ENGLISH GRAMMAR

PARTS OF SPEECH

1. NOUNS
A noun is a name of anything or it is a naming word.
NOTE: the word “thing” in this context means “anything which is living or nonliving”.
Types of Nouns
I. concrete Nouns
Most of these nouns are the nouns we can see with our eyes or we can touch them.

(i) proper nouns

These are names of specific things. For example,
a. people such as John, Mary. e.g. John has gone to Ntcheu.
b. places such as Mzimba, Lilongwe, Machinga.
c. sources of water such as Shire River, Lake Malawi.
d. roads such as Chilambula Road, Kamuzu Highway.
e. buildings eg Kang‟ombe House
(ii) common nouns
These are names of things which are not specific, for example, tree, school swarm,
crowd. e. g. I saw a tree near the school.
Common nouns are divided into two types:
a. individual nouns.
These are nouns which refer to one thing such as tree, girl.
Most individual nouns can form compound nouns. Compound nouns are nouns which are
formed by combining two nouns to make one noun. For example, combining “tea” and
“pot” to form one noun “teapot”.
b. Collective nouns. They refer to a group of nouns such as swarm (of bees), crowd (of
people). e.g. The swarm of bees stings the dog to death.
Most concrete nouns are countable: they can either be singular or plural.
II. abstract nouns
They are nouns we cannot see with eyes or touch. For example, nouns such as air,
poverty, intelligence and happiness. Most abstract nouns are uncountable.
e.g. Poverty prevented him from continuing his education.

2. PRONOUNS
They are words that are used instead of nouns. For example, instead of repeating the noun
“John” several times in a paragraph, the writer uses the pronoun “he” to mean “John”.
Types of Pronouns
I. personal pronouns
They are pronouns which refer to people.
a. first personal pronoun
(i) subject, singular: I live in Lilongwe.
subject, plural: We live in Lilongwe.
(ii) object, singular: Mavuto saw me at the depot.
object, plural: Mavuto saw us at the depot.

b. Second personal pronoun

(i) subject, singular: You live in Lilongwe.
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 subject, plural: You live in Lilongwe.
(ii) object, singular: Mavuto saw you at the depot.
object, plural: Mavuto saw you at the depot.
c. third personal pronoun
(i) subject, singular: She lives in Lilongwe.
He lives in Lilongwe.
It is John who lives in Lilongwe.
subject, plural: They live in Lilongwe.

(ii) object, singular: Mavuto saw her at the depot.

Mavuto saw him at the depot.
Mavuto saw it at the depot. (“it” in this does not refer to a
human being.)
object, plural: Mavuto saw them at the depot.

II. possessive pronouns

They are pronouns which show ownership. For example,
a. The book is mine.
b. We have sold ours.
c. Where is yours?
d. Hers is under the table.
e. His was sold yesterday.
f. It is on the chair.
g. Theirs will be bought tomorrow.

III. demonstrative pronouns

These are pronouns we use when pointing at a noun. For example,
a. This is what I want to do.
b. I can sell that at a give away price.
c. These are my brothers.
d. Give me those.
e. He does not like such.
f. Such is life.

IV. Reflexive pronouns

They are pronouns we use to show that the action went back to the doer. The pronoun has
the suffixes “-self ” for singular and “-selves” for plural. For example,
a. I saw myself in the mirror.
b. We saw ourselves in the mirror.
c. You saw yourself in the mirror.
d. You saw yourselves in the mirror.
e. She killed herself.
f. He killed himself.
g. They killed themselves.
h. It killed itself.

V. Interrogative pronouns
They have the wh- word plus a verb. They are used to ask questions.
Direct questions
a. Who broke that window?
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 b. Which do you like?
c. What have you said?
d. Whom did you see?
Indirect questions
a. He asked me what had happened after that.
b. She asked me who was going to the party.

VI. Relative pronouns

They show relationship with the noun that precedes it; that is, they show relationship with
the noun that is behind it. For example,
a. The man who went to Blantyre is my cousin. (“who” is related to “man”)
b. The book which I bought yesterday is lost. (“which” is related to “book”)
c. They live in a house that was built in 2010. (“that” is related to “house”)

VII. Indefinite pronoun

They are pronouns which show that the speaker is not sure or does not know of what he
or she is referring to. For example,
a. Somebody is knocking at the door. (the speaker does not know who this
somebody is: a boy? a girl?...)
b. Ask Chikondi if he has any.
c. All are welcome.
d. Each of them was given a book.
e. Neither of my friends has come.

3. ADJECTIVES
These are words that are used to qualify nouns.
Types of adjectives
I. Possessive adjectives
They show ownership. For example,
a. I sold my book. (“my” is qualifying the noun “book”)
b. He took our pen.
c. She lost your money.
d. We saw her sister.
e. Mavuto has his spoon.
f. They have their food.
g. The cat has its food.
II. Demonstrative adjectives
They are adjectives which are used to point at a noun. For example,
a. This book is good.
b. I want that exercise book.
c. These answers are wrong.
d. You can throw away those pencils.
e. Such stories are not true.
III. Interrogative adjectives
They are used to ask questions. For example,
a. Whose pen is this?
b. Which shirt do you want?
c. What name shall we give to this baby?

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IV. Indefinite adjectives
The adjectives show that the speaker is not sure of the noun. For example,
a. Some people are very clever. (The speaker does not know the actual people.)
b. Any person is accepted.
c. All girls were working.

V. Numerical adjectives
These are adjectives which show the number of a noun. For example,
Cardinal adjectives
a. I would like to meet six students.
b. Who has taken two mangoes?
Ordinal adjectives
a. This is the third person in our group.
b. The first answer is correct.

VI. Predicative adjectives

They are adjectives which are part of the predicate. The rule is noun or pronoun + is,
was, are or were + the adjective. For example,
a. The house is new. (“The house” is the subject, “is new” is the predicate. The adjective
“new” is found on the part of the predicate. The predicate starts from the verb up to full
stop. Between the subject and the adjective there is verb “to be” “is”. Therefore, the
adjective “new” is predicative.

VII. common nouns used as adjectives

if two common nouns are close to each other, the first is called an adjective, qualifying
the second. For example,
a. This is a stone wall.
b. I bought a leather belt.
VIII. Participles
They are words from verbs which are used as adjectives
Present participles
They are –ing words which qualify nouns. For example,
a. She saw a flying bird.
b. He told us an amusing story.
Past participles
They are words which end in –en, -ed, or -d and they qualify nouns. For example,
a. The boy has a broken leg. (“broken” qualifies noun “leg”)
b. The confused man ran away.
c. The killed snake was thrown in the hole.
NOTE: when a word we know as an adjective is preceded by an article “the” and is not
followed by a noun or does not qualify a noun, the word becomes a noun. For example,
a. The sick are taken to the hospital.
b. You must treat the mad with respect.

4. VERBS
Main verbs
They are doing words, or they are words which show an action in a sentence.
I. Transitive verbs
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 They are verbs which are followed by objects. For example,
a. The boy sold the bicycle. ( to know that “sold” is a transitive verb, ask the question
“what” to t he verb and the answer is the object: The boy sold what? Or What did the
boy sell? The bicycle)
b. He ate the food.

II. Intransitive verbs

They are not followed by objects. For example,
a. The watch has stopped.
b. Things have changed nowadays.
c. The bell rings.

III. Verb + infinitive

For example,
a. He learnt to ride a bicycle at the age of five.
b. I forgot to take the pen.
Other verbs in this group: care, decide, deserve, expect, hope.

IV. Verb + bare infinitive in the active voice (verb + another verb without “to”)
For example,
a. Active voice: She made me cook the food.
Passive voice: I was made to cook the food.
b. Active voice: Let them go home.
Passive voice: They were let to go home.

V. Verb + –ing word

For example,
a. He admitted going home without permission.
b. We enjoy playing football during the weekend.
Other verbs in this group: appreciate, avoid, consider, delay, deny, detest, dislike, excuse,
finish, forgive, imagine, mention, mind, postpone, practise, suggest, stop, be worth.

VI. (Verb + ) preposition + –ing word

For example,
a. She keeps on asking good questions.
b. After reading the novel, he went to sleep.

Helping verbs (auxiliary verbs)

They are verbs which go together with the main verbs. They just help the main verbs, or
they are branches (auxiliaries) of the main verbs. For example,
a. He can answer this question. (The verb “can” is helping the verb “answer.”)
b. She is reading in the classroom.
Other helping verbs: could, was, were are, has, have, had, am, may, might, will, would,
shall, should, must.
Exceptions: “is, am, are, were, has, have, had, do, does, did” can be alone in a sentence;
therefore, it can act as the main verb in a sentence. For example,
a. She is two years old.
b. He is tall.
c. I have a pen.
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 d. They did the job without our permission.

5. ADVERBS
They are words which modify verbs, adjectives or adverbs.
Types of adverbs which modify verbs
I. Manner (They answer the question “how?” to the verb.) For example,
a. The little boy behaved badly. (The little boy behaved how? Or How did the little boy
behave? badly.) Therefore, “badly” modifies the verb “behaved”. Most adverbs of
manner end in –ly, adverbs such as happily, suddenly, wisely and actively.

II. Time (Answer the question “when?”) For example

a. I will do the work tomorrow. (“tomorrow” modifies “will do”)
Others: early, shortly, soon, presently, yesterday, today, immediately

III. Place (answers the question “where?”) For example,

a. I shall stand here.
b. The bird flew out.
IV. Interrogative
They are used to ask questions. They are only four in number: when, where, how and
why. For example,
a. When are you going away? (time)
b. Where are you sending him? (place)
c. How did you come here? (manner)
d. Why did you say that? (reason)

V. Frequency (How many times was the action done?) For example,
a. I always eat nsima.
b. He often comes late.
c. She goes home twice a month.

VI. i. Affirmation
They show that one agrees with what another says. For example,
a. Yes, I know him.
b. Surely, I know him.
c. Certainly, I know him.
ii. Negation
They show that one disagrees with what another says. For example,
a. No, I do not know him.
b. No, I never know him.
iii. Probability
They show that the speaker is doubting if a certain action can
happen. For example,
a. Perhaps he will come.
b. Maybe he will come.

adverbs which modify adjectives or adverbs

VII. Degree
They answer the question “To what extent…?” or the question “how?” is asked to the
adjective or adverb. For example,

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a. This tea is very bad. (To what extent is the tea bad? Or How bad is the tea? very)
Therefore, “very” modifies the adjective “bad”
b. He is riding the bicycle too slowly. (How slowly is he riding the bicycle? too) Therefore,
“too” modifies the adverb “slowly”
c. We are nearly there.
d. I am quite sure we are on the right road.

