Intermediated Writing Grammar Course Sessions 3+4+5+ Exam

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A Complement to Session (3) 16-6-2015
- Gram: Adding Emphasis in English -Pronunciation Tip: Clear and Dark (L)
Adding Emphasis in English - Special Forms
Cleft Sentences: It
Sentences introduced by 'It is' or 'It was' are often used to emphasize a specific subject or object. The introductory clause is
then followed by a relative pronoun.
Examples: It was I who received the promotion.
It is the awful weather that drives him crazy.
Cleft Sentences: What
Sentences introduced by a clause beginning with 'What' are also used to emphasize a specific subject or object. The clause
introduced by 'What' is employed as the subject of the sentence as is followed by the verb 'to be'.
Examples: What we need is a good long shower.
What he thinks isn't necessarily true.
Exceptional Use of "Do, Did and Does"
You have probably learned that the auxiliary verbs 'do, does and did' are not used in positive sentences - for example: He went
to the store. NOT He did go to the store. However, in order to emphasize something we feel strongly these auxiliary verbs can
be used as an exception to the rule.
Examples: No, that's not true. John did speak to Mary.
I do believe that you should think twice about this situation.
Note this form is often used to express something contrary to what another person believes.
Ex: Rewrite:
1- I made all the beds yesterday. I swear!
2- I really like it but its high price makes me hesitate.
3- Please, don't misunderstand me. I like your pieces of writing. They're really creative!
4- This is true! She writes her short stories on trains!
5- I lied! He did his homework.
Pronunciation Tips:
Dark or Clear (L)?
- The (L) is dark when It's not followed by a vowel: medial: (milk, hold, bold, culture) or final: (final, local, call, trial, ball, well)
- It's clear when it's followed by a vowel: lamp, layers, local, lord, brilliant

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Session (4) 20 -6-2015
- Grammar: Misplaced Modifiers
- Pronunciation Tips: - Hard and Soft C and G - Sound Changes - Linking Sounds
MISPLACED LIMITING MODIFIERS Limiting modifiers are words that restrict or limit the meaning of the word or word group
they modify. Place limiting modifiers in front of the word or words you wish to modify. Be sure to create the precise effect you
want to have on your reader. The following is a list of some limiting modifiers:
Only- Just – Almost – - Even - Hardly - barely - At first – Simply – Scarcely – Exactly – Merely – Nearly – Always
If a limiting modifier does not precede the subject or noun, the meaning of an entire sentence is changed. Notice the difference
in the following sentences:
Only Jessica wants pizza. This sentence implies that Jessica is the only person in a group who wants pizza.
Jessica wants only pizza. This sentence indicates Jessica wants pizza and nothing else.
He has just made a silly mistake. (a moment ago)
He has made just a silly mistake. (no worse than a silly mistake)
Confusing: He barely kicked that ball twenty yards.
Accurate: He kicked that ball barely twenty yards.
The instructor did not even call me once.
The writer is focusing on the fact that the instructor not only didn't do other things, he/she didn't even call her.
The instructor did not call me even once.
The writer focuses only on the act of calling, noting that the instructor didn't do it even one time.
After the end of the feast, they realized they had almost eaten all of the Thanksgiving turkey.
Although the author means that everyone ate, the sentence actually says "they had almost eaten," meaning they came close to
eating but in fact didn‘t eat at all! Almost needs to precede all, the word it is intended to limit.
Misplaced Modifiers (Clauses and Phrases): Modifiers are words, phrases, or clauses that describe other words, phrases, or
clauses. Modifiers are misplaced if readers are unable to determine what the modifiers describe or explain. To correct a
sentence with a misplaced modifier, either move the modifier to a new position or rewrite the sentence.
 WRONG: Marching across the field, the fight song rang out for all to hear.
RIGHT: Marching across the field, the band played for all to hear.
The band, not the fight song, is doing the marching.
 WRONG: To be successful in business, long hours of work are required.
RIGHT: To be successful, a business person must spend long hours at work.
Placing the words long hours next to business implies that long hours—not a person—are doing the working.
 WRONG: Randall found a twenty-dollar bill walking home.
RIGHT: While walking home, Randall found a twenty-dollar bill.
Randall, not the twenty-dollar bill, was walking home.

