ENGLISH SKILL -19

      have been /has been writing since/for ......                                                                                                                                                                                      

                        Present perfect progressive/continuous 

Action began (in the past)----à---action continues  in the Present------>may continue in future. 

This tens mainly  indicates that the   activity or state, which began in the past  is still continues and may continue in the future.   Here for is used to indicate the duration of the activity or state and since is used to indicate the start of the period of activity or state. we also use all the day ,all the morning etc. with this tense

For  -----> 30 minutes/an hour/three hours/ five years/ long time/a week/three months etc.

Since-----> December/Monday/12  O' clock/ 4.30 p.m./6th September/1999/.Beginning of this year/When I was as child/Christmas/ 6th April  etc.

He is reading a news paper. - now (present continuous tens)

He has been reading a news paper since morning/ since 1985.

He has been reading a news paper for 5 hours/25 years.

A - Pattern  ( I/we/you /they) - Activity

I/we/you/they+ have been + verb (present continuous) + since +period of the beginning.

They have been watching TV  since early morning- (Message/information/news etc.)-simple sentence

I/we/you/they + haven't been + verb (present continuous) + since + Period of the beginning

They haven't been watching TV since morning. (They have been studying.) -  Negative sentence.

Have + I/we/you/they + been + verb (Present continuous) + since + Period of the beginning.

Have they been watching TV since early morning? - 'yes/no questions

Haven't + I/we/you/they + been +verb (present continuous) + since + period of the beginning.

Haven' they been watching TV since early morning? 'yes/no' negative question.

'wh' word + have + I/we/you/they + been + verb (present  continuous)

How long have they been watching TV? - 'wh' question

NOTE:    When far is used instead of since  the duration must be indicated

                    They includes all plural nouns, Proper nouns, common nouns, things  etc.

                    'yes/no' question means, the question for which the response is either yes/no.

                   'wh'  word means what, when, how, how long,, which etc.

                    Present continuous - When you add ing to base verb form it become present continuous
                    form ( work + ing = working)                

          

Pattern  (I/we/you/they)  - state

I/we/you/they+ have  + been+ state +  since + (beginning of the period)/for + duration 

They have been in Beijing since 1989./ They have been in Beijing for 20 years.

Other sentences

Joe and Mary have been married since 1975.

How long have they been married?  They have been marred for fifty years.

How long have they lived here? They have lived here for ten years. (In this pattern Verb must have past participle form- lived  is the  past participle form of verb live.)

How long have you known her?  I have known her for ten  years.(In this pattern Verb must have past participle form- Known is the past participle of know.)

How long have you had your bike? I have had it since 2011. (had is the  past participle of the verb form have.)

B - Pattern -  (he/she/it)

He/she/it + has been + verb (present continuous) + since +period of the beginning.

He has  been watching TV  since early morning- (Message/information/news etc.) - simple sentence


He/she/it + hasn't been + verb (present continuous) + since + Period of the beginning
She hasn't been watching TV since morning. (She has  been studying.) -  Negative sentence.


Has  he/she/it + been + verb (Present continuous) + since + Period of the beginning.
Has he  been watching TV since early morning? - 'yes/no' questions


Hasn't  + he/she/it + been +verb (present continuous) + since + period of the beginning.
Hasn't he  been watching TV since early morning? 'yes/no' negative question.


'wh' word + has  he/she/it + been + verb (present  continuous)
How long has she  been watching TV? - 'wh' question


NOTE: He/she/It include all singular nouns,pronouns,things, common nouns, proper nouns        collective nouns etc. When far is used instead of since the duration must be indicated




Pattern (he/she/it) - state

He/she/it + has + been+ state +  since + (beginning of the period    

He has been ill since Monday
NOTE: When far is used instead of since the  duration is used


Others sentences
She has had a headache since morning. (Had is past participle of have.)
How long has she been on holiday? She has been on holiday since Monday
How long has she been a teacher? She has been a teacher for five years.



Talking in general (with There)
There has been no rain here since January./ For a long time
There has been no activity in this theater for a long time
There has been more Americans killed in road accidents than in all wars in the last century.

Short conversation

How long have you been learning French?

I have  been learning French for two years.

How long has she been studying ?

She has been studying since last Monday.

How long have you know him?

I have known him for a long time. (Verb known is the  past participle of verb know)

How long has she lived here?

She has lived here all her life. (Verb lived is the past participle of verb live)

Haven't you been watching TV since Morning?

