LECTURE NOTES

ON
COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH

PREPARED BY:
MISS ANUJA KHATUA
LECTURER IN ENGLISH
GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC PURI
This LECTURE NOTES comprise of

1. BUSINESS LETTER
2. READING COMPREHENSION
3. APPLICATION OF COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH GRAMMAR
4. VOCABULARY BUILDING

BUSINESS LETTERS:
1. LETTER OF ENQUIRY
2. LETTER OF ORDER
3. LETTER OF COMPLAINT

ABC ELECTRONICS
GRAND ROAD, PURI-2
EMAIL ID: [email protected] website: www.abcetc.in
Mobile No: 7459571230

TO

M/S XYZ PVT.LTD.

FERIDABAD, NEW DELHI-4

SUB: Letter of Enquiry about XYZ GRINDER

Sir/Madam,
We are dealing in retail trade of electrical appliances. We are interested to sell your products.
Could you please send us a copy of your quotation and the terms and conditions of payment?

Thanking you

Yours sincerely,

X
Managing Director
ABC ELECTRONICS
 ABC ELECTRONICS
GRAND ROAD, PURI-2
EMAIL ID: [email protected] website: www.abcetc.in
Mobile No: 7459571230

TO

M/S XYZ PVT.LTD.

FERIDABAD, NEW DELHI-4

SUB: Letter of trial order

Madam,
Thank you for your quick response. As we find the price of your products and the terms and
conditions of your company quite reasonable, we are glad to lodge a trial order for XYZ
grinder as per the list enclosed.
Should the quality of your product reach our expectations then substantial order will follow.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely,
X
Managing Director ENCL: LIST OF ORDER
ABC ELECTRONICS
 ABC ELECTRONICS
GRAND ROAD, PURI-2
EMAIL ID: [email protected] website: www.abcetc.in
Mobile No: 7459571230

TO

M/S XYZ PVT.LTD.

FERIDABAD, NEW DELHI-4

SUB: Letter of complaint

Madam,
Thank you for sending us the parcel as per our order. But, it is a matter of great regret that
five grinders are found broken and a few blades are missing in the packet (the list enclosed).
Would you please take necessary action to replace the broken items and supply the missing
ones as soon as possible?

Thanking you
Yours sincerely,
X
Managing Director ENCL: list of broken and missing items
ABC ELECTRONICS
READING COMPREHENSION
In our everyday life, if we talk of life in its most standardized form, we have a lot of reading to
do. This includes reading from newspaper, text books, books, articles, journals, notes and so
many. Reading does not mean reading words and sentences simply for the purpose of identifying
them. Understanding comprehending and remembering are some of the features without which
reading keeps no meaning. In this reading section we will, therefore go through a couple of
passages which have been carefully framed to make a student well acquainted with the skills of
reading.

Skimming and Scanning:

Skimming is a task of finding out the important details of a written text without giving a close
reading to it. The word ‘skimming’ is derived from ‘skum’ implying the thick layer floating on
liquid. Similarly by skimming a text we take out all the key points out of it in one look. But
scanning is not overlooking - it searches for those details which are not apparent on the surface.
Scanning skill operates in the manner a scanner takes the photos of what is not seen on the
ground.
Inference and Evaluation:
Inferencial and evaluative analysis of the text relates more to close reading. A reader, here,
examines the text to find out what the written text conveys and how it can be accessed. This is
some kind of an analytical task done by the reader.

Note-making:
Note-making means converting an extensive text into a brief form that can be easily digested,
remembered and reproduced. Brevity and clarity are two important features of a note.
When we read or listen to something, we may not remember each and every bit of it. Many
relevant details may slip away from our memory. Such a slip of memory facilitates the need to
make of what we read or listen. Making a note of a speech is something like jotting down
important points quickly whilelistening and later on making a fare copy of it. But making a note
of a reading comprehension observes a more detail and systematic procedure.