6. CONJUNCTIONS
Used to join words, phrases or sentences.
1. The `and` group, suggesting addition. e.g.
a. The coat was soft and warm
b. The coat was soft as well as warm
c. Not only was the coat soft, it was also warm
d. The car was almost new; furthermore/ besides/likewise/moreover/again, it was in
excellent condition.
2. The `but` group, suggesting contrast e.g.
The book is old but it is in excellent condition.
Other conjunctions: yet, still, however, nevertheless
a. In spite of /despite /notwithstanding its age, the bicycle was in good condition.
b. Although the book was old, it was in good condition.
3. The `or` group
Choice (one of two)
a. Take this book or that one
Approximation
b. The nearest shop is at a distance of ten or fifteen kilometres.
Other conjunctions:
c. Either my answer or yours is wrong
d. Work hard or else go to another school.
e. Work hard, otherwise you will go to another school.
4. The `so` group, suggesting consequence/result
a. The rain began to fall; so, we went home.
Others: therefore, accordingly thus, hence, consequently
5. Subordinating conjunctions
Used to introduce noun and adverb clauses. For example,
a. He said that he would go to school.
b. This is the house that was built in 1970.
c. Ask him when he can come.
d. He came because he was interested in music
e. I will come if you want me.
= If you want me I will come.

7. PREPOSITIONS
They show relationship between two nouns two pronouns, or noun and pronoun. For
example,
a. The book is on the table (“on” showing relationship between “ book” and “table”.
b. The bell rang at ten o`clock
1) Preposition of time
a. He has been in this house for eight years / since 1981.
b. He will come at 11 o`clock.
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c. Our friends arrived in the evening .
d. We played football on Wednesday / second May.
e. Bring the book to the office by two p.m. (not later than 2.00 p.m.)
2) Preposition of place
a. I put it in the box.
b. He is working at her desk.

Prepositions and adverbs

1. Chifundo came before nine o`clock. (preposition)
Chifundo has explained that point before .(adverb)
2. Chimwemwe is in the garden. (preposition)
Chimwemwe opened the door and the cat walked in .(adverb)
3. He put the book on the table. (preposition)
Put your jacket on. (adverb)

Determiners (determinatives)
Determiners are articles and adjectives which are distributive, interrogative,
demonstrative or possessive.
a. Articles : a, an, the e.g. I bought a pen.
b. Distributive adjectives : each, every e.g. Every person is invited.
c. Interrogative adjectives: Which book do you want?
d. Demonstrative adjectives: This book is mine.
e. Possessive adjectives: Your answer is correct.

An adjective can be a noun if you add `the` to the adjective, and it is followed by a
verb. e.g. The sick are going home. (noun)
The sick people are going home. (adjective)

8. Interjection
It is a word which is used to express some sudden feeling or emotion
e.g. Oh! Ah!(surprise or pain), Hello! (for greetings), Hey! (to attract attention) alas!
(Sorrow or disappointment)
as it is in a. Alas! He has broken the only cup we had in the house.
b. Hey! We are waiting for you under the tree.

PARTICIPLES
1. Present participle
It is an –ing word which is used as an adjective because it qualifies a noun. For example,

a. This is an exciting story.

= The story is exciting .
b. He told me disappointing news.
= The news is disappointing.
a. Who is this good-looking man.
= The man is good looking.
b. This is an unpromising start.
c. I saw a singing bird.

2. Past participle
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 It is a word which ends with –en, -ed or -d and it qualifies a noun. For example,
a. I have his written promise.
b. He was given broken bottles.
c. The escaped convict has been captured.
d. This tired child is crying.
e. A confused boy ran away.

GERUND
It is an –ing word which is used as a noun. Sometimes it is called a verbal noun because it
is a noun which is formed from a verb. For example,
1. as subject of the verb
a. Working in these conditions is a pleasure.
Type: gerund
Function: subject of the verb “is”
b. The reading of the will took place in the lawyer‟s office.

2. object of the verb

a. I remember seeing him.
Type: gerund
Function: object of the verb “remember”
b. She likes dancing.
For you to know that this is a gerund, translate the –ing word into Chichewa. You are
forced to translate it by using –ku.
e.g. She likes dancing. = Amakonda kuvina.

3. object of the preposition

a. He began by explaining the meaning of certain words.
Type: gerund
Function: object of the preposition “by”
b. She is found of dancing.
c. He left without saying anything.

6. object of the possessive adjective.

a. I had to postpone my listening to his plans.
Type: gerund
Function: object of the possessive adjective “my”

4. complement of the verb

a. The only thing that interests her is dancing.
Type: gerund
Function: complement of the verb “is”
b. Seeing is believing.

ARTICLES
1. INDEFINITE ARTICLES (a, an)
I. uses of “a”
i. Before singular countable nouns which start with a consonant. e.g a book, a pencil
ii. Before singular countable nouns which start with a consonant sound e.g. a university, a
European, a union
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 iii. When the reader or speaker does not know which one or who is referred to
e.g. A parcel arrived for you this morning.
iv. When the noun is mentioned for the first time. e.g. I saw a boy.
II. uses of “an”
i. Before a singular countable noun with a vowel. e.g. an apple, an ox
ii when a noun starts with „h‟ which is not pronounced e.g. an hour
iii. to an abbreviation with vowel sound. e.g. an M.P.
iv. if the noun is mentioned first e.g. I sold an orange.
i. before an adjective with a vowel sound e.g.an honest boy

II. DEFINITE ARTICLES (the)

It is used for both countable and uncountable nouns.
i. used to mean “the only one” e.g. The sun rises from the east.
ii. used to mean “The one we have just spoken about” e.g. There was a little boy, the boy
went to Blantyre.
iii. before the name of a country that is a union of smaller countries e.g. the United States
of America, The U.K.
iv. before superlatives e.g. This is the oldest building in Malawi

PUNCTUATION
1. Full stop (.)
i. It is used at the end of sentence.
e.g. He is reading a novel.
ii. in abbreviations
e.g. a. H.E. for His Excellency
b. Nov. for November
iii. Initial e.g. C.H. Brown (C. for Charles, H. for Hastings)

2. Colon(:)
i. It is used to explain something which has already been referred to.
e.g. a. She had several choices: she could start business, go to school or start
farming.
b. He told me the subjects he had registered: English, History and Chichewa.
c. I want to meet the following people: John, Mary and Mavuto.
ii. to introduce a quotation
a. Peter said: “he can do better if he works harder”

3. Semicolon (;)
i. It is used between two closely connected main clauses. (The second sentence is
a result of the first sentence.)
a. There was not a cloud in the sky; it was extremely hot.
ii. It is used with certain conjunctions (nevertheless, therefore, so, moreover,
furthermore, thus, consequently) to show close connection between two
clauses.
a. The question paper had been lost; consequently; the examination could not
take place.

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 4. Comma (,)

i. for a list of one part of speech

a. He plays football, tennis, volleyball and hockey.
b. The boy was slim, tall and young.
ii. after participle phrases
a. Looking through the window, he saw his sister.
b. Chained to a post, the dog was unable to run away.
iii. between two main clauses connected by “for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so” (FANBOYS)
a. He lived in the north for a year, but he learnt few words of Tumbuka.
iv. after an adverb clause, if the subordinate clause starts
a. Although he worked hard, he failed the test.
b. If she goes to school, she will learn English.
v. before and after an adjective clause
a. His father, who used to live in Lilongwe, has now joined him in the village.
vi. before and after noun in apposition
a. Mr. Ngozo, the goalkeeper, will visit us tomorrow.
vii. words added to a sentence by way of comment, but not important to the sentence
a. All of them, I believe, would agree with us.
viii. after “yes” or “no”
a. Yes, he does smoke a lot.

ix. Words to address a person

a. Ousmane , read this book.
b. I forget to tell you, John, that tomorrow we will have a test.
x. Separate items of a date
a. Saturday, 14 may, 1983.
xi. With direct speech
a. “We shall leave early,” he said
b. He said, “We shall leave.”
c. “Tell me,” I said, “How do you know all that?”

5. Question mark (?)

i. a direct question.
a. Have you been to America?
b. “Have you been to America?” he asked me.
ii. indirect question: He asked me if I had been to America. (no need for question mark)

6. Exclamation mark (!)

i. after words which show shouting or expressing surprise
a. Come here at once!
b. What a wonderful day!

7. Quotation marks (“ ”)
i. used in direct speech e.g. “Don‟t forget to bring a pencil,” he told us.
ii. to indicate that words are not yours
a. You should not forget that “ All days are not Sunday”.
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 iii. for titles of, plays, poems, articles and films.
a. He is reading “Unsung Song”.
iv. for words not accepted as normal English
a. They wear “Mkanjo” when going to the mosque.
b. Sudanese wear “Gellabias”.
v. to a word you want someone to pay attention to, for example,
a. Do you know the meaning of the word “hypocrisy”?

8. Apostrophe( ’ )
ii. Omission of one or more letters. e.g. hasn‟t, can`t
iii. Possession e.g. Mohammed`s book, men`s clothes, James‟ book
iv. Plural of letters and figures
e.g. a. How many r`s are there in “referred”?
b. The accident happened in the 1990`s.

9. Capitals ( A, B, C, …)
i. beginning of a sentence. e.g. The book is mine.
ii. Proper nouns and proper adjectives. e.g. London, Mary, French, Malawian
iii. Pronoun referring to God. e.g. God wanted to save His people.
iv. Chief words in titles of people, books, plays e.g. Elizabeth the Second, A Tale of Two
Cities
v. Salutation and forms of address. e.g. Dr, Miss, Dear, Sir, Yours faithfully
vi. Abbreviation of proper nouns and adjectives. e.g. B.Sc, B.B.
vii. first word in each line of poetry:
She lived unknown, and few could know
When they ceased to be;
But she is in her grave,
viii. for pronoun “I”
ix. Titles of a person e.g. President, Professor

10. Hyphen
h. in compound nouns or adjectives .e.g. brothers-in -law, hard-working

SUBORDINATE CLAUSES
1. Adjective clauses ( answer the question “which” plus “subject”?)
a. The student who came yesterday was John.( Question: which student? Answer: who
came yesterday)
Type: adjective clause
Function: qualifies “student”
b. The book which you left was interesting.
c. He is the soldier that England has ever had.
d. The scientist whose work we are reading is coming today.
e. I know the reason why he was angry.
f. I remember the day when he visited us.
g. This is the place where he was born.

2. Noun clauses (answer the question “what + the part which is not underlined?”)
i. Subject of the verb
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 a. What you are doing seems very difficult. (Question: What seems very difficult? Answer:
what you are doing?)
Type: noun clause
Function: subject of the verb “seems” (“subject of the verb” because the underlined part
is at the beginning)
b. That he will refuse the offer is unlikely.

iii. Object of the verb

a. I know that you are intelligent. ( What do I know? or I know what? Answer: that you
are intelligent)
Type: noun clause
Function: object of the verb “know” (“object of the verb” because the underlined
part is at the end)
b. He said, “The car will be ready tomorrow.”

iii. Object of preposition

a. He only laughed at what we said.
Type: noun clause
Function: object of the preposition “at” (“object of the preposition” because the
underlined part is preceded by a
preposition, in this sentence the
preposition “at”)
b. They will be very thankful for whatever you can give.

iv. Compliment of the verb (the underlined part is preceded by verbs “ is, am, are, was,
were, seem, seems, seemed, appear, appears, appeared)
a. The fault is that he doesn‟t really try.
Type: noun clause: noun clause
Function: compliment of the verb “is”
b. It seems/appears that he has paid the money.

v. In apposition to a noun (answers the question “which + subject, the subject is

an abstract noun)

a. The news that we are going home is not true. (which news? = that we are going
home)
Type: noun clause
Function: in apposition to “news”
b. The idea that you can do this assignment is quite wrong.
c. John, the goalkeeper, has come. (The first noun is concrete, the second noun is
also concrete, but the first and second nouns talk
about one person)
vi. Questions
a. He asked me who I was.
b. He asked me why I had come here.
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 2. Adverb clauses
i. Manner
It answers the question “How…?” It is introduced by “as, as if, how, in a way” and “a
though.”
a. He ran as if his life depended on it. (How did he run? = as if his life depended on
it)
b. Type: adverb clause
c. Function: modifies “ran”

ii. Place (answers the question “where?”)

