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BUSINESS. COMMUNICATION. Chapter. 1 English Grammar and its Usage. 1. 2 Enriching Vocabulary. 31. 3 Comprehension of Passage and Art of Summarising.
Typology: Schemes and Mind Maps
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These word classes are called Part of Speech. They are explained below: Nouns A noun is “naming word”. It names somebody or something. Rahul took the dog to park. The car makes a lot of noise. Look at the example above. A noun is the name of a person (Rahul), animal (dog), place (park), thing (car) or idea (noise). Kinds of Nouns Nouns may be divided into (a) common nouns and (b) proper nouns. Common nouns are the names given in common to all persons, places or things of the same class. For example, bank, shop, market, etc. Collective noun : Common nouns include another class known as collective nouns. A collective noun names agroup of people, animals or things regarded as a whole., e.g., batch, company, university, crowd, flock, etc. Proper nouns are the names of particular persons, places or things. For example, India, Larsen and Tubro, Delhi, January, etc. Pronouns Pronouns are used in place of nouns. Pronouns may be Personal and Relative. Personal Pronouns : To represent person or things., e.g., I, we, you, she, he, it him, us, them, etc. Relative Pronouns : The most common relative pronouns are whom, which and that. A relative pronoun acts as a pronoun and as a conjunction at the same time. This is the boy who save my life. Possessive Pronouns : These show possession, e.g., mine, ours, yours their, its and hers. Adjectives A word used to describe or point out, a person, animal, place or thing which the noun names, or to tell thenumber and quantity, is called an Adjective. Rani is a clever girl (Girl of what kind?) He gave me six books (How many book?) Two or more words can be joined with a hyphen to form a compound Adjective, e.g., government- financed project.
Verbs A verb is a word that tells or asserts something about a person or thing. Verb comes from Latin Verbum, meaning a word. It is so called because it is the most important word in the sentence. A verb may tell us :
While Adjectives qualify or add to the meaning of nouns, adverbs modify the meaning not only of verbs, but also of adjectives, prepositions, conjunctions, etc. The following sentences illustrate the varied use of adverbs: Small investors find it very difficult to invest wisely. (The first adverb very modifies the adjective difficult , and the second adverb wisely modifies the verb invest ). The CEO is an exceptionally sharp manager. (The adverb exceptionally modifies the adjective sharp). The cash counter is right behind you. (The adverb right modifies the prepositions behind). We have given this book to you only because you are a good reviewer. (The adverb only modifies the conjunction because ).
Interjection Interjections are words which are used in a sentence to express strong emotion or feeling. They may not form a part of its grammatical structure. Some of the common interjections are: Hi !, Alas !, Oh !, etc. Types of Voices As a general rule, we should use Active Voice in our sentences. Such sentences are shorter, direct and emphatic. For example Please place the order within sixty days of the receipt of the quotation. An exception is however made when sending out negative messages or fixing responsibility. For example, out of the two responses given below, the latter is likely to be received better: You have failed to place the order in time. Unfortunately the order has been delayed. Passive Voice is also found more suitable while drafting legal formulations as no identifiable subject can bementioned. For example: Follow the traffic rules, while driving. (Active Voice) The traffic rules should be followed while driving. (Passive Voice) Articles The words a or an and the are called Articles. They come before nouns. A or an is called the Indefinite Article,because it usually leaves indefinite the person or thing spoken of; as, A doctor; that is, any doctor. The is called the Definite Article because it normally points out some particular person or thing; as, He saw the doctor; meaning some particular doctor. The indefinite article is used before singular countable nouns, e.g.,A car, an apple, a table. The definite article is used before singular countable nouns, plural countable nouns and uncountable nouns,e.g., The pen, the pens, the milk, the idea. The article ‘an’ is used when the noun to which it is attached begins with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o and u). It is thevowel sound and not the vowels that determines the use of ‘a’ or ‘an’. Vowels with consonant sound take ‘a’ andnot ‘an’. For example, Bring me an apple.
He walks like an Egyptian. She has planted a eucalyptus tree. He is an honest man. He has joined a union. I have lost a one-rupee note. Usage Usage implies the manner in which the native speakers of a language use it. The “body of conventions governing the use of a language especially those aspects not governed by grammatical rules”, “habitual or customary use”often lays down new standards of acceptance. For example , ‘It is me’ is generally accepted on grounds of usage even though ‘It is I’ is considered grammatically correct. Usage may be learnt by reading standard texts and listening to educated speakers of a language. Tenses “In Grammar – a set of forms taken by a verb to indicate the time (and sometimes the continuance or completeness) of the action in relation to the time of the utterance”; is the meaning that the Concise Oxford Dictionary assigns to the word ‘Tense’. The word tense comes from Latin word tempus, meaning time. Read the following sentences.
Types of Sentences The basic knowledge of grammar helps us understand different sentence structures or patterns so that we can communicate in a clear, concise and correct manner. A group of words that form a part of a sentence, and has a subject and a predicate of its own, is called a clause. The clause that makes good sense by itself, and hence could stand by itself, as a separate sentence is called a Principal or Main Clause. A clause which cannot stand by itself and makes good sense but not complete sense are called a Dependent or Subordinate Clause. A sentence which has only one finite verb and one independent clause is called Simple sentence. For example , This courage won him honour. A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses. For example, Night come on and rain fell heavily and we all got very wet. A complex sentence has an independent clause and atleast one dependent clause. For example , The human brain never stops working until you stand up to speak in public. Sentence Construction Sentences can be constructed using different structures or patterns. The simplest sentence may have:
Prefixes and Suffixes An affix “is an addition to the base form or stem of a word in order to modify its meaning or create a new word”. (The Concise Oxford Dictionary, Tenth Edition). Prefix If the affix or addition to the root word comes at the beginning, it is called a prefix. The word ‘prefix’ in itself is an apt example of a prefix as it is made up of the root word ‘fix’-’to join or fix’, with the affix ‘pre’- meaning ‘before’, added to it. Groups of Prefixes Prefixes fall into a number of distinct groups such as:
Supportive Prefixes are prefixes that support or are for the root word. *Pro is used with the meaning favouring/supporting as the prefix. Pro, as a prefix has other meanings too, such as ‘in substitute of ’ or ‘before in time, pace or order’. Examples of Pro as a supportive prefix are Pro-choice, Pro-market, Pro-life. Opposing Prefixes are prefixes that are opposed to the action denoted by the root word. Anti (against) - antibody, antibacterial, antibiotic, anticlockwise, antidote, anti inflammatory, antioxidant, etc. (Spurious) - antihero, antiChrist, antiself (affected person) Contra (against) - contraception, contraindicate, contravene, contramundum (Contrasting) - contraflow, contra-active, contradict, contradistinction Counter (opposition/retaliation) - counteract, counter-example, counter- attack, counterblast, counterbalance, counterclaim, counterculture, counter-in-surgency, countermeasure, counterproductive, etc. Negative Prefixes are prefixes that denote the absence of distinguishing features of the root word. (The prefixes marked with * can convey different meaning besides those specified herein.) *a (not, without) - amoral, ahistorical, atheist, asymmetric *an (not, lacking) - anaesthetic, anaemic, anaerobic *dis (not) - disloyal, disable, disarm, dishonest, distrust, disadvantage *in (not) - injustice, inactive, inconsiderate, inconsonant, incomprehensible, incomplete, incompetent, inconsecutive *il (this is another variation of the prefix ‘in’ and is used before a word beginning with ‘I’) - illegal, illiterate, illegible, illegitimate *im (this is a variation of the prefix ‘in’ which is used before a word beginning with ‘b’, ‘m’ or ‘p’.) - imbalance, immaterial, immeasurable, immobile, immovable, impassable, impatient, impossible, imperfect *ir (this too is a variation of the prefix ‘in’ which is used before a word beginning with ‘r’) - irreplaceable, irregular, irresistible, irrational, irrecoverable, irreconcilable, irredeemable, irreducible non (not) - non-aggressive, non-interference, nonconformist, nonentity, nonsense, nontoxic, non-stop (notregarded as) - non-person, non-event
retro (backwards)-retrograde, retrospection, retrospect sub (below)-subway, subsoil, subconscious, submerge (secondary)-sub-inspector, sub-editor, sub-committee, subtitle, sublet (below the norm)-substandard, subhuman super (above)-superstructure, superimpose (beyond the norm)-superhuman, superstar, superpower (excessive)-superconfident, supersensitive, supernatural supra (above)- suprasegmental, supranational sur (above)-surcharge, surtitle, surtax trans (across)-transatlantic, transnational, transcontinental ultra (beyond/extreme)-ultraviolet, ultra-thin, ultra-modern, ultramarine, ultramicroscopic, ultrasonic, ultra vires. under (below/too little/subordinate)-underground, undercharge, underpay, undercook, undersecretary, underclass, underrepresent, undersell, undersigned Size Prefixes denote size. They are mega (very large)-megaphone, megastar, megalith, megawatt midi (medium)-midi-computer, midibus mini (small)-minibus, miniseries, minicab, minimarket Time Prefixes denote time. They are ante (before)-antenatal, antedate ex (former)-ex-wife, ex-president, ex-student fore (before)-forenoon, foresee, foretell, forecast neo (new, recent)-neo-conservative, neoplasia, neophyte post (after)-post-war, post-modernism, postdate pre (before)-prepay, pre-existing, predate, preschool re (again)-reprint, reapply, replay, renew Number Prefixes are those that denote number. They are mono (one/single)-monorail, monochrome, monopoly
uni (one)-unidirectional, unilateral, unicycle, unity bi (twice/double)-bicycle, bilateral, bilingual di (two, twice)-dioxide, dichromatic duo/du (two)-duologue, duplex tri (three)-triangle, triplicate, tripartite quadri/quadr (four)-quadrilateral, quadrangle tetra/tera (four)-tetrachloride, terameter penta/pent (five)-pentagon, pentacle sex (six)-sextant, sextile, sextuple hexa/hex (six)-hexapod, hexagram hepta/hept (seven) heptagon, heptameter octo/oct (eight)-octopus, octuple deca/dec (ten)-decade, decalogue, decinialdeci (a tenth)-decibel, decimal demi (a half)-demigod, demitasse hemi (half)-hemisphere, hemistock semi (half)-semiconductor, semidetached hecto/hect (hundred)-hectogram, hectare kilo (thousand)-kilogram milli (thousand)-millisecond, millipede mega (a thousand)-megahertz, megabuck, megabit poly (many)-polytechnic, polygon Status prefixes are those that denote a status. co (joint)-copartner, coauthor, cofounder pro (deputy)-proconsul, pro-vice chancellor vice (deputy)-vice president, vice admiral, vice chancellor Class Changing Prefixes have the effect of changing the word class, like making transitive verbs from nouns, adjectives, intensifying force of the verbs used, etc. be-besiege, bewitch, besmear, bewail, belittle, befoul, beribboned
ness (a state or condition)-usefulness, carelessness, willingness, kindness,wilderness ship (quality or condition, status, tenure, skill, etc.)-scholarship, companionship,citizenship, workmanship, membership tude (indicates condition or state of being)-exactitude, longitude Verb Suffixes are as follows: fy/ify (indicates or becoming)-beautify, purify, gratify, electrify, pacify, personify ise, ize (quality, state or function)-capitalize, modernise, popularise, terrorise, expertise Adjective Suffixes - Some of them are as follows: able/ible (inclined to, capable of, causing)-audible, uncountable, readable, reliable, terrible, peaceable, profitable al/ial (kind of)-tidal, accidental managerial, musical ed (having, affected by)-cultured, heavy handed, talented ful (having the qualities of)-sorrowful, powerful, careful, resentful, fretful, forgetful ic-Arabic, aristocratic, dramatic less (free from, without)-careless, harmless, restless, flavourless oid (resemblance)-ovoid, humanoid some (a tendency)-meddlesome, awesome y (having quality of/inclined to)-messy, funny, sleepy, choosy Adverb Suffixes : Some of them are as follows: ly (forms adverbs from adjectives)-amiably, candidly, surprisingly, greatly wise (of manner or respect or direction)-clockwise, notewise, taxwise, anticlockwise. Combination Words These are word elements or combining forms that can be combined with other words that already exist to form new words. These combining forms have a singular form and a clear and consistent meaning, which is probably because they are of fairly recent origin. Many of them are also technical and therefore their meanings are less susceptible to change. Most combining forms are of Greek or Latin origin. Some of them are: arch (chief)-archbishop, arch-rival auto (self)-autograph, autopilot bio (life)-bio-diversity, biology, biography crypto (concealed)-crypto-farest, cryptogram, cryptocrystalline, cryptonym
mal (improper/inadequate/faulty)-malpractice, malnutrition, malpractice, maladminister, maladjusted, maladaptive, malfunction, maltreat macro (large)-macro-organism, macroeconomics micro (small/minute)-micro-organism, micro-computer, microsurgery, microgram, microscope mid (middle)-midfield, midair, midway, midsection, mid-afternoon, midwinter, midnight tele (at a distance)-telescope, television, telephone, telephoto, telecommunications. Punctuations
The marks, such as full stop, comma, inverted commas, hypen and brackets are used in writing to separate sentences and their elements and to clarify meaning, are called punctuation marks.
The importance of punctuation in writing can be compared to the importance of pause, intonation and emphasis used in the spoken word.
Therefore, one can state that the chief purpose of using punctuation is to make the meaning of a written passage clear. The punctuation marks remove ambiguities, if any.
Punctuation can also serve other purposes such as:
