English Language (All Classes)

CLAUSE

A clause is a group of words with finite verb. A clause should have a subject and a predicate. e.g. John bought a piece of land. Subject: John Predicate – bought a piece of land Types of Clause There are two types of clauses. Independent clauses: These are also called main or principal clauses. An […]

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TENSE (simple, present, tense, simple past tense, present perfect tense)

TENSE (simple, present, tense, simple past tense, present perfect tense, past perfect tense, present continuous present perfect continuous tense. TIME AND TENSE The words time and tense are not synonymous. Time stands for a concept with which all humans are familiar. Time is divided into past, present, and future. Time is independent of language. Tense

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QUESTION TAGS

QUESTION TAGS A question tag or a tag question is a phrase that is added at the end of a statement to turn into a question. When a speaker uses a question tag at the end of a statement, he/she is seeking for approval, confirmation or correction. Examples: Approval: I look smart today, don’t I?

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CONTRASTING STRESS

The stressing of a particular word more than other words in a sentence is referred to as emphatic or contrastive stress. Such as a stress normally has its implications in terms of the meaning of the sentence. Examples JAMES borrowed the novel (i.e James not anybody else borrowed it) James BORROWED the novel. (i.e. James

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DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVES

Descriptive adjectives tell us the size, shape, age, colour, weight, height, make, nature and origin of the nouns they are describing. Descriptive adjective are of two types. 1) Common descriptive adjectives These are adjectives that give general features of somebody or something. They are the adjectives of size, shape, age, colour, weight, height, make and

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GERUND PHRASES

A gerund is a verb form used as a noun. It is formed by adding -ing to the present these of a verb. Gerunds can be used as subjects, direct objects, objects of prepositions, and complements. Examples: Subject: Fishing is a popular activity in Nyanza Province. (Fishing is a gerund, the subject of the verb

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Speech Writing

Characteristic of a written speech Formal Salutation (vocatives); There is always an audience to be addressed. In formal situations, people are usually appointed to perform one function or the other. Social ethics demand that you recognize and accord due respect to those at the high table and other dignitaries present at the occasion. The use

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DIRECT SPEECH

Direct speech is used to give a speaker’s exact words. It is also referred to as direct quotation. Direct speech is always enclosed within quotation marks. Examples: Hemedi announced, “My aunt works in a biscuit factory ”  “Creating jobs will be my first priority” the governor said. A comma always separates the quoted words from

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Speech Sounds /I/ and /I:/ contrasted

The /I:/vowel sound is long while the /I/ is short. They are contrasted using the following words. /I:/                                                                    /I/ eat                                                                   it beat                                                                 bit seat                                                                  sit heel                                                                  hill feel                                                                  fill seen                                                                 sin leave                                                                live wean                                                                win meal                                                                 mill least                                                                 list EVALUATION Write out five more examples to contrast these two sounds. Essay Writing: Expository: Raising a

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