SUPERLATIVE DEGREE

There are two kinds of superlative degrees.

ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE
This superlative describes the best thing/person in a class.

He is the most disciplined boy of the school.
No other boy of the school is as disciplined as he is/him.
No other boy of the school is more disciplined than he is/him.

This book is the best among all books.
No other book is as good as this.
No other book is better than this.

NON-ABSOLUTE SUPERLATIVE
This superlative describes one of the best things in a class, but not the absolute best.

He is one of the most disciplined boys in the school. (This means he is one among the best boys but not the only one. Remember to use a plural noun like 'boys'.)

He is more disciplined than many other boys in the school.
Few (or Not many) boys in the school are as disciplined as him.
Few (or Not many) boys in the school are more disciplined than him.

Transformation of Sentences Part 4-- SOME MISCELLANEOUS TRANFORMATION STRUCTURES

1. CONSISTS OF VS. COMPRISES
With consists we use 'of' but not with 'comprise(s)'.

The team consists/consisted of eleven players.
The team comprises/comprised eleven players. (NO 'OF')

2. OWING TO
Owing to is used for mentioning reasons for something that has happened. It means 'on account of'.

We cancelled the match owing to the heavy rain.
His reading was hesitant owing to a stammer.

3. ALL/ EACH/ EVERY

All the projects have been assigned. (plural verb)
Each of the projects has been assigned. (singular verb)
OR
Each project has been assigned to a responsible manager.
Every project has been assigned. (Every lays emphasis on completion of the task)

4. NONE/ NEITHER

None is used for more than two people or things.

None of the mangoes is sweet. (None of the mangoes are sweet is also accepted.)

Neither is used when we talk of two persons or things.

Neither of the doctors is skillful.
Neither doctor is skillful.

5. IN ALL PROBABILITY

It can replace 'probably' in a sentence.

Jasdeep has probably forgotten the date of his mother's birthday.
In all probability Jasdeep has forgotten...

6. ...AS HE IS/ ...THOUGH HE IS/ ...THOUGH HE MAY BE forms

Poor as he is, he is honest. (Though he is poor, he is honest.)
Poor though he is, ...
Poor as he may be, ...
Poor though he may be, ...

If past time is intended 'might have been' can be used.

Poor though he might have been, he was honest.

THE STOLEN BACILLUS

ENTERPRISE BY NISSIM EZEKIEL

‘Enterprise’ is an allegory of human condition on earth and of the frequent efforts, failure and frustrations which man is subject to by the very nature of his earthly life. The poet describes a pilgrimage where each pilgrim faces difficulties and disillusionment along the way and realizes that one’s own insufficiency is the root cause of all unaccomplished goals.

A group of men undertakes a journey moved by noble aspirations, but it all ends in failures and frustrations as is usually the case with human attempts for some noble achievement. The pilgrimage becomes a weary trek by the time the goal is reached. The goal is alluring but the process of reaching it empties its glamour and glory.

A number of people, including the narrator, decide to go on a pilgrimage. They are city dwellers and the journey they undertake is to some romantic, primitive hinterland. They start with hope, courage and determination, with their minds full of noble ideas and ideals. They are out to make some heroic effort, which will lead to some noble achievements. Their minds are exalted and they are not afraid of any dangers and difficulties. Their confidence is too high to be dampened by the fear of failure. This stage of the journey symbolizes the stage of innocence that man enjoys in his boyhood and early youth, when he is entirely unconscious of the frustrations and failures which life brings at every stage.

But this innocence is lost and in the next stage of the journey the pilgrims face dangers and difficulties. They continue their journey of exploration. The objects and forces of nature are out to frustrate human endeavour like the oppressive heat of the sun. The group of travelers is able to put up very well with the dangers and difficulties for sometime and continue to journey in hope. They note down the goods being bought and sold by the peasants and observe the ways of serpents and goats which stands for evil and good men respectively. They pass through three cities where a sage had taught, but do not care to find out what he had taught. These are the material and earthly distractions which dissipate their channelized energy. The difficulties and dangers posed by man’s physical environment are not as damaging as those that result from his own insufficiency.

Soon there are differences of opinion among the travelers and they begin to quarrel over petty matters. They had to cross a piece of wasteland a ‘desert patch’, and they could not agree as to the best way of doing so. One of their friends -- rather proud of his stylish prose -- was so angry that he left their company. The shadow of discord fell on their enterprise, and it continued to grow. Bickering over petty matters, needless quarrels over trifles, hatred of and hostility to those who hold different opinions is ingrained in human nature, and thus man carries the seeds of his failure and frustration within his own self. So do these pilgrims who, despite their quarrel, continue their journey further.

But none the less, they are divided into groups, each group attacking the other. Engrossed in their quarrel, they lose their ways and forget noble aspirations which had motivated their enterprise. Their goal and their purpose were forgotten and their idealism is all gone. Some of them decide to leave the group. Frustration and difficulties overwhelm the human spirit and many do not have the courage to face the realities of life. They seek relief in escape and withdrawal. Many of us are such introverts. Some try to pray and seek Divine assistance and blessings, forgetting that God help those who help themselves. Their leader feels that he smelt the sea and he feels that their goal is near (a reference to Moses who led Israelites back to their country and when he reached the Red Sea, he parted it with his staff and made way for everyone to pass by God’s intervention). He shares this realization with other pilgrims in a last attempt to inject hope into the group that has lost all its cohesion and is on the verge of becoming a ‘straggling crowd of little hope’.

Still they persist, though their journey has lost all its significance. They are dirty and shabby for they have been deprived of such common needs as soap, are broken in spirit and bent down physically. Such is the ultimate end of all human enterprise; this is the essential truth of human life. Absorbed in their pretty quarrels and tried and exhausted, frustrated and at bay, the travelers do not even hear the thunder and even if they do so, they ignore their significance. The thunder is symbolic of spiritual regeneration and fertility but they do not care for it. The extreme hopelessness of man at the end of life’s journey is thus stressed.
         

The pilgrims even come to doubt the very worth and significance of the journey when despite all odds they reach their destination. It seems to them to have been meaningless and futile. All their noble aspirations are forgotten, there is sorrow and suffering on every face, and they are conscious of the fact that their actions have neither been great nor even. Efforts to escape from the realities of human existence and achieve glory by doing rare acts are futile. We must accept the limitations of our lot and do our best within those limitations. Heroism means the acceptance of our lot in life and the doing of our best in the service of God and humanity. Therefore the poem concludes on a note of exultation and optimism when the pilgrims realize that it is not by undertaking long hazardous journeys but by doing the right deeds that everyone can receive God’s grace.

A SAMPLE OFFBEAT REPORT

As a part of your charitable initiatives, you want to establish an old age home. Write a note for the sponsors based on the following guidelines.

Reason for establishment – place – no. of old people that can be housed – facilities to be provided – grant required – people associated – working committee – finance needed on a continual basis – conclusion.

(As report writing is an exercise in amplification, the candidates are required to only expand the given guidelines well, with some useful facts, figures and information. THIS INFORMATION COULD BE PROVIDED BY IMAGINATION.)

As a part of our charitable initiatives, the Poorna Welfare Society, Gomti Nagar, is making efforts to establish an old age home ‘Karuna’ for the aged destitute, that will provide them with complete care and try to bring their lives out of loneliness. ‘Karuna’ will be constructed on a piece of land donated to the society last year. The land area is 3500 square feet and it is located in Viraj Khand, Gomti Nagar in front of Amity School.

The home will be a building of three floors that will accommodate about 250 people easily. With the aim of providing comfort and peace found in home, ‘Karuna’  will have special medical facilities for senior citizens such as mobile health care systems, ambulances, nurses and provision of well-balanced meals apart from basic food and shelter. Yoga instructors will be recruited to train residents in yoga exercises. Modern communication devices with internet facility will be launched within some days of its opening. There will be a day care centre to take care of the elderly during the day time only.

A grant of 2 crores 60 lakhs is required by the society for the establishment of ‘Karuna’, of which 60% has been promised by the state government. The remaining 40% is sought from private firms and companies or individuals.

Mr Amey Das, the President of the society, is the person behind the establishment of ‘Karuna’. Under the supervision of the treasurer, Mr Jagmohan Mohanty and Executive Officer Mr. Ashrit Nigam, a working committee of 12 members has been set up, with each member having different responsibilities and areas to look after.

After its establishment, the institute will need approximately 1 lakh 80 thousand rupees on a monthly basis for its expenses and services it will offer. Furthermore, another 2 lakhs will be required for the payment of salaries to the staff that will work for ‘Karuna’.

Generous contributions are sought from individuals and firms for the establishment and upkeep of this institute that is coming up for a thoroughly noble and charitable cause.

(341 words)

Transformation of Sentences Part 2-- CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

There are four basic types of conditional sentences in the English language. Each type has two parts - the main clause and the if clause.

Zero conditional: I take my umbrella if it rains.
First conditional: I'll call you if I work late.
Second conditional: If the bus didn't arrive on time, I would drive you to the airport.
Third conditional: She wouldn't have come if I hadn't invited her.

Zero conditional
The zero conditional describes situations that are always true. If has the same meaning as when or whenever.
If I go to school, I get up at seven. (Whenever I go to school I get up at the same time.)
If you park your car on double yellow lines, you pay a fine. (Whenever you park illegally, you pay a fine.)
Form
We use the present simple tense in both the main clause and the if clause.

First conditional
The first conditional refers to the present or future. First conditional sentences are used to speculate about possible situations that can really happen.
If he studies hard, he'll pass the exams. If we catch the 10.15 train, we will arrive on time. If you don't get the ticket, what will you do?
Form
If clause: if + present tense
Main clause: will + bare infinitive

Second conditional
The second conditional also refers to the present or future. In second conditional sentneces we speculate about situations that will probably never happen.
If I had more time, I would help you. (But I am not free at the moment. I can't help you).
If I won a million dollars, I would start a business of my own. (But I know that it is not realistic.)
Form
If clause: if + past tense
Main clause: would + bare infinitive
Note: the verb to be can have a specific form in the if clause.
If I were rich, I wouldn't work. If he were younger, he would marry her.
(But was is also possible: If I was rich, I wouldn't work. If he was younger, he would marry her.)
But: If I were you, I wouldn't do it. (In this expression, were is much more usual than was.)

The first conditional versus the second conditional
The main difference between the first and second conditional is about probability: the first conditional is realistic, the second conditional is unrealistic.
Sometimes we can use either the first or second conditional with the following difference in meaning.
If I see him, I will tell him. (I suppose I will see him, because we go to the same school.)
If I saw him, I would tell him. (I don't think I will see him, because he is ill.)
If I need your help, I'll call you. (It is probable that I will need your help.)
If I needed your help, I'd call you. (It is not very probable that I will need your help.)
Sometimes we must use either the first or the second conditional, because it is clear that the situation is real or unreal.
If you get up late, you will miss your bus. (a real situation)
If I came from your country, I would understand your problems. (an unreal situation - I am not from your country.)

Other forms
Apart from the basic forms (if + the present simple + will and if + the past simple + would), we can use other verb forms in the first and second conditional sentences in the English language.
Type 1
If you have finished your dinner, you can ask for the bill.
If you are feeling tired, take a rest.
If he is a good skier, he might make it.
If you want to be slim, you should eat less.
If you meet her, could you let me know?
Type 2
If I knew his address, I might go and see him.
If we were on holiday, we would be lying on a beach now.
Why are we watching this film? If we were watching the news, it would be more interesting.

Third conditional
The third conditional sentences always refer to the past. We speculate about situations that happened or did not happen in the past.
If I had won a million, I would have started a business of my own. (But I didn't win anything.)
If he had met her, he would have told her. (Unfortunately, he didn't meet her.)
If we hadn't practised, we wouldn't have won the match. (But we practised and won.)
Form
If clause: if + past perfect
Main clause: would + perfect infinitive (have + past participle)

Other forms
Apart from the basic form of the third conditional sentences, we can use other verb forms in English.
We didn't save any money. If we had saved some money, we might have bought the house.
She wasn't there and I wasn't sitting next to her. But if she had been there, I would have been sitting next to her.
I was looking at the trees when I fell off the bike. If I hadn't been looking at the trees, I wouldn' t have fallen off the bike.

Mixed conditionals
In the mixed conditional sentences we can combine the second and third conditional.
If he had left immediately, he would be here now. (He didn't leave immediately and isn't here.)
If I had studied hard when I was young, I wouldn't be a porter now. (I didn't study and I am a porter.)
If we hadn't told him the way while he was preparing for his journey, he would get lost now. (We told him and he isn't lost.)
Inverted conditionals
We can also make conditional sentences by changing the word order in the if clause.
Had he booked the hotel room, he wouln't have slept at the camp. (If he had booked ... )
Were I in your position, I would accept it. (If I were ... )
This form is less common, quite formal and is mostly used in writing.

Note
If is the most frequent expression in the if clauses, but other expressions are also possible.
even if, provided (that), unless, on condition (that), in case
You will leave tonight even if you don't want to.
You can have your birthday party provided that you aren't noisy.
We'll sell you the ranch on condition you pay in cash.
You should take a dictionary with you in case you forgot some words.
Unless you do something, she won't come back. (If you don't do anything, ... )

Transformation of Sentences Part 1- Some rules and example sentences

THOUGH/ ALTHOUGH/ DESPITE/ INSPITE OF

Though/ although 

* Though he was not well, he took the exam.

Despite (+ing verb) or (+the fact) or (noun)

* Despite being ill, he took his exam.

* Despite the fact that he was ill, he took his exam.

* Despite his illness, he took his exam.

'In spite' is always followed by 'of'

* In spite of being ill/ In spite of the fact that he was ill/ In spite of his illness, he took his exam.

NOTWITHSTANDING AND NEVERTHELESS

Notwithstanding (+noun) or (+the fact that)

* Notwithstanding his illness, he took his exam.

* Notwithstanding the fact that he was ill, he took his exam.

Nevertheless is used to mean the same as 'yet' or 'still'

He was not well, nevertheless he took his exam.

OTHER SIMILAR FORMS

* Hardworking as he is, he failed in his exams.

* However he works hard/ However hard he works, he failed in his exams.

* However he is hard working/ However hardworking he is/
   However hardworking he may be, he ...

* Regardless of being sincere, he failed in his exams.

* No matter he is sincere, he failed in his exams.

* Sincere as he may be/ might have been, he failed in his exams.

* No matter what turns out, I will help my friend. / Come what may, I will help my friend.

* However it may affect him, he will go to Kedarnath temple.

BESIDES AND NOT ONLY

With 'besides', 'also' is not used as a rule. Besides will be followed by either an 'ing' verb or a noun/ noun phrase.
* Not only is/was he a renowned singer, but also a famous poet.

* Not only did/does he know Urdu, but also Spanish. / but Spanish too.

* Besides being a renowned singer, he is a famous poet.

* Besides having two luxury cars, he owns a sports car.

* Besides Mr. Singh, Mr. Sharma met me to express his concern.

* Besides other consequences of the treaty, it has sparked agony in people's hearts.

* He is both a renowned singer and a famous poet.

IF AND UNLESS

ALL CONDITIONALS HAVE TWO PARTS. THE FIRST CLAUSE EXPRESSES A CONDITION AND THE SECOND EXPRESSES ITS OUTCOME.

Unless= if + not

* If he is not back home by 5, we will have to go without him.

* Unless he is back home by 5, we will have to go without him.

* We will go with him as long as he is back home by 5./ Provided that he is back by 5, we will go with him. /Given that he is back by 5, we will go with him.

IN CASE= IF + WHEN

*Let me carry an umbrella in case it rains.

OTHER CONDITIONALS

* If he went to the market, he would buy milk.

  Were he to go to the market, he would buy milk.

* If I were the PM of my country, I would make stricter policies. /Were I the PM....

CONDITIONAL OF THE THIRD TYPE (HYPOTHETICAL CONDITIONS)

* If he had gone to the market, he would have bought apples. (Past perfect in the 1st part- WOULD HAVE + VERB 3RD FORM in the second) (The reality is he did not go to the market so the possibility of his having bought apples is hypothetical.)

* Had he gone to the market, he would have bought apples.

USE OF 'BUT FOR'

* If Raj had not been there, my life would not have been safe.

   But for Raj's presence, my life would not have been safe.

NO SOONER/ HARDLY (BARELY, SCARCELY) /AS SOON AS

No sooner + did + Verb 1st form__________than____________

* No sooner did he meet Roy than he gave him the document.

Hardly + had + Verb 3rd form (or Hardly + did + Verb 1st form)_____________when _______________

* Hardly had he met Roy when he gave him the document.

(Use comma with 'as soon as')

* As soon as he met him, he gave him the document.

WOULD RATHER/ HAD BETTER/ PREFER TO/ INSTEAD OF

* I would rather pursue a course in journalism than study science. (would rather+______than___)

* I had better pursue a course in journalism or I will have to study science. (had better + verb 1st form)

* I (will/ would) prefer studying journalism to studying science. (Prefer + to)

* Instead of studying science, I would study journalism.