It is introduced by “where” or” wherever”.
a. I will go wherever you go. (Where will I go? = wherever you go)

iii. Time (answers the question”when?”)

It is introduced by “when, whenever, while, until, after, before, as long as, soon as since,
once”.
a. I learned a lot of Portuguese while I was in Mozambique.
b. The thief was arrested as he was leaving the bank.

iv. Reason (answers the question “why?”)

It is introduced by “because, since, as, for, seeing that, now that”.
a. He sold the car since it was too small.
b. As the car was small he sold it.

v. Purpose (shows the aim for doing something)

It is introduced by “in order that, so that, for fear that, lest”
c. Some people eat so that they may live. (What is the am of eating? So that they
may live/ to live)
d. I tell you this lest you should make a mistake.

vi. Concession (showing that one part is positive and another part is negative)
It is introduced by “although, though, even though, even if, however, no matter what”.
a. Although he tried hard, he was not successful.(“Although he tried hard” is
positive, “he was not successful” is negative)
b. However hard he tries, he never seems able to do the work satisfactorily.
c. Whether he works or not, I don‟t think he will pass his examination.
d. Poor as he was, he was honest.

vii. Condition (showing that one action will happen if another action happens, if
one action fails the other will also fail)
It is introduced by “if, unless, if only, as long as, whether, supposing that, provided that”.
a. I shall go if he asks me. (meaning that “If he does not ask me, I shall not go.)
b. I cannot write the letter unless he asks me. (“unless” is negative; therefore, the
sentence which is not underlined must also be negative.)

14
 vii. degree
I. Comparison
It is introduced by “than, such, as, not as…. as”.
It modifies the adjective .
a. This work is not as easy as you think.
Type: adverb clause
Function: modifies “easy”
b. He is shorter than his sister.
Type: adverb clause
Function: modifies “shorter”

II. Result
It is introduced by “so….that, such that, so that”.
It modifies the adverb.
a. He was speaking quietly so that it was difficult to hear what he said.
Type: adverb clause
Function: modifies “quietly”
b. He ran so fast that I could not catch him.

PHRASES
A phrase is a word or a group of words used as one part of speech; for example, used as a
noun, an adjective or a verb.
1. Noun phrase (answers the question “what?”)
a. The food was sold at a give away price. (What was sold at a give away
price? = the food)
Type: noun phrase
Function: subject of “was sold”

-An infinitive phrase (to + verb) is called a noun phrase because of the function of the
phrase in the sentence. Its function is the subject of the verb. Noun phrases only have that
function. For example,
b. To play volleyball is not easy. (What is not easy? = to play volleyball)
Type: noun phrase
Function: subject of “is”

-an infinitive phrase which is used as a noun phrase, functioning as an object of

the verb
c. He wants to see his father.
Type: noun phrase
Function: object of “wants”

-an infinitive phrase which is used as a noun phrase, functioning as a compliment

of the verb
d. My hobby is to play volleyball.
15
 Type: noun phrase
Function: compliment of “is”

2. Adjective phrase (answers the question “which?”)

It starts with a preposition; therefore, it is called a preposition phrase. When the
preposition phrase qualifies a noun, it changes its name to adjective phrase because a part
of speech that qualifies a noun is an adjective only.

a. The man with the bald head is her uncle. (which man? = with the bald head)
Type: adjective phrase
Function: qualifying “man”
-an infinitive phrase which is used as an adjective phrase because it qualifies a noun
b. The food to be eaten is bad.
Type: adjective phrase
Function: qualifying “food”

3. Adverb phrase
When a preposition phrase modifies a verb, it is called an adverb phrase because the only
part of speech which modifies a verb is an adverb.

a. The cat slept on the bed. (Where did the cat sleep? = on the mat)
Type: adverb phrase of place
Function: modifies “slept”

4. Participial phrase (between the phrase and the main clause there is a comma)
I. Present participle
It is a phrase which starts with –ing word and it qualifies a noun or pronoun.
a. Clearing his hoarse voice, John began to deliver his speech. (Who was clearing
his hoarse voice? = John. Therefore, the underlined
phrase is describing John)
Type: participle phrase
Function: qualifying “John”
b. Reading one page of the novel, Mavuto fell asleep.
c. We waited at the bus stage for an hour, hoping he would come.
II. Past participle
It is a phrase which starts with –en, -ed or –d word and it qualifies a noun or
pronoun.
a. Chained to a post, the dog failed to run away.
Type: participle phrase
Function: qualifying “the dog”

5. Gerund (gerundial) phrase (answers the question “what?”)

It is a phrase which starts with –ing word and it is a subject or object of the verb.
d. Talking in the audience disturbs the speaker. (What disturbs the speaker?
= talking in the audience)
Type: gerund phrase
Function: subject of “disturbs”
e. Listening to the radio while studying doesn‟t make sense.

16
d. We enjoyed watching the game on the television. (We enjoyed what? or What did
we enjoy? = watching the game
on the television)
Type: gerund phrase
Function: object of “enjoyed”

CHANGING NOUNS FROM SINGULAR TO PLURAL

1. Regular plurals
a. adding “-s” e.g. book – books dog –dogs
b. adding “-es” to nouns of hissing sound
glass- glasses, church – churches, brush – brushes, box – boxes
c. nouns ending with “-o”, add “-es”
potato- potatoes, negro –negroes, volcano – volcanoes
d. foreign nouns, ending with “-o” add “-s”
e.g. piano – pianos, kilo – kilos, photo – photos, magneto – magnetos
e. nouns ending with “-o” and they are preceded by vowels take “–s” in plural.
e.g. bamboo – bamboos, studio – studios, radio – radios
f. Nouns which end with–y and are preceded by a consonant change -y to -ies
e.g. lady – ladies, fly – flies, story – stories, baby – babies
g. ending with –y and preceded by a vowel, add – s e.g. valley – valleys, donkey – donkeys,
key – keys, boy – boys
h. ending with -f/ -fe, change to –ves
e.g. leaf – leaves, loaf – loaves, thief – thieves, half – halves, knife - knives
i. Some end with -f / -fe, but add –s
e.g. roof – roofs, chief – chiefs, proof – proofs, belief – beliefs

2. Irregular plurals
a. e.g. man – men, mouse – mice, tooth – teeth
b. countable nouns whose singular and plural are the same and have no -s
e.g. sheep – sheep, deer – deer as in
i. A sheep is in the field.
ii. Nine sheep are in the field.
c. countable nouns whose singular and plural remain the same and have an –s
e.g. barracks, species , means, series as in
i. How many barracks do we have in Malawi?
ii. I live at Kamuzu Barracks.

3. nouns which are always singular even if they end with –s

e.g. news, mathematics, physics, politics, measles,
i. Measles is a dangerous disease.
ii. News spreads fast in towns.`

4. Nouns ending with a hissing sound do not change from singular to plural. They are
usually proper nouns of nationality. e.g. Swiss, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Viennese
as in
17
 i. A Japanese is a hard-working person.
ii. Japanese are hard-working people.

5. singular to plural by adding – en e.g. child – children, brother – brethren or brothers,

ox –oxen

6. foreign plurals
Latin. e.g. medium – media, radius – radii, corrigendum – corrigenda,
larva – larvae, bacterium – bacteria

Greek. e.g. analysis – analyses , crisis – crises, basis – bases,

criterion – criteria

7. Nouns which are always used in plural because they are in pairs.
e.g. pants, scissors, eye- glasses, trousers as in
i. I bought eye-glasses at a private clinic.

8. forming plural by changing “a piece of” to “pieces of “

e.g. apparatus, equipment, furniture, jewelry, luggage, mail as in
i. He bought furniture for his parents.
ii. This piece of furniture is good.
iii. These pieces of furniture are good.
Other nouns which change from singular to plural by using different phrases apart
from “a piece of” to “pieces of”:
singular plural
a flash of lighting flashes lighting
a bolt of thunder bolts of thunder
a slice of bread slices of bread
a loaf of bread loaves of bread

9. a. A compound noun which is formed by adding a prepositional phrase to a noun,

pluralize the first noun. e.g.
singular plural
man - of -war men- of -war
father - in law fathers- in law
commander - in- chief commanders- in- chief
e.g. i. The man-of-war has come.
ii. The men-of-war have come.

b. A compound noun which is formed by adding an adjective to a noun,

pluralise the noun. e.g.
singular plural
postmaster- general postmasters-general
c. A compound noun which is formed by adding a noun to a noun, pluralise the
second noun. e.g.
singular plural
horseman horsemen
woman-hater woman haters

18
 toothpick toothpicks

SENTENCES OF THE SAME MEANINGS

1. ADVERB INVERSION
The reason for having a sentence which starts with an adverb is to have another sentence
whose meaning is the same as the first sentence.
Rule for the sentence which is not inverted: subject + auxiliary verb + adverb + verb
Rule for the sentence which is inverted: Adverb + auxiliary verb + subject + verb e.g.
i. I have never been embarrassed.
= Never have I been embarrassed.
ii. We (did) seldom saw (see) another car on the road.
= Seldom did we see another car on the road.
iii. We (do) rarely attend the meeting.
= Rarely do we attend the meeting.
iv. We hardly see our relatives.
= Hardly do we see our relatives.
v. He never goes to school.
= Never does he go to school.
vi. I had never before been asked to accept a bribe.
= Never before had I been asked to accept a bribe.

sentences with the same meaning as the first one, but do not start with an adverb
i. I will not come if you do not invite me.
= Unless you invite me, I will not come.
ii. Although I like him, I cannot give him money.
= Much as I like him, I cannot give him money.
= I like him but I cannot give him money.
iii. You started it, so you can finish it.
= Seeing that you started, you can finish it.
iv. The mark was so small that I could hardly see it.
= So small was the mark that I could hardly see it.
= It was such a small mark that I could hardly see it.
v. Termites are eating the tree.
= The tree is being eaten by termites.
vi. People on the island rarely see motor cars.
= Rarely do people on the island see motor cars.
= It is rare that people on the island see motor cars.
vii. Mavuto is not old enough to go to school.
= Mavuto is too young to go to school.
viii. The twins could not go out because it was a cold day.
= It was such a cold day that the twins could not go out.
ix. She was sick but she came to the party.
= Although she was sick, she came to the party.
= She came to the party although she was sick.
= In spite of her sickness, she came to the party.
= Despite her sickness, she came to the party.
= Regardless of her sickness, she came to the party.
=For all her sickness, she came to the party.
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 x. We must build a new hospital.
= A new hospital must be built.
xi. He let me enter his house.
= I was allowed to enter his house.
=I was let to enter his house.
xii. I would rather die than run away from a fight.
= I prefer dying to running away from a fight.
xiii. They told us that nobody should be punished.
= What they told us was that nobody should be punished.
xiv. They have to do their washing only on Sundays.
= It is only on Sundays that they have to do their washing.
xv. She wrote the letter to make her friend happy.
= It was the letter she wrote that made her friend happy.
xvi. Not only does he smoke, but he also drinks.
= He smokes and drinks.
=He both smokes and drinks.
xvii. At no time have I ever mistrusted him.
= I always trust him.
xviii. This switch must not be touched on any account.
= On no account must this switch be touched.

