ADVANCED GRAMMAR CONCEPTS

Collocation

Explanation: A collocation is a combination of two or more words that are commonly used together, so they sound natural. Think of them as "word friends." Using the wrong word combination sounds awkward and incorrect to a native speaker.

How to Identify Collocations

There is no specific "Wh-" question to identify collocations. Identification comes from reading experience and recognizing that certain words naturally partner with others. For exams, they are often tested in "fill in the blanks" or "sentence correction" questions.

5 Examples:

  • Make a mistake
    Correct: He tends to make a mistake when he is nervous.
    Incorrect: He tends to do a mistake when he is nervous.
    Explanation: The verb that naturally partners with 'mistake' is 'make', not 'do'.
  • Heavy rain
    Correct: We cancelled the picnic because of the heavy rain.
    Incorrect: We cancelled the picnic because of the strong rain.
    Explanation: While rain can be strong, the standard adjective used to describe intense rain is 'heavy'.
  • Fast food
    Correct: Eating too much fast food is unhealthy.
    Incorrect: Eating too much quick food is unhealthy.
    Explanation: 'Fast food' is the fixed term for this type of cuisine. 'Quick' is a synonym for 'fast', but it does not collocate with 'food' in this context.
  • Catch a cold
    Correct: If you go out in the rain, you might catch a cold.
    Incorrect: If you go out in the rain, you might get a cold.
    Explanation: The standard idiomatic verb used for becoming ill with a cold is 'catch'.
  • Strong coffee
    Correct: I need a cup of strong coffee this morning.
    Incorrect: I need a cup of powerful coffee this morning.
    Explanation: 'Strong' is the adjective that collocates with 'coffee' to describe its intensity. 'Powerful' sounds unnatural here.

Subjunctive Mood

Explanation: The subjunctive mood is a verb form used to express things that are not facts: wishes, suggestions, demands, or hypothetical situations. It's about what *could be*, *should be*, or *is wished for*, not what *is*.

How to Identify the Subjunctive Mood

There are two main forms to look for:

  • Present Subjunctive: Uses the base form of the verb (e.g., `be`, `attend`, `go`) even for singular subjects. It often follows verbs like `insist`, `recommend`, `suggest`, or phrases like `it is essential that...`.
  • Past Subjunctive: Uses the simple past tense form. For the verb 'to be', it uses were for all subjects (`I`, `he`, `she`, `it`). It is used in hypothetical 'if' clauses and with the verb 'wish'.

5 Examples:

  • The manager insists that every employee attend the meeting.
    Explanation: This is the present subjunctive. After the verb 'insists that...', the base form of the verb 'attend' is used, not 'attends', even though 'employee' is singular. It expresses a demand.
  • If I were a millionaire, I would travel the world.
    Explanation: This is the past subjunctive. It expresses a hypothetical situation. The verb 'were' is used with the subject 'I' instead of 'was' to show that it is contrary to fact.
  • I wish he were here with us.
    Explanation: This is the past subjunctive used to express a wish. 'were' is used instead of 'was' to indicate a situation that is not currently true.
  • It is crucial that she be on time for the interview.
    Explanation: This is the present subjunctive. The phrase 'it is crucial that...' triggers the use of the base verb 'be', not 'is'.
  • He talks as if he knew everything.
    Explanation: This is the past subjunctive used after 'as if'. It implies that he does not, in fact, know everything.

Predicate Nominative (Predicate Noun)

Explanation: A predicate nominative is a noun or pronoun that follows a **linking verb** (e.g., `is`, `are`, `was`, `were`, `become`, `seem`) and renames or identifies the subject. It acts like an "equals sign" for the subject.

How to Identify a Predicate Nominative

Ask: Subject + Linking Verb = What or Who? The noun or pronoun that answers the question is the predicate nominative.

5 Examples:

  • He is a brilliant doctor.
    Explanation: The linking verb is 'is'. The noun 'doctor' follows it and renames the subject 'He'. (He = doctor).
  • The winner of the competition was she.
    Explanation: The linking verb is 'was'. The pronoun 'she' renames the subject 'The winner'. (winner = she). Note the use of the subject pronoun 'she', not the object pronoun 'her'.
  • My favorite pet is a golden retriever.
    Explanation: The linking verb is 'is'. The noun 'retriever' renames the subject 'pet'. (pet = retriever).
  • After years of hard work, she became a successful entrepreneur.
    Explanation: The linking verb is 'became'. The noun 'entrepreneur' renames the subject 'she'. (she = entrepreneur).
  • The biggest problem remains a lack of funding.
    Explanation: The linking verb is 'remains'. The noun phrase 'a lack of funding' identifies the subject 'The biggest problem'. (problem = a lack of funding).

Dangling Modifier

Explanation: A dangling modifier is a grammatical error. It is a phrase or clause that modifies a word that is not clearly stated in the sentence. It is "dangling" because the word it should describe is missing, leading to confusing or illogical sentences.

How to Identify a Dangling Modifier

Look for an introductory phrase (often starting with an -ing verb, a 'to' verb, or a past participle). Check if the subject of the main clause immediately following the comma is the one performing the action of that introductory phrase. If not, the modifier is dangling.

5 Examples:

  • Dangling: Having finished the assignment, the TV was turned on.
    Correct: Having finished the assignment, he turned on the TV.
    Explanation: The TV did not finish the assignment. The corrected sentence provides a logical subject ('he') who performed the action.
  • Dangling: Walking to the store, the rain started to fall.
    Correct: While I was walking to the store, the rain started to fall.
    Explanation: The rain was not walking to the store. The corrected version clarifies who was walking.
  • Dangling: To improve his writing, several books were read.
    Correct: To improve his writing, he read several books.
    Explanation: The books were not trying to improve their writing. The corrected sentence adds the subject ('he') who performed the action for that purpose.
  • Dangling: After rotting in the cellar for weeks, my brother brought up the potatoes.
    Correct: My brother brought up the potatoes that had been rotting in the cellar for weeks.
    Explanation: The original sentence implies the brother was rotting. The corrected version places the modifying phrase right next to the word it describes ('potatoes').
  • Dangling: Frustrated, the keyboard was pounded on.
    Correct: Frustrated, the programmer pounded on the keyboard.
    Explanation: The keyboard cannot feel frustrated. The corrected sentence supplies a logical subject ('the programmer') for the modifier.
Home