Language
Use
What
do we mean by accuracy in paragraph?
It means the ability to use of
articles, word order, sentence construction, countable and uncountable nouns,
and prepositions.
Use of Articles
Articles are used to differentiate between things or
ideas – usually expressed by nouns. The speaker/writer may be referring to a
specific thing or idea, or a general one.
We use the to refer to specific
nouns, either singular or plural.
Please hand me the book that’s on the table.
Please hand me all the books that are
on the tables.
A and an are used to refer non-specific
nouns.
Please hand me a book; any book
will do.
Please hand me an autobiography;
any autobiography will do.
Articles should be placed just in front of the noun
they’re modifying. However, if the noun is also being modified by one or more
adjectives, the article should go in front of the adjective(s).
Please fetch me a sweater.
Please fetch me the brown sweater.
Please fetch me the fuzzy blue
sweater.
An should
be used before any noun – or any adjective modifying the noun – which begins
with a vowel or a voiceless H.
He is a man.
He is an ugly man.
He is an honest man.
Articles can also be used when emphasizing a point.
He had a hard time with
the exam.
He had the hardest time
with the exam.
Obviously, using the definite article the makes the point very
clear
Countable
Vs. uncountable Nouns
Countable Nouns
Countable nouns are nouns that can be counted. Most nouns in English are
countable.
Examples:
· I
have two dogs.
· Sandra
has three cars.
· Jessie
has ten dollars.
Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns are not counted in English. This usually has to do with
the way English speakers think of these nouns. We often picture these nouns as
a single concept or one big thing which is hard to divide. Many of these words
are countable in other languages, but they ARE NOT countable in English.
Generally, we do not use plural forms of these words; however some of these
words do end in "s", so don't get confused.
Examples:
· Mack
drinks a lot of water.
· Cindy
gives great advice.
· Paul
enjoys politics. Ends
with "s" but uncountable
Uncountable nouns tend to belong to one of the following categories:
Liquids and Gases
§ water
§ coffee
§ milk
§ air
§ oxygen
Solid and Granular Substances
§ wood
§ metal
§ cheese
§ sand
§ rice
Energy Words and Forces
§ electricity
§ sunshine
§ radiation
§ heat
§ magnetism
Subjects
§ French
§ chemistry
§ economics
§ science
§ math
Grouped Concepts
§ fruit
§ money
§ food
§ vocabulary
§ news
Information and Abstract Concepts
§ information
§ advice
§ education
§ democracy
§ intelligence
Prepositions
How can we use these little words correctly?
Prepositions are used in many different ways in English -
perhaps that's why a lot of people have problems with them.
First, they are used with time words:
- on Monday
- in the
20th century
- at night
Second, they are used to show where something or someone is:
- The plate is on the table.
- Julie is in the garden.
- The picture is on the wall.
Third, they are used after some adjectives:
- She is good at tennis.
- Scotland is famous for whisky
- I'm worried about my new job.
Fourth, they are used after some verbs:
- I'm listening to music.
- She is waiting for her friend.
- He borrows money from his sister.
Fifth, they are used after some nouns:
- She has trouble with remembering new
vocabulary.
Finally, they are used in certain phrases:
- The bus arrived in the end.
- She arrived just in time for the film.
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