2. PREPOSITION INVERSION
Rule: subject + verb + preposition (a sentence which is not inverted)
: preposition + verb + subject (a sentence which is inverted) e.g.
i. John came in.
= In came John.
ii. The players fell down.
= Down fell the players.
iii. Two large dogs jumped up.
= Up jumped two large dogs.

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE

Before changing a sentence from active to passive voice, the learner needs to know
a. the forms of the verb “to be” which are used in the passive voice:
forms of verb “to be”
-present tense: is, am, are
-past tense: was, were
-continuous tense: being
-perfect tense: been
-future or condition: be

b. the past participle of verbs, for example,

infinitive past simple past participle
break broke broken
kill killed killed
speak spoke spoken
read read read
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 from active to passive voice
1. Mavuto speaks English.
= English is spoken by Mavuto. (The verb “speaks” in the active voice is in the present
tense; therefore, the verb to be “is” is in the present tense. Because of the
verb “is”, “speaks” is changed to past participle “spoken”.
2. Mavuto is speaking English.
=English is being spoken by Mavuto.
3. He killed the cat.
=The cat was killed by him.
4. She has eaten cassava.
= Cassava has been eaten by her.
5. The boy will drink milk.
=Milk will be drunk by the boy.

CONDITIONS (“IF” CLAUSES)

There are three types of conditions.

I. likely conditions (future tense)

The speaker talks about the future action, but for the future action to happen a certain
action must be done now. It shows that there is a possibility of the action to take place in
future. For example,
1. If Mavuto goes to town, he will meet his uncle.
=If Mavuto does not go to town, he will not meet his uncle. (it means that when one
clause is positive, the other should also be positive and vice versa.)
2. If you work hard, you will pass the examinations.
Rule: if + a verb in the present simple, “work” as in 2.above (subordinate clause)
+ future present “will pass” as in 2. above (main clause)

II. unlikely condition (present tense)

The speaker uses the past tense but he or she talks about the present action. The
condition shows that the action at present cannot happen because the speaker is late. For
example,
1. If Mavuto went to town, he would meet his uncle.
=Mavuto cannot meet his uncle because he has not gone to town.
2. If John were rich, he would buy a house in town.
=Were John rich, he would buy a house in town. (When “if” is removed, the
helping verb starts and is followed by the subject.
Rule: if + past simple “were” as in 2. above (subordinate clause)
+ conditional present “would buy” as in 2. above (main clause)

III. hypothetical condition or rejected condition (past tense)

The speaker uses the past perfect. It shows that the speaker is regretting for not having
done a certain action which he or she ought to have done. For example,
21
 1. If I had known that he was a crook, I would have refused to go home with him.
=I went home with him because I did not know that he was a crook.
2. If Mavuto had gone to town, he would have met his uncle.
Rule: if + past perfect “had gone” as it is in 2 above (subordinate clause)
+ conditional perfect “would have” + past participle “met” as it is in 2.
above (main clause)

QUESTION TAGS AND ANSWER TAGS

I. question tags or question phrases
Before one asks a question in form of a phrase, he or she has to know auxiliary or helping
verbs.
auxiliary verbs
is, am, was, are, were, can, could, shall, should, will, would, must, might, have, has had,
does, do, did
sentence to question tag ( a question tag comes from a sentence)
i. If the sentence is positive, the question tag becomes negative. For example,
-He is in Blantyre, isn‟t he? (The auxiliary verb “is” and the subject “he”
come from the sentence.)
-Pilirani can read this book, can‟t she? (If the subject is a noun, as “Pilirani‟ is
in this sentence, the subject must be changed to a pronoun.)
ii. If the sentence is negative, the question must be positive. For example,
-John and Mary could not go home alone, could they?
The sentences are negative when they have words such as no, not, never, none,
no one, seldom, neither, nothing, nobody, barely, scarcely and hardly.
iii. If the sentence has no helping verb, the question tag has the helping verb “do”,
“does” or “did”. For example,
-They went home, didn‟t they? (use “did” in the question tag because “went”
in the sentence is in the past tense)
-He likes mangoes, doesn‟t he?
iv. When the subject is a pronoun “I” and the helping verb is “am” in a sentence
which is positive, the helping verb in the question tag is “aren‟t”. For example,
-I am happy, aren‟t I?
v. All imperatives start with a verb and are positive, the question tag is also positive
and has a helping verb “shall” or “will” to show that the action is going to be done in
future and the pronoun “you” to show that the one being spoken to is a second person or
“we” to show that the speaker is going to take part in the action. For example,
-Pass me the pen, shall you?
-Let us leave now, shall we?
-Go out of this room, shall you?

II. answer tags or answer phrases

The answer tag can start with “Yes” if the answer is positive or “No” if the answer is
negative. For example,
-She was not with us, was she?
Yes, she was. (Rule: yes + pronoun + positive helping verb)
No, she wasn‟t. (Rule: no + pronoun + negative helping verb)
22
 -He eats fast, doesn‟t he?
Yes, he does. or
No, he doesn‟t.
-Let us leave now, shall we?
Yes, we shall. or
No, we shan‟t?
-Go out now, shall you?
Yes, I shall. or
No, I shan‟t.

DIRECT AND INDIRECT SPEECH

In direct speech we have the exact or actual sentence of the speaker, but in indirect
speech we have a sentence that is a report of the exact sentence of the speaker.
changing sentences from direct to indirect speech
a. changes in tenses of statements if the verb after the close inverted commas is in
the past simple

1. present simple to past simple

direct speech: “John goes home every day,” she said.
indirect speech: She said that John went home every day.
2. present continuous to past continuous
direct speech: “John is learning English,” she said.
indirect speech: She said that John was learning English.
3. present perfect to past perfect
direct speech: “John has learned English,” she said.
indirect speech: She said that John had learned English.
4. present perfect continuous to past perfect continuous
direct speech: “John has been learning English,” she said.
indirect speech: She said that John had been learning English.
5. past simple to past perfect
direct speech: “John learned English,” she said.
indirect speech: She said that John had learned English.
6. past continuous to past perfect continuous
direct speech: “John was learning English,” she said.
indirect speech: She said that John had been learned English.
7. past perfect remains past perfect
direct speech: “John had learned English,” she said.
indirect speech: She said that John had learned English.
8. future tense to future in the past
direct speech: “John will learn English,” she said.
indirect speech: She said that John would learn English.
9. conditional to perfect conditional
direct speech: “If John learned English, he would go to Britain,” she said.
indirect speech: She said that if John had learned English, he would have
gone to Britain.

23
10. A sentence which has a fact, the verb inside the open and close inverted commas
remains the same
direct speech: “Sugar dissolves in water,” she said.
indirect speech: She said that sugar dissolves in water.

b. If the tense outside the close inverted commas is present, the tense inside the
open and close inverted commas must also be in the present.
direct speech: “John goes home every day,” she says.
indirect speech: She says that John goes home every day.

c. changing questions from direct to indirect speech

direct speech: “Where are you going?” he asked me.
indirect speech: He asked me where I was going.
direct speech: “What is her name?” he asked me.
indirect speech: He asked me what her name was.
direct speech: “Is Mavuto your brother?” she asked me.
indirect speech: She asked me if Mavuto was my brother.

d. changing commands (After writing the words outside the close inverted commas, write
“to” + the verb that is at the beginning of the command.)
direct speech: “Run quickly,” she ordered me.
indirect speech: She ordered me to run quickly.
direct speech: “Don‟t shut the window,” he told me.
indirect speech: He told me not to shut the window.

e. changes of demonstrative adjectives or demonstrative pronouns

this to that
these to those e.g. direct speech: “Don‟t shut this window,” he told me.
indirect speech: He told me not to shut that window.
f. changes of adverbs
here to there
now to then
ago to before
today to that day
tomorrow to the next day
yesterday to the day before or the previous day
e.g direct speech: “She will come tomorrow,” she told me.
indirect speech: She told me that she would come the next day.

g. changes of pronouns
I to he or she
my to his or her

24
mine to his or hers e.g.
direct speech:“I bring my book every day; the book on the table is mine,” he said.
indirect speech: He said that he brought his book every day; the book on the
table was his.
we to they
our to their
ours to theirs e.g. direct speech:“We bring our books every day; the books on the
table are ours,” they said.
indirect speech: They said that they brought their books every
day; the books on the table were theirs.

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES
If a noun has more than one adjective qualifying it, the adjectives should not be written
anyhow. There is an order which has to be followed. Here is the order:

1. determiners
Determiners are adjectives which show that the speaker has made a decision on a certain
action. For example,
-I want some oranges. The determiner “some” shows that the speaker has made a
decision of not taking all the oranges.
Types of determiners
adjectives of quantity: one, two, three,…all, some, many, much., any, several,
few, a few, little, a little, no, enough
distributive adjectives: each, every, both, neither, either
interrogative adjectives: which, what, whose
demonstrative adjectives: this, that, these, those
possessive adjectives: my, our, your, his, her, its, their
articles: a, an, the

2. opinion (general)
The speaker shows his or her opinion on his or her description to a noun. For example, if
one says, “He bought a beautiful house,” what is beautiful to one person cannot be
beautiful to everyone. The speaker is just expressing his opinion on the appearance of the
house.
Some more adjectives: happy, interesting, dangerous …

3. size
Examples of adjectives of size are long, small, big, large, huge

4. age
Examples of adjectives of age are old, new, young, ancient, three-year-old,…

5. shape
Examples of adjectives of shape are rectangular, oval, triangular, circular,…

6. colour
25
 Examples of adjectives of colour are white, red, blue, green, black,…

7. origin
This group of adjectives show where someone or something comes from. For example,
“He met a Malawian girl.” “A Malawian girl” comes from Malawi. Other adjectives are
Ngoni, Lomwe, Blantyre, Mitundu,…

8. material (noun)
This group of adjectives shows the material the noun was made of. For example, “She
bought a cotton blouse.” This means that the blouse was made of material called cotton.
Other adjectives are silk, polyester, plastic, leather,…

9. use (purpose or classifying)

This group shows the use of the noun. For example, “He bought a tennis ball.” This
means the ball is used for playing tennis only, do not play it using the foot. Other
adjectives are social, political, party,…

10. noun (item)

This is now the noun that is being described when using all the adjectives above. For
example, “She bought a beautiful small rectangular green house.” All the five adjectives
which are in a correct order are describing the noun “house”. Other nouns are horse,
spear, stool, book,…
The nine adjectives which are used to qualify the noun can be memorised by forming an
acronym. The acronym is DOSASCOMUN. In other books there is a participle between
C and O. With the presence of P between C and O, the new acronym is
DOSASCPOMUN.