No, I have been studying.

In news headlines  (Not real )

There has been no activity at NATO headquarter since January.

Republicans have been debating the stimulus package issue since last December.

China has  been doing good in space and nuclear sciences since the dawn of this century.

The president has been  in Cairo since Monday.

We have been doing  good job on unemployment issue: Interior Minister.

In ads (Not real)

Have been hunting for job? Just Email your CV to CST@gmail.com

The world has been using our services  since 1906 - Apple Financial Services, Your Friend in Need.

Have you  been meddling with your car since you purchased it? -Visit  BXT all types services.

Our Medical team has been doing wonders. ASK health services, California 

We have been playing non - sop since 2001 - Orange Sports Channel.

ENGLISH SKILL -18

                     VOCABULARY

                                                                                    

one's vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die - Evelyn Waugh

What is a vocabulary?

Your boss has a better vocabulary than you, isn't it?

Words are the building blocks of both written and oral communication. A good speaker or a writer will be able to choose the right words for an appropriate context, this  enhances the effectiveness of communication. The chosen words should be compact and to the point.  Rich vocabulary is a must for  the people who prefer top positions. Vocabulary is not inherent, one has to toil to acquire this gift. If you have passion for new words, half the battle is won. A good vocabulary includes idioms and phrases, journalistic, scientific, political, business terms etc.   The attributes of a good vocabulary are :

Using correct words with correct meanings in a grammatically correct way.

Recalling the appropriate word/words  in particular situation.

Understanding  the context where a particular word is used.

Pronouncing a word properly.

Spelling the words correctly.

Knowing the alternate words (having the same meaning).

Knowing if a particular word has positive  or negative effect.

Knowing which other words can be used with a particular word.

 How to improve one's   vocabulary?

1.Use a good dictionary.  (I recommend Oxford Advance learner’s). Go through all entries of  a word.

2.  Mark words in a dictionary that you have referred.

3.  Read news paper like Guardian or NY times or The Hindu (For India). The news papers       refresh us with the current or  dynamic vocabulary, unlike books where the terms remain static. The  events that shape the world generate  new terms and give new meaning to old terms, no doubt  films and writers  too contribute a lot in this area. The word mouse elevated to the desk top and word bear (bearish) was relegated to the down trend ( In Stock)

4.  Watch any good English TV News channel (Don't miss interviews)

5.  Always maintain  a small pocket note to note down words and their usage (Which you might  come across).

NEWS AND NEWS PAPER SKILL:

Following news on radio,TV, Internet and news paper needs extraordinary skill.  Listening comprehension and keen observation are attributes of this skill. It will take minimum of one year for a person to acquire this skill, because it requires continuous following of  events( I mean the present generation is hardly aware of the words like  cold war or  SALT).  TV news and news papers are the greatest sources of dynamic vocabulary.

 COLLOCATION         

Collocation is the way words combine in a language to convey something. No sentence in spoken or written English is free from collocation. Let’s see collocation of ‘accept’, ‘ acceptance’ , acceptable – Oxford collocation dictionary

e.g. Accept

Accept (Verb)

Joe willingly/gladly/gratefully/graciously/reluctantly accepted the  job offer.

He accepted the money from his friend.

He readily accepted the responsibility.

It is commonly/Universally accepted belief – Phrase

                                              

Acceptable (Adjective)

The New law is fully acceptable ( other nearly equals of ‘fully’ is completely,entirely,perfectly,totally)

The new proposal is fairly/reasonably acceptable.

Acceptable also collocates with  universally, widely, mutually,readily, politically,socially, morally ethically, morally, environmentally etc.

Acceptance (Noun)

The new product won  complete/full/unconditional/wholehearted/gradual/greater acceptance.

Many countries are against the universal acceptance of live-in-relationship.

Acceptance also collocates with wide,  widespread, blind, voluntary, ready, formal, official, social etc.

FAULTY ARRANGEMENT OF WORDS 

One must be careful while composing a sentence. Faulty arrangement of words would cost one dearly,  some times this  results in worsening of diplomatic relations between two countries. watch out this sentence

David thought of marrying Shane several times, what a nonsense? How could  a person marry the same  girl several times.  The correct order of words is David  thought several times of marrying Shane.

                      APPEAR SAME BUT DIFFER IN MEANING

compliment and complement

Compliment is an admiration approval greeting or praise

We label the gifts with ‘with the best compliment from…….’