Making a Note:
Always a close reading is demanded before making a note. By skimming and scanning we get all
the important points of it. In a simpler way if one desire to attempt on note- making, the steps
below would be of much help.
 Read the passage closely without missing a single detail.
 Make a list of important words with their meanings.
 Make a list of relevant details that you have picked up by skimming and scanning briefly.
 Trace out them or the key point. This would provide you with the main idea of the text. The
point that you have picked up by the task of skimming and scanning would serve as supporting
points to this main idea better known as topic statement.
APPLICATION OF COMMUNICATIVE ENGLISH GRAMMAR
ARTICLES AND DETERMINERS
(DEFINITE AND INDEFINITE)

Determiners are words that determine the number, quantity and definiteness of the noun
phrase. There are five different kinds of determiners.
1. Articles : a, an, the
2. Demonstrative : this, that, these, those
3. Possessive : my, your, his, her, their, Ram’s etc.
4. Numerals : one, two, first, second, etc.
5. Quantifiers : many, much, less, few, both, either etc.

ARTICLES:
Articles a/an and the are the commonest determiners.
I. The Indefinite Article a and an

1. We use a before a consonant sound and an before a vowel sound.

Example: a pen an inkpot

a dog an elephant
2. We use a/an before a verb when that is used as a noun.

Example : Have a look at the book.

3. We use a/an to describe and classify.

Example: It is an excellent morning

My husband is a seller.
4. We use a/an for generalization.

Example: a parrot will speak only what it is trained.

5. We use an before silent ‘h’.

Example: An heir (a holiday)

An hour (a hint)
II. The definite article the

1. We use the before a consonant sound.

Example: The chair

The board
2. We use the with singular and plural countable nouns.
Example: The letter
The letters
3. We use the with uncountable nouns.

Example: The water

The fun
4. We use the before common places.

Example: She is at the bus stop.

My friend is going to the library.
5. We use the before nouns of directions.

Example: The East The North

The West The South
6. We use the before objects of nature.

Example: The Himalayas The Deccan Plateau

The Ganges The Alps

7. We use the before sacred books, famous newspapers and magazines.

Examples: The Gita The Hindustan Times

The Bible The Weekly
The Koran
8. We use the before superlative degree.

Example: He is the richest man in the town.

Which is the longest river in Odisha?
9. We use the before adjective used as noun.

Example: The rich are not always happy.

III. Omission of the

1. We do not use the before phrases and idioms.

Example: Christians go to Church on Sundays.
People love to travel by air.
2. We do not use the before names of games and languages.

Example: My brother plays cricket.

I am learning French.
3. We do not use the before plural nouns with general meaning.

Example: Cows eat grass.

4. We do not use the before uncountable nouns.

Example: I drink milk.

Practice:
Correction of Errors:
Incorrect Correct
1. Don’t tell lie. Don’t tell a lie.
2. I have got headache. I have got a headache.
3. He knows much about politics. He knows a lot about politics.
4. I have mind to do it. I have a mind to do it.
5. I wish you a success. I wish you success.
6. Kabi is a M.A. Kabi is an M.A.
7. This is a X-ray machine. This is an X-ray machine.
8. H.B. pencil is used for drawing. An H.B. pencil is used for drawing.
9. He is sitting in dark. He is sitting in the dark.

Demonstratives:
Demonstratives are used before nouns and point to the objects / places/ persons denoted by the
nouns.
Singular Plural
This These (point to the nearer one/ones)
That Those (point to the distant one/ones)
Example: This house is very big.
These flowers are not fresh.
I study in that college.
Those are my books.

Quantifiers:
Quantifiers are those determiners which indicate to some number or quantity. Following are the
examples of some such quantifiers whose meaning are stated within the brackets as per
necessity.
Example: Some (Positive meaning) : They want some paper.
Put some salt in my curry, please.
(Negative meaning) : I don’t like some music.
Some mangoes are not ripe.
Any (Negative meaning) : They haven’t received any letter.
There is hardly any water in the jug.
Many (Plural countable noun) : How many colour pencils you want?
I haven’t seen many places outside the state.
Much (Uncountable noun) : We have much milk in our refrigerator.
He has not much interest in study.

A few (Small number) : Only a few candidates got first class.

I have a few friends.
Few (Mot many, almost none) : Few people live to be hundred.
He is a man of few words.
A little( Some quantity) : We have still a little time left. There is no need
to hurry.
I have a little money in my bank.
Little( Almost nothing) : I have little time to talk to you now.
There is little water in the bottle.

