and put away. Christmas day is
perhaps the only day of the year when noone begrudges lending a hand with the washing up.

 

1. What's Christmas like for the English?

2. What does Chistmas pudding consist of?

3.  Why is the bird hung a few days before Christmas?

4. What's mulled wine?

5.  What's the stuffing for the bird?

6. How does the Christmas pudding arrive at the table?

7.What's the gravy for?

8. What do the English eat after Christmas lunch if the 've still got an empty corner?

9. What do people do after the meal is over?

10. Who does the washing up?

 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

 

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Report Writing

Guided Report Writing

Write a report on Milford Gym suggesting ways of attracting more young people and teenagers to the gym. Write between 150 and 200 words.

 

REPORT ON MILFORD GYM

PLAN

 

PLAN FOR A REPORT	SPECIFIC PLAN
Par.1 – state purpose of report	Describe Milford Gym and suggest ways of attracting young customers
Pars. 2-4 – main body	Facilities Classes Opening times and prices
Par. 5 – recommendations and conclusion	Recommendations / suggestions and conclusion

 

 

Introduction

This report describes Milford Gym and suggests ways of attracting younger customers.

 

Facilities

Milford Gym has one weightlifting and exercise room which contains a wide range of equipment from exercise bikes to rowing machines. There is also a studio for aerobics classes.

 

Classes

Aerobics classes are held every day. However, few people under the age of 25 attend these classes.

 

Opening Times and Prices

The gym is open 7 days a week from 7am-9pm. Membership is reasonably priced and costs £20 per month. However, subscriptions are for a minimum period of 6 months and must be paid in advance. Most young people are not able to afford this.

 

Recommendations

First of all, I suggest playing pop music in the weightlifting and exercise room so that young people can be encouraged to use this area. In addition, I recommend introducing some new classes, for example jazz or hip-hop dancing. It would also be a good idea to offer one-month subscriptions, which young people would be able to afford. If these changes are made, I am sure that there will be an increase in younger customers at the gym.

 

(188 words)

Put - Phrasal Verbs - Part 1

1. put aside / by = save money for future use

(aside often implies that the money is being saved for a certain purpose)

Examples:

He puts aside £30 a month to pay for his summer holidays.

BUT

Don't spend all your salary. Try to put something by each month.

2. put away = put something tidily out of sight (usually in drawers or cupboards)

Example:

Put your toys away, children! It's bedtime!

3. put something back = replace it where you found it

Example:

When you finish the book, put it back on the shelf.

4. put back a clock / watch = go back 1 hour

Example:

On  October 30, we had to put our clocks back.

Sometimes, this is used figuratively (as a metaphor) to mean "return to the customs of the past"

Example:

MOTHER: Your father and I will arrange a marriage when the time comes.

DAUGHTER: You are trying to put the clock back! Parents don't arrange marriages these days!

5. put down =

(a) stop holding something

Example:

He picked up the saucepan and put it down at once because the handle was almost red-hot.

(b) crush rebellions / movements

Example:

Troops were used to put down the rebellion.

( c ) write

Example:

Put down his phone number before you forget it.

Account

The word "account" can be used as a noun or verb in a variety of meanings.

A. VERB

1. accounted to be =  considered to be

In English law, a man is accounted innocent until he is proved guilty.

2. account for = explain the cause of

Mary has to account to her parents for every single penny she spends.

The student has been asked to account for his absence.

B. NOUN

1. statement of money

I have an account with the Barkleys Bank

Please put the goods down to my account.

Can I settle my account? (= pay what I owe?)

2. quarrel, dispute

He had an account to settle with his brother.

3. counting, calculation

Jane is quick at accounts.

4. report, description, narrative

You shouldn't believe all newspapers accounts.

The teacher asked us to give an account of our leisure.

5. create an account on an Internet site = sign up with that site

I've just created an account on Facebook.

British Idioms

Idioms

a drop in the ocean 

If an amount is a drop in the ocean, it's a very small portion of the amount that's needed.

a new lease of life 

If someone has a new lease of life, they have a new enthusiasm for living.

a piece of cake 

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If you say that something is a piece of cake, you mean that it is extremely easy.

a zebra crossing 

A zebra crossing is a pedestrian crossing that is marked on the road with painted black and white stripes.

an axe to grind (2) 

If you have an axe to grind, you have a strong opinion about something and you express this opinion whenever you can.

another string to your bow 

If you have another string to your bow, you have another way of making a living.

at a loose end 

If you're at a loose end, you have nothing to do.

can't see the wood for the trees 

If you can't see the wood for the trees, you can't see the whole situation clearly because you're looking too closely at small details, or because you're too closely involved.

come a cropper - Informal

If you come a cropper, you fall over, or you make a mistake which has serious conse

via www.englishclub.com

Easily Confused Words 7

 

ruin / destroy

ruin = cause damage

• The storm ruined the crops.
• He ruined his life when he married that girl.

destroy = break to pieces / make something useless

• The whole city was destroyed by the fire.
• Don't destroy that box! We may put some biscuits in it!

past / passed

• Mary passed her English exams.
• She passed by my house.
• Mary went past my house towards the forest.
• Don't think about it. It's all in the past.

fault /  blame

fault = responsible for a mistake

blame = say that someone or something is responsible for a mistake

• She's not to blame for the accident. It's all my fault.

current / currant

current = happening or existing now

currant = a small dried grape used especially in baking cakes

• I love currant buns for breakfast.
• I don't think her current boyfriend will marry her.
• I need to catch up with current affairs.

Vocabulary - Ways of Moving

To stumble = to hit your foot against something

The child stumbled over a stone and fell.

To stagger = to walk unsteadily as if drunk

He has been drinking. That's why he is staggering across the room.

To creep = to move quietly / secretely

I'll leave the door open. Just creep in so as not to wake the baby.

The cat crept towards the bird and caught it.

To dash = walk in a hurry, almost run

We're late. Let's just dash to work.

To slip out = move quietly or quickly without attracting attention

She slipped out of the room without being seen.

To jog = to walk very quickly or run

As she wants to keep fit, she jogs 20 minutes every day.

To limp = to walk slowly and with difficulty because one leg is hurt or injured

I've hurt my leg. That's why I've been limping for two days now.

To crawl =

1.  move slowly along the ground as snakes do

2. move on the hands and knees like a baby

The thief crawled along the garden and broke into the house.

All babies crawl before they walk.

To trudge = walk heavily, often because of an obstacle

They trudged through deep snow for hours before arriving at the nearest village.

I was so tired that I had to trudge all the way home.

To lurch =

1. move suddenly forward or sideways, usually beacause you can't control your movements

2. to stop with a sudden uncontrolled movement

The drunken man was lurching and staggering across the street.

I was so scared that I lurched across the park.

To stroll = to walk leisurely

We have been strolling allong the beach all morning

To march = walk quickly with firm, regular steps as in a parade

The soldiers marched along the street to celebrate the National Day.