Complement is a grammatical term In the sentence she is a teacher. ‘ teacher ‘ is complement

‘zebra crossing’ ‘ pelican crossing ’And ‘crosswalk’ mean a ‘Pedestrian crossing’. ‘zebra crossing’ is spot where the vehicles stop to allow pedestrians to cross. Pelican crossing is a place with a signal light operated by the pedestrians while crossing.

In USA ‘pedestrians’’ crossing is called ‘crosswalk’

navy and navvy.

Navy refers to a part of country’s armed forces that fights at sea.

Navvy refers to a person employed to do hard physical work.

poss and posse

Poss is shortened form of possible used in American

Posse means a group of people.

Eg.A posse of helpers arrived to help the engineer/ A posse of policemen

corps, corpse and corpus.

Corps – A large unit of army

Corpse Dead body

Corpus – Collection of written or spoken texts. It also refers to quantity in American English

English/ French leave.

The English call it French leave, and French call it English leave

Both the expressions mean the same ,that is taking leave without permission. Eg. Alice is on French leave today.

lecture and lecher

Lecture is a talk that is given to a group of people.

Lecher is a man who is always looking for sexual pleasure

O.K and A-O.K

A-O.K means first-class great or better than O.K.

magnet and magnate

Magnet is a material that attracts iron pieces

Magnate refers to a person who is rich powerful and successful in business

Eg. Bill Gate is an IT magnate.

Difference between bath and bathe

Bath means washing the whole body . Bathe means to wash a part of the body.

Eg. Baby was bathed yesterday. As a noun it is used as an act of swimming

WORDS ORIGIN (Interesting stories)

 Chauvinism

An aggressive or unreasonable belief that their own country is better that all others. This comes from the name of Nicholas Chauvin. He was a soldier in Napoleon’s Army. He had a blind faith in his leader.

Facing the music

It means facing the consequences of an action.

E g. Jack is on leave today, he is going to face music tomorrow.

Scholars believe that the expression is of a military origin. Once

Charged soldier had to face the music of the drums before he was

Sent out.

Back log .

This word is of an American origin It is a cause of joy for Americans when a large Log(wood) kept at the back of a fireplace in reserve ,so that one can keep the fire going on. Still it is in use in America

In British English it means Piled up work/ Work not yet attended. We also use ‘cold storage’, when some work is kept in pending ( Raju’s promotion file is kept in cold storage since March last year)

Jeep

Is associated with the police or Army vehicle. Actually it is shortened forms of GP (General purpose) used by American army.

Earmark

Set aside someone or something. In olden days shepherds put a mark on the ear of an animal so that its owner can be identified.

E g. This area is earmarked for construction of a post office.

Back burner

Putting something in the back burner, means to postpone some work, because it is less important. Back burner is rear burner on a stove. It is used to keep the simmering pot, which doesn’t need immediate attention Eg. Govt. puts the construction plan (A bridge) in the back burner.

Bakers dozen

means thirteen not twelve- in 1266 British parliament passed a law to regulate price and weight of the bread. Bakers found it difficult to ensure the exact weight of the bread they made. So they offered extra loaf of bread to escape the punishment. The extra loaf was called vantage loaf.

peter out

Means decrease or fade gradually. This expression has its origin in the Bible. When the Jesus was arrested, Peter denied thrice that he knew Jesus. In other words his courage petered out or his faith petered out.

Mum – It means don’t say anything It has its origin in Shakespeare’s play KING HENRY IV “ seal your lips and give no words but mum”.

Dead line

The time limit within which the task must be completed

In 19^th century a dead line was referred to a line around a military prison. No prisoner dared to cross the line because he might be fired.

Minority

In the 20^th century Minority means highly rich and privileged people (very few in number)

Sisyphean task means an unending and difficult task. In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a king of Corinth. He was punished in the hell , he had to roll a heavy stone uphill again and again. It was very difficult and laborious task.

Bulldoze

African slaves in USA were whipped with whips  made out of bull hide . This whipping is called

Bulldose which became bulldoze

                                                        BUSINESS  ENGLISH TERMS

Favorable balance of trade

Situation that exists when the value of a nation’s export is in excess of the value of its imports.

Balance of payment

A systematic record of a nation’s total payment to foreign countries.

Balance of trade

The difference in the value between the total exports and total imports of during a specific period of time.

Contraband

Goods that illegally imported or exported/Goods that are prohibited by a country/Goods that evade duty.

