ENGLISH GRAMMAR BY RAYMOND NGIMBI

ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND CONJUGATION /LEVEL 1 |page 1
Unit 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1. The English Alphabet
The English alphabet has 26 letters that are:
a [ei], b [bi:], c [si:], d [ di:], e [i:],f [ef], g [dji:], h [eit∫], i [ai], j [djei], k [kei], l [el], m [em], n [en], o
[o:], p [pi:], q [kyu], r [a:
r
], s [es], t [ti:], u [yu], v [vi:], w [dablyu], x [eks], y [wai],
z [zi/ American English] [zed/ British English].
1.2. Exercise on the English alphabet
a) a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i , j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z;
b) z, y, x, w, v, u, t, s, r, q, p, o, n, m, l, k, j, i, h, g, f, e, d, c, b, a;
c) a, z, b, y, c, x, d, w, e, v, f, u, g, t, h, s, i, q, j, p, k, o, l, m, n.
1.3. To spell in English
To spell means: to name in order, the letters of a name or a word, one after another.
e.g.
 Raymond: r-a-y-m-o-n-d
 Ngimbi: n-g-i-m-b-i
 Michael : m-i-c-h-a-e-l
 Brown: b-r-o-w-n

 Peter: p-e-t-e-r
 Mutombo: m-u-t-o-m-b-o
 Etc.
1.4. Talking about names
• Name : nom
• Full name : nom et prénom (nom complet)
• Christian name : prénom
• First name : idem
• Given name : idem
• Forename : idem
• Middle name : deuxieme prénom, post nom
• Last name : nom (de famille)
• Family name : idem
• Surname : idem
• Nick name : surnom, sobriquet
1.4.1. Asking for names
a) Questions

• What is your name ? or what’s your name ?
• Can you tell me your name please?
• Could you tell me your name please?
• How are you named?
• How do people call you?
b) Responses or answers
• My name is :…….. or my name’s :………
• I’m:……….
• People call me:……..
1.5. Titles [taitlz]
 Mister: Monsieur
 Misses [misiz]: Madame
 Miss [mis]: Mademoiselle
 Ms : Mademoiselle or madame
 Sir: monsieur (without putting name)
 Madam: madame (without putting name)
1.6. Greetings [gri:điŋz]: les salutations

Generally in English, greetings are divided into two parts:
• Formal greetings : les salutations formelles;
• Informal greetings : les salutations informelles
1.6.1. Formal greetings
Use Greetings French
00:00 - 11:59 Good morning bonjour
12:00 – 17:59 Good afternoon Bon après midi
18:00 – 23:59 Good evening bonsoir
1.6.2. Informal greetings
Use Greetings French
Round the clock Hello Salut
Round the clock Hi Salut
1.6.3. Self-introduction
e.g.
• Good morning sir; I’m mr Peter
 Good morning mr Peter; I’m mr Brown

• Nice to meet you (Mr. Brown)
 Nice to meet you too
• Hello Madam, my name’s Clara
 Hello Clara, I’m Kate Karen
• How do you do misses Kate
 How do you do
1.6.4. Introducing people
e.g.
1) Hi miss Mary, this is Mr. Claude
2) Hi miss Mary, I’d like you to meet Mr. Claude
3) Hi miss Mary, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Claude
1.7. Welfare: le bien etre
a) Questions

• How are you? : Comment vas-tu? Or Comment allez-vous?
• How are you doing? : idem
• How about you? : idem
• How are you keeping on? : idem
• How is it? : Comment cava?
• How is it going? : idem
• How is your health? : idem
• How things are going? : idem
• What’s up? : idem (slang)
• What’s in the bag? : idem (slang)
• What’s popping? : idem (slang)
• What about you?(after a response): et vous? or et toi?
• How did you spend the (your) day? : Comment tu as passé la (ta) journée?
• How was your day? : idem
b) Responses
Positive Middle Negative
Fine Just fine Ill

Well Just well Sick
Good Just good Angry
Very good Fifty-fifty Hungry
Very well So-so Ass out (slang)
Alright A bit well In a tight corner
So far so good Not so bad Worn out
In a good shape More less fine Exhausted
Okay Just cool Tired out
Great Pretty good
Excellent Just okay
1.8. Farewells: les adieux
• Good bye : au revoir
• Bye : idem
• Bye-bye : idem
• Cheerio : idem (British English)
• See you later : à plus tard
• So long : idem
• See you soon : à bientôt

• See you next time : à la prochaine
• See you tomorrow : à demain, à nous revoir demain
• See you next week : à nous revoir la semaine prochaine
• See you next month : à nous revoir le mois prochain
• See you next year : à nous revoir l’année prochaine
1.9. Wishes: les souhaits
• (have a ) good day : bonne journée
• (have a ) nice day : idem
• Many good returns of the day: idem
• (have a ) good night: bonne nuit
• ( have a ) good sleeping : bon sommeil
• Have pleasant dreams : idem
• (have a ) good weekend : passez un bon weekend
• (have a ) good way : bonne route
• (have a ) safe trip : bon voyage

• (have a ) safe journey: idem
• (have a ) safe travel: idem
• Congratulations: felicitations
• Good appetite : bon appétit
• Enjoy your meal : idem
• (have a ) good breakfast: bon déjeuné (petit)
• (have a ) good lunch : bon déjeuné
• Happy new year : bonne année
• Mary Christmas : joyeux noel
• Happy birthday : joyeux anniversaire

Unit 2 Pronouns, adjectives, Verbs, Figures and others
2.1. Personal pronouns
Subject French Object French
I Je Me Moi
You Tu You Toi
He Il Him Lui
She Elle Her Elle
It Il, elle, c’ It Lui, elle, ça
We Nous Us Nous
You Vous You Vous

They Ils, ells Them Eux, elles
E.g.
 I will give that book to you/ I will give it to you
 Those English books belong to us
 It’s for you and me
 My sister and I will stay after the mathematics course
 I know that girl/ I know her
 I know that boy/ I know him
2.2. Possessive adjectives
 My : mon, ma, mes
 Your : ton, ta, tes
 His : son, sa, ses
 Her : idem
 Its : idem
 Our : notre, nos
 Your : votre, vos
E.g.
 My blue pen : mon stylo bleu
 My house : ma maison
 Your shirt : ta (votre) chemise
 His car : sa voiture (à lui)
 Her car : sa voiture (à elle)

 Their : leur, leurs
2.3. The verb to be in the simple present tense
a) Affirmative form
b) Negative form
Long form
I am
You are
He is
She is
It is
We are
Short form
I’m
You’re
He’s
She’s
It’s
We’re
Long form
I am not
You are not
He is not
She is not
It is not
We are not
Short form1
I’m not
You’re not
He’s not
She’s not
It’s not
Short form2
I’m not
You aren’t
He isn’t
She isn’t
It isn’t
E.g.
•I am a student
•You are a pupil
•He is an english teacher
•She is a nurse
•It is a monkey
•We are in the classroom

c) Interrogative form
Am I?
Are you?
Is he?
Is she?
Is it?
Are we?
E.g.
•Am I your neighbor ?
Yes you are/ no you are not
•Are you married ?
Yes I am/ no I’m not, I’m a single
•Is he our English teacher?
Yes he is/ no he’s not, he’s our classmate
•Is she your sister?
Yes she is/ no she isn’t, she’s my fatherly aunt
•Is it a meeting?
Yes it is/ no it is not, it’s a fight

d) Interronegative form
Long form
Am I not?
Are you not?
Is he not?
Is she not?
Is it not?
Are we not?
Short form
Aren’t I?
Aren’t you?
Isn’t he?
Isn’t she?
Isn’t it?
Aren’t we?
E.g.
•Am I not your cousin?
Yes you are/ no you are not
•Aren’t you married ?
Yes I am/ no I’m not, I’m a single
•Isn’t he our Spanish teacher?
Yes he is/ no he’s not, he’s our classmate
•Is she not your friend?
Yes she is/ no she isn’t, she’s my fatherly aunt
•Is it not a copybook?

2.4. The use of there is and there are
a) There is : il y a (used before singular nouns)
E.g.
 There is a phone on your table
 There is somebody inside our house

b) There are: il y a (used before plural nouns)
E.g.
 There are many apples in this basket
 There are people in front of your office
2.5. Talking about origin, destination, address and nationality
2.5.1. Origin
a) Questions
 Where do you come from? : D’où viens-tu? D’où venez-vous (as usual)
 Where are you coming from? : idem (continuous present tense)
 From? : idem
b) Responses
 I come from… : je viens de … (as usual)
 I’m coming from… : je viens de… (continuous present tense)
 From… : idem

2.5.2. Destination
a) Question
 Where are you going? : où vas tu?, où allez vous?
 Where are you making for? : idem
 Where are you moving to? : idem
b) Response
 I’m going to (the)… : je vais à, au, vers…
 I’m making for… : idem
 I’m moving (to)…: idem
Note.
Don’t put “to” before the following nouns: home, someplace, somewhere, no place,
nowhere, downtown…
E.g.
 I’m going home
 I’m going someplace