Participles
Present participles: they are –ing words that are used as adjectives. For example,
-I saw a flying bird.
- His father bought a talking machine.

Past participles: they are –en, -ed, or –d words which are used as adjectives. For
example,
-He has a broken leg.
-The tired drivers sat down to rest.
-She threw away the killed snake.
-They sent a written report.

SUBJECT – VERB AGREEMENT (CONCORD)

1. When the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular .
e.g. She learns English everyday.

2. plural subject + plural verb e.g. They learn English everyday.

26
3. subject (not object of preposition ) + verb. e.g. The basket of oranges costs

K1000.
4. two subjects which are joined by preposition “with” , the verb agrees with the
first subject,
e.g. The chairperson with his advisors is in a meeting.

5. Inverted verb sentences, especially questions, the subject is the one near the
helping verb.
e.g. Does he want new books?
Is she in Blantyre?

6. A sentence which starts with “ Here” or “There” the order is verb + subject.
e.g. There are three people in the office.
=Three people are there in the office. (subject + verb)
Here is your pen.
=Your pen is here.

7. sentences which start with a prepositional phrase, the order is verb + subject.
e.g. In front of the garage was the cat.
=The cat was in front of the garage.
Near the office were the students.
=The students were near the office.

8.When a sentence has a word pair “either …..or”, “neither……..nor”, the

sentence has two subjects and the verb agrees with the second subject.
e.g. Either the teacher or the students have the answer to the question.

9. Indefinite pronouns such as anybody, anything, each, each one, either, neither,
everybody, everyone, everything, nobody, no one, nothing, something,
someone, somebody are singular
and they are followed by a singular verb.
e.g. Everybody has come.
Each of the students has carried a book.

10. The pronouns “some, most, all half” are followed by a singular verb if the
question is “How
much……?”
e.g. Most of the bread is bad. (How much bread is bad? most of it)
If the question is “How many……?” the verb is plural
e.g. Most of the actors are present.(How many actors are present? = most of
them)

11. Nouns which end with an “-s” but are singular are followed by a singular
verb. Examples of
such nouns are news, mathematics, politics, physics, economics and

27
 electronics.
e.g. Mathematics is a cornerstone of all sciences.

12. units of time, weight, measurement, distance, money are singular and are
followed by singular verbs because the amount is thought of as a unit.
e.g. Ten thousand kwacha is a lot of money.
Twenty dollars is the money she has.
Twenty kilometres is a long distance.

13. When two nouns are joined by “and” and form a unit, the subject is singular
and it is followed by a singular verb.) For example,
a. Bread and margarine is delicious with hot milk.
b. Sugar and water makes a sweet drink.

14. a. When two subjects which cannot make one thing are joined by “and”, the
subject becomes
plural and it is followed by a plural verb.
e.g. Mavuto and Titani are in form three.
b. When “each, every, any” are used as adjectives, the subject becomes
singular and it is
followed by a singular verb.
e.g. Each boy and girl at the age of six starts standard one.

IDIOMS
An idiom is a group of words whose definition is not derived by knowing the meanings
of the individual words, but knowing what the whole group of words mean. For example,
1. The newly elected Member of Parliament delivered his maiden speech.
“maiden speech” means “first official speech”
2. You are grown up, please act your age.
“act your age” means “behave according to your age”
3. I have got a bone to pick with you. Where is the money I lent you last week?
“have got a bone to pick with you ” means “have something to argue about with you”
4. We can easily do this job if we all make a joint effort.
“make a joint effort ” means “cooperate”
5. While the two boys fought of each other, a beautiful girl stood aside, looking sad. She
was no doubt their bone of contention.
“bone of contention ” means “cause of dispute”
6. They were riding at a snail‟s pace in the rain.
“at a snail‟s pace” means “very slowly”
7. We must not trust him. He is a snake in the grass.
“a snake in the grass” means “a deceitful person”
8. We returned because it was raining cats and dogs.
“raining cats and dogs ” means “raining heavily”
9. Do not behave like that, you are no chicken.
“no chicken” means “not young”
10. He shed crocodile tears when heard the death of his enemy.
28
 “crocodile tears ” means “insincere tears or insincere sorrow”
11. At the climax of the party a drunkard entered and became a fly in the ointment.
“became a fly in the ointment ” means “spoiled the entertainment”
12. He let the cat out of the bag when they threatened to kill him.
“let the cat out of the bag ” means “revealed the secret”
13. They were holding the meeting in camera.
“in camera ” means “in privacy”
14. We must stop assing about and study hard.
“assing about ” means “behaving foolishly”
15. You will never see the boy you met at the park because he has kicked the bucket.
“kicked the bucket ” means “died”

SYNONYMS
A synonym is a word, a phrase or a sentence which has the same meaning as the first one.
For example,
1. He was asked to take the chair during the meeting.
“take the chair ” means “preside over the meeting”
2. He was a kind of a person who would never sit down to insults.
“sit down to ” means “tolerate”
3. The clerk‟s services were terminated due to misconduct.
“terminated” means “stopped”
4. Let me reiterate what I said.
“reiterate ” means “repeat”
5. He decided to give up smoking.
“give up ” means “stop”
6. The meeting was postponed because many students did not turn up.
“turn up” means “come”
7. The students carried on solving Mathematics although another teacher came in.
“carried on” means “continued”
8. I am afraid I have to go back on my promise to escort you.
“go back on” means “break”
9. We are now out of wood because we have a lot of food.
“out of wood” means “free from difficulties”
10. I ran across Chipiliro in the market.
“ran across Chipiliro ” means “met Chipiliro by chance”
11. Her ambition is to become a doctor.
“ambition ” means “desire”
12. We have exhausted all our stock of stationery.
“exhausted” means “used up”
13. What is the price of this book?
“price” means “cost”
14. Everybody but John was tired.
means “Only John was not tired.”
15. If we had booked an appointment, we would have met the eye specialist.
means “We did not book an appointment; hence, we failed to meet the eye specialist.”

29
 ANTONYMS
An antonym is a word opposite in meaning to the first word. For example,
1. Instead of being wasteful with flour, we should try to be _____________.
The opposite of “wasteful” is “economic”
2. The country was united in the twentieth century after the war.
The opposite of “united” is “divided”
3. The girl was happy because she passed the examinations with flying colour.
The opposite of “happy ” is “sad”
4. The workers at the factory were well paid.
The opposite of “well” is “poorly”
5. She saved a lot of money when she was single.
The opposite of “saved” is “spent”

PREPOSITIONAL STRUCTURE
Certain verbs, nouns or adjectives are followed by certain prepositions. The examples
below are some of the verbs and adjectives which are followed by certain prepositions.
1. The man was absorbed in his work.
2. He accused the boy of stealing the book.
3. He is accustomed to cold weather.
4. They are afraid of the lion.
5. He is aiming at the bird.
6. He is ashamed of what he did.
7. He boasted of (about) his riches.
8. We must be very careful of our health.
9. He came (went) by bus yesterday.
10. Many children complain of cold weather.
11. Our class is composed of young boys.
12. He has great confidence in him.
13. We congratulate you on your success.
14. They must confirm to school rules.
15. A week consists of seven days.
16. The woman was cured of her illness.
17. There is no cure for that disease.
18. We took care for our money.
19. It depends on (upon) her answer.
20. We can`t rely on (upon) him.
21. They were deprived of their freedom.
22. Many people have died of malaria.
23. Your novel is different from mine.
24. He divided the cake into four parts.
25. We decided to divide the bread in half (two).
26. The girl was dressed in black. The girl was in black.
27. We have no doubt of (about) his conduct.
28. This is an exception to our rule.
29. He liked all his studies with the exception of French.

30
30. We exchanged maize for groundnuts.
31. She failed in geography last year.
32. The cup is full of water.
33. You may fill this jar with milk.
This space must be filled in. (fill in = complete)
34. Your father will be glad to get rid of him.
35. He was charged with murder.
36. She is shy of her father-in-law.
37. I will give you this pencil in exchange for a pen.
38. She is good at English.
39. She is good in class.
40. She is glad of (about) the news. (glad of or glad about + a noun)
41. Let him tell you something in confidence.
42. They will comply with your request.
43. They are independent of their parents.
44. A child is sometimes dependent on its parents.
45. We are independent to rules.
46. We always insist on her opinion.
47. I am not interested in your foolish ideas.
48. We can`t persist in his behaviour.
49. They are jealous of his money.
50. angry with a person.
e.g. The boss was angry with him.
angry at thing
e.g. I am angry at the cold weather.
51. anxious about = troubled about
e.g. We are anxious about his health.
anxious for = wishing very much for
e.g. Many guardians are anxious for their wards success.
52. believe in = have faith in
e.g. All Christians believe in Jesus Christ.
believe = regard as true
e.g. We believe that there are 365 ¼ days a year.
53. benefit by
e.g. He has benefited by the change.
get or derive benefit from
e.g. He got benefit from the change.
54. disappointed in a thing when we see that it is not
what we expected or desired
e.g. I was disappointed in her wealth.
disappointed of a thing when we fail to get it
e.g. We are disappointed of our hopes.
55. arrive at ( a small area)
e.g. I arrived at the village at eight o` clock.
`arrive in` is used for countries and large cities.
e.g. They must have arrived in London.
56. succeed in
e.g. He succeeded in getting the prize.
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 succeed to property, title, an office etc
e.g. She succeeded to the throne in 1952.

57. tired of
e.g. She is tired of cooking eggs. (I am now bored of cooking eggs.)
tired with (means with no energy or strength left)
e.g. I am tired with walking.
58. concern about = be anxious about a patient
e.g. The doctor will be concerned about a patient whose condition is going
worse.
concern with = take part in (an activity)
e.g. A teacher is concerned with the education of his pupils.
59. We must guard against bad habits.
60. She lives on her sister`s money.
61. The letter was sent by post
62. They nagged at him all day long.
63. If you are late, you will not be attended to.
64. This money was not counted for during stock taking.
65. He played tricks to his friends.
66. The first edition of this book is completely sold out.
67. Tie up you dog, he might attack the visitors.
68. The summons was sent to him last weak.
69. She gained the rank of Headmistress.
70. The plane touched down at 6.00 a.m.
71. This is the second time that this house has been broken into.
72. The radio is not switched off before a click.
73. After the holiday he went back to school.
74. Neither of the aeroplanes has been able to take off today.

TENSES
PAST TENSE
1. past simple
It shows an action which took place in the past and it ended. For example,
a. She bought some bananas last year. (“last year” makes the verb be past simple “bought”
b. He lived in Blantyre a long time ago.
c. I saw him yesterday.
d. It began in 2010.
e. They wish they knew the truth. (“wish” is followed by a verb in the past simple)

2. Past continuous
i. It shows that an activity was in progress at the time another activity took place. For
example,
a. He was going to school when he met his mother.
b. He came close to us when he was crossing the road.

ii. It shows that two activities were happening at the same time. For example,

32
a. He was milking the cows while his brother was writing the letter.

