Grammar assignment

Assignment 3: Verbs and Verb Phrases II; Pronouns

Read the relevant parts of the compendium and UGE, and go through the PowerPoint presentation (see Grammar: Dates and Deadlines for information), then do the following three exercises. Post your answers in the discussion board and comment on the work of the three others in your group. Focus on discussing the parts that you found most difficult and/or the parts that the group disagrees on. Then submit your answers (revise these if necessary after the discussion) in the assignment 3 drop-box in Moodle. You will then be sent a key. E-mail your supervisor if you have questions.

Exercise 1: Tense and Aspect

Write the appropriate verb phrase in sentences 1–20; explain why the particular verb phrase is used:

Example: Yesterday I ____sold_____ a car (to sell). The past tense is used for something that happened in the past at a particular time.

1. Nowadays she usually ______ _______ work at 8.00 (verb: to start).

2. Right now, the students ______ _______ an exam (to take).

3. He ______ _______ French at university just a few years ago (to study).

4. The refugees ______ _______ English since last year (to learn).

5. By the time I get there, he ______ _______ work and gone home (to finish).

6. Argh! You never ______ _______ to anything I tell you (to listen)!

7. Times ______ _______ fast when I was young (to change).

8. You would pass the exam if you ______ _______ harder (to study).

9. The bridge ______ _______ in 1990 (to build).

10. While I ______ _______ the road, a car ______ _______ me (to cross; to hit).

11. She’s not fat, she ­­­­­­­­­­______ _______ a baby (to have)!

12. Don’t come by before 12.00 tomorrow, because I ______ _______ all morning (to bake).

13. We can’t employ her to teach adults, she ______ _______ no experience (to have). We need someone who ______ _______ adults before (to teach).

14. She ______ _______ children for a month, two years ago (to teach).

15. Sorry about breaking the vase, I ______ _______ you a new one (to buy).

16. Who______ _______ Pride and Prejudice (to write)?

17. The president ______ _______ by the people (to elect).

18. If you ______ _______ me, I wouldn’t have failed (to help).

19. He _____ __ __ a gun (to grab)! He ______ _ __ (to aim)! He ___ ___ ___ (to fire)!

20. The students ______ _______ in college accommodation this term (to stay).

Exercise 2: Voice

Rewrite the following active sentences 1–4 into passive sentences (omit the agent where appropriate):

Example: Chapman shot Lennon. > Lennon was shot by Chapman.

1. I just ran over your cat.

2. All the students adore the teacher.

3. They are building a bridge over the River Kwai.

4. They told me to fill in this form.

Exercise 3: Pronouns and Determiners

Delete the incorrect form of the pronoun or determiner in sentences 1–15; explain why the particular pronoun or determiner is used:

Example: He has an/his own car! A dependent possessive pronoun (his) is needed before own in English.

1. She nearly broke her/the neck skiing.

2. The postman was bitten on his/the leg by the dog.

3. He placed his books beside him/himself on the bed.

4. Look at my old furniture! I really want to replace it/them.

5. It is they/them who are responsible.

6. She took my scissors, and she won’t give it/them back.

7. I had a tough childhood, but I’ve put all that behind me/myself now.

8. It is all her/hers fault!

9. It/There will be a lot of people here; it/there is not difficult to guess why.

10. It/There was a really bad storm last night.

11. It/There seems to be a problem but it/there is no good trying to help.

12. Anyone/The one who visits Sweden should come to Norrland.

13. Anyone/The one who answers first will win the prize.

14. What/Which car did you buy? The black Saab or the old Mercedes?

15. Who/Whom will you send the e-mail to?