6th Class English Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives NOUNS, PRONOUNS, VERBS, ADVERBS

NOUNS, PRONOUNS, VERBS, ADVERBS

Category : 6th Class

Grammar forms an important part in the English section of any examination. The typical kind of questions can be categorized as follows: (a) Fill in the blanks b) Identifying errors in sentences and c) Correcting the sentences. The questions can be handled easily and you can score well if your basics are clear.

Many of us can communicate well verbally but when it comes to answering grammar-based questions, we commit mistakes. Grammar is not a set of rules but in reality a mere description of the language i.e. used by all of us.

This chapter will help you to understand how language and components of language work. It is oriented towards making you more confident users of English by giving you an insight into the correct usage. The material provided is user friendly with adequate examples and 'practice exercises'.

If you make a concentrated effort, it will not only prepare you for the forthcoming competitive exams but also fine-tune your communication skills.

READING: To supplement your efforts, you should build up reading habits. This can be of any kind - magazines, newspapers or novels. But, one should consciously look at the usage. Good reading habits will definitely build up your understanding of grammatical usage and help you in being successful in competitive exams.

NOUNS

A Noun is a word used as a name of a person, place or thing.

There are five kinds of Noun -

(a) Proper Noun

(b) Common Noun

(d) Abstract Noun

(e) Material Noun.

FOLLOWING ARE CERTAIN RULES OF GRAMMAR REGARDING NOUNS THAT WOULD BE USEFUL IN A COMPETITIVE EXAMS:

Proper nouns are sometimes used as common nouns.

For example:

(a) Amitabh is Gandhiji of our class. (Incorrect)

(b) Amitabh is the Gandhiji of our class. (Correct)

Here Gandhiji does not mean Mahatma Gandhi. The word here stands for the possessor of the qualities that Gandhiji is most known for - truth and non-violence. Thus Gandhiji is being used as a metaphorical common noun. Some nouns have the same form both in singular as well as in plural.

FOLLOWING ARE RULES REGARDING THE NUMBER OF THE NOUN:

For example:

(a) Deer was caught.

(b) Deer were caught.

Here, the singular and plural form of the noun Deer is same. Like Deer there are other nouns that have the same form in singular as well as plural form. For example: sheep, deer, apparatus, species, series hundred, dozen, hair etc. Preceding adjectives and articles decide whether the word is used in the singular form or plural form.

For example:

(a) He paid eight hundred rupees for this pair of shoes.

(b) India again lost the series.

Nouns denoting large numbers are used both in singular and plural form

For example:

(a) Three hundred people attended the function.

(b) Hundreds of people attended the party:

In sentence (a), 'hundred' is preceded by number 'three'. So 'hundred' will take no plural form. Word 'three hundred' indicates plurality. But in sentence (b), 'hundred' is not preceded by any number. So to indicate plurality, we will write 'hundreds'. So, rule is that when words like hundred, dozen, thousand, pair, score are not preceded by any word denoting number then they take the plural form. Otherwise not.

Consider some more examples:

(a) Coca-Cola paid lakhs of rupees to Aamir Khan for promoting their product.

(b) I brought two dozen bananas.

Tell which sentence is correct:

(a) Since long no news has been heard.

(b) Since long no news have been heard.

Sentence a is correct. The reason is that some nouns are always used as singular though they look like plural nouns. That's why we should never use the 'plural verb with these words. Other similar words are politics, mathematics, physics, gallows, means, billiards, ethics, summons, innings.

For example:

(a) Politics is not my cup of tea.

(b) I received summons.

Tell which sentence is correct:

(a) The spectacles that you are wearing are really nice.

(b) The spectacles that you are wearing is really nice.

Sentence (a) is correct. The reason being that some noun words are always used in the plural form.

For example: trousers, arms, drawers, assets, scales, alms, thanks, cards; ashes, riches, premises, scissors, credentials, proceeds.