3. Past perfect tense

It shows that two activities were in the past, but one happened before another. For
example,
a. We came here because we had heard good things about this place.
b. At six o‟clock, she had finished the work.

4. Past perfect continuous

It shows that an activity was not completed when another took place. For example,
a. She had been studying for a degree when I first met him.

PRESENT TENSE
1. Present simple
i. for habitual actions
a. We go to work at half past seven in the morning.
b. Her father works in a factory.
ii. for facts
a. The sun rises from the east.
iii. for future actions which have been planned
a. They leave for Lilongwe next week.
iv. for a present action which is completed immediately
a. He declares the meeting open.
b. I pronounce you husband and wife.

2. Present continuous
i. It shows that an action is in progress at the time of speaking.
a. She is drinking coffee.
ii. for an action which will happen in the near future
a. You are writing an examination this afternoon.

3. Present perfect tense

for an action that has just ended
a. I have finished my work.
b. She has written a letter.

4. Present perfect continuous

i. for an action which has just started and is in progress
a. John has been reading a novel. (The action of reading started some time back and he is
still reading)
ii. used when you see the results of the action
a. You have been playing with mud. (The person looks dirty.)
b. Someone has been moving my books. (They are not as I left them.)

FUTURE
1. Future simple
for an action to happen later
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a. You will come tomorrow.
b. They shall ask you five questions.

2. Future continuous
for an action which will be in progress in future
a. We shall be travelling all night.

3. Future perfect
to show that the time of speaking in future the action will have just ended
a. They shall have finished the work by three o‟clock.
b. In 2015 she shall have studied law for two years.

4. Future perfect tense

To show that the time of speaking in the future, the action will start from the past, present
and continue.
a. By the time you reach home, he will have been waiting for many hours.

PHRASAL VERBS
A phrasal verb is a group of words with a verb and a preposition whose meaning is
different from the meaning of the verb without a preposition. For example, the verb “
give” means “transferring something or someone from one person to another” while the
phrasal verb “give up” means “stop” or “abandon”. For example,
account for = give good reason for or explain satisfactorily
e.g. A treasurer must account for the money he spends.
ask for = ask to speak to
e.g. Go to the office and ask for my secretary.
= request, demand
e.g. The man asked for more pay and shorter hours.
ask somebody in = invite him or her to enter the house
e.g. He didn‟t ask me in; he kept me standing at the door.
ask somebody out = invite somebody to an entertainment or meal
e.g. She had a lot of friends and was asked out in the evening.
back somebody up = support morally or verbally
e.g. The chief never backed up his villagers.
be back = have returned after a long or short absence
e.g. My friend is back now.
be over = be finished
e.g. The storm is over; we can go home.
be in = be at home
e.g. Is he in?
blow out = extinguish (a flame) by blowing
e.g. The wind blew out the candle.
break in or break into = enter by force
e.g. Thieves broke in and stole the money.
= interrupt somebody by some sudden remark
34
 e.g. I was telling them about my travels when he broke in with a story of his
own.

break out = begin (used of evils such as wars, epidemics, fire, e.t.c.)
e.g. War broke out on 04 August.
break up = terminate
e.g. The meeting broke up in confusion.
bring up = educate and train children
e.g. She brought up her children to be truthful.

call of = cancel something not yet started or abandon something already in

progress
e.g When the fog got thicker the search was called off.
call in = pay a short unannounced visit
e.g. He called in for few minutes to ask if he had received the money.
call up = telephone
e.g. I called Tom up and told him the news.
cut down a tree = fell a tree
e.g. These trees must not be cut down.
cut off = reduce in size or amount
e.g. The company has cut off electricity because they did not pay the bill.
= disconnect or discontinue supply
e.g. They have cut off the water supply temporarily.
close down = shut permanently ( of a shop or business)
e.g. Small shops closed down because trade was bad.
come across or come upon = find by chance
e.g. I came across these books when I was looking for my passport.
come in or come into = enter
e.g. Someone knocked at the door and came in.
crop up = appear, arise unexpectedly or by accident ( The subject is an abstract
noun.)
e.g. Many solutions cropped up as we were discussing the problem.
die away = become gradually fainter until inaudible
e.g. They waited until the sound of the footsteps died down.
die down = become gradually calmer and finally disappear (of riots, fires,
excitements, e.t.c.)
e.g. The riot died down and shopkeepers opened their shops.
die out = become extinct (of customs, races, species of animals, e.t.c.)
e.g. Elephants died out because they were killed in large numbers.
do away with = abolish
e.g. We should do away with hours restricting eating food.
do without = manage in the absence of a person or thing
e.g We can do without milk.
fall back = withdraw, retreat
e.g. As the enemy advanced, we fell back.
fall back on = use in the absence of something better

35
 e.g. We fell back on dried fish as fresh fish was not available.
fall off = decrease (of numbers, attendance, e.t.c.)
e.g. Buyers are falling off; we need a new advertising campaign.
find out = discover as a result of conscious effort
e.g. I found out what was wrong with my radio.
get away = escape, be free to leave
e.g. I did not get away until 8:00 a.m. because I had a lot of work to do.
get back = recover possession of
e.g. If you give him money, do not expect to get it back.
get on = mark progress, be successful
e.g. How is he getting on at school?
= live, work, etc amicably with someone
e.g. He is a man who gets on well with nearly everybody.
get out = escape from, leave (an enclosed space)
e.g. He said that he could not get out of habit of smoking.
get over = recover from ( illness, distress or mental weakness)
e.g. She is getting over a bad heart attack.
get through = get into telephone communication
e.g. I am trying to call Lilongwe but I cannot get through.
give up = abandone or discontinue a habit, sport, study
e.g. He gave up cigarettes.
go ahead = proceed, continue, lead the way
e.g. You can go ahead with your work and finish it.
go away = leave
e.g. Are you going away?
go back = return, retire, retreat.
e.g. I will never go back to the hostel.
go back on = withdraw or break (a promise)
e.g. He went back on his promise to go to the market on Wednesday.
go into = investigate thoroughly.
e.g. We shall have to go into this very carefully.
go off = explode
e.g. The gun went off as he was cleaning it.
= be successful (of social occasions)
e.g. The party went off very well.
= start a journey, leave
e.g. He went off in a great hurry.
go on = continue
e.g. He went on until he reached the crossroads.
go over = examine, study or repeat carefully
e.g. He went over the plans again and discover two serious mistakes.
go round = suffice (for a number of people)
e.g. Will there be enough food to go round?
= go to his, her or your etc house
e.g. I will go round and see him during the weekend
go through = examine carefully
e.g. We have to go through the accounts and see where the mistake is.
= suffer, endure
e.g. You do not know where I went through while I was awaiting the
verdict.
36
go through with = finish, bring to a conclusion (usually in the face of some
opposition or difficulty)
e.g. He went through with his plan although his friends told him to abandon
it.
go up = rise (of prices)
e.g. The price of sugar has gone up with 2%.
= burst into flames (and be destroyed), explode (used of whole buildings,
ships, etc)
e.g. The ship went up when fire reached the cargo of chemicals.
grow up = become an adult.
e.g. I am going to be a musician when I grow up.
hand down = bequeath or pass on (traditions, information or possession
e.g. This story has been handed down from father to son.
hand in = give by hand
e.g. Someone handed this parcel in to me.
hand out = distribute
e.g. He stood at the door handing out examination papers.
hand over = surrender authority or responsibility to another
e.g. The outgoing minister handed over his department to his successor.
hang about or round = loiter or wait (near).
e.g. He hung about the entrance, hoping to meat the director.
hold on = wait (especially on the telephone)
e.g. If you want to speak to John, hold on for a moment.
hold out = persist in spite of, endure hardship or danger
e.g. The survivors were short of water but could hold out for another day.
hold up = stop by threats or violence (often in order to rob)
e.g. Masked men hold up the cashier and robbed the bank.
= stop, delay (especially used in the passive)
e.g. The bus was hold up because a tree had fallen across the road.
jumped at = accept with enthusiasm (an offer or opportunity)
e.g. He was offered a place in form one and jumped at the chance.
keep somebody back = restrain, hinder, prevent from
advancing
e.g. Frequent illness kept him back.
keep down = repress, control
e.g. What is the best way of keeping down rats?

keep on = continue
e.g. I failed to advise him what to do because he kept on talking.
kept out = prevent from entering
e.g. My shoes are old and do not keep out the water.
= stay outside
e.g. He was asked to keep out because it was a private place.
keep up = maintain (an effort)
e.g. It was difficult to keep up the conversation with him because he was silent.
knock off = stop work for the day (colloquial)
e.g. We knock off at four o‟ clock for tea.
knock out = hit somebody so hard that he falls unconscious
e.g. His opponent was carried out of the ring because he was knocked out.
leave off = stop (doing something)

37
 e.g. I told him to leave off playing the trumpet because neighbours were complaining about the
noise.

EXERCISES
1.0 ACTIVE AND PASSIVE VOICE
Change the following sentences from active to passive voice:
1. Everybody saw the man.
2. They will care for the children while she is away.
3. Suzgo speaks good English.
4. Chipiliro was riding a bicycle yesterday.
5. He has eaten some rice.
6. Newa did not use that door.
7. You shall tell us the truth.
8. Someone is cooking rice.
9. They learn English everyday.
10. We had finished the work.

1.1 DIRECT TO INDIRECT SPEECH

Change the following sentences from direct to indirect speech:

1. “I may be able to go this afternoon,” he told us.

2. “What will you do tomorrow?” she asked me.
3. “Meet Chimwemwe at the depot,” he ordered her.
4. “I played football,” he said.
5. “He is reading a letter,” Jane says.
6. “I will go tomorrow,” he said.
7. “He smokes Indian hemp,” he announced.
8. “She is playing netball,” he said.
9. “He has drunk local beer,” she said.
10. “I am going home,” he said.
11. He said, “I can direct you to the village.”
12. She said, “I will marry you.”
13. He said, “I have finished reading the book.”
14. “How did you do it?” they asked.
15. “Is the plane fully booked?” she asked.

1.2 QUESTION TAGS

Write the correct question tags in the spaces provided.
1. He likes singing, ________________?
2. Many parents rarely know if their children are taking
drugs,__________________?
3. There were not many students in the hall, ___________________?
4. The child knows his name, __________________?
5. Most wild animals hunt during the day except for a few, _______________?
6. You hardly go for prayers, ________________?
7. He‟s never seen a living lion, _______________?
38
 8. I am in Blantyre, ______________________?
9. You do not have a chance, ________________?
10. They could not persuade her to take part, ________________?
11. Mbulaje is coming for the party, _________________?
12. Let us concentrate on our work, _________________?
13. They handed in their work very late, ________________?
14. We can have the door closed, _________________?
15. Tell them the truth, ______________________?
16. I am not late today, __________________________?
17. There aren‟t any pupils in the hall, _______________?
18. The girl ought to provide the correct answer, ________________?

1.3 ANSWER TAGS

Write the correct answer tags in the spaces provided.
1. She has the right answer, hasn‟t she?
2. Go to school, shall you?
3. Mavuto rarely speaks Chichewa, does he?
4. Will he help us?
5. I am happy, aren‟t I?
6. He‟s eating cassava, isn‟t he?
7. Mary killed the snake, didn‟t she?
8. Mavuto and Titani are troublesome children, aren‟t they?
9. Leave the book, shall you?
10. Let us run, shall we?

1.4 ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

Write the underlined adjectives in the right order.
1. The school should buy a modern, duplicating large machine.
2. As teachers, we must use new, interesting, teaching materials.
3. The state television has bought modern, beautiful, broadcasting transmitters.
4. The lady was given a small, silver, Swedish wrist watch.
5. The man is wearing a beautiful, leather, brown jacket.
6. The second hand clothes dealer sells many, black, old coats.
7. They have bought a big, Japanese, white car.
8. My sister brought a brown, new, plastic belt.
9. We saw one broken, wooden, old bridge lying in the river.
10. Sekanawo saw the old, long, pointed, Ngoni spear at the museum.
11. She bought large, yellow, three, delicious mangoes.
12. I like buying large, ripe, red tomatoes.
13. They proposed Nachisale‟s name because of her small, beautiful, brown, oval
face.
14. I saw Yusufu buying an Italian, new, interesting ring.

1.5 PARTS OF SPEECH

Mention the name of the underlined part of speech in each of the following sentences:
1. The boy painted his face green.
39
 2. I had two problems, but neither of them has been solved.
3. We haven‟t seen him since the 1990‟s.
4. The well-known are usually advantaged.
5. Walking is a good exercise.
6. That girl is blessed.
7. They seldom go to school.
8. She was in form four in 1997.
9. Oh! This is also your bicycle.
10. The carved rock was put near the verandah.
11. She is an expert in paper recycling.
12. His uncle did not know why he refused to go to school.

1.6 SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

Identify the type and function of the underlined subordinate clauses in each of the following
sentences:
1. She looked surprised at the door which was locked.
2. The thief was chained to a tree so that he should not escape.
3. The girls worked as hard as they could.
4. What the nurse said surprised the patient.
5. Our assumption is that the situation will improve soon.
6. The students now realise that destroying school property is bad.
7. The candidate chose to write about how ox-bow lakes are formed.
8. Mr. Gondwe, our Headteacher, does not tolerate any nonsense.
9. They spent a night in a hotel which was sold to Mrs Mwinje.
10. My children are always grateful for whatever I give them.

1.7 PHRASES
Identify the type and function of the underlined phrases in each of the following sentences:
1. He left the pen on the chair.
2. The delegates went into the conference hall.
3. Drinking while driving is dangerous.
4. To study well requires careful planning.
5. The paintings on the wall are expensive.
6. She completed the assignment on time.
7. Take this umbrella in case it rains.
8. James was lying on the beach when I saw him last.
9. Madalo did her work with great thoroughness.
10. Jumping over the fence, John broke his leg.

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1.8 PREPOSITIONAL STRUCTURE/ PHRASAL VERBS
Fill in the following spaces with the most appropriate preposition:
1. The clerk was dismissed __________ his post.
2. Although another teacher came in, the students carried ________ solving mathematics.
3. He was knocked __________ as he was crossing the road.
4. We are supplied ___________ milk every day.
5. The road was so crowded ________ people that the traffic could not pass.
6. The latest book deals ________ the most difficult scientific theories.
7. Have you found the solution ________ the problem?
8. He wrote his answer ___ ink.
9. They were __ white.
10. What did you want paper ___________ ?
11. He called ________ the meeting because many people did not come.
12. Please, concentrate _______ what you are doing.
13. I was afraid _______ the dogs.
14. What is the matter ______ you?
15. The architect proceeded_____ his plan.
16. The professor did not comment ___ the article.
17. She is __ good health.
18. A smile lit _ his face.
19. All of them took _______ their hats.
20. I am sorry ______ his failure.

1.9 IDIOMS
What are the meanings of each of the underlined idioms in the sentences below?
1. He kicked the bucket while young.
2. They refused to leave the streets because the streets were their happy hunting ground.
3. Looking visibly upset, he did not mince his words when condemning teasing and bullying in
schools.
4. Parents are advised to visit their wards once in a blue moon.
5. They were prevented from attending the funeral as people thought they were shading crocodile
tears.
6. He gave such a black look that I felt like running away.
7. Jane felt blue the first night she was away from home.
8. When I see a boy bullying a young one, I see red.
9. A car is a white elephant to him because he does not know how to drive.
10. Whoever did this, my hands are clean.
11. My garden is big, so I asked them to give me a hand.
12. Although they are not friends, there is really no ill will between them.
13. If you do not stop the argument, they will come to blows soon.
14. He buys what he likes and I have to foot the bill.
15. If you wait for him, you will wait until Doomsday.

2.0 SYNONYMS
41
 What are the meanings of each of the underlined group of words in the sentences below?
1. It was difficult to make him out because he was speaking quickly.
2. The meeting was postponed because many people did not turn up.
3. There must have been a reason why they have singled you out among all the pupils.
4. The water board has cut off the water supply for two hours.
5. He is back now. We can meet him.
6. All the pupils are advised to go by what their teachers say.
7. Behold, your Master is coming soon.
8. Did you get any permission to go out of bounds?
9. I was told that they purchased twenty textbooks.
10. They vend two baskets of oranges per day.
11. She is pondering on how she can solve the problem.
12. The weather today is agreeable.
13. We met various people that afternoon.
14. The leadership of that era was corrupt.
15. She bought a useful book.

2.1 CONDITIONS
Write the correct form of the verbs in brackets.
1. If I go, I ___________ you know. (let)
2. If they _______ us, he would have known the truth. (ask)
3. Pilirani would eat the food if she ________ this tree. (cut)
4. Unless you go to school, I ______________ you the money. (give)
5. If I were sick like you, I ___________ to the hospital. (go)
6. If you ___ the rural areas of Malawi, you would have found life different. (visit)
7. Had she worked hard, she_______________ the examinations with flying colours. (pass)
8. Were he rich, ____________ that car. (buy)
9. If he had mailed the letter last week, I________________ it. (receive)
10. If you _____________ things more seriously, you not have met these problems. (take)

2.2 SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT (CONCORD)

Fill in the following spaces with the appropriate verb in brackets:
1. The teacher with the students ______ in Zomba. (is/are)
2. The pail of potatoes _____ in the house. (is/are)
3. Most of the books ______ important information. (has/have)
4. Each man and woman at the age of sixty _________ in the civil service.(retires/retire)
5. Seventy pounds ________ the money he has. (is/are)
6. Mwiza and Khama _______ nsima every morning. (eats/eat)
7. Nobody _________ the truth. (knows/know)
8. He says that physics ____ an interesting subject.(is/are)
9. Either the players or the coach _______ where the game will be played. (knows/know)
10. Along the road _____ the boys. (stands/stand)

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2.3 PUNCTUATION
Punctuate the following sentences correctly:
1. Leave out of this room, she ordered him.
2. He bought pears guavas mangoes and pawpaws.
3. My teacher told me the meaning of the word hyperbole
4. Give me the following things books pens and pencils.
5. I did not hear from you therefore I left.
6. Her father-in-laws name is Nelson
7. Is mathematics a difficult subject
8. “If you insist, I said, I will come tomorrow.”
9. She said I will go.
10. Lets meet at 2:30 pm tomorrow.

2.4 ANTONYMS
Write the words opposite in meaning to the underlined words in each of the following sentences:
1. He was sad when he heard that his aunt was sick.
2. When the object was thrown in water, it did not float.
3. Her statement is absurd; no one can support her.
4. No one admires his behaviour. He is troublesome.
5. The woman is beautiful.
6. How many books have you bought?
7. Our report shows that we misunderstood you.
8. You friend is present today.
9. He cannot give you any food. He is mean.
10. After hearing his case, he was found guilty.
11. He was sentenced to five years when the jury found him guilty.
12. At what time will she arrive?
13. He spent a lot of money when he was single.
14. I left the first job because I was poorly paid.
15. The road was constructed within two months.
16. Even if this man is your junior, you must respect him.
17. You will be punished for any misbehaviour at this school.
18. People will respect you depending on how you behave to them.
19. He was given light food because he was a patient.
20. He is moody today. He cannot smile even to the most interesting story.

2.5 TENSES
Write the correct forms of the verbs in brackets.
1. We _______ the maize two das ago. ( sell)
2. I was studying while my brother __________ food. (cook)
3. Mary ______________ a distance of ten kilometres by two o‟clock. (tavel)
4. The sun ________ in the east. (rise)

43
 5. They ________ every morning. (work)
6. She was taught that salt _______ in water. (dissolve)
7. I wish I ________ this book. (buy)
8. We _____________home because he had invited us. (go)
9. You ___________ to the garden tomorrow morning. (go)
10. He ______________ examinations all afternoon. (write)

2.6 REGISTER/VOCABULARY

1. The __________ reported that the house had no taps.

A. plumber C. architect
B. surveyor D. glazier
2. Each Member of Parliament received a copy of ________ so that he or she should know exactly
what has been said in parliament.
A. bills C. statue book
B. hansard D. amendments

3. Before the school closes for Christmas, we shall sing Christmas ______.

A. psalms C. chorus
B. hymns D. carols

4. The prefects ________ their powers by making a small boy clean their room.

A. violated C. abused
B. misused D. mishandled

5. The driver _________ the brakes when he saw the dog cross the road.

A. pulled C. engaged
B. applied D. pushed

6. My sister‟s _____ is reading novels.

A. sport C. job
B. hobby D. game

7. He bought a ____ from the bookshop on how to repair his car.

A. thesis C. brochure
B. manuscript D. manual

8. They caught one of the thieves who broke into the shop, but his ___________ got away.

A. friend C. ally
B. teammate D. accomplice

9. He shook hands with his ____________ before the match.

A. opposition C. contestant
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 B. opponent D. competitor

10. I got a _______ for taking the wallet I found to the owner.

A. bribe C. prize
B. reward D. compensation

11. Our school has its own ________ for producing electricity.

A. turbine C. converter
B. generator D. circuit

12. The preacher‟s ________was so moving that most people cried in the church.

A. sermon C. lecture
B. speech D. talk

13. The chief executive was dismissed from his post for ___________ the company‟s funds.

A. donating C. misappropriating
B. receiving D. borrowing

14. The whole ___________ was quiet while the choir was singing at St Paul‟s Church.

A. congregation C. group
B. audience D. public

15. The man from the insurance company came to _____________ the value of the house

which had burnt down.

