Wednesday, January 28, 2009

A glance at Grammar

Grammar

1. Reporting verbs:

In her latest article, Morton explained how information technology was changing society.

Schmidt described the process of language change.

Kon suggested that all poets were influenced by their childhood.

Uvarov claimed/asserted/contended/maintained/declared that the causes of the revolution can be traced back to the 18th century.

Van Ek implied that other historians have misinterpreted the period.

Patel argued that governments should continue to fund space research.

Greenberg emphasised/highlighted/stressed the importance of taking a liberal approach.

Levack observed/noted/commented/pointed out that there were contraditions in Day's interpretation of the poem.

Kim demonstrated/showed how Bach' music drew considerably on earlier conposers work.

Gray proved there was a link between obesity and genes.

In the book, Dean mentioned some new research in the field.

McIntosh pinpointed the key features of the period in question.

Vaz advanced/put forward/proposed a new theory.

Davidson casts doubt on previous research in the field.

Gerhard questioned previous interpretations of the play.

2. Reporting nouns:

Morton provided an explanation as to how information technology was changing society.

Schmidt gave a description of the process of language change.

Kon's suggestion that poets were influenced by their childhood was uncontroversial.

Lee's statement that problems arose earlier than previously thought had been challenged.

Uvarov's claim/assertion/contention that the causes of the revolution could be traced back to the 18th century was worth considerting in some depth.

Van Ek's implication that other historians had misinterpreted the period had caused some controversy.

Patel's argument that goverments should continue to fund space research.

Greenberg's emphasis/strees on the importance of taking a liberal approach was not new.

Levack's observation that there are contraditions in Day's interpretation of the poem had been supported by a number of other scholars.

Kim's demonstration of the way in which Bach's music drew on the work of earlier composers' was fancinating.

Gray's proof of the link between obesity and genes was of considerable interest.

3. Verb + ing

3.1. Common Verb + ing

Eg: As manufacturers consider automating their distribution channels, they should not lose sight of the effectiveness of personal contact.

Auto manufacturers are concerned consumers will postpone buying cars until after next July, when the current 22% sales tax on auto is expected to fall.

Van der Hoeve, CEO of Royal Ahold, spends 50 per cent of his time traveling and getting onto the sales floor as much as possible. As he explains: "I usually get a good feel for the store as I walk around".

6 groups of verbs and phrase + verb-ing

- Admit, consider, deny, describe, imagine, mention, suggest.

- Dislike, enjoy, fancy, (not) mind, like

- Carry on, give up, keep on, put off.

- Can't help, can't bear, can't stand, can't resist, can't face.

- Avoid, delay, finish, involve, keep, miss, postpone, practise, risk.

- It's not worth... Spend/waste time/money....
It's no use/good... There's no point (in)...

3.2. Some verb + ing or can be followed by nouns

Verbs: Admit, deny, imagine, suggest, dislike, enjoy, fancy, keep, mind, practise.

E.g: The Minister admitted taking a bribe.
The Minister admitted his mistake.

3.3. MIND is used in questions and negative sentences

Eg: Do you mind waiting a moment?
No, I don't mind.

3.4. GO and COME + ing form

E.g: Go skiing in the winter.
Come shopping with me.

3.5. Verbs with TO as a preposition

Look forward to, Object to, Get used to, Be used to, Respond to

E.g: I am looking forward to meeting you this afternoon.
After a few months in the UK, I got used to driving in the left.

4. Verbs + To + infinitive

4.1. Some verbs are followed by TO + INFINITIVE

E.g: PCCW has openly stated that it wishes to become the biggest broadband player in Asia... That means it can not afford to stand still.
We are managing to improve the local supply base for all of us.

These verbs include:

- Aim, arrange, choose, decide, intend, plan, prepare

- Demand, deserve, expect, hope, want, wish, would like

- Fail, guarantee, offer, promise, refuse, threaten

- Agree, can/can't afford, learn, manage, pretend, seem, tend, train, wait.

5. Verb + object + to + infinitive

These include: Advise, allow, ask, cause, encourage, expect, forbid, force, help, invite, order, pay, prefer, persuade, remind, teach, tell, train, want, warm

6. MAKE and LET

E.g: I make them check everything very carefully.
They let us have all these free samples.

7. Verb + that clause

E.g: I suggested that we could speak to Eliza about it.
We decided that we could cancel the meeting.
They told us that we should wait.

These verbs include:

- Admit, consider, deny, imagine, mention, suggest

- Decide, plan, demand, promise, expect, hope, wish, agree, learn, pretend, seem.

- Advise, remind, teach, tell, warn

8. Cause and effect

8.1. Verb relating cause and effect

Common verbs relating cause and effect are: Make, cause, create, do , produce, force

Other useful verbs relating cause and effect include: Influence/have influence on; determine, motivate, facilitate, provoke, trigger, account for, spring/stem from, give rise to, contribute to, stimulate, generate, induce, inhibit, derive.

8.2. Nouns relating cause and effect

- CHAIN REACTION: The incident set off a chain reaction which affected us all.

- CONSEQUENCE: The war had major consequences.

- EFFECT/IMPACT: The effect/impact of the film on the audience was very powerful.

- END: Does the end justify the means?

- ORIGIN/SOURCE: The accident was the origin/source of her later problems.

- OUTCOME: We hope for a positive outcome to the discussions.

- PRECEDENT: There are several precedents for taking such a decision.

- REASON: What was the reason for his success?

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