Dumping duty

Penalty imposed on low priced imports to protect the local industry from unfair competition.

e.g Foreign goods importers face dumping duty.

Time zones

Areas with same standard time.(e.g Big countries are divided into different time zones)

Trade deficit

It is situation that exists when imports exceed exports. (e.g Trade minister assures to bridge the trade deficit.)

GDP

This term is an indication of economic health of a country. It refers to the total value of all goods and services produced within a country in a year minus net income from investments in other countries. E.g. The finance minister predicts 9.5 % (GDP) this year.

Fiscal health

It is the government spending and taxation to influence the economy

No 10 downing street (Also known as Number 10)

It refers to the official residence of the Prime minister of the United kingdom.

Stealth aircraft

A latest combat aircraft designed by the US . It can hit the enemy’s target without being detected by radars.

Portfolio

In finance it refers to a collection of investments held by an institution or an individual ( Eg. Portfolio risk portfolio management). It also refers to the responsibility assigned to a minister (Home portfolio goes to Gill)

Protocol

It refers to Etiquette of formal occasions

(e g, Museum visit is not in the protocol of the visiting minister)

Attaché

It refers to a diplomatic official attached to an embassy.

Charge daffier

A subordinate diplomat who substitute for an absent ambassador or minister.

Ambassador

A diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a country to another country as long term Representative

Diplomat

It refers to a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another country or international organization

Diplomacy

It is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between two countries or representatives of group

Diplomatic immunity

It is a privilege enjoyed by the diplomats that prevents the host country to charge or detain him/her on suspicion . Diplomats are considered not susceptible to wrong doings. (e. g IMF chief told police that he had diplomatic immunity when he was first detained at a new York airport.

SALT

Refers to strategic Arms Limitation Treaty It is a treaty between former USSR and US to limit strategic arms in their countries and bases all over the world.

ENGLISH SKILL-17

                        I have done

                                                      PRESENT PERFECT  

Terms used here

 Past participle verb: Verb go has went as past form and gone as past participle form (Please refer grammar page.)

Haven’t = Have not

Adverb  =  Adverb  tells some information about the verb  (e.g. He runs fast) in the example, run is a verb, the word fast gives some information about the verb run.

Adverbial of time: It indicates the time of an event. Yesterday, last week etc.

When to use this tense?

This tense is used when an action is completed recently and has connection with the present. It is also used when an action is completed short time  ago. e.g. We have bought a new car (The car is there at the time of speaking.)

 This tense shouldn’t be confused with the past tense  In past tense  time adverbial   (yesterday last week ect. ) is indicated.

 It is probably the commonest tense in The English language and also the most difficult to learn (Don’t worry we will simplify this for you.)

The term perfect denotes,  completion (perfection) of an action by now (at the time of speaking). In fact it is a kind of present tense. The speaker and listener of this tense are  only interested in a  state of completion of an action or event at time of speaking. Time adverbial (last week , yesterday etc. are not used with this tense.)

 Adverbs like just, is mostly used with this tense. Please note, just is not used in barely, or merely sense, it  is used as a part of the sentence structure.

The past perfect tense in English is totally different from its counterpart in languages like French, German, Spanish and Italian.

 Present perfect tense is not used in story telling.

 Difference between past tense and present perfect tense

 Past tense – I saw Rachel Yesterday. I have seen Rachel yesterday.

Present perfect – I have attended the meeting. I have attended the meeting yesterday.

 Activity to understand  Present perfect

 Context

In a class room setting, a teacher enters the  class room, she asks Peter to open a book and she instructs Mary to close the window.

 Teacher: Peter, Open your book.

Teacher: Mary, What has Peter done?

Mary: He has just opened the book.

Teacher: Mary, close the window.

Teacher: Peter, what has she done?

Peter: She has just closed the window.

 General pattern of the sentences- Five types  (with subjects I/we/you/they)

 I/we/you/they + have + Past participle verb+ information/news etc. – Simple sentence

e.g. They have seen the film.

I/we/you/they + haven’t + past participle verb + information. -  Negative sentence.

e.g. They haven’t seen the film.

Have I/we/you/they + past participle verb + information. – ‘yes/no’ question

e.g. Have you seen the film?

Haven’t + I/we/you/they + past participle verb + information.-  Negative ‘yes’/no question

e.g. Haven’t they seen the film? =  Have they not seen the film?