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SQUINTING MODIFIERS A modifier that could refer to the preceding or following words is said to squint. Be sure to place
modifiers where the reference is clear. Try moving phrases around so that your meaning is unambiguous.
 WRONG: He said before noon he'd be here. RIGHT: Before noon, he said he'd be here.
In the unrevised sentence above, before noon could refer to either He said or he'd be here.
WRONG: Our human resource representatives who work here often hire new employees.
The meetings held on Tuesdays usually run long.
RIGHT: Our human resource representatives who work here hire new employees often.
Or: Our human resource representatives who often work here hire new employees.
The meetings held on Tuesdays run long usually. Or: The meetings held usually on Tuesdays run long.
Pronunciation Tips:
To read new names of persons, titles, cities, states…etc:
Hard and Soft C:
- C letter is soft like /s/ ONLY when it is followed by (e/ i/ y): cinema, cyber, percent, accident, succeed, UNICEF …etc.
- C letter is hard like /k/ everywhere else: cupboard, cassette, computer.
Hard and Soft G:
- G letter is soft like in /geography/ ONLY when it is followed by (e/ i/ y): gym, giraffe, geometry, George… etc
- G letter is hard like /go/ everywhere else: gang, Goofy, Gabriella, good, guide… etc
Sound Changes:
Sound changes occur with several common phrases. We change letters or sounds.
Examples are with ―what are you‖ and ―what do you‖. The resulting linked words become ―whaddaya“.
Listen to these sound changes. The first phrase is with proper pronunciation, the second phrase is with the sound changes.
Listen on this website: http://pronunciationtips.com/
Examples: What are you‘ and ‗what do you‘ becomes Whaddaya
What are you doing? becomes Whaddaya doing?
What are you drinking? becomes Whaddaya drinking?
What do you say? becomes Whaddaya say?
What do you want? becomes Whaddaya want?
What do you want? becomes Whaddaya want?
Linking
One of the reasons non-native speakers have problems understanding and pronouncing English is because of linking.
Linking occurs when a word ends in a consonant and the following word starts with a vowel. The consonant sound is linked with
the vowel when it is pronounced.
For example in the phrase ‗that‘s enough‘- the ‗s‘ in (that‘s) is linked to the ‗e‘ in enough and sounds like thats senough.
Look and listen to the examples below. The linked letters are in bold and underlined. The first sentence will be with proper
pronunciation and the second with linked pronunciation. Listen to the items below on how to pronounce linking sounds.
On this website: http://pronunciationtips.com/
That‘s enough. (That‘s senough)
Sit on an orange crate. (Sit ton nan norange crate.)
Bring an apple and a book. (Bring gan napple and da book.)
Now is a time for all of us to pack it in. (Now wis sa time for rall lof vus to pack kit tin)
Pack it in = stop doing something annoying
Lemons and oranges are not available in autumn. (Lemons sand doranges are not tavailable in nautumn)
A car is only as good as its‘ engine. (A car ris sonly yas good das sits‘ sengine)

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Session (5) 23 -6-2015
- Grammar: -Parallel Sentences -Concise sentences
- Pronunciation Tips: Contractions
Note: One of the best grammar websites is: http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quiz_list.htm
It's a guide for: grammar, writing, and punctuation with a lot of quizzes.
PARALLEL FORM: This principle, parallel construction, requires that expressions of similar content and function
should be similar.
Students should also visit the section on Sentence Variety, which has material on the repetition of phrases and structures..
Also in this Guide is a definition of the idea of a college, a lovely example of parallel form. Students are also familiar
with Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which abounds with examples of parallel form. Clicking on the title above will
allow you to read this famous speech and view a brief "slide-show" demonstration of the parallel structures within Lincoln's
famous text. (The Library of Congress maintains a site at which you can inspect two different drafts of the Gettysburg
Address in Lincoln's own handwriting.)
Unskillful writers often violate this principle, from a mistaken belief that they should constantly vary the form
of their expressions. It is true that in repeating a statement in order to emphasize it writers may have need to vary
its form. But apart from this, writers should follow carefully the principle of parallel construction.
Faulty Parallelism Corrected Version
Formerly, science was taught by the textbook method, while
now the laboratory method is employed.
Formerly, science was taught by the textbook method; now it is
taught by the laboratory method.
By this principle, an article or a preposition applying to all the members of a series must either be used only
before the first term or else be repeated before each term.
The French, the Italians, Spanish, and Portuguese The French, the Italians, the Spanish, and the Portuguese
In spring, summer, or in winter In spring, summer, or winter (In spring, in summer, or in winter)
Correlative expressions (both, and; not, but; not only, but also; either, or; first, second, third; and the like)
should be followed by the same grammatical construction. Many violations of this rule can be corrected by
rearranging the sentence.
It was both a long ceremony and very tedious. The ceremony was both long and tedious.
A time not for words, but action A time not for words, but for action
Either you must grant his request or incur his ill will. You must either grant his request or incur his ill will.
My objections are, first, the injustice of the measure;
second, that it is unconstitutional.
My objections are, first, that the measure is unjust; second, that it
is unconstitutional.

