Tenses of the Verb

In English, there are three basic tenses: present, past, and future. Each has a perfect form, indicating completed action; each has a progressive form, indicating ongoing action; and each has a perfect progressive form, indicating ongoing action that will be completed at some definite time.

Simple Forms

Present Tense

Present tense expresses an unchanging, repeated, or reoccurring action or situation that exists only now. It can also represent a widespread truth.

Example	Meaning
The mountains are tall and white.	Unchanging action
Every year, the school council elects new members.	Recurring action
Pb is the chemical symbol for lead.	Widespread truth

Past Tense

Past tense expresses an action or situation that was started and finished in the past. Most past tense verbs end in -ed. The irregular verbs have special past tense forms which must be memorized.

Example	Form
W.W.II ended in 1945.	Regular -ed past
Ernest Hemmingway wrote "The Old Man and the Sea."	Irregular form

Future Tense

Future tense expresses an action or situation that will occur in the future. This tense is formed by using will/shall with the simple form of the verb.

The speaker of the House will finish her term in May of 1998.

The future tense can also be expressed by using am, is, or are with going to.

The surgeon is going to perform the first bypass in Minnesota.

We can also use the present tense form with an adverb or adverbial phrase to show future time.

The president speaks tomorrow. (Tomorrow is a future time adverb.)

Progressive Forms

Present Progressive Tense

Present progressive tense describes an ongoing action that is happening at the same time the statement is written. This tense is formed by using am/is/are with the verb form ending in -ing.

The sociologist is examining the effects that racial discrimination has on society.

Past Progressive Tense

Past progressive tense describes a past action which was happening when another action occurred. This tense is formed by using was/were with the verb form ending in -ing.

The explorer was explaining the lastest discovery in Egypt when protests began on the streets.

Future Progressive Tense

Future progressive tense describes an ongoing or continuous action that will take place in the future. This tense is formed by using will be or shall be with the verb form ending in -ing.

Dr. Jones will be presenting ongoing research on sexist language next week.

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Perfect Forms

Present Perfect Tense

Present perfect tense describes an action that happened at an indefinite time in the past or that began in the past and continues in the present.This tense is formed by using has/have with the past participle of the verb. Most past participles end in -ed. Irregular verbs have special past participles that must be memorized.

Example	Meaning
The researchers have traveled to many countries in order to collect more significant data.	At an indefinite time
Women have voted in presidential elections since 1921.	Continues in the present

Past Perfect Tense

Past perfect tense describes an action that took place in the past before another past action. This tense is formed by using had with the past participle of the verb.

By the time the troops arrived, the war had ended.

Future Perfect Tense

Future perfect tense describes an action that will occur in the future before some other action. This tense is formed by using will have with the past participle of the verb.

By the time the troops arrive, the combat group will have spent several weeks waiting.

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Perfect Progressive Forms

Present Perfect Progressive

Present perfect progressive tense describes an action that began in the past, continues in the present, and may continue into the future. This tense is formed by using has/have been and the present participle of the verb (the verb form ending in -ing).

The CEO has been considering a transfer to the state of Texas where profits would be larger.

Past Perfect Progressive

Past perfect progressive tense describes a past, ongoing action that was completed before some other past action. This tense is formed by using had been and the present perfect of the verb (the verb form ending in -ing).

Before the budget cuts, the students had been participating in many extracurricular activities.

Future Perfect Progressive

Future perfect progressive tense describes a future, ongoing action that will occur before some specified future time. This tense is formed by using will have been and the present participle of the verb (the verb form ending in -ing).

By the year 2020, linguists will have been studying and defining the Indo-European language family for more than 200 years.

Quiz: Click on the links below to take the quiz. Retake the quiz until you get perfect and familiarize the different tenses of the verbs.

http://english-zone.com/verbs/tenses1.html

http://www.esl-classroom.com/grammar/verbquiz7.html

http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs30finaltest.htm

Pronoun - Antecedent Agreement

Pronoun

A pronoun is a substitute for a noun. It refers to a person, place, thing, feeling, or quality but does not refer to it by its name. The pronoun in the following sample sentence is bolded.

The critique of Plato's Republic was written from a contemporary point of view. It was an in-depth analysis of Plato's opinions about possible governmental forms.

Antecedent

An antecedent is the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers, understood by the context. The antecedent in the following sample sentence is bolded.

The critique of Plato's Republic was written from a contemporary point of view. It was an in-depth analysis of Plato's opinions about possible governmental forms.

While the pronouns I and you can be replaced by nouns, the context of a sentence does not always require the nouns to make clear to which persons I and you refer. However, the third person pronouns (he, she, it,they) almost always derive their meaning from their antecedents or the words for which they stand. Remember that pronouns in the third person communicate nothing unless the reader knows what they mean:

It is the best source available. What source is that?

Agreement

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in three ways:

• Person refers to the quality of being.
• Number is the quality that distinguishes between singular (one entity) and plural (numerous entities).
• Gender is the quality that distinguishes the entities as masculine or feminine.

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Grammar Conflicts

The following are some incorrect sentences. An explanation of the conflicts that some sentences may present in person, number, and gender and some possible solutions to the errors are given.

Person

Incorrect Sentence

If a person wants to succeed in corporate life, you have to know the rules of the game.

Explanation

Antecedent	a person (third person)
Pronoun	you (second person)
Conclusion	no person agreement

Solution

Although the antecedent and the pronoun agree in number, they do not agree in person. This problem can be remedied in two ways.

Solution	Example
Change the second person singular, you, to a third person singular pronoun.	If a person wants to succeed in corporate life, he or she has to know the rules of the game.
Change the third person singular antecedent, a person, to a second person singular antecedent.	If you want to succeed in corporate life, you have to know the rules of the game.

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Number

Incorrect Sentence

If anybody wants to succeed in corporate life, they have to know the rules of the game.

Explanation

Antecedent	anybody (third person singular)
Pronoun	they (third person plural)
Conclusion	no number agreement

Solution

Although the antecedent and pronoun agree in person, they do not agree in number. This problem can be remedied in two ways.

Solution	Example
Make the antecedent plural.	If people want to succeed in corporate life, they have to know the rules of the game.
Make the pronoun singular.	If anybody wants to succeed in corporate life, he or she has to know the rules of the game.

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Gender

Incorrect Sentence

If a person wants to succeed in corporate life, he has to know the rules of the game.

Explanation

Antecedent	a person (third person neutral singular)
Pronoun	he (third person masculine singular)
Conclusion	no gender agreement

Solution

Even though there is person and number agreement between the antecedent, a person, and the pronoun, he, there is no gender agreement; in other words, the language appears to favor one sex over the other. This problem can be remedied in two ways.

Solution	Example
Replace the pronoun he with he or she.	If a person wants to succeed in corporate life, he or she has to know the rules of the game.
Make the entire sentence plural.	If people want to succeed in corporate life, they have to know the rules of the game.

Quiz: Click on the link below to take the quiz. Retake the quiz until you get perfect and familiarize the rules in Pronoun - Antecedent Agreement.

http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/agreement_pa_ex2.htm

Subject and Verb Agreement

Subject and Verb are like couples. They are inseparable. The general rule says that verbs always agree with the subject in person and in number. Thus, if the subject is singular the verb takes the simple form and if the subject is plural, the verb takes the s-form. Subjects in the first and second person on the other hand always take the simple form of the verb.

While grammar is not as static a science as is typically assumed, the 20 rules of subjectverb agreement attempt to objectify part of the English language form. Most of the concepts of subject verb agreement are straightforward, yet some aspects of singular andplural usage in English grammar are more complicated.

The 20 Rules of Subject Verb Agreement in Standard English

1. Subjects and verbs must agree in number. This is the cornerstone rule that forms the background of the concept.

The dog growls when he is angry. The dogs growl when they are angry.

2. Don’t get confused by the words that come between the subject and verb; they do not affect agreement.

The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, is usually very good.

3. Prepositional phrases between the subject and verb usually do not affect agreement.

The colors of the rainbow are beautiful.

4. When sentences start with “there” or “here,” the subject will always be placed after the verb, so care needs to be taken to identify it correctly.

There is a problem with the balance sheet.Here are the papers you requested.

5. Subjects don't always come before verbs in questions. Make sure you accurately identify the subject before deciding on the proper verb form to use.

Does Lefty usually eat grass? Where are the pieces of this puzzle.

6. If two subjects are joined by and, they typically require a plural verb form.

The cow and the pig are jumping over the moon.

7. The verb is singular if the two subjects separated by and refer to the same person or thing.

Red beans and rice is my mom's favorite dish.

8. If one of the words each, every, or no comes before the subject, the verb is singular.

No smoking or drinking is allowed.Every man and woman is required to check in.

9. If the subjects are both singular and are connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but also the verb is singular.

Jessica or Christian is to blame for the accident.

10. The only time when the object of the preposition factors into the decision of plural or singular verb forms is when noun and pronoun subjects like some, half, none, more, all, etc. are followed by a prepositional phrase. In these sentences, theobject of the preposition determines the form of the verb.

All of the chicken is gone.All of the chickens are gone.

11. The singular verb form is usually used for units of measurement.

Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running.

12. If the subjects are both plural and are connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but also, the verb is plural.

Dogs and cats are both available at the pound.

13. If one subject is singular and one plural and the words are connected by the words or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but also, you use the verb form of the subject that is nearest the verb.

Either the bears or the lion has escaped from the zoo. Neither the lion nor thebears have escaped from the zoo.

14. Indefinite pronouns typically take singular verbs.

Everybody wants to be loved.

15. * Except for the pronouns (few, many, several, both, all, some) that always take the plural form.

Few were left alive after the flood.

16. If two infinitives are separated by and they take the plural form of the verb.

To walk and to chew gum require great skill.

17. When gerunds are used as the subject of a sentence they take the singular verb form of the verb, but when they are linked by and they take the plural form.

Standing in the water was a bad idea.Swimming in the ocean and playing drums are my hobbies.

18. Collective nouns like herd, senate, class, crowd, etc. usually take a singular verb form.

The herd is stampeding.

19. Titles of books, movies, novels, etc. are treated as singular and take a singular verb.

The Burbs is a movie starring Tom Hanks.

20. Final Rule – Remember, only the subject affects the verb!

Quiz: Click on the link below to take the quiz. Retake the quiz until you get perfect and familiarize the rules in subject and verb agreement.

http://www.cityu.edu.hk/elc/quiz/subverb1.htm

My Failure

The success of a teacher is not only measured on the skills and intelligence of his students. A teacher does not only teach subjects but he should develop a student's character as a whole. He is a mentor, a molder of tomorrows citizens. His students are his pride. 

I was pondering on this thought over and over again and have concluded to myself that I have failed. I was not able to teach them well. I was not able to mold them well. I was not able to develop a good attitude in them. How can I take pride with my students if they exhibited an unacceptable behavior towards me?

I have been doing my best to fulfill my responsibilities. I always made sure that they will learn the lessons, that they wont leave my room without gaining any. I maybe strict in some ways but God knows that my intentions are pure, I only want the best for my students. But amidst my effort to be true  to my oath, I still failed. 

My heart felt an unbearable pain upon reading the comments of my former marine students in Facebook. They cursed me, they hated me. For what reason? They hated me because I did not allow them to pass my subject without taking multiple removal exams. They hated me because I repeatedly corrected their errors. They hated me for trusting and believing in them. 

I just didn't want to fail any of them, I sacrificed my salary because I submitted my grades very late just to wait for them. I am deeply disappointed with my self because I FAILED. 

What happened has happened already and cannot be changed. But I am still thankful for the lesson I learned from that experience.

Project Proposal

Saint  Joseph  Institute  of  Technology

Butuan  City

                                                                                                                     

A Proposal for the Construction of a One Storey Residential Building

Prepared for the Fulfillment of the Course

English for Engineers

Submitted  to

Mr. Jayson S. Patalinghug

Instructor

  By

Jay Fred D.Telin

Michaelle Ann M. Mencias

Cris M. Trazo

May 7, 2008

____________________

TABLE  OF  CONTENTS

Abstract

Introduction

             Purpose

             Problem

          

             Scope                                                                                                            

Proposed  Project

              Section  1:       Description  of  the  Project

              Section   2:      Costs

              Section   3:       Capability

              Section   4       Facilities  and  Personnel  Requirements

_____________

LISTS  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure  1:    Perspective  of  the  House

Figure  2:    Floor  Plan

Figure  3:    Front   Elevation

Figure  4:    Rear   Elevation

Figure  5:    Right  side  Elevation

        Figure  6:    Left  side  Elevation

_____________________

Abstract

The  client  spends  more  than  forty  two  thousand  pesos  yearly  for  his  house  rental.  Aside  from  the house  rental  he  also  spends  for  his  daily  transportation  from  Libertad  to SJIT.

The  construction  of  a  one  storey  residential  building  will  solve  the  present  problem  of  the  client.  The  estimated  cost  is  approximately  1.15  million  pesos.

The  proposed  project  is  capable  of  giving  comfort  to  the  client.  This  building  will  last  for    long,  long  years.

With  these  positive  capabilities  of  the  project,  the  proponents  strongly  recommend  its  approval.

___________________

Introduction

Purpose:

This  paper  proposes  to  construct  a  one  storey  residential  building  which  includes  three  bedrooms,  two  toilets  and bathrooms,  living  room,  spacious  kitchen  and  extravagant  porch.  This  house  is designed  to  create  a  soothing  environment  bringing  the  comfort  of  a  rural  life  in  the  urban  area.

Problem:

The  client  spends  forty  two  thousand  pesos  a  year  for  his  house  rental  at  Acosta  Subdivision,  Libertad,  Butuan  City.  Aside  from  the  house  rental  he  also  spends  for  his  daily  transportation  from  Libertad  to  SJIT.  The  client  also  wanted  to  bring  the  environment  of  the  rural  area  into  the  urban  place  like  Butuan  City.

Scope:

Section  1  of  this  paper  will  show  the  sketch  of  the  proposed  residential  building  together  with  the  floor  plan,  four  elevations  and  the  perspective.

Section  2  will  show  the  cost  of  materials  including  the  payments  of   the  workers.

Section  3  will  show  the  capability  of  the  house  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  clients.

Section 4 will be devoted to facilities requirements.  Recommendations will come after sections 1 - 4.

Schedule  of  work/activities  will  be  presented  after  the  approval  of  this  paper. 

_______________

Section 1

Description of the Project

Verbalization  of  the  sketch

The  one  storey  residential  building  will suit  the  needs  of  the  clients.  Near  the  entrance  is  the  living  room  and  next  to  it  is  the  kitchen.  There  are  two  toilets  and  bathrooms  that  will  provide  comfort  to  the  residents.  One  is  located  at  the  master’s  bedroom  and  the  other  is  found  near  the  kitchen.  At  the  left  side  of  the  kitchen  is the  dining  room.  At  the  right  side  of  the  living  room  are  two  flights  of  stairs  in  which  the  two  bedrooms  and  one  master’s  bedroom  located.  And  then  carport  is  located  at  the  left  side  of  the  residential  building.

__________________________

Section  2

Costs

The  cost  of  the  residential  building  is  roughly  estimated.  The  rough  estimate  of  this  building  is  eleven  thousand  pesos  per  square  meter.  The  total  area  of  the  residential  building  is  one  hundred  twenty  eight  square  meter.  Therefore  the  cost  of  this  building  is   one  million  and  one  hundred  fifty  two  thousand  pesos.

Computation:

9,000 pesos/sq. meter (128 sq. meters )  =  1,152,000 pesos

Costs  Break  Down

                                                      Item                       Amount                        

                                                  Cements       - - - - -- - -  - - -  35,000 

                                                  Steel             - - - - - - - - - - -   200,000 

                                                  Gravel         - - - - - - - - - - - - 20,000

                                                  Nara wood     - - - - - - - - - -  65,000

                                                 Roof (G.I)    - - -- - - - - - - - -   40,000

                                                 Tiles    - - - - - - -  - - - - - - - -  200,000

                                                 Plywood     ------ - - --- - - - -  15,000

                                                Hardiflex    - - --  - - - - - - - - -  15,000

                                                Others   -  -- - - - - - - - - - -       560,000

                                                        Total                                         P1,150,000.00 

___________________

Section  3

Capability

The  one  storey  residential  building  will  address  the  present  problem  of  the  client.  This  building  will  last  for   long,  long  years  because  of  the  materials  that  we  are  going  to  use  in  the  construction.

It  is  also  capable  of  bringing  comfort  to  the  client  because  of  its  wide  area  and  space.

This  building  can  accommodate  at  least  five  to  six  residents.

Section  4

Facilities  and  Personnel  Requirements

Television sets,  computer  system,  air  conditioner,  refrigerator  or  any  kind  of  appliances  will  be  provided  by  the  residents  of  the  house.

For  light  and  water,  there  is  no  need  to  worry  because,  there  are  separate  meters  for  these  existing  set-up.  Perhaps  a  professional  and  licensed  engineer  will  set-up  the  facilities  stated  above

Conclusions  and  Recommendations

From  the  remain  that  we  have  gathered  and  from  the  data  presented,  it  is  safe  to  conclude  that:

1.                              Construction  of  a  one  storey  residential  building  will  cost  approximately  1.15  million  pesos,  equivalent  to  20  years  expenses  of  the  client.

2.                              The  vacant  lot  of  the  client  along  Montilla  Boulevard  where  the  building  will  be  constructed  will  be  useful  at  last.

3.                              The  proposed  project  is  capable  to:

a.       Solve the  present  problem  of  the  client.

b.      Reduce  his  burden  in  terms  of  transportation.

c.       Bring  a  good  atmosphere  to  the  residents.

With all of the propose project, the proponents strongly recommend

approval the  capabilities  .