 I’m going somewhere
 I’m going nowhere
 I’m going no place
 I’m going downtown
2.5.3. Address
a) Questions
 Where do you live?
 Where do you dwell?
b) Responses
 I live on maman yemo street, number 41
 I live at (number) 41, maman yemo street
 I dwell on maman yemo street,number 41
 I dwell at (number) 41, maman yemo street

Note
• Street : rue
• Avenue : avenue
• Road : route
• Highway : autoroute, route nationale
• Quarter : quartier
• Commune: commune
• Township : idem
2.5.4. Nationality
a) Questions
•Where are you from? D’où êtes-vous? D’où es-tu?
•What’s your nationality ?
•What part in DRC are you from?
•Where exactly in DRC are you from?
b) Responses
 I’m from DRC

 I’m Congolese
 I’m from Bandundu
c) Different endings used to express nationalities
1) (i)an :Zambian, Ethiopian, American, Belgian, German, Kenyan, Ugandan…
2) Ese : Congolese, Japanese, Chinese, Sudanese, Portuguese, Togolese…
3) Ish : English, British, Spanish, Turkish, Irish, Jewish, Polish, Swedish…
4) Others: French, Swiss, Greek…
2.6. Figures (les chiffres)
2.6.1. Cardinal numbers
0 (zero) 20 (twenty)
1 (one) 30 (thirty)
2 (two) 40 (forty)
3 (three) 50 (fifty)
4 (four) 60 (sixty)
5 (five) 70 (seventy)
6 (six) 80 (eighty)
7 (seven) 90 (ninety)

8 (eight) 100 (one hundred/ a hundred)
9 (nine) 1,000 (one thousand/ a thousand)
10 (ten) 1,000,000 (one million/ a million)
11 (eleven) 1,000,000,000 (one billion/ a billion)
12 (twelve)
13 (thirteen)
14 (fourteen)
15 (fifteen)
16 (sixteen)
17 (seventeen)
18 (eighteen)
19 (nineteen)
Remarks
a) When we write figures in letter, from 21 until 99, we put hyphen (-) in between.
E.g.
 21 (twenty-one)
 24 (twenty-four)

 33 (thirty-three)
 49 (forty-nine)
 54 (fifty-four)
 68 (sixty-eight)
 75 (seventy-five)
 82 (eighty-two)
 99 (ninety-nine)
b) From 101 until 999, we put “and” in between
E.g.
 101 (one hundred and one)
 250 (two hundred and fifty)
 348 (three hundred and forty-eight)
 423 (four hundred and twenty-three)
 550 (five hundred and fifty)
 620 (six hundred and twenty)

 792 (seven hundred and ninety-two)
 877 (eight hundred and seventy-seven)
 999 (nine hundred and ninety-nine)
2.6.2. (tele) phone numbers
Phone numbers are given one figure after another.
E.g.
 089 65 70 423 (zero/eight/nine/six/five/seven/zero/four/two/three)
a) Questions
• What’s your phone number?
• Can you tell me your phone number?
• Can I have your phone number?
• What’s your digit? (slang)
b) Responses
My phone number is:…

Note
o A (tele) phone call : un appel téléphonique, un coup de fil
o A (tele) phone booth : une cabine téléphonique
o A (tele) phone box : idem
o Directory : annuaire (répertoire)
o To dial : composer un numéro)
o Answering machine : répondeur
o To call someone on the telephone : appeler quelqu’un(e) au telephone
o To give someone a ring : idem
2.6.3. Calculations
a) Addition
1+1= 2 (one plus one equals two)
2+2= 4 (two plus two equals four)
5+4= 9 (five plus four equals nine)
15+25= 40 (fifteen plus twenty-five equals forty)
b) Subtraction

2-1= 1 (two minus one equals one)
5-0= 5 (five minus zero equals five)
16-9=7 (sixteen minus nine equals seven)
20-11=9 (twenty minus eleven equals nine)
c) Multiplication
1x1= 1 (once one equals one)
1x2= 2 (once two equals two)
2x1= 2 (twice one equals two)
2x2= 4 (twice two equals four)
3x1= 3 (three times one equals three)
3x4= 12 (three times four equals twelve)
10x2=20 (ten times two equals twenty)
Note
• Deux fois par jour : twice a day/ twice per a day
• Deux fois par semaine : twice a week/ twice per a week
• Trois fois par jour : three times a day/ three times per a week

d) Division
2:2= 1 (two divided by two equals one)
4:2= 2 (four divided by two equals two)
6:2= 3 (six divided by two equals three)
16:4= 4 (sixteen divided by four equals four)
2.6.4. Ordinal numbers
1 (one) : 1
st
(first)
2 (two) : 2
nd
(second)
3 (three) : 3
rd
(third)
Remarks
a) From 4 until infinite, we add “th” to the cardinal numbers to form ordinal numbers