COUNTABLE AND UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

Noun is a naming word. It is the head word in a noun phrase. The position and function of noun
in a sentence is pre-decided. It works either as a subject or an object in a sentence. Noun is of
three types.
1. Proper Nouns.
2. Countable Nouns.
3. Uncountable Nouns.

Proper Nouns refer to names of persons, places and things and they do not have a plural form.
The nouns that can be counted by numbers are called Countable Nouns whereas the nouns that
cannot be counted are called Uncountable Nouns.

COUNTABLE NOUNS
Countable noun has two forms.
Singular Plural
Book Books
Mountain Mountains
Box Boxes
Child Children
Table Tables
Use:
1. In a sentence singular subject takes a singular verb and plural subject agrees with plural verb.

This orange is sweet.

These oranges are sweet.
2. Singular countable nouns are always used with a, an, another, the, this, that, each, every etc.

Give me a pen.
That boy is the head-boy of the team.
3. Plural countable nouns may take a number or determiners like many, a few before them.
Three thousand rupees.
Many colour pencils.
A few boys.
4. Ordinarily plural countable nouns do not take any determiner before them.

I love sweets.
Cows eat grass.

UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS
Uncountable nouns are always singular and they take singular verbs with them.
Use:
1. Uncountable noun agrees with singular verbs.

Silver is white.
2. Ordinarily uncountable nouns do not take any determiner before them.

Furniture looks bright.

3. Determiners like much, a little can be used before uncountable nouns to indicate quantity.

There is little water in the jug.

I have not got much money with me.

SECONDARY AUXILIARIES / MODALS

Secondary auxiliaries are also called modals. They cannot be used independently like primary
auxiliaries. They are 13(thirteen) in numbers: will, would, shall, should, may, might, can, could,
must, need, used to, ought to, dare. In this chapter we will discuss them under different points
with reference to their logical meaning.
i. Will, Would, Shall

(Expressing requests, offers, willingness and suggestions)

Use:
(a) Expressing Requests.

Will/ Would you please open the door?

Would you mind lending me your book, please?
(b) Expressing attitude, willingness/ unwillingness.

She will pay back you soon.

He won’t listen to anyone.
They wouldn’t stop making noise.

(c) Giving Consent.

I will do shopping for you.
She won’t do the mistake again.
(d) Offering Service.

Shall I get you a pen?

Shall I arrange a taxi for you?
(e) Asking for suggestions.

What shall we do about this barren land?

Where shall I spend my night?
ii. Should, Ought to.

(Expressing advice and probability)

Use:
(a) Advice

We should / ought to help the one in need.

We should not tell unpleasant truth.
We ought to serve our motherland.
(b) Necessary to observe, perform and obey.

I should do as my mother says.

I think, you should meet the doctor.
She should inform the police about the theft.
(c) Probability

They ought to have arrived by lunch time, but the train was late.
Prashanti Express should reach at 5 pm.
iii. May, Might, Can, Could

(Expressing ability, possibility, probability)

(a) Ability

Birds can fly, but animals can’t.

My grandfather can’t walk firmly.
I could swim fast while I was in school.

(b) Possibility
I could come back this evening.
He may not agree to my proposal.
It may rain tonight.
She might accept the offer.
(c) Probability

The keys may be in the drawer.

The pain might belong to Goldie.
The bridge could be blocked.
(d) Asking and Giving permission
Can/could/may/might I ask you a question?
Can/may I go out, sir?
Could I talk to you over the issue?
iv. Must, Mustn’t, Need, Needn’t

(Expressing necessity, obligation)

(a) Necessity

We must obey the traffic rules.

We mustn’t play with fire.
You mustn’t work hard.
I need wearing glasses.
I can see better now. I needn’t wear glasses.
(b) Obligations

I must leave for the station at once.

One mustn’t misbehave others.
We need to be honest.

v. Used to:
Used to is used to denote simple past only.
We used to live in Cuttack during my father’s service period.
There used to be a house near the temple a couple of years
back.
vi. Dare:

Auxiliary dare is used in sense of making a challenging effort. It does not take an _s in third
person singular number.
How dare you talk to me in my face?
He daren’t go outside in the dark.