Tell which sentence is correct:

(a) The cattle was grazing in the field.

(b) The cattle were grazing in the field.

Sentence (b) is correct .The reason being that some nouns are always used as plurals though they look like singular. Other nouns like this are public; people, folk, mankind, poultry, sheep, and police. Gentry, peasantry, bulk, majority.

For example:

(a) The majority are with the leader.

(b) Police, though late, have come.

Tell which sentence is correct.

(a) This project will lead to lots of expenditures

(b) This project will lead to lots of expenditure.

Sentence (b) is correct. The reason is that some nouns are always used as singular. Preceding adjectives or the verb form indicates the singularity or plurality. Other nouns are expenditure, furniture, information, machinery, issue, offspring, alphabet, scenery, poetry.

For example:

(a) All the furniture was bought last year.

(b) All the information was given to him.

Meaning of some nouns in plural form is very different from the meaning of nouns in singular form. Hence, that form should be used which will convey the right meaning.

For example:

(a) I opened the letter and read its contents.

(b) Her mouth was fixed in a smile of pure content.

(d) We must produce goods at competitive prices.

(e) Delhites breathe the most polluted air in the world.

(f) She was just putting on airs when she came to visit us/me.

(g) We should renounce the use of force to settle our dispute.

(h) Families of people who died as a result of services in the forces should not be ignored.

(i) I was very excited on my return to my home village.

(j) Early returns in the ballot indicate majority for opposition.

Other nouns having different meanings in the singular and plural form are:

Singular with meaning Plural with meaning

Advice-counsel Advises-information

Respect-regard Respects-compliments

Compass- extent or range Compasses- instrument

Custom-habit Customs-duties levied on

Ground-Earth Grounds-reasons

Iron-metal Irons-fetters made of iron

Mean-average Means-way or method

Respect - regard Respects-polite greetings

Colour-hue Colours-appearance

Physic-medicine Physics-natural science

Please go through the following singulars and plurals as plural forms are commonly known but their singular forms are not commonly kown.

Singular Form Plural form

Agendum Agenda

Alumnus Alumni

Index Indices

Phenomenon Phenomena

Criterion Criteria

Radius Radii

Formula Formulae

Memorandum Memoranda

Some noun words have two plurals with different meanings. So that plural form should be selected which will convey the right meaning.

For example:

(a) I have one brother and one sister (meaning- sons of the same parents).

(b) Why should only select brethren be allowed to attend the meeting? (meaning - members of same society, organization)

(d) Cotton, Nylon, Silk are different kinds of cloths (meaning- kinds or pieces of cloth).

Other nouns having two plurals with different meanings are.

Singular Plural with different meaning

Die Dies - stamps

Dice - small cubes used in games

Genius Geniuses-persons of great talent

Genie - spirit

Quarter Quarter-fourth part

Quarter(s) - lodging

Manner Manner-Method

Manners Correct behaviour pain

Pain Suffering

Pains - Careful efforts

Spectacle Spectacle-sight

Spectacles - eye-glasses

Penny Pence-indicate amount of money

Pennies number of coins

FOLLOWING ARE RULES REGARDING GENDER OF THE NOUN:

Collective nouns, even when they denote living beings, are considered to be of the neuter gender.

For example:

(a) Shahrukh Khan had a herd of cows. He kept a herdsman to look after her.

(b) Shahrukh Khan had a herd of cows. He kept a herdsman to look after it.

Sentence (b) is correct. Though herd consists of cows (females), herd is not a feminine noun as it collective noun.

Young children and the lower animals are also referred to as of the neuter gender.

For example:

(a) The baby loves his toys. (Incorrect)

(b) The baby loves its toys. (correct)

We are often uncertain regarding the gender of the animals. The mouse here maybe a male or a fem So, English language prefers the easy way out: treat it as of the neuter gender.

When objects- without life are personified they are considered of

(i) The masculine gender if the object is remarkable for strength and violence. Ex. Sun, Summer Winter, Time, Death etc.