E.g.
 4 (four) : 4
th
(fourth)
 6 (six) : 6
th
(Sixth)
 10 (ten) : 10
th
(tenth)
Except for the following figures when they’re written in letter:
 5 (five) : 5
th
(fifth)
 8 (eight) : 8
th
(eighth)
 9 (nine) : 9
th
(ninth)
 12 (twelve) : 12
th
(twelfth)
b) From 21 until 99, first figures are cardinal numbers and the last is the ordinal number.
E.g.
 21
st
(twenty-first)
 22
nd
(twenty-second)
 33
rd
(thirty-third)
 54
th
(fifty-fourth)
 76
th
(seventy-sixth)

 99
th
(ninety-ninth)
c) Ty tieth
E.g.
 Twenty : twentieth
 Thirty : thirtieth
 Forty : fortieth
 Fifty : fiftieth
 Sixty : sixtieth
 Seventy : seventieth
 Eighty : eightieth
 Ninety : ninetieth
2.7. The verb to have
a) Affirmative form
Long form
I have
You have
He has
She has
It has
We have
Short form
I’ve
You’ve
He’s
She’s
It’s
We’ve

b) Negative form
Long form
I do not have
You do not have
He does not have
She does not have
It does not have
We do not have
Short form
I don’t have
You don’t have
He doesn’t have
She doesn’t have
It doesn’t have
We don’t have
Do I have?
Do you have?
Does he have?
Does she have?
Does it have?
Do we have?
E.g.
• Do they have any children? yes they do/ no they don’t
• Does he have a bible? Yes he does/ no he doesn’t
• Do we have French course today? Yes we do/ no we don’t

2.8. The indefinite article
In English there is only one indefinite article “a” which is divided into two branches “a” and
“an”
1) a : is used before consonants and aspirate h
• a bible : une bible
• a copybook : un cahier
Long form
Do I not have?
Do you not have?
Does he not have?
Does she not have?
Does it not have?
Do we not have?
Short form
Don’t I have?
Don’t you have?
Doesn’t he have?
Doesn’t she have?
Doesn’t it have?
Don’t we have?E.g.
 Do you not have money? yes I do/ no I don’t
 Doesn’t Mary have a computer? Yes she does/ no she doesn’t
 Don’t Peter and John have wallets? Yes they do/ no they don’t
 Doesn’t your mother have a car and a truck? Yes she does/ no she doesn’t

• a dictionary : un dictionnaire
• a car : une voiture
• a hotel : un hotel
• a house : une maison
• a hospital : un hospital
2) an : is used before vowels and mute h
• an umbrella : un parapluie
• an animal : un animal
• an orange : une orange
• an hour : une heure
• an hero : un hero
Note
a) we use “a” before the following nouns:
University, unit…
b) there is no indefinite article in plural

2.9. The calendar and fraction
2.9.1. The days of the week
There are 7 days in a week, that are
1) Monday : lundi
2) Tuesday : mardi
3) Wednesday : mercredi
4) Thursday : Jeudi
5) Friday : vendredi
6) Saturday : samedi
7) Sunday : dimanche
Note
• Even days : les jours pairs
• Odd days : les jours impaires
2.9.2. The months of the year
There are 12 months in a year

1) January : Janvier
2) February : fevrier
3) March : mars
4) April : avril
5) May : mai
6) June : juin
7) July : juillet
8) August : aout
9) September : septembre
10)October : octobre
11)November : novembre
12)December : decembre
Note
• Daily : journalier, quotidien
• Today : aujourd’hui
• Once a day : une fois par jour
• Once per a day : idem

• Yesterday : hier
• Before yesterday: avant-hier
• Weekly : hebdomadaire
• Monthly : mensuel(le)
• Yearly : annuel (le)
• Leap year : année bissextile
E.g.
• A daily payment : un paiement journalier
• It’s a monthly meeting : c’est une reunion mensuelle
• …
2.9.3. Fraction
1/2= (one second), 1/3= (one third), 1/4= (one fourth/ a quarter), 1/5= (one fifth)
2/2= (two seconds), 2/3= (two thirds), 2/4= (two fourths), 5/10= (five tenths)
1/20= (one twentieth)
2.9.4. Writing dates

There are several ways used to write dates in English
E.g.
Q. What’s the date today?
R. today is :
• Saturday, April 11
th
2014
• Saturday, 11
th
April 2014
• 11
th
April 2014
• 4, 11, 2014
Note
2014 can be read in date: two thousand fourteen or twenty fourteen
Unit 3 Identifying people, telling time, adjectives, verbs and others
3.1. Identifying people
3.1.1. What are you?
It refers to the occupation.

E.g.
 What are you sir? : I’m a lawyer
 What is he? : he’s a tennis player
 What is she? : she’s a flight attendant
 What are they? : they are Christian musicians
3.1.2. Who are you?
It refers to:
a) Name
E.g.
 Who are you? : I’m Peter
 Who’s he? : he’s James
 Who’s she? : She’s Jennifer
 Who are they? : they’re Glory and Blessing
b) Sex

 Who are you? : I’m a boy, I’m a girl
c) Nationality
 Who are you Mr James? : I’m Congolese from DRC
 Who’s Miss Glory? : She’s an American from L.A.
d) Relationship
 Who’s he? : he’s my husband, he’s my old brother, he’s my
classmate
 Who’s she? : she’s my wife, she’s my young sister, she’s my colleague
3.2. Telling time

E.g.
 What time is it?
 Could you please tell me the time?
 Could you tell me the time please?
• It’s five o’clock in the morning
• It’s five a.m.
5 :007 :00
• It’s twelve o’clock in the morning
• It’s twelve a.m.
• It’s noon (sharp)
• It’s midday
• It’s three o’clock in the afternoon
• It’s three p.m.
• It’s fifteen o’clock
12 :00
15 :00
• It’s five twenty in the morning
• It’s twenty after five
• It’s twenty past five
• It’s five thirty in the morning
• It’s thirty after five
• It’s thirty past five
• It’s half past five
• It’s five forty-five
5 :20
5 :30
5 :45
5 :45
0 :00

3.3. Seasons and weather
Note
a.m. ante meridiem (du matin)
p.m. post meridiem (de l’après midi)
G.M.T. Greenwich Mean Time
( heure anglaise/reference international)

Here are the 4 seasons in Europe, America,…
 Spring : printemps
 Winter : hiver
 Summer : été
 Autumn : Automne (B.E.)
 Fall : idem (A.E.)
Here are the 2 seasons of DRC, RC and other parts of the African continent
 Dry season : saison sèche
 Rainy season : saison de pluie
3.4. The verb to be in the simple past tense
a) Affirmative form
I was
You were
He was
She was
It was
We were
E.g.
• I was at your place yesterday morning
• John and Peter were together in USA from 2001 Until 2005
• She was our secretary
• My son and your daughter were in that meeting

b) Negative form
Long form
I was not
You were not
He was not
She was not
It was not
We were not
Short form
I wasn’t
You weren’t
He wasn’t
She wasn’t
It wasn’t
We weren’t

Was I?
Were you?
Was he?
Was she?
Was it?
Were we?
Long form
Was I not?
Were you not?
Was he not?
Was she not?
Was it not?
Were we not?
Short form
Wasn’t I?
Weren’t you?
Wasn’t he?
Wasn’t she?
Wasn’t it?
Weren’t we?

E.g.
Was I not your classmate last year? Yes you were/ no you were not
Were you my colleague in Unikin? Yes I was/ no I wasn’t
Wasn’t your cousin at today’s church service? Yes he was/ no he was not
Was our aunt absent around 3p.m.? Yes she was/ no she wasn’t
Was it your dog? Yes it was/ no it was not
Were we not in Kinshasa for business? Yes we were/ no we were not

3.5. Telling age
E.g.1.
How old are you?
• I’m twenty-six
• I’m twenty-six years old
• I’m twenty-six years of age
E.g.2.
When were you born?
• I was born in 1988
E.g.3.
Where were you born?
• I was born in Kinshasa, at Binza maternity
• I was born in USA
• I was born in France
Note
• to be born : naitre
• I’m older than you : Je suis plus âgé que toi

• I’m younger than you : Je suis moins âgé que toi
• Elder or older : ainé, E.g. my elder brother : mon frère ainé
• Eldest or oldest : ainé, E.g. I’m the eldest: Je suis le plus agé
• Youngest : le plus jeune
3.6. Demonstrative adjectives and pronouns
Singular Adjectives Pronouns
this Ce, cet, cette/-ci Ceci, celui-ci, celle-ci
that Ce, cet, cette/ -là Cela, celui-là, celle-là
Plural Adjectives Pronouns
These Ces/-ci Ceux-ci, celles-ci
those Ces/-là Ceux-là, celles-là
E.g.
• This man : cet homme (-ci), That man : cet homme (-là)
• This woman : cette femme (-ci), That woman : cette femme (-là)
• These men : ces hommes (-ci), those men : ces hommes (-là)

• These women : ces femmes (-ci), those women : ces femmes (-là)
Note
• This one : celui-ci, celle-ci
• That one : celui-là, celle-là
• These ones : ceux-ci, celles-ci
• Those ones : ceux-là, celles-là
E.g.
• I prefer this one
• Let’s take these ones
• We know those guys, do you know these ones?
3.7. What’s this? What’s that?
a) nearby (de près)
1. What’s this?
• This is a pen
• This is a window

• This is a door
• This a copybook
2. What are these?
• These are pens
• These are windows
• These are doors
• These are copybooks
b) Far from (de loin)
1. What’s that?
• That is a pen
• That is a window
• That is a door
• That is a copybook
2. What are those?
• Those are pens
• Those are windows

• Those are doors
• Those are copybooks
Note
We use who to identify people
e.g.
• Who’s this? : this is a sportman
• Who’s that? : that is a Pastor
3.8. The verb to have in the simple past tense
a) Affirmative form
Long form
I had
You had
He had
She had
It had
We had
Short form
I’d
You’d
He’d
She’d
It’d
We’d
E.g.
•I had a news about your business
yesterday morning;
•They had a special meeting at 2
pm;
•We had English exam on Monday
Long form
I had
You had
He had
She had
It had
We had
Short form
I’d
You’d
He’d
She’d
It’d
We’d
E.g.
•I had a news about your business
yesterday morning;
•They had a special meeting at 2
pm;
•We had English exam on Monday

b)negative form
Long form
I did not have
You did not have
He did not have
She did not have
It did not have
We did not have
Short form
I didn’t have
You didn’t have
He didn’t have
She didn’t have
It didn’t have
We didn’t have
E.g.
•I didn’t have any news about your
business two years ago;
•They didn’t have a special meeting
in January;
•We did not have English exam on
Long form
I did not have
You did not have
He did not have
She did not have
It did not have
We did not have
Short form
I didn’t have
You didn’t have
He didn’t have
She didn’t have
It didn’t have
We didn’t have
E.g.
•I didn’t have any news about your
business two years ago;
•They didn’t have a special meeting
in January;
•We did not have English exam on
Long form
I did not have
You did not have
He did not have
She did not have
It did not have
We did not have
Short form
I didn’t have
You didn’t have
He didn’t have
She didn’t have
It didn’t have
We didn’t have
Long form
Did I have?
Did you have?
Did he have?
Did she have?
Did it have?

E.g.
•Didn’t he have that book?
Yes, he did/ no, he didn’t
•Didn’t they have money to buy it?
Yes, they did/ no, they did not
•Did mary not have a blue pen?
Yes, she did/no, she didn’t
Short form
Didn’t I have?
Didn’t you have?
Didn’t he have?
Didn’t she have?
Didn’t it have?
Didn’t we have?
Long form
Did I not have?
Did you not have?
Did he not have?
Did she not have?
Did it not have?
Did we not have?

3.9. The plural of nouns
3.9.1. General case
In general, plural of nouns is made by adding “s” to the end of singular.
E.g.
 a girl : girls
 a book : books
 a pen : pens
 a door : doors
 a window : windows
 a table : tables
 a pencil : pencils
3.9.2. Exceptions

a) nouns ending in “y” preceded by a consonant, change ”y” into “I” and take “es” to form
the plural.
E.g.
 a butterfly : butterflies
 a city : cities
 a fly : flies
 a copy : copies
 a study : studies
Remark
When “y” is preceded by a vowel, we add only “s” to the end to form the plural.
E.g.
 a play : plays
 a toy : toys
 a monkey : monkeys
b) Nouns ending in “o” form their plural by adding “es” to the end of singular.

 a mango : mangoes
 a potato : potatoes
 a tomato : tomatoes
 a mosquito : mosquitoes
Except for
 a photo : photos
 a piano : pianos
 a radio : radios
c) Nouns ending in ch, sh, ss, s, x, z, take also “es” to form the plural.
E.g.1.
 a match : matches
 a church : churches
 a watch : watches
E.g.2.

 a boss : bosses
 a class : classes
E.g.3.
 a dish : dishes
 a bush : bushes
E.g.4.
 a bus : buses
 a box : boxes
 a quiz : quizzes
d) There are 13 nouns ending in “f” and “fe”, these ones change the “f” or “fe” in “v” and
take “es” to form the plural.
1) a self : selves
2) a wife : wives
3) a knife : knives
4) a leaf : leaves

5) a calf : calves
6) a life : lives
7) a loaf : loaves
8) a wolf : wolves
9) a shelf : shelves
10)a thief : thieves
11)a sheaf : sheaves
12)an elf : elves
13)a half : halves
Remark
There are other nouns ending in “f” and “fe” which take only “s” to form the plural.
E.g.
 a chief : chiefs
 a roof : roofs
 a cliff : cliffs
 a proof : proofs

3.9.3. Irregular plural
E.g.
 a man : men
 a woman : women
 a tooth : teeth
 a foot : feet
 a mouse : mice
 a goose : geese
 an ox : oxen
 a child : children
3.9.4. Pronunciations
1) “s” of plural is pronounced as z after: b, d, g, I, m, n, r, v,ð.
E.g.
 Tubs
 beds

2) “s” is pronounced as s after voiceless sounds, such as: f, k, p, t, Ɵ.
E.g.
 Roofs
 Banks
3) “s” is pronounced as iz after sounds like: se, ze
E.g.
 Houses
 quizzes

Unit 4 countable and uncountable, pronouns and verbs
4.1. Countable and uncountable
Nouns like : boys, books, desks, apples, are countable
Nouns like : sand, steam, air, water, ink, milk, sugar, are uncountable
Note
Uncountable can’t be counted but only measured
4.2. The use of much and many
4.2.1. Much : beaucoup de (d’)
We use much with uncountable nouns
E.g.
• I ate much mayonnaise last week
• We brought much sugar to poor people of Ethiopia
• They have much money
• She puts much salt in foods

4.2.2. Many : beaucoup de (d’)
We use many with countable
E.g.
• There are many student in this classroom
• She came back with many T-shirts
Uncountable Countable French
How much? How many? Quelle quantité?/ Combien?
a little a few Un peu
Too much Too many Beaucoup (debordé)
E.g.
• How much milk do you need for coffee?: Just a little
• How many apples do you have? : 50 red apples and 25 green apples
• There is a traffic jam ‘cause there are too many cars on the road
• I saw a few people in your shop yesterday morning
4.3. the use of a lot of and lots of (beaucoup de)

Both mean: beaucoup de. And they’re used in lieu of much and many.
E.g.
• a lot of sugar
• lots of sugar
• a lot of people
• lots of people
4.4. Possessive pronouns
Mine : le mien, la mienne, les miens, les miennes
Yours : le tien, la tienne, les tiens, les tiennes
His : le sien, la sienne, les siens, les siennes
Hers : idem
Its : idem
Ours : le nôtre, la nôtre, les nôtres
Yours : le vôtre, la vôtre, les vôtres
Theirs : le leur, la leur, les leurs
E.g.
 Is this your English copybook? : yes, it’s mine/ no, it’s yours

 Who’s own? : it’s theirs/ it’s ours
Note
 a book of mine : my book
 a friend of yours : your friend
4.3. The simple present tense of full (ordinary) verbs
a) Affirmative form
I speak
You speak
He speaks
She speaks
It speaks
We speak
You speak
They speak
E.g.
• I speak english and french
• They speak spanish and portuguese
• She speaks kikongo
• My young brother speaks english very well

Remarks
In the 3
rd
person of singular, verbs refer to the rules of the plural of nouns.
b) Negative form
Long form
I do not speak
You do not speak
He does not speak
She does not speak
It does not speak
We do not speak
Short form
I don’t speak
You don’t speak
He doesn’t speak
She doesn’t speak
It doesn’t speak
We don’t speak
E.g.
• She doesn’t speak English, she
speaks French ;
• They don’t speak Lingala, they speak
Kikongo;
• Your sister doesn’t speak Spanish,
Do I speak?
Do you speak?
Does he speak?
Does she speak?
Does it speak?
Do we speak?
E.g.
• Do you speak Tshiluba? : yes, I do/ no, I don’t
• Does he speak Swahili? : yes, he does/ no, he doesn’t
• Does Mary speak French?: yes, she does/ no, she doesn’t

Long form
Do I not speak?
Do you not speak?
Does he not speak?
Does she not speak?
Does it not speak?
Do we not speak?
Short form
Don’t I speak?
Don’t you speak?
Doesn’t he speak?
Doesn’t she speak?
Doesn’t it speak?
Don’t we speak?

4.4. Reflexive pronouns
Myself : moi-même
Yourself : toi-même
Himself : lui-même
Herself : elle-même
Itself : lui-même/elle-même
Ourselves : nous-même
Yourselves : vous-même
Themselves : eux-même
4.5. The simple past tense of full verbs (regular and irregular)
a) affirmative form
At this level we have to know that English verbs are divided into 2 parts :
 regular verbs
 irregular verbs
1. Regular verbs
These verbs take “ed” or “d” to form the past and past participle
E.g.
• I’m washing myself
• I’m walking by myself
• They’re talking themselves
• They’re talking by themselves

E.g: to talk, suppose, love, cook…
I talked
You supposed
He loved
She cooked
It talked
We supposed
You loved
They cooked
2. Irregular verbs
These ones change their shapes (roots) or not to form the past and past participle
E.g: to speak, to write, to cut
Past : spoke, wrote, cut
Past participle : spoken, written, cut

b) Negative form
Long form
I did not speak
You did not cook
He did not suppose
She did not talk
It did not speak
We did not write
Short form
I didn’t speak
You didn’t cook
He didn’t suppose
She didn’t talk
It didn’t speak
We didn’t write
Did I speak?
Did you cook?
Did he suppose?
Did she talk?
Did it speak?
Did we write?

Long form
Did I not speak?
Did you not cook?
Did he not suppose?
Did she not talk?
Did it not speak?
Did we not write?
Short form
Didn’t I speak?
Didn’t you cook?
Didn’t he suppose?
Didn’t she talk?
Didn’t it speak?
Didn’t we write?

4.6. Polite requests
It’s a classical way of questioning a stranger or an authority.
Shapes
a) Would+you+please+verb(base form)?
E.g.
• Would you please speak aloud?
• Would you please give me your blue pen?
b) Would+you+verb(base form)+please?
E.g.
• Would you speak aloud please?
• Would you give me your blue pen please?
c) Would+you+like+verb(infinitive)?
E.g.
• Would you like to go to a movie tonight?
• Would you like to tell me your past story?

d) Would+you+mind+verb(ing form)?
E.g.
• Would you mind closing the door?
• Would you mind going to a movie tonight?
Responses
 Positive answer : No (not at all)
 Negative answer : yes
e) May+subject+verb(base form)?
E.g.
• May I ask you something?
• May you give me a break?
f) Would+you+be+so+kind+as+verb(infinitive)?
E.g.
• Would you be so kind as to clean the blackboard?
• Would you be so kind as to arrive on the schedule?

4.7. The continuous (progressive) present tense
Shape: subject+be (simple present) +verb (ing form)
E.g. to speak
a) Affirmative form
b)Negative form
Long form
I am speaking
You are speaking
He is speaking
She is speaking
It is speaking
We are speaking
Short form
I’m speaking
You’re speaking
He’s speaking
She’s speaking
It’s speaking
We’re speaking

Long form
I am not speaking
You are not speaking
He is not speaking
She is not speaking
It is not speaking
We are not speaking
Short form
I’m not speaking
You’re not speaking
He’s not speaking
She’s not speaking
It’s not speaking
We’re not speaking
Am I speaking?
Are you speaking?
Is he speaking?
Is she speaking?
Is it speaking?
Are we speaking?
Are you speaking?
Are they speaking?

d)Interronegative form
4.8. The simple future tense
a) Affirmative form
Shape: subject+will+verb (base form)
Long form
Am I not speaking?
Are you not speaking?
Is he not speaking?
Is she not speaking?
Is it not speaking?
Are we not speaking?
Short form
Aren’t I speaking?
Aren’t you speaking?
Isn’t he speaking?
Isn’t she speaking?
Isn’t it speaking?
Aren’t we speaking?

E.g. to eat
b) Negative form
Long form
I will eat
You will eat
He will eat
She will eat
It will eat
We will eat
Short form
I’ll eat
You’ll eat
He’ll eat
She’ll eat
It’ll eat
We’ll eat
Long form
I will not eat
You will not eat
He will not eat
She will not eat
It will not eat
We will not eat
Short form
I won’t eat
You won’t eat
He won’t eat
She won’t eat
It won’t eat
We won’t eat

c)Interrogative form
d)Interronegative form
Will I eat?
Will you eat?
Will he eat?
Will she eat?
Will it eat?
Will we eat?
Long form
Will I not eat?
Will you not eat?
Will he not eat?
Will she not eat?
Will it not eat?
Will we not eat?
Short form
Won’t I eat?
Won’t you eat?
Won’t he eat?
Won’t she eat?
Won’t it eat?
Won’t we eat?

4.9. Tag-questions
Shapes
1) Affirmative sentence/ auxiliary (interronegative form)?
2) Negative sentence/auxiliary (interrogative form)?
E.g.
• He is in the classroom, isn’t he?
• He is not in the classroom, is he?
• She was at G.P.L.C. last year, wasn’t she?
• They will come next time, won’t they?
• They won’t come anymore, will they?

• You are my English teacher, aren’t you?

ENGLISH GRAMMAR BY RAYMOND NGIMBI

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