CONCORD (Subject-Verb agreement)

When the verb agrees with the subject in number and person, it is known as subject-verb
agreement or concord. In different situation subject is considered as singular or plural. In this
chapter we will discuss different conditions responsible for designating the subject either to be
singular or plural and the verb following it.
1. When two singular subjects are joined by ‘and’ and denote a single unit of meaning, together
they are considered to be singular and the verb that follows becomes singular.

Time and tide waits for none.

Rice and dal is my daily food.
2. When two singular subjects are joined by ‘and’ and express plurality, verb that follows
becomes plural.

Fish and meat are available here.

Pens and pencils are essentials for writing.
3. When two subjects irrespective of their person and number are joined by with/together with,
the verb follows the former subject.

The letter with/together with the photographs is sent back by post.

4. When two subjects irrespective of their person and number are joined by
or/either…or/neither…nor/nor, the verb agrees with the nearer subject.

Either the students or the teacher is invited to the party.

Neither the cock nor the hens are in the yard.
He or his sisters are to manage the show.

5. A sentence beginning with each of / none of/ the number of has a singular verb.
Each of/none of the students is to get a prize.
The number of afflicted people is increasing in the camp.
6. Some nouns which are singular in meaning but plural in form, take singular verbs with them.

Physics is my favorite subject.

The news is not correct.
7. Pair nouns take plural verbs with them.

The scissors are blunt.

Your trousers do not fit me.
8. A collective noun considered as a single whole, takes a singular verb.

The Jury is not in favour of the public opinion.

The Government is ready to pass the new education bill.
9. Uncountable nouns are singular and therefore, take singular verbs with them.

The furniture looks bright.

Honesty is the best policy.
25 kg of rice is heavy to carry.
75 km is not a long distance.
VOCABULARY BUILDING
In this chapter we will be discussing English vocabulary with respect to some specialized section
on it. They are the studies of
 Synonyms or the study of words having same meaning
 Antonyms or the study of words with an opposite meaning
 Homophones or the same sounding words
 Single word substitution
 Formation of words from one root or mother word; and
 Word derivatives from one root/mother word.

Synonyms
Synonyms are different words having identical meaning.
Synonym List
Abandon : leave, forsake, relinquish, surrender
Abhor : hate, despise abominate, scorn
Brilliant : luminous, glowing effulgent
Callous : unfeeling, indiggerent, insensible
Delusion : illusion, fallacy, error, specter
Ebb : recede, wane, lessen, sink
Erotic : amorous, amatory, lustful
Eternal : everlasting, endless, perpetual
Indolent : idle, sluggish, slothful
Noisy : booming, chaotic, loud
Officious : meddling, obtrusive

Antonyms
An antonym is just the opposite of synonym. It conveys a word that has a meaning contrary to
the given word.
Antonym List
Amplify : attenuate
Base : noble
Benevolent : malevolent
Deductive : inductive
Ebb : tide
Epilogue : prologue
Hyperbole : understatement
Homophones/Homonyms/Confounding Words
Homophones are same sounding words but different in spelling and meaning. They are otherwise
known as homonyms or confounding or confusing words.

Homophone List
Adopt (v) : to fit by alternation
Adept (adj.) : highly skilled
Adopt (v) : take to oneself
Calendar (n) : roller machine for ironing cloth

Calendar (n) : washerman

Cite (v) : to quote an example
Site (n) : location
Sight (n) : aim
Sight (n) : view
Sight (v) : see
Divers (adj.) : several meaning
Diverse (adj.): unlike, varied
Hypercritical (adj.):excessively critical
Hypocritical (adj.): not genuine

Single word substitute

Abnormal fear of being at high place : Acrophobia

Morbid desire for some particular food : Opsomania
Practice of marrying one person : Monogamy
Excessive acidity in stomach : Hyperacidity
Preliminary statement or event : Preamble
Beyond the jurisdiction of law : Extralegal
Between regions : Interregional
Elevation to Godhood : Apotheosis
Pertaining to marriage : Conjugal
Extremely small : Minuscule