A. assess C. evaluate
B. levy D. examine

16. He broke his leg at work, so he claimed __________ from the company.

A. reimbursement C. compensation
B. gratuity D. pension

17. It is always wise to call in a qualified __________ to design new buildings.

A. agent C. architect
B. builder D. mechanic

18. My uncle will be ______________ as a priest next month.

A. consecrated C. baptised
B. ordained D. christened

19. When travelling abroad it is wise to be ___________ against small pox.

A. immunised C. sterilised

45
 B. vaccinated D. injected

20. Everybody watched as the plane touched down and __________ along the runway.

A. coasted C. taxied

B. glided D. drove

21. The nurse dabbed the wound gently with __________ to prevent infection.

A. injection C. anaesthetic
B. medicine D. antiseptic

22. He was crying in his sleep; he could have been having a _____________.

A. nightmare C. fantasy
B. fight D. nightdream

23. The ship had to be _________ at Nkhata Bay harbour to allow the storm to abate.

A. stopped C. sheltered
B. anchored D. stationed

24. Since he was not a good swimmer, he had to ________.

A. sink C. drown
B. immerse D. suffocate

25. When the doctor gives you medicine, make sure that you do not exceed the __________dose.

A. presided C. proceeded
B. prescribed D. precedented

26. Knowing that they did not have children of their own, they decided to _________ two

orphans.

A. adopt C. adore
B. adapt D. admit

27. After his cousin died, the _______ was taken to the mortuary.

A. core C. corpse
B. corps D. copse

28. In Malawi it is ________ to keep foreign currency unless you declare it.

A. illegal C. criminal
B. uncivil D. untruthful

29. The terrorists were caught at the airport when they were about to _________ the plane.

46
 A. embark C. ride
B. board D. climb

30. I got a letter from a good friend of mine asking me to ____________ him my shirt for a

party.

A. borrow C. rent
B. hire D. lend

31. Malaria is a difficult disease to ______________.

A. terminate C. diminish
B. extinguish D. eradicate

32. The railway track is laid out on firm soil covered by a bed of loose stone called________.

A. sleepers C. wagons
B. ballast D. racks

33. In order to have a news bulletin on the radio there must be a lot of people, one of them is a

________ to write the news item.

A. radio journalist C. sub-editor

B. studio manager D. radio engineer

34. If one builds a house, the owner of the house can _________ it against the risk of fire.

A. insulate C. insure
B. assure D. secure

35. If you have a bank account, you can pay a bill or give someone a present by writing a

______________.

A. receipt C. bill
B. check D. cheque

36. An author may send in a __________ to be considered for publication.

A. paper C. document
B. manuscript D. script

37. The stamp on the envelope must be prevented from being used again by _____________ it.

A. frankling C. damaging
B. punching D. postmarking

38. The forestry officer was supervising some men who were ____________ trees when he was

47
 killed.

A. falling C. felling
B. felled D. fallen

39. The man bought his car through hire purchase. He was paying monthly ______ of

K500, 000.00

A. premiums C. deposits
B. instalments D. payments

40. The actor waited for his _______ before resuming his part in the play.

A. cue C. sign
B. word D. gesture

41. His attack of appendicitis was so severe that the doctor __________ him immediately.

A. incisioned on C. operated
B. operated on D. bisected

42. The fog will soon _________ the hill.

A. envelop C. shed
B. shade D. envelope

43. I cannot accept you to read my _________.

A. dairy C. daily
B. diary D. gaily

44. Ibula‟s mother has never been married, so it must be true that he is an ________ child.

A. illegitemate C. illegal
B. illiterate D. illogical

45. He was stabbed by his wife, and the _________ was so great that he cried loudly for help.

A. pane C. pan
B. pen D. pain

46. In the court of law, the ______ of “guilty” or “not guilty” is decided by a judge or jury.

A. judgement C. decision
B. conclusion D. verdict

47. Sometimes the doctor might listen to your heart with his or her _______________.

A. microscope C. loudspeaker
B. stethoscope D. telescope

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48. We are ____________ they will come.

A. confidence C. confident
B. confidential D. confidant

49. The man ________ having been at the scene of the robbery.

A. refused C. rejected
B. opposed D. denied

50. In order to convict someone, a judge needs concrete _________ and not mere speculation

and gossip.

A. evidence C. facts
B. suggestion D. clues

51. His ____ has been spoiled because of his involvement in the theft.

A. character C. reputation
B. reference D. biography

ANSWERS

1.0 ACTIVE AND PASSIVE

1. The man was seen by everybody.
2. The children will be cared for by them while she is away.
3. Good Englishis spoken by Suzgo.
4. A bicycle was being ridden by Chipiliro yesterday.
5. Some rice has been eaten by him.
6. That door was not used by Newa.
7. We shall be told the truth by you.
8. Rice is being cooked by someone.
9. English is leant by them everyday.
10. The work had been finished by us.

1.1 DIRECT TO INDIRECT SPEECH

1. He told us that he mighty be able to go that afternoon.
2. She asked me what I would do the next day/the following day.
49
3. He ordered her to meet Chimwemwe at the depot.
4. He said that he had played football.
5. Jane says that he is reading a letter.
6. He said that he would go the next day /the following day.
7. He announced that he smoked Indian hemp.
8. He said that she was playing netball.
9. She said that he had drunk local beer.
10. He said that he was going home.
11. He said that he could direct him/her to the village.
12. She said that she would marry him.
13. He said that he had finished reading the book.
14. They asked how he/she/they had done it.
15. She asked if the plane was fully booked.

1.2 QUESTION TAGS

1. doesn‟t he?
2. do they?
3. were there?
4. doesn‟t he/she?
5. don‟t they?
6. do you
7. has he?
8. aren‟t I?
9. do you?
10. could they?
11. isn‟t he?
12. shall we?
13. didn‟t they?
14. can‟t we?
15. shall you?
16. am I?
17. are there?
18. oughtn‟t she?

1.3 ANSWER TAGS

1. Yes, she has. / No, she hasn‟t.
2. Yes, I shall. / No, I shan‟t.
3. Yes, he does. / No, he doesn‟t.
4. Yes, he will. / No, he won‟t.
5. Yes, you are. / No, you aren‟t.
6. Yes, he is. / No, he isn‟t.
7. Yes, she did. / No, she didn‟t.
8. Yes, they are. / No, they aren‟t.
9. Yes, I shall. / No, I shan‟t.
10. Yes, we shall. / No, we shan‟t

1.4 ORDER OF ADJECTIVES

1. large, modern, duplicating
2. interesting, new, teaching
50
 3. beautiful, modern, broadcasting
4. small, Swedish, silver
5. beautiful, brown, leather
6. many, old, black
7. big, white, Japanese
8. new, brown, plastic
9. old, broken, wooden
10. pointed, long, old, Ngoni
11. three, delicious, large, yellow
12. ripe, large, red
13. beautiful, small, oval, brown
14. interesting, new, Italian

1.5 PARTS OF SPEECH

1. adjective
2. pronoun
3. preposition
4. noun
5. gerund / noun
6. adjective
7. adverb
8. verb
9. interjection
10. participle / adjective
11. article / adjective
12. conjunction

1.6 SUBORDNATE CLAUSES

1. adjective clause, qualifying the noun “door”
2. adverb clause, modifying the verb “was chained”
3. adverb clause, modifying the verb “worked”
4. noun clause, subject of the verb “surprised”
5. noun clause, in apposition to the noun “assumption”
6. noun clause, object of the verb “realise”
7. noun clause, object of the preposition “about”
8. noun clause, in apposition to the noun “Mr Gondwe”
9. adjective clause, qualifying the noun “hotel”
10. noun clause, object of the preposition “for”

1.7 PHRASES
1. adverb phrase, modifying the verb “left”
2. adverb phrase, modifying the verb “went”
3. gerund phrase, subject of the verb “is”
4. noun phrase, subject of the verb “requires”
5. adjective phrase, qualifying the noun “paintings”
6. adverb phrase, modifying the verb “completed”
7. adverb phrase, modifying the verb “take”
8. adverb phrase, modifying the verb “was lying”
9. adverb phrase, modifying the verb “did”
10. participle phrase, qualifying the noun “John”
51
 1.8 PREPOSITIONAL STRUCTURE
1. from
2. on
3. down
4. with
5. of
6. with
7. to
8. in
9. in
10. for
11. off
12. on
13. of
14. with
15. with
16. on
17. in
18. up
19. off
20. for

1.9 IDIOMS
1. died
2. place where they earn their living
3. hide anything
4. occasionally
5. mourning without sincere grief
6. a look of anger
7. unhappy / miserable
8. lose control of one‟s anger
9. something which is really useless
10. I am not guilty.
11. help me
12. hatred
13. begin fighting
14. pay
15. for a long time

2.0 SYNONYMS
1. understand him
2. come
3. selected you
4. disconnected
5. has returned / has come
6. They must do what their teachers say.
7. see / look / watch
8. obtain
9. bought
52
 10. sell
11. thinking
12. fine / pleasant / nice
13. many / differnt
14. bad
15. good

2.1 CONDITIONS
1. will let
2. had asked
3. cut
4. will not give
5. would go
6. had visited
7. would have passed
8. would buy
9. would have received
10. had taken

2.2 SUBJECT AND VERB AGREEMENT (CONCORD)

1. is
2. is
3. have
4. retires
5. is
6. eat
7. knows
8. is
9. knows
10. stand

2.3 PUNCTUATION
1. “Leave out of this room,” she ordered him.
2. He bought pears, guavas, mangoes and pawpaws.
3. My teacher told me the meaning of the word “hyperbole”.
4. Give me the following things: books, pens and pencils.
5. I did not hear from you; therefore, I left.
6. Her father-in-law‟s name is Nelson.
7. Is mathematics a difficult subject?
8. “If you insist,” I said, “I will come tomorrow.”
9. She said, “I will go.”
10. Let‟s meet at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow.

2.3 ANTONYMS
1. happy / glad / delighted
2. sink
3. sensible / important

53
4. hates / dislikes
5. ugly
6. sold
7. understand
8. absent
9. generous
10. innocent
11. acquitted
12. depart
13. saved
14. well
15. destroy
16. senior
17. rewarded
18. disrespectful
19. hard
20. happy

2.4 TENSES
1. sold
2. was cooking
3. will have travelled
4. rises
5. work
6. dissolves
7. bought
8. went
9. will go / go / are going
10. will be writing

2.5 REGISTER / VOCABULARY

1. A 50. A
2. B 51. C
3. D
4. C
5. B
6. B
7. D
8. D
9. D
10. B
11. B
12. A
13. C
14. A
15. A
16. C

54
 17. C
18. B
19. B
20. C
21. D
22. A
23. B
24. C
25. B
26. A
27. C
28. A
29. B
30. D
31. D
32. B
33. A
34. C
35. D
36. B
37. D
38. C
39. B
40. A
41. B
42. A
43. B
44. A
45. D
46. D
47. B
48. C
49. D

REFERENCES
Banda, M.A. (1979). English Grammar for Schools. Blantyre: Dzuka Publishing
Company.

Choy, P. & Clark, D.G.(2011). Basic Grammar and Usage. Wadsworth: Cengage
Learning.

Edriss, A.K. (1995). English Grammar Information Book: The BESC1 Series: Canadia-
Fund Malawi.

Eckersley, C.E. & Eckersley, J.M. (1960). A Comprehensive English Grammar for
Foreign Students. London: Longman.

Forest, R. (1985). Revision English New Edition. Blantyre: Dzuka Publishing Company.

55
Grant, N.J.H. (1991). Secondary English Students’ Book 4. Blantyre: Longman.

Kuiper, K. & Allan, W.S. (2010). An Introduction to English Language Word, Sound and
Sentence. Algarve: MacMillan.

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