(ii) The feminine gender if the object is remarkable for beauty gentleness and gracefulness. Ex: Earth, Moon, Spring, Nature, Mercy etc.

For example:

(a) The Sun came from behind the clouds and with her brilliance tore the veil of darkness. (Incorrect)

(b) The Sun came from behind the clouds and with his brilliance tore the veil of darkness. (Correct)

Convention does not see brilliance as a womanly quality, but a manly one.

(a) Nature offers his lap to him that seeks it. (Incorrect)

(b) Nature offers her lap to him that seeks it. (Correct)

The offering of a lap is usually the mother's role. Hence, Nature here should be treated as a feminine noun.

Tell which sentence is correct.

(a) The earth goes round the sun in 365Vs days. Can you calculate her speed?

(b) The earth goes round the sun in 365Vs days. Can you calculate its speed?

Sentence b is correct. The error being made here is that personification is being brought where it does not exist. In the above statement the earth is being treated as a body (a thing), not a person. The scientist here is not concerned with the womanly qualities of the planet. So, neuter gender should be applied.

FOLLOWING ARE RULES REGARDING APOSTROPHE:

Rules regarding apostrophe S ('s):

(a) Singular noun: 's is added after the word.

(b) Singular noun: Only an apostrophe is added when there are too many hissing sounds. For example: Moses’ laws, for goodness' sake, For justice' sake.

(d) Plural nouns not ending in s like men, children: 's is added after the word.

(e) 'S is added primarily after the living things and personified objects. For example: Governor's bodyguard, horse's head, and Nature’s law. Fortune's favorites.

(f) 'S is not used with inanimate or non-living things. For example: leg of the table, cover of the book.

(g) But nouns that denote time, distance or weight, 's is used. For example: a stone's throw, in a year's time, the earth's surface.

(h) Some other common phrases where's is used are to his heart's content, at his wit's end, for goodness' sake, out of harm's way.

(i) When a noun consists of several words, the possessive sign is attached only to the last word.

For example:

(a) The Queen's of England reaction is important in the Diana episode. (Incorrect)

(b) The Queen of England's reaction is important in the Diana episode. (Correct)

Do not be mistaken that since it is the Queen's reaction, the 's should come after queen. You might think that putting it after England would make the reaction England's and not the Queen's. This is shortsightedness. Do not see Queen and England in isolation, Queen of England is one whole unit and the apostrophe should come at its end.

(j) When two nouns are in apposition, the possessive sign is put to the latter only.

For example:

(a) I am going to Stephen Hawking’s the scientist's country. (Incorrect)

(b) I am going to Stephen Hawking the scientist's country. (Correct)

(k) When two or more nouns show joint possession, the possessive sign is put to the latter only.

For example:

(a) Amitabh and Ajitabh are Bachchanji's sons. So Bachclaanji is Amitahh's and Ajitabh's father. (Incoreect)

(b) Amitabh and Ajitabh are Bachchanji's sons. So Bachchanji is Amitabh and Ajitabh's father. (Correct)

(I) When two or more nouns show separate possession, the possessive sign is put with both.

For example.

(a) The audience listened to Javed and Vajpayee's poems. (Incorrect)

(b) The audience listened to Javed's and Vajpayee's poems. (Correct)

PRONOUNS

A pronoun is a word used instead of a noun.

NOW CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING CASES:

Since a pronoun is used instead of a Noun, it must be of the same number, gender and person as the noun for which it stands. For example: Those beggars are idle. They refuse to work for their living.
Please consider the following two sentences.

(a) After a few hearings the jury gave its verdict. (Pronoun 'its is used in place of noun jury').