‘Wh’ word + have + I/we/you/they +past participle verb. – ‘wh’ word question.

e.g. What have they seen?

 NOTE: They include all plural nouns, pronouns, common nouns, etc.(Please refer grammar page).  All the five types can be uttered in eight or more moods of utterance.

General pattern of the sentences- Five types (with the subject He/she/it)

He/she/it + has + Past participle verb+ information/ news etc. – Simple sentence

e.g. She has seen the film.

He/she/it + has + past participle  verb + information. -  Negative sentence.

e.g. He hasn’t seen the film.

Has he/she/it + past participle verb + information. – ‘yes/no’ question

e.g. Has he seen the film?

Hasn’t  he/she/it + past participle verb + information.-  Negative ‘yes’/no question

e.g. Hasn’t  he seen the film? = Has he  not seen the film?

‘Wh’ word + has + past participle verb. – ‘wh’ word question.

e.g. What has he seen?

NOTE: He/she/it include all nouns, pronouns, collective nouns, proper nouns, common nouns, noun phrases etc.(Please refer grammar page). All the above five types can be uttered in one or more moods of utterance.

MORE SENTENCES

 Simple statement, message etc.

He has gone to the office.

Mary has brought some apples.

I have bought a new car today.Where is Shane? She has gone to the school.

We have attended the English  class.

Negatives

I haven’t seen the London Bridge.

He hasn’t finished his lunch yet.

Where is my pen ? I don’t know I haven’t taken it.

Rachel hasn’t read the paper.  The servant hasn’t brought it.

Julia hasn’t purchased her monthly provision yet.

We haven’t attended the English class yesterday

Mary hasn’t finished cooking yet. It’s already eleven.

Questions (yes/no)

Have you read the news paper? No I haven’t

Have Paul and Mary arrived? Not yet They are on the way.

Has Susan started learning?  No. She starts next week.

Have you purchased new dress, for Id festival? Not yet

Have you attended Wednesday’s class? No I haven’t.

Have they won the  match? Yes,  They have,…. by 3 runs.

Have you visited Texas ? Yes once.

Has she gone to the school? Yes, she has .

Questions ‘wh’

 Where has she gone? She has gone to the bank.

Who has come? The  Bank Manager has come.

Who has come with you? My father has come with me.

Who has done this mistake? I/ We don’t know.

How many times has England won the world cup in cricket? I am not lsure.

Where  have you got this news from? Through net.

Have you ever visited Canada? No

 Mixed sentences

 Who is the person next to Rachel? I don’t know I haven’t seen him/her before.

Where is Sarah? She has already left.

Is Joe here?  he has just left.

I have seen this women before, but I don’t remember her name.

Does Albert  know that you are going to Canada? No, I haven’t told him yet.

My mom  has never traveled by air.

Hello Brian  where have you  gone? I was searching for you.

Where is Jack? He is not here. I think he has gone.

John, this is Joe, I know him we have studied in the same college

.

 Present perfect with already, just, yet etc.

 What time are your parents coming?

They have already arrived.

Jim: Clara has bought a new dress.

Jack: She hasn’t worn it yet.

Rachel: This is my new Dish washer.

Shane: Oh’ it is nice. Have you used it yet?

Jack: Joe, this is Sarah

Joe: Yes, I know her, I have already met her.

Principal: Is Jim there?

Staff: No, I am afraid he has just gone.

Jack: Are you hungry?

Joe: No, I just  had lunch.

Mary: Has he started his new business yet?

Clara: No, he starts  next month.

  

In the News

 Dollar has fallen against Euro.

Bad weather has delayed the president’s plane.

English Team has crushed Australians.

The Government has agreed to Rebels conditions.

Pirates have released hostages.

We have decided to crush terrorism in our soil : President

China  has decided to launch another lunar probe soon.

  

In ads

  Just married – double you joy, visit Bermuda resorts – Contact Thomas Travels

Haven’t decided course and career – contact ABC career and education  guidance.

 Just finished studies? Join ABS finishing school, Jobs assured.

 Experienced Milton’s Paradise? Explore space with our space travel plans – Cloud -9 space travels.

 Insured your………? Your best insurance option – PAS Global Insurance Agency.

NOTE: In the above ad  punch lines, the usage of the word have is implicit

 Question Tags

 She hasn’t finished her lunch. Has she?

They have gone home. Haven’t they

Susan has played well. Hasn’t’ she.