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When making comparisons, the things you compare should be couched in parallel structures whenever
that is possible and appropriate.
My income is smaller than my wife. My income is smaller than my wife's.
HOMEWORK: Select the sentence that illustrates the use of proper parallel construction.
Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and she has an extremely pleasant personality.
Phuong Tran has wit, charm, and a pleasing personality.
In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and to appreciate good prose.
In English class, Tashonda learned to read poems critically and she appreciated good prose.
Raoul's QPA is higher than Ralph.
Raoul's QPA is higher than Ralph's.
He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and to learn about life.
He wanted three things out of college: to learn a skill, to make good friends, and learning about life.
Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a wise friend.
Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and friend.
We found the film repulsive, offensive, and we thought it was embarrassing.
We found the film repulsive, offensive, and embarrassing.
Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and he made it conveniently arranged.
Mr. Nguyen kept his store clean, neat, and conveniently arranged.
Professor Ali rewarded his students for working hard on the final project and going beyond the call of duty.
Professor Ali rewarded his students for their hard work on the final project and going beyond the call of duty.
There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and spending a couple of days fishing.
There's nothing I like better than finding a good trout stream, setting up camp, and to spend a couple of days fishing.

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WRITING CONCISE SENTENCES
Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the
same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the
writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell.
— William Strunk Jr.
in Elements of Style
PRUNING THE REDUNDANT
Avoid saying the same thing twice.
- Many uneducated citizens who have never attended school continue to vote for better schools.
A phrase that repeats itself—like "true fact," "twelve noon," "I saw it with my own eyes"—is sometimes called a pleonasm.
Redundant phrases are bad habits just waiting to take control of your writing. Beware of the following.
Redundancy The Concise Version
12 midnight Midnight
12 noon Noon
3 am in the morning 3 am
absolutely
spectacular/phenomenal
spectacular/phenomenal
a person who is honest an honest person
a total of 14 birds 14 birds
biography of her life Biography
circle around Circle
close proximity Proximity
completely unanimous Unanimous
consensus of opinion Consensus
cooperate together Cooperate
each and every Each
enclosed herewith Enclosed
end result Result
exactly the same the same
final completion Completion
frank and honest exchange frank exchange or
honest exchange
free gift Gift
he/she is a person who . . . he/she
important/basic essentials Essentials
in spite of the fact that Although
in the field of
economics/law enforcement
in economics/law
enforcement
in the event that If
job functions job or functions
new innovations Innovations
one and the same the same
particular interest Interest
period of four days four days
personally, I think/feel I think/feel
personal opinion Opinion
puzzling in nature Puzzling
refer back Refer
repeat again Repeat
return again Return
revert back Revert
shorter/longer in length shorter/longer
small/large in size small/large

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square/round/rectangular in
shape
square/round/rectangular
summarize briefly Summarize
surrounded on all sides Surrounded
surrounding circumstances circumstances
the future to come the future
there is no doubt but that no doubt
usual/habitual custom Custom
we are in receipt of we have received
Phrases to Single WordsReducingReducing Clauses to Phrases,
Be alert for clauses or phrases that can be pared to simpler, shorter constructions. The "which clause" can often be shortened
to a simple adjective. (Be careful, however, not to lose some needed emphasis by over-pruning; the word "which," which is
sometimes necessary [as it is in this sentence], is not evil.)
 Smith College, which was founded in 1871, is the premier all-women's college in the United States.
 Founded in 1871, Smith College is the premier all-women's college in the United States.
 Citizens who knew what was going on voted him out of office.
 Knowledgeable citizens voted him out of office.
 Recommending that a student copy from another student's paper is not something he would recommend.
 He wouldn't recommend that a student copy from another student's paper.
(Or "He would never tell a student to copy . . . .")
Phrases, too, can sometimes be trimmed, sometimes to a single word.
 Unencumbered by a sense of responsibility, Jasion left his wife with forty-nine kids and a can of beans.
 Jasion irresponsibly left his wife with forty-nine kids and a can of beans.
(Or leave out the word altogether and let the act speak for itself.)
Phrases You Can Omit
Remove the sounding phrases that add nothing to the meaning of a sentence. Such phrases quickly put a reader to sleep.
Many but not all of these unnecessary phrases have been taken from Quick Access: Reference for Writers by Lynn Quitman
Troyka. Simon & Schuster: New York. 1995. The examples, however, are our own. No political inferences should be drawn from
these examples; they are merely models of form.
all things considered All things considered, Connecticut's woodlands are in better shape now than ever before.
All things considered, Connecticut's woodlands are in better shape now than ever before.
as a matter of fact As a matter of fact, there are more woodlands in Connecticut now than there were in 1898.
as a matter of fact, There are more woodlands in Connecticut now than there were in 1898.
as far as I'm concerned As far as I'm concerned, there is no need for further protection of woodlands.
As far as I'm concerned, there Further protection of woodlands is not needed.

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at the present time This is because there are fewer farmers at the present time.
This is because there are fewer farmers now.
because of the fact that Woodlands have grown in area because of the fact that farmers have abandoned their
fields.
Woodlands have grown in area because farmers have abandoned their fields.
by means of Major forest areas are coming back by means of natural processes.
Major forest areas are coming back through natural processes. (or naturally)
by virtue of the fact that Our woodlands are coming back by virtue of the fact that our economy has shifted its
emphasis.
Our woodlands are coming back by virtue of the fact that because our economy has shifted
its emphasis.
due to the fact that Due to the fact that their habitats are being restored, forest creatures are also re-
establishing their population bases.
Due to the fact that Because their habitats are being restored, forest creatures are also re-
establishing their population bases.
Exists The fear that exists among many people that we are losing our woodlands is uncalled for.
The fear that exists among many people that we are losing our woodlands is uncalled for.
for all intents and purposes The era in which we must aggressively defend our woodlands has, for all intents and
purposes, passed.
The era in which we must aggressively defend our woodlands has, for all intents and
purposes, passed.
for the most part For the most part, people's suspicions are based on a misunderstanding of the facts.
For the most part, p People's suspicions are based on a misunderstanding of the facts.
for the purpose of Many woodlands, in fact, have been purchased for the purpose of creating public parks.
Many woodlands, in fact, have been purchased for the purpose of creating as public parks.
have a tendency to This policy has a tendency to isolate some communities.
This policy has a tendency tends to isolate some communities.
in a manner of speaking The policy has, in a manner of speaking, begun to Balkanize the more rural parts of our
state.
The policy has, in a manner of speaking, begun to Balkanize the more rural parts of our
state.
in a very real sense In a very real sense, this policy works to the detriment of those it is supposed to help.
In a very real sense, this This policy works to the detriment of those it is supposed to help.
in my opinion In my opinion, this wasteful policy ought to be revoked.
In my opinion, this This wasteful policy ought to be revoked.
in the case of In the case of this particular policy, citizens of northeast Connecticut became very upset.
Citizens of northeast Connecticut became very upset about his policy.
in the final analysis In the final analysis, the state would have been better off without such a policy.
In the final analysis, the The state would have been better off without such a policy.
in the event that In the event that enough people protest, it will probably be revoked.
If enough people protest, it will probably be revoked.
in the nature of Something in the nature of a repeal may soon take place.
Something in the nature of like a repeal may soon take place.

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in the process of Legislators are already in the process of reviewing the statutes.
Legislators are already in the process of reviewing the statutes.
it seems that It seems that they can't wait to get rid of this one.
It seems that they They can't wait to get rid of this one.
Manner They have monitored the activities of conservationists in a cautious manner.
They have cautiously monitored the activities of conservationists.
the point I am trying to
make
The point I am trying to make is that sometimes public policy doesn't accomplish what it set
out to achieve.
The point I am trying to make is that some Sometimes public policy doesn't accomplish what
it set out to achieve.
type of Legislators need to be more careful of the type of policy they propose.
Legislators need to be more careful of the type of policy they propose.
what I mean to say is What I mean to say is that well intentioned lawmakers sometimes make fools of themselves.
What I mean to say is that well Well intentioned lawmakers sometimes make fools of
themselves.

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Pronunciation Tips:
Contractions:
They are commonly used in English. Contractions are the reductions in word sounds by the dropping of a letter or letters in the
word. Listen to the items below on how to pronounce contractions. Website: http://pronunciationtips.com/
Listen to the following contraction of pronouns and names
I will I'll I'll be there by 7 am.
you will you‘ll You‘ll have to do it yourself.
he will he‘ll He‘ll never agree.
she will she‘ll She‘ll probably be here late.
we will we‘ll We‘ll get together later.
they will they‘ll They‘ll be going to Spain nex year.
It will it‘ll It‘ll probable rain tomorrow.
John will John‘ll John‘ll be a doctor when he grows up.
Clancy will Clancy‘ll Clnacy‘ll be a clown in the circus.
what will what‘ll What‘ll you do in the meantime?
who will who‘ll Who‘ll you be seeing tonight?
where will where‘ll Where‘ll you go when this is all over?
there will there‘ll There‘ll be donuts and coffee served during the breaks.
that will that‘ll That‘ll be the day.
this will this‘ll This‘ll do for now.
Pronunciation of the contraction of "to be" verbs
we are we‘re We‘re celebrating the holiday in Aspen.
they are they‘re They‘re glad you came.
it is it‘s It‘s cold in here.
car is car‘s My car‘s running well after the tune-up.
Bob is Bob‘s Bob‘s never going to amount to much.
what is what‘s What‘s the matter with you?
Note: (they‘re, there, and their) are all pronounced the same.
Note: When the past tense ‗were‘ is contracted, it sounds just like the
contraction for ‗are‘. Because of this, ‘were‘ is not usually
contracted because it causes confusion for listeners.
Pronunciation of the contraction of modal verbs
should have should‘ve You should‘ve done your homework.
could have could‘ve I could‘ve had a V-8.
must have must‘ve He must‘ve answered incorrectly.
might have might‘ve She might‘ve eaten it already.
Visit the pronunciation tips website (http://pronunciationtips.com/), contractions link, to find out and listen to the pronunciation of
- Wh-question words + has/ have: how have  how’ve …. etc.
- Wh-question words + did/ would/ had: where did  where'd
- Negative contractions: wouldn‘t  wouldn’ without (t) …etc.

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A Grammar + Pronunciation Exam …… / 20 ……. %
Date: Sat. 27-6-2015 Name: ……………………………………………….
A) Grammar:
1- Coach Espinoza was a brilliant strategist, a caring mentor, and a friend. (Parallel the sentence)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2- As far as I'm concerned, there is no need for further protection of woodlands. (Prune redundancy)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3- Smith College, which was founded in 1871, is the premier all-women's college in the United States.
(Reduce the medial phrase to a single word)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4- Randall found a twenty-dollar bill walking home. (Replace the misplaced modifier)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5- A time not for words, but action. (Parallel the correlative expression)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6- Please, don't misunderstand me. I like your pieces of writing. They're really creative! (Add emphasis)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
7- We need a good teacher. (Add emphasis)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8- We print pictures only on Fridays. (Replace the squinting limiting modifier)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9- …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10- We take computer courses in summers. (This summer)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
B) Pronunciation:
1- They‘re, There, Their
2- Sit on an orange crate. (Linking)
3- Cilantro café
4- Garrett Lakes Festival
5- Tropical
6- Lemons
7- Laughed
8- Rolled up
9- His opinion conflicted with hers.
10- Bang

Intermediated Writing Grammar Course Sessions 3+4+5+ Exam

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