(b) The jury were divided in their opinions. (Pronoun 'their' is used in place of noun 'jury')

You must be wondering why different pronoun its' and 'their' is used in place of the same noun 'jury' The reason is when a pronoun stands for a collective noun it must be in the singular number and neutral gender. (Sentence (a). But when collective noun conveys the idea of separate individuals comprising the whole, the pronoun standing for it must be of the plural number. In sentence b, it is clear that members of the jury are not behaving as whole.

For example:

(a) The committee is reconsidering its decision.

(b) The committee decided the matter without leaving their seats.

PRONOUNS IN SENTENCES FOUND BY CONJUNCTION:

When two or more singular nouns are joined by 'and', the pronoun used for them must be plural.

For example: Rama and Hari work hard. Their teachers praise them.

But when two Singular nouns joined by 'and' refer to the same person or thing, the pronoun should be singular.

For example: The Secretary and Treasurer is negligent of his duty.

Here the same person is acting as Secretary and Treasurer. That's why singular pronoun is used.

When two singular nouns joined by 'and' are preceded by 'each' or 'every', then the pronoun must be singular

For example: Every soldier and every sailor was in his place.

When two or more singular nouns are joined by 'or’, 'either...or’, 'neither...nor’, the pronoun is generally singular.

For example:

(a) Neither Abdul nor Rehman has done his lessons.

(b) Either Rama or Hari must help his friend.

When a plural and a singular noun are joined by 'or' or 'nor’, the pronoun must be in the plural

For example: Either the manager or his assistants failed in their duty

When two things which have been already mentioned are referred to, 'this' refers to the thing mentioned and 'that to the thing first mentioned.

For example: Alcohol and Tobacco are both injurious: this perhaps less than that.

RULES REGARDING PERSONAL PRONOUNS:

Tell which sentence is correct

(a) The presents are for you and me.

(b) The presents are for you and I.

Sentence a is correct. Pronoun has to agree with the case. Here it is the objective case. So, 'me' should be used instead of 'I'. For example : My uncle asked my brother and me to dinner.

Tell which sentence is correct

(a) He loves you more than I.

(b) He loves you more than me.

Sentence a is correct 'Than' is a conjunction joining clauses. And the case of the pronoun to be used may be found by writing the clauses in fall. So, in sentence a.) two clauses joined by 'than' are 'He loves | more' and 'I love you'. Being a subjective case, 'I' should be used.

For example:

(a) He is taller than I (am).

(b) He loves you more than (he loves) me.

When a pronoun refers to more than one noun or pronouns of different persons, it must be of the first person plural in preference to the second and of the second person plural in preference to the third.

For example:

(a) You and I, husband and wife, have to look after your home. (Incorrect)

(b) You and I, husband and wife, have to look after our home. (Correct)

Now, common sense tells us that if we are a couple, wife and husband, the feeling of togetherness is expressed by our home, not your home. And so does grammar

Rule: 123.I stands for first person, 2 for second person and 3 for third person. The order of precedence is: 1 before 2 and 2 before 3. In the given example, we have 2 and 1. So I will apply; that is, first person. The number, of course, will be plural.

Let us take another example.

(a) You and Hari have done their duty. (Incorrect)

(b) You and Hari have done your duty. (Correct)

Applying 123 rule. You = 2 and Hari =3. So, 2. Second person plural gives 'your'. Similarly, when all the three persons are taken into account, it has to be I; that is, first person plural.

(a) You, he and I have not forgotten your roots. (Incorrect)

(b) You, he and I have not forgotten our roots. (Correct)

Each, either and neither are always singular and are followed by the verb in the singular

For example:

(a) Neither of the accusations is true.

(b) Each boy took his turn.

(A) Please consider the following sentences.

(a) This is the boy. He works hard. (He subjective case)

(b) This is the boy. His exercise is done well. (His is possessive case)

An apostrophe is never used in 'its', 'yours' and 'theirs'.
The complement of the verb be, when it is expressed by a pronoun should be in the nominative form.

For example.

(a) It was he (not him),

(b) It is I (not me) that gave the prizes away.

The case of a pronoun following than or as is determined by mentally supplying the verb.

For example:

(a) He is taller than I (am).

(b) I like you better than he (likes you).

A pronoun must agree with its Antecedent in person, number and gender.

For example.

(a) All passengers must show their (not his) tickets.

(b) I am not one of those who believe everything they (not I) hear

RULLES REGARDING DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS:

That is used

(A) After adjectives in the superlative degree.

For example.

(a) This is the best that we can do.

(b) He is the best speaker that we ever heard.

(B) After the words all, same, any, none, nothing, only.

For example:

(a) Man is the only animal that can talk.

(b) He is the same man that he has been.

For example: The man and his pet that met with an accident yesterday died today.

What and That refer to persons as well as things.

RULES REGARDING RELATIVE PRONOUNS:

On combining each of the above pairs into one sentence

(a) This is the boy who works hard (Who in place of He)

(b) This is the boy whose exercise is done well (who’s in place of His)

The above sentences show when to use who, whose and whom. Who is the subjective case, Whose the possessive case and whom the objective case.

Who is used for persons only. It may refer to a singular or plural noun.

For example:

(a) He who hesitates is lost.

(b) Blessed is he who has found his work.

Whose can be used for persons as well as things without life also.

For example:

(a) This is the hotel whose owner is a criminal.

(b) This is the person whose will power is extraordinary.

Which is used for inanimate things and animals. Which is used for both singular as well as plural noun.

For example:

(a) I have found the book which I had lost last week.

(b) The horse, which won the race yesterday, is my favourite.

When 'which' is used for selection, it may refer to a person as well as things.

For example:

(a) Which of the packets is yours?

(b) Which of the boy has not done his homework?

Who, Which, Whom, That, Whose should be placed as near to the antecedent as possible.

For example:

(a) I with my family reside in Delhi, which consists of my wife and parents.

This sentence is wrong as which relates to 'my’ family'. So 'which' should be placed as near to family' as possible. So, the correct sentence is

(b) I with my family which consists of my wife and parents, reside in Delhi.

Who is used in the nominative cases and whom in the objective cases.

For example:

(a) There is Mr. Dutt, who (not whom) they say is the best painter in the town.

(b) The Student, whom (not who) you thought so highly of, has failed to win the first prize.

When the subject of a verb is a relative pronoun, the verb should agree in number and person with the antecedent of the relative.

For example.

(a) This is one of the most interesting novels that have (not has) appeared this year. (Here, antecedent of relative pronoun that is novels and not one)

(b) This is the only one of his poems that is (not are) worth reading. (Here the antecedent of that is one and not poems. Kindly note the difference between sentence a and b)

OTHER USEFUL RULES:

None is used in the singular or plural as the sense may require.

For example:

(a) Each boy was accompanied by an adult but there were none, with the orphan (Incorrect)

(b) Each boy was accompanied by an adult but there was none with the orphan. (Correct)

(d) I am used to many guests everyday but there were none today. (Correct)

When 'one' is used as pronoun, its possessive form 'one's' should follow instead of his, her etc.

For example: One must put one's best efforts if one wishes to succeed.

With let objective case of the pronoun is used.

For example: let you and me do it.

If a pronoun has two antecedents, it should agree with the nearer one.

For example:

(a) I hold in high esteem everything and everybody who reminds me of my failures.

(b) I hold in high esteem everybody and everything, which reminds me of my failures.

In referring to anybody, everybody, anyone, each etc. the the pronoun of the masculine or the feminine gender is used according to the context.

For example.

(a) I shall be glad to help every one of my boys in his studies.

(b) I shall be glad to help every one of my girls in her studies.

But when gender is not determined, the pronoun of the masculine gender is used as in sentence c.

The pronoun one should be used throughout, if used at all.

For example:

(a) One must use one’s best efforts if one wishes to succeed.

(b) One should be careful about what one says.

(B) Plural is commonly used with none.

