1. According to
The phrase refers to an opinion that is not the
speaker's opinion .
- According to Jack , his father will return tomorrow .
- According to the report / instruction etc.
Common Error :
Don't say - According to me / According to
my opinion he is a very gentle man .
- In my opinion , he is a very gentle man . ( Correct )
Other Usage :
They will be given different tasks according to their ability
. ( depending on something )
I'll execute it according to the plan . ( in conformity with
)
2. In my opinion
Don't say - On my opinion / To my
opinion / In my point of view
Don't use - In my opinion and I think together
In my opinion I think he is a very gentle man .
- In my opinion , he is a very gentle man . ( Correct )
- I think he is a very gentle man . ( Correct )
3. Kinds of / Sorts of / Types of
a) Kinds , sorts , types can be used with singular or plural noun according
to the sense . They always refer to a group .
- All kinds of / All types of / All sorts of people / car / books /
things / money / music / movies / birds etc.
- All kinds of people are going there for the festival .
- Many kinds of dogs are kept for the show .
b) We use sort of / kind of / type of with an uncountable noun or
singular noun without an article . Sometimes , a / an is added informally .
- What sort of (a) / kind of (a) / type of
(a) movie is this ?
Some other expressions :
- This is not the sort of book
I want .
- Macbeth is a type of book that
every reader wants to read .
- She has prepared some sort / type /
kind of dish for us .
Note :
Mr. Das is the teacher we need . (It refers to a
specific person)
Mr. Das is like the kind of teacher we need . (It refers to
a category)
Mr. Das is the kind of teacher we need . ( Incorrect )
4. Majority is & Majority are
a) As a collective noun majority can be used with both singular and plural
verb ( in British English ) . We use a singular verb with it
when the phrase refers to a single group or unit and a plural verb when it
refers to the individuals in the group .
- The majority is / are in favour of the law .
- The majority is / are unwilling to go there .
- He meets several members a day . The majority are men
.
b) Majority is followed by a singular verb when a
singular or uncountable noun follows ' A / The majority of ' . In such a case
the phrase refers to a single group or unit . It is better to avoid uncountable
noun after ' A / The majority of ' . With an uncountable noun we
can use ' Most of '
instead of ' A / The majority of ' .
- A large majority of the population / villager
is unwilling to go there .
- Most of the time was spent in idleness . (
Instead of : A majority of the time was spent in idleness . )
c) Majority is followed by a plural verb when a
plural noun follows ' A / The majority of ' .
- The majority of the villagers are unwilling to
go there .
Note :
Majority refers to a number of things or people . To talk about an amount
we should use most of .
' A / The large / vast / great / huge majority of ' means almost all
.
In the expressions like ' The majority opinion / view is that...' , ' A
majority decision / verdict / vote etc. ' the word majority is used
as an Adjective .
5. Let , Lets , Let's etc.
a) Let (as a transitive verb) is followed by an
infinitive without 'to' . It means to allow or to give permission .
- I shall not let you go there . ( Don't say -
I shall not let you to go there.) - The boy wanted to buy the toy but his parents wouldn't let him
buy .
- Let Jack have a look at the picture .
- I shall not let you know my story .
- He doesn't let her go there .
- You mustn't let yourself get so attracted to her .
- I am letting you leave the place .
- Let me do it .
- If he lets us go there , we will go .
- Let me think properly .
Note :
Generally 'Let' is followed by a noun or pronoun .
- Let me - First person singular imperative .
- Let us - First person plural imperative .
- Let him / Let them / Let Alfred - Third person imperative .
b) Let is not used in place of allow or permit in
the passive .
- Kate is not allowed to go there .
Don't say - Kate is not let go there .
b) Lets is the third person singular present form
of Let
- If he lets us go there , we will go
.
c) Let’s means Let us . It is followed by a verb .
- Let’s go for a cinema .
d) Do is used before 'Let’s' to put special emphasis
on something or if one is eager to do something .
- Do let’s tell the story .
- Do let’s get a bus .
e) Negative form of Let’s
- Let us not go there . ( Formal )
- Let’s not go there . ( Informal )
- Do not let us stay up late at night . ( Formal )
- Don’t let’s stay up late at night . ( Informal )
- Let’s don’t stay up late at night . ( Informal , American English )
f) Let is used to express a
wish
- Let the glory be eternal !
- Let all his dreams come true !
g) Let + there be
- God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
(Genesis 1:3)
- Let there be no confusion in your mind .
h) Let with object + adverb particle
- Let him sit down . ( adverb particle )
- Let me come in . ( adverb particle )
Note :
i) When 'Let' expresses suggestion , the question
tag begins with 'shall' .
- Let’s go for a movie , shall we ?
- Let’s have a drink , shall we ?
ii) When 'Let' expresses permission , the question tag begins
with 'will' .
- Let him sit down , will you ?
- Let me come in , will you ?
- Let them go there , will you ?
But , He will let her go there , won't he ?
iii) Let means to rent
- Mr. Das has let his house to a couple .
- She has a house to let .
- She is letting out her old room to a student .
- Much as I like Harry , I will not marry him .
8) A number of & The number of
The phrase ‘A number of’ is followed by a plural verb .
- A number of people are going there for prayer .
- A number of students are going abroad for studies .
The expression ‘The number of’ is followed by a singular verb .
- The number of people here has decreased since this afternoon .
- The number of crimes has increased this year .
But , according to ‘Cambridge’s English Grammar Today’ phrases like ‘a number of’ , ‘numbers of’ and ‘the number of’ can be used with plural verbs .
9)
1. Get = Obtain / Fetch
- Can you get me a coffee from the café? (Request to fetch something)
- Get me a cup of tea, please. ( Requesting someone to bring something)
- She got a promotion at work. (Received a promotion)
2. Get = Experience / Receive
- Did you get my email about the meeting? (Receive)
- I got a cold last week. (Caught an illness)
3. Get = Become (Change of State)
- It’s getting dark outside. (Becoming dark)
- He got rich after investing wisely. (Became wealthy)
4. Get = Move / Leave / Arrive
- Get off the bus at the next stop. (Exit)
- We need to get home before midnight. (Return/arrive)
5. Get + Adjective (State Change)
- Don’t get mad—it was just a joke! (Become angry)
- The soup got cold while I was away. (Became cold)
6. Get + Past Participle (Passive Meaning)
- They got married in Paris. (They were married)
- My phone got stolen yesterday. (My phone was stolen)
7. Get to + Verb (Opportunity / Permission)
- I got to visit Japan last year. (Had the opportunity)
- Do we get to leave early today (Are we allowed to?)
8. Phrasal Verbs with "Get" (Idiomatic Uses)
- I need to get up early tomorrow. (Wake up)
- She finally got over her fear of flying. (Overcome)
9. Get (Causative Verb)
- I got him to fix my car.
- I got my hair cut yesterday. (cut by someone else)
- I got the documents signed in time. (signed by someone else)
- I got him to clean the room.
- I had him clean the room.
References :
British Council Learn English
BBC Learning English
Cambridge English Grammar
Collins English Grammar and Usage
Longman English Grammar
Nesfield English Grammar and Usage
Oxford Modern English Grammar
Practical English Grammar
Practical English Usage
Wren & Martin English Grammar
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