English Grammar in use practice

IT would be folly to think that we can study and practice all the forms of the grammar of the language. But examples cited here will help learners who are not sure of questions like what are the differences between countable and uncountable nouns, the use of singular or plural of nouns just to name a few.

We use some nouns only in the plural. For example: trousers, jeans, shorts, pyjamas, tights, scissors, glasses/spectacles. You can also use a pair of. . . with these words. He bought some new trousers or he needs a new pair of trousers. We do not often use the plural of person (persons). Instead we use people. He is a nice person — They are nice people.

These nouns end in -s but they are not usually plural: mathematics, physics, economics, athletics, gymnastics, news. Her brother is into athletics. News is at 8.00pm on national television. These words end in -s and cam be singular or plural. Means — a means of transport; many means of transport; series — a television series, two television series; species — a species of bird, 100 species of bird.

Some singular nouns are often used with a plural verb. For example: government, staff, team, family, audience, committee. We often think of these things as a number of people (‘they’, not as one thing) it). So we often use a plural verb: — The government (=they want) to introduce free education at primary school level. — The staff (=they) are not happy with their working conditions which have been deteriorating. A singular verb (‘The government wants . . .’ is also possible.)

Note that we normally use a plural verb with the names of sports teams: Zimbabwe are currently playing Australia in a cricket match. We always use a plural verb with the police: The police have arrested Jack the notorious criminal. Are the police easily accessible on line? Sometimes we use a plural noun with a singular verb. We do this when we talk about a sum of money, a period of time, a distance etc.

Three thousand United States dollars (=it) was stolen in the robbery, “(not were stolen)”. Five years (=it) is a long time to be without a job. (not “are”). Having learnt the above you can try the following exercise. Sometimes you need a or some. Examples: He can’t see properly. He needs glasses (or spectacles). This plant is a rare species. Footballers don’t wear trousers when they play. They wear –. The bicycle is – of transport. I want to cut this piece of material. I need –. Pretty is going to write – of articles for her local newspaper. There are a lot of foreign television – on Zimbabwe television. While we were out walking we saw 10 different – of bird.

In the following exercise choose the correct form of the verb, singular or plural. Sometimes either a singular or a plural verb is possible. Example: Football is/are my favourite sport. (‘is’ is correct). The trousers you bought for me doesn’t/don’t fit me. Physics was/were my best subject at school. Fortunately, the news wasn’t/weren’t as bad as we had expected. The police wants/want to interview Pride about a robbery. Three days isn’t/aren’t long enough for a good holiday.

Where does/do your family live? Zimbabwe has/have lost all their cricket matches in the last quarte of the year. Does/Do the police know about the stolen money? Can I borrow you pencil? Mine isn’t/aren’t sharp enough. I’m going to take a taxi. Five kilometers is/are too far for me to walk.

Reflex pronouns (myself/yourself etc.) The reflex pronouns are: singular: myself; yourself (one person), himself/herself/itself. Plural: ourselves, yourselves (more than one person), themselves. We use a reflex pronoun when the subject and object are the same: Jim cut himself while he was shaving. (not cut him). I don’t want you to pay for me. I’ll pay for myself. The mad man sat by the road talking ti himself. Don’t get angry. Control yourself! (said to one person). If you want more to eat, help yourselves. (said to more than one person) The party was great. We enjoyed ourselves very much.

But we do not use “myself ” after feel/ relax/concentrate: – I feel great after having a swim. (not feel myself great) You must try and concentrate. It’s good to relax. But we do not use “myself” after bring/take something with: I went out and took an umbrella with me because it was hot (not with myself). We do not normally use “myself” after wash/dress/ shave. I got up, shaved, washed and dressed, (not “shaved myself ”. But we say: I dried myself.

Note how we use meet: What time shall we meet? (not “meet ourselves/meet us”). With time permitting more examples will be given on this page.

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