For example.

(a) None of his poems are well known.

(b) None of these words are now current.

Anyone should be used when more than two persons or things are spoken of.

For example: She was taller than anyone of her five sisters.

VERBS

Two or more singular subjects connected by 'and' usually take a verb in the plural.

For example: Hari and Rama are there.

If two singular nouns refer to the same person or thing, the verb must be singular.

For example: My friend and benefactor has come.

If two subjects together express one idea, the verb may be in the singular.

For example: The horse and the carriage is at the door.

Two or more singular subjects connected by 'or', 'nor', either... or, neither...nor take a verb in the singular.

For example: Neither he nor I was there.

But when subjects joined by 'or', 'nor' are of different numbers, the verb must be plural, and the plural subject must be placed next to the verb.

For example: Rama and his brothers have done this.

When the subjects joined by 'or', 'nor' are of different persons, the verb agrees in person with the nearest one.

For example:

(a) Either he or I am mistaken.

(b) Neither you nor he is to blame.

When words are joined to a singular subject by 'with', 'together with', 'in addition to', 'as well as', then also number of the verb remains singular.

For example: The Chief with all his men, was massacred.

Following examples exemplify the common mistakes committed

(a) His diet was abstemious, his prayers long and fervent. (Wrong as subjects are not in the same number.)

(b) His diet was abstemious, his prayers were long and fervent. (Right)

(d) He never has taken, and never will take, such strong measures. (Right)

(e) Ten new members have been enrolled and seven resigned (Wrong)

(f) Ten new members have been enrolled and seven have resigned. (Right)

(g) Being a very hot day, I remained in my tent. (Wrong as participle being is referring to none)

(h) It being a very hot day, I remained in my tent. (Right)

(i) Sitting on the gate, a scorpion stung him. (Wrong as participle sitting is not referring to any word)

(j) While he was sitting on the gate, a scorpion stung him (Right)

The verb lay (lay, laid, laid) is transitive and is always followed by an object. The-: verb lie (lie, lay, Lain) is intransitive and cannot have an object.

For example:

(a) Lay the child to sleep.

(b) Let me lie here.

AGREEMENT OF THE SUBJECT WITH THE VERB:

A verb must agree with its subject in number and person. Often due to "Error of Proximity": the verb is made to agree in number with a noun near it instead of with its proper subject.

For example:

(a) The quality of the mangoes were not good. (Wrong since subject is quality, a singular and mangoes.)

(b) The quality of the mangoes was not good (Right).

(d) His knowledge of Indian vernaculars is far beyond the common. (Right)

Verb should be singular even when some words are joined to a singular subject by 'with’, 'as well as'

For example:

(a) The chairman, with the directors, is to be present.

(b) Silver, as well as cotton, has fallen in prices.

Two or more singular subjects connected by 'or', 'nor 'require singular verb.

For example:

(a) No nook or corner was left unexplored.

(b) Our happiness or our sorrow is largely due to our own actions.

If two singular nouns express one idea, the verb is in the singular.

For example:

(a) Bread and Butter are essential for one's life. (Incorrect)

(b) Bread and Butter is essential for one's life. (Correct)

Either, neither, each, everyone, many a must be followed by a singular verb.

Example'.

(a) Neither of the two men was very strong.

(b) Every one of the prisons is full.

(d) He asked whether either of the applicants was suitable.

When the subjects joined by 'or', 'nor' are of different numbers, the verb must be plural, and the plural must be placed next to the verb.

For example:

(a) Neither Rekha nor her fiends was present at the party (Incorrect)

(b) Neither Rekha nor her friends were present at the party (Correct)

When a plural noun denotes some specific quantity or amount considered as a whole, the verb is generally singular.

For example:

(a) Five hours are too short a time to judge one's character. (Incorrect)

(b) Five hours is too short a time to judge one's character. (Correct)

This is so because five hours is considered as one chunk.

Two nouns qualified by each or every, even though connected by 'and' require a singular verb.

For example: Every boy and every girl was given a packet of sweets.

'None' though singular commonly takes a plural verb.

For example: None are so deaf as those who will not hear.

Tell which sentence is correct.

(a) Put in to bat first, a huge total was expected from India.

(b) Put in to bat first, India was expected to pile up a huge total.

Now: who has been put in to bat first? A huge total of India? Common sense tells us it must be India. But the sentence a, as it stands, appears otherwise. So, sentence b is correct.

(a) Being a rainy day, I decided to take my umbrella.

(b) It being a rainy day, I decided to take my umbrella.

The sentence a, as it stands, gives us the impression that being a rainy day qualifies I. This is simply not true. I am not a rainy day. So sentence b is correct.

When a plural noun denotes some specific quantity or amount considered as a whole, the verb is generally singular.

For example:

(a) One hundred paise is equal to one rupee.

(b) Six miles is a long distance.

ADVERBS

A word that modifies the meaning of a verb as called an Adverb.

SOME IMPORTANT RULES:

Adverbs of manner such as well, fast, quickly, carefully, calmly etc. are placed after the verb if there is no object and after the object if there is one.

For example:

(a) It is raining heavily.

(b) She speaks English well.

Adverbs of time such as always, often sometimes, never, generally, ever merely, seldom etc. are placed before the verb they qualify.

For example:

(a) I seldom meet him. (Right)

(b) I meet him seldom. (Wrong)

Adverbs of degree refer to words which show "how much", "in what degree" or "to what extent" does the action takes place.

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

Meaning of too is more than enough. Too denotes some kind of excess.

For example:

(a) He is too weak to walk.

(b) It is never too late.

Hence, use of very in place of too is wrong.

For example: Instead of saying that

(a) Cow's milk is too nutritious

We should say that

(b) Cow's milk is very nutritious.

Enough is placed after the word it qualifies.

For example: Everyone should be strong enough to support one's family.

It will be wrong if we write 'everyone should be enough strong to support one's family'.

Much is used with past participles.

For example:

(a) He was much disgusted with his life.

(b) The news was much surprising.

Very is used with present participles.

For example:

(a) He is very disgusted with his life.

(b) The news is very surpising.

When very and much are used to qualify superlative form of adjectives/adverbs, they should be put before the word 'very' and after the word 'much'.

For example:

(a) Rim is the very best boy in his class.

(b) Rim is much the best boy in his class.

Adverbs of Affirmation or Negation refer to words that assert the action emphatically.

Consider these examples:

(a) He certainly was a winner among them

(b) Luckily he survived the crash

CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:

No sooner should always be followed by than.

For example:

(a) No sooner I saw him I trembled with fear. (Wrong)

(b) No sooner did I see him than I trembled with fear. (Right)

Not should not be used with the words, which have negative meaning if we want the sentence to negative.

For example:

(a) I received no letter neither from him nor from her. (Wrong)

(b) I received letter neither from him nor from her. (Right)

Of course is used to denote a natural consequence. It should not be used in place of certainly, undoubted!

For example:

(a) Of course he is the best player. (Wrong)

(b) He is certainly the best player. (Right)

FOLLOWING ARE COMMON RULES OF ADVERBS IN GENERAL:

Only is used before the word it qualifies.

For example:

(a) Only I spoke to him.

(b) I only spoke to him.

Else is followed by but and not by than.

For example: It is nothing else but hypocrisy

'As' is often used in a sentence though there is no need for it. For example :

(a) He is elected as the President. (Wrong)

(b) He is elected President. (Right)

'Perhaps' means possibly whereas 'probably' means most likely For example :

(a) Where is Govinda? Perhaps he is not here. (Wrong)

(b) Where is Govinda? Probably he is not here. (Right)

6th Class English Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives NOUNS, PRONOUNS, VERBS, ADVERBS

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Notes - Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs