ST.

JOSEPH SCHOOL ,Addis Ababa

ENGLISH GRAMMAR FOR GRADE-TEN

WEEK ONE: PHRASES AND CLAUSES

I.THE PHRASE : is a group of words that makes sense but not complete sense .It doesn’t
have a subject or a predicate of its own.

Examples:

1.A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.

2.He usually parks his cars behind the building.

➢ The italicized groups of words in the above sentences are phrases.

KINDS OF PHRASES

1.A prepositional phrase: is a group of words that begins with a preposition and
ends with a noun or a pronoun .When a prepositional phrase modifies a noun or a
pronoun, it is used as an adjective phrase. When it modifies a verb, an adjective or an
adverb it is used as an adverb phrase.

➢ A tree with very large leaves grew in the back yard.

➢ The flowers in the vase came from her garden.

2.An Infinitive phrase: is an infinitive with its modifiers and complement –all
working together as a noun, an adjective or an adverb.

➢ To avoid eyestrain, put a good lamp in your work area.

➢ Telephone lines are used to transmit written information.

3.An appositive phrase: is a phrase that restate or explains a word or a group of

words that precedes it in a sentence.

➢ The calculator, an arithmetic machine ,has long been essential.

➢ The operator of the bellows ,human beings or electric fans, keep the air under
pressure.

4.A participial phrase: is a participle with its modifiers and complements- all
working together as an adjective.

➢ Being cold-blooded ,these animals have changeable body temperature .

➢ Having estimated the cost of two weeks at camp, I withdrew just the amount
necessary from my saving account.
5.A gerund phrase: is a gerund with its modifiers and complements-all working
together as a noun.

➢ Walking along the lane I saw a deadly water moccasin.

➢ One of my favorite leisure pursuits is looking at those beautiful mountains.

II.THE CLAUSE: is a group of related words which posses a subject and a predicate of its
own. Clauses are of two types: Dependent and Independent clauses. Dependent
clauses can’t stand by their own while Independent clauses can stand and provide a
complete thought by their own.

➢ When she became a teenager ,her sister dared her to write a detective story.
➢ After she was successful in her first published work, Agatha began a lifetime
career as a writer.

types OF DEPENDENT CLAUSES

1.Noun clause 2.Adjective clause 3.Adverb clause

1.THE NOUN CLAUSE

Is a clause which does the work of a noun. Since a Noun Clause in a complex sentence
does the work of a noun ,it can be used as;

a)The subject of the verb

➢ How he has got this job is an open secret for all of us.
➢ Whoever wins the match will play in the final tournament.

b)The object of the infinitive verb

➢ He asked me to consider what he had said.

➢ I am sorry to hear that you have failed.

c)The object of the participle

➢ He went away saying that he would revenge me.

➢ Hoping that he would succeed he made another attempt.

d)The object of the preposition

➢ My success depends on how you help me.

➢ Pay careful attention to what your teacher says.

e)The object of the transitive ver

 ➢ He asked me why I had not done my homework.
➢ She told him when he had to submit the assignment.

f)The complement of the verb

➢ My only wish is that I may serve my country.

g) In apposition to a noun or a pronoun.

➢ The news that he is alive is still unconfirmed.

➢ It is true that he has been promoted.

II.THE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

Is the clause that does the work of an adjective.

➢ The time when the train will arrive is not certain.

III.THE ADVERB CLAUSE

An adverb clause does work of an adverb. Like an adverb it may modify a verb, an
adjective or another adverb.

KINDS OF ADVERB CLAUSES

1.Adverb Clause of Time: is introduced by the subordinate conjunctions (when,

whenever, while, after, before, since, as long as, as soon as, till)

➢ As soon as the guard whistled, the train started moving.

2.Adverb Clause of Place: is introduced by the subordinate conjunctions (where,

wherever)

➢ He usually makes friends wherever he goes.

3.Adverb Clause of Purpose: is introduced by the subordinate conjunctions (that,

in order that , so that, lest)

➢ He sent the servant to the post office in order that he might post the letter.

4.Adverb Clause of Cause or Reason: is introduced by the subordinate

conjunctions(as, that, because, since, for)

➢ As it was raining ,he took his umbrella with him.

➢ He took the food eagerly, for he had eaten nothing since dawn.

5.Adverb Clause of Condition: is introduced by the subordinate conjunctions (if,

unless, in case, on the condition ,provided that etc.)
 ➢ If I had known the answer, I would have told you.

6.Adverb Clause of Result or Effect: is introduced by the subordinate

conjunctions. ( so…..that, such….that)

➢ So bravely did they fight that the enemies retreated.

7.Adverb Clause of Concession or Contrast : is introduced by the subordinate

conjunctions (though, although, even if , however, whatever)

➢ Although he was put into prison, he refused to give away any information
about his companions.

8.Adverb Clause of Manner : is introduced by the subordinate conjunctions (as, as

if , as though)

➢ She behaved as though she were mad.

➢ He ran as if he were frightened.

9.Adverb Clauses of comparison: is introduced by the subordinate conjunctions

(as, than, no, less than)

➢ You are not so intelligent as your elder brother ( is).

➢ He is more careful than his younger brother (is).

10.Adverb Clauses of Extent.

➢ The higher you go ,the cooler it is.

Exercise 1:1

Sort the underlined adverb clauses in the following sentences into their kinds.

1. I am glad that you have come to great me.

2. As he came into the room, all stood up to greet him.
3. He walked so quickly that no one could keep pace with him.
4. He cried with joy as if he had won a lottery.
5. Put all your educational materials where you can find them easily.
6. No sooner did it begin to rain than all the guests ran indoors.
7. The sooner we start the journey, the earlier we shall reach home.
8. Senait is more beautiful than her elder sister.
9. Unless the rain comes in time, there will be drought and famine in many parts of
the country.
10. Our new teacher speaks in such a low voice that very few of us can follow him.

Exercise 1:2

Sort the underlined phrases in the following sentences in to their kinds .

1.His new interest, repairing that old car of his, occupies all his out-of-school time

2.During their first years in this new land ,they suffered from cold and hunger.

3.Having turned in our papers, all of us waited impatiently to hear the results.

4.When he wanted to lift an object that was heavy, he used a lever.

5.The organist, the operator of the console, distributes the air to the various pipes.

6.The couple from Denver left on the midnight train.

7.Having explained all the most important points ,the teacher gave some questions as
class work.

8.All the students have been asked to report to the main office as soon as they return
back from field trip.

9.Having been hit ,the captain fell to the deck.

10.The woman in red dress look so gorgeous.

WEEK TWO: TENSES

KINDS OF TENSES

1.PRESENT SIMPLE TENSE

USES;

a.To express habitual or repeated actions.

➢ My father goes to his office every morning.

b.To express general truth or what is always true.

➢ Light travels faster than sound.

➢ The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

c.Is often used with adverbs of frequency-always, often ,usually, sometimes etc.

➢ We often visit the summer camp during the break time.

d.For predetermined event in the future or future time when used with verbs like-
sail, go, depart and arrive).

➢ Our new ship leaves for Spain tomorrow.

➢ The plane departs at 10 O’clock in the morning next Wednesday.

e.To describe the action of a play and to comment events in sport, public function.
 ➢ When the curtain rises, Juliet is writing at her desk. Suddenly the window opens
and a masked man enters.

f.To refer to historical facts

➢ Gandhi says truth and non-violence are the most powerful weapons.

2. PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE.

USES;

a.To express something that is happening at or around the time of speaking. The
action is not finished.

➢ Listen those to people. what language are they speaking?

➢ Please don’t make so much noise I am studying for the final exam.

b. for a temporary situation.

➢ I am living with some of my friends until I find a flat.

c.For a definite arrangement in the near future (the most usual way of expressing
one’s immediate plans).

➢ Are you doing anything tomorrow afternoon? Yes, I am playing tennis with my
friends.

3.PRESNT PERFECT TENSE

USES;

a.To express recently completed action-with just-‘a short time ago’

➢ ‘Would you like to something to eat?’ ‘No, thanks. I have just had.’

Already-is used to say that something happened sooner than expected.

➢ ‘Don’t forget to post the letter, will you?’ ‘I have already posted it.’

Yet- until now-is used in questions and negative sentences.

➢ I have written the letter but I haven’t posted it yet.

b.When the speakers are talking about a period that continues until now.

➢ I am very hungry. I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.(from breakfast until

now)

c. With since and for

 ➢ I have seen this film five times since last year.
➢ She has used her left hand for ten years now.

d. Is used with ever and never

➢ Have you ever been to Paris ?

➢ I have never seen such kind of interesting film before.

e.Is often used in letters.

➢ We have carefully considered the report which you sent us on 28 June, and have
decided to take the following action.

4.PRSENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE

USES;

a.For an activity or action that began some times in the past and that has recently
completed or just stopped.

➢ ‘Why are your clothes so dirty?’ ‘What have you been doing?’ ‘I have been
cleaning my room.’

b.Is often used especially with ‘how long, for….and since….The activity is still
happening.

‘How long have you been learning English?’ ‘I have been learning English since grade
one.’( I am still learning English)

5.SIMPLE PAST TENSE

a.To tell an action or activity happened or occurred in the past.

➢ John grew a beard but now he has shaved it off.(so he doesn’t a beard now)

b.To express past habit –using used to +v1

➢ He used to play with mud when he was a child.(He is old enough so he doesn’t
play with it any more).
➢ Tesfaye used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day. He stopped smoking two years ago.
He doesn’t smoke any more.

6. PAST PERFECT TENSE

a.When we want to talk about things that happened before past time.

➢ Henock didn’t want to come to the cinema with us because he had already seen
the film.
 ➢ ‘Was Tom at the party when you arrived?’ ‘No, he had already gone home.’

b.To show the sequence of two events in the past. When one is the earlier and the other
one is the latter event.

➢ I met my former classmate in London after I had been there for two weeks.
➢ The train had gone before I reached the station.

c.To express unfulfilled conditions

➢ If I had been well-qualified for the job, I would have been called to sign the
agreement.

d.To express unfulfilled wishes in the past.

➢ I wish I had listened to your advice.(but I didn’t listen to your advice)

e.In reported speech

Direct speech: He said, ”I have finished my assignment.”

Indirect speech:He said that he had finished his assignment.

7.PAST CONTINUOUS TENSE.

a.To express longer action in the past

➢ The Ethiopian patriots were fighting the Italian aggressors during those five
years.

b.We often use the past simple and past continuous together to say that something
happened in the middle of something else.

➢ We were watching film together when the light went out.

c.To express two longer actions taking place simultaneously in the past.

➢ She was feeding her baby while her husband was ironing the clothes.

8. PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE.

USES;

a.is used to express the duration of past action up to the time of some other past
action.

➢ The farmers had been looking for new method of farming before they visited
the state farms.

9.SIMPLE FUTURE TENSE.

 USES;

a.To express the speakers assumptions, opinions, speculations about the future.

➢ They will probably stay with us.

➢ Perhaps you will find him at home.

b.To express promise, order ,determination etc.

➢ I will finish the work by tomorrow.(determination)

➢ I will help you, come what may.(promise)

10.FUTURE CONTINUOUS TENSE.

a.It is normally used with a point in time, and expresses an action which starts before
that time and probably continues after it.

➢ On Saturday there is no class. So they will not be sitting in the classroom. They
will be doing other things.

11.FUTURE PERFECT TENSE

a.It is normally used with a time expression beginning with by:

➢ By the end of this June he will have finished writing his second book.

b.Is used to say that something will already be completed.

We are late.The film will already have started by the time we get the cinema.

Exercise 2:1

I.Supply the verbs given in the parentheses in to the present simple or

present continues tense.
1.We (listen)to the radio, please don’t disturb us.

2.She usually (type) slowly, but today she (type) rapidly.

3.I (speak)two foreign languages and I now (learn) French.

4.They haven’t got anywhere to live at the moment. They (stay)with friends
until they find somewhere.

5.Normally she (finish) her work at 5:00,but this week she

(work) until 6:00 to earn a bit more money.

Exercise 2:2
II.Supply the verbs given in the parentheses in to the correct past simple,
past continues or past perfect tense.
1.I (walk) along the street when suddenly I (hear) footsteps
behind me. Somebody (follow) me. I (frighten) and I (start)
to run.

2.How fast (you/drive) when the accident (happen)?

3.When Sahara (arrive)at the party, Paul (already/go) home.

4.We were good friends. We (know) each other for a long time.

5.Our Revolutionary Army (repair)the railway which (damage) by

the Somali aggressors.

Exercise 2:3

III. Supply the verbs given in the parentheses in to the correct present
perfect or simple past tense.
1.If Carl (study) his notes more carefully, he wouldn’t miss that question.

2.I am hungry. I (not/eat) anything since breakfast.

3.I (watch) a lot of films last year. But I (not/see) any since then.

4.She (buy) this book on Sunday. But I (not/read) it so far.

5.It (start) raining in the morning. It (not/stop) yet.

Exercise 2:4

IV. Supply the verbs given in the parentheses in to the correct past simple or past
perfect tense.

1.He (teach) in a high school for a number of years before he (join) our
college.

2.When I (meet) her she (teach) at Bahire Dar Teachers College.

3.When I (realize) that my passport (be /steal),I (report) to

the local police immediately.

4.He (take) several course before he (graduate) from AAU.

5.When I (reach) the Stadium at five, the match (already/start)

WEEK THREE: KINDS OF SENