Compound Verbal Predicate
The compound verbal predicate can be divided into two types according to the meaning of the finite verb: the compound verbal modal predicate; the compound verbal aspect 1 Compound Verbal Modal Predicate The compound verbal modal predicate shows whether the action expressed by a non-finite form of the verb is considered as possible, impossible, obligatory, necessary, desirable, etc. These shades of meaning are expressed by the first component of the predicate. The compound verbal modal predicate may consist of the following components: #1. A modal verb and an infinitive. Here belong the combinations of such verbs as [...]
Compound Nominal Predicate
The compound nominal predicate denotes the state or quality of the person or thing expressed by the subject (e. g. He is tired, The book is interesting), or the class of persons or things to which this person or thing belongs (e. g. She is a student). The compound nominal predicate consists of a link verb and a predictive (the latter is also called the nominal part of the predicate). The link verb (or a verb of incomplete predication) expresses the verbal categories of person, number, tense, aspect, mood, and sometimes voice. All link verbs, as the result of a long development, have partly lost their [...]
Compound Predicate
As can be seen from the term itself the compound predicate consists of two parts: (a) a finite verb and (b) some other part of speech: a noun, a pronoun, an adjective, a verbal (a participle, a gerund, an infinitive), etc. The second component is the significant part of the predicate. The first part expresses the verbal categories of person, number, tense, aspect, mood and voice; besides it has a certain lexical meaning of its own. The compound predicate may be nominal or verbal.
Link Verbs and their Meaning
According to their meaning link verbs can be divided into two large groups: link verbs of being and remaining; link verbs of becoming. #1. link verbs of being and remaining The first group comprises such verbs as to be, to remain, to keep, to continue, to look, to smell, to stand, to sit, to lie, to shine, to seem, to prove, to appear, etc. The latter three verbs have some modal colouring. Cotman was a nice-looking fellow, of thirty perhaps... (Maugham) Do not delay, there is no time. Teacher Williams lies dead, already. (Buck) The Western powers stood aloof. [...]
‘It’ as the Subject of the Sentence
When the pronoun it is used as the subject of a sentence it may represent a living being or a thing: then it is a notional subject. Sometimes, however, it does not represent any living being or thing and performs a purely grammatical function: then it is a formal subject. #1 . When it is a notional subject the pronoun it has the following meanings: #1.1. It stands for a definite thing or some abstract idea — the personal The door opened. It was opened by a young girl of thirteen or fourteen. (Dickens) If this is a liberty, it isn’t [...]
Sequence of Tenses
#1. The sequence of tenses is a certain dependence of the tense of the verb in a subordinate clause on that of the verb in the principal clause: if the verb in the principal clause is in one of the past tenses, a past tense (or future in the past) must be used in the subordinate clause. The rule is generally observed in object clauses. I thought you had better sense. (Dreiser) I always thought it would come to this. NOTE: It is implied in the rule of the sequence of tenses that if a present or future tense is [...]
Definite Article with Class Nouns
Class nouns are used with the definite article: #1. When the noun denotes an object or objects which the speaker singles out from all the objects of a given class. An object is singled out in the following cases: when the speaker and the hearer know what particular object is No special indication is necessary. How did you like the play? I Have got the magazine. N о t e — It should be borne in mind that there is a difference between knowing what object is spoken about and knowing the object itself. A: I do not care [...]
Use of the Indefinite Article with Nouns in Expressions
in a hurry Things done in a hurry are done badly. at a glance She saw at a glance that something had happened. To be at a loss She was at a loss what to say. to have a good time Last night we went to an evening party and had a very good time. as a result As a result of the inhabitants’ strenuous efforts the damaged city was soon rebuilt. it is a pleasure It is a pleasure to read beautiful poetry. it is a shame It is a shame not to know these elementary things. it is [...]
Use of the Definite Article with Nouns in Expressions
to be on the safe side I am almost sure of the pronunciation of this name, but to be on the safe side let us consult the pronouncing dictionary. to play the piano (the violin, the harp) She plays the piano very well. it is out of the question “Will you go to the theatre tonight?” “It’s out of the question. I have lots of things to do.” to take the trouble to do something You had a difficult text to translate and you did not take the trouble to consult the dictionary. in the original You know English [...]
Nouns in Expressions used without an Article
out of doors The children spent most of the time out of doors. to take to heart Don’t take things too much to heart. to take offense If he had heard your remark, he would have taken offense. to give (to get, to ask) permission I asked permission to keep the book a little longer. to lose heart He found the subject very difficult at first, but he did not lose heart. He went on working hard and finally mastered it. at present You may go home, we don’t want you at present. from head to foot She was dressed [...]