Showing posts with label english proficiency. Show all posts
List of Useful Vocabulary for the IELTS, TOEFL, and Other English Proficiency Exam
Here are some useful words to add up on your vocabulary bank. Learn them well and get higher score in the English proficiency test you will be taking.
IELTS Review Basic: The Parts of Speech
How can we make a sentence? Basically, a simple sentence is composed of different words that work together to bring out one single thought. This means that every single word in the sentence play a vital role in providing meaning to the sentence. Hence, we call these elements in the sentence the parts of speech.
The parts of speech are words that have specific functions in a sentence. In the English language, we have eight different parts of speech. Let us discuss each part and provide examples for better learning.
1. NOUNS
Nouns are name of people, things, animals, phenomena, and events. It can function differently in the sentence like subject and object. Nouns can be word, phrases or clauses.
Examples:
2. PRONOUNS
These are used to substitute names of nouns in a sentence. We use pronouns to avoid redundancy in the sentence.
Examples:
3. VERBS
Verbs are words that express a movement, occurrence of an event or just a condition. There are action verbs that show an action and state verbs that show a state of a noun.
Examples:
4. ADJECTIVES
Adjectives are words that are used to describe nouns.
Examples:
5. ADVERBS
Adverbs are used to modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs and even the meaning of the whole sentence.
Examples:
The parts of speech are words that have specific functions in a sentence. In the English language, we have eight different parts of speech. Let us discuss each part and provide examples for better learning.
1. NOUNS
Nouns are name of people, things, animals, phenomena, and events. It can function differently in the sentence like subject and object. Nouns can be word, phrases or clauses.
Examples:
- Mary is known to be the prettiest girl in the class.
- I have to go to the hospital and visit my sick aunt.
- What I don’t understand is his insensitivity.
2. PRONOUNS
These are used to substitute names of nouns in a sentence. We use pronouns to avoid redundancy in the sentence.
Examples:
- Raymond is such a hardworking gentleman. He always does his best in everything.
- The dog is waggling its tail. It is a happy dog.
- Everyone in the class has agreed to participate.
3. VERBS
Verbs are words that express a movement, occurrence of an event or just a condition. There are action verbs that show an action and state verbs that show a state of a noun.
Examples:
- She is my friend.
- My aunt eats breakfast every morning.
- I like him so much.
4. ADJECTIVES
Adjectives are words that are used to describe nouns.
Examples:
- I bought a red car for my old friend.
- The flowers are very pretty.
- This dress will look elegant on me.
5. ADVERBS
Adverbs are used to modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs and even the meaning of the whole sentence.
Examples:
- I run fast.
- She is much prettier than her older sister.
- The thief slowly opened the bag.
6. CONJUNCTIONS
These are words that connect grammatically alike words, phrases and clauses. Conjunctions can be coordinating, correlative and subordinating.
Examples:
7. PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions are used to link words in any part of the sentence. Prepositions can be time, place, movement or direction.
Examples:
8. INTERJECTIONS
These are words that are used express an emotion or sentiment.
Examples:
These are words that connect grammatically alike words, phrases and clauses. Conjunctions can be coordinating, correlative and subordinating.
Examples:
- My sister and I enjoy going to the mountains in spring.
- Both Raymond and Jing are working as managers in the hotel.
- Joel was playing the piano while Denver was singing on stage.
7. PREPOSITIONS
Prepositions are used to link words in any part of the sentence. Prepositions can be time, place, movement or direction.
Examples:
- My youngest brother was born on October 20th.
- Their family moved to a new apartment building. They are currently living on the 16th floor.
- We went around town and found a nice cafe down this street.
8. INTERJECTIONS
These are words that are used express an emotion or sentiment.
Examples:
- Wow! I found my lost wallet in my closet.
- Hi! What’s up mother?
- Ouch! You are stepping on my foot!
Filipinism - Words That Must be Avoided to Improve English Proficiency
Have you ever heard of the word “filipinism”?
English proficiency has become an essential requirement in both work and education nowadays. The use of the English language has spread all over the globe as more and more nationalities study English for their careers and studies. In the Philippine setting, English is used almost every day in formal and even informal situations. Thus, it is easy to say that Filipinos are quite accustomed to using the language. However, though Filipinos sound professional once they converse in English, there are some minor problems with their construction and even in some phrases that they use.
Filipinism – these are words or phrases that seem to be correct in usage but they are actually grammatically incorrect and are a result of transliteration. These filipinisms are commonly heard in conversations and even some in writing. This is alarming since they contain grammar errors and should be corrected. Here are some filipinisms and their correct usage:
1. Come again?
This is a common expression Filipinos use to say “could you repeat that?” Instead of saying “come again”, it is better to say “I am sorry I didn’t get that”, “Excuse me?”, “I am sorry, would you please say that again?”
2. It’s for free!
It should be “It’s free!” or “It’s free of charge!”
3. Open the light/computer/TV
Might as well get a screw driver and start “opening” that thing. Instead of the verb “turn on”, use the verb “switch on/ff.”
4. He/She was salvaged.
The word “salvage” means “to save somebody or something.” Filipinos have another meaning of it which means “to kill”. To make this correct, it should be said as, “He/She was assassinated.”
5. Where are you studying?
This question can be answered by simply telling a place where you study – library, bed room, or even coffee shops. But some use this expression to ask about “the school” where one is enrolled. Hence, it should be corrected by saying, “Where do you go to school? or Which school do you go to?”
6. Aircon – air conditioner
7. Fall in line – stand in line
8. For a while – please hold; hold on
9. Ref – refrigerator; fridge
10. Rubber shoes – sneakers; trainers, running shoes
Because of its constant usage within conversations, these filipinisms have started to be acceptable; however, in English proficiency training, this should be greatly avoided. These expressions have to be used in their correct usage to avoid confusion and errors in both speaking and writing English.
Source: http://www.englishforums.com/English/FilipinismPhrase/wkxcw/post.htm
Filipinism – these are words or phrases that seem to be correct in usage but they are actually grammatically incorrect and are a result of transliteration. These filipinisms are commonly heard in conversations and even some in writing. This is alarming since they contain grammar errors and should be corrected. Here are some filipinisms and their correct usage:
1. Come again?
This is a common expression Filipinos use to say “could you repeat that?” Instead of saying “come again”, it is better to say “I am sorry I didn’t get that”, “Excuse me?”, “I am sorry, would you please say that again?”
2. It’s for free!
It should be “It’s free!” or “It’s free of charge!”
3. Open the light/computer/TV
Might as well get a screw driver and start “opening” that thing. Instead of the verb “turn on”, use the verb “switch on/ff.”
4. He/She was salvaged.
The word “salvage” means “to save somebody or something.” Filipinos have another meaning of it which means “to kill”. To make this correct, it should be said as, “He/She was assassinated.”
5. Where are you studying?
This question can be answered by simply telling a place where you study – library, bed room, or even coffee shops. But some use this expression to ask about “the school” where one is enrolled. Hence, it should be corrected by saying, “Where do you go to school? or Which school do you go to?”
6. Aircon – air conditioner
7. Fall in line – stand in line
8. For a while – please hold; hold on
9. Ref – refrigerator; fridge
10. Rubber shoes – sneakers; trainers, running shoes
Because of its constant usage within conversations, these filipinisms have started to be acceptable; however, in English proficiency training, this should be greatly avoided. These expressions have to be used in their correct usage to avoid confusion and errors in both speaking and writing English.
Source: http://www.englishforums.com/English/FilipinismPhrase/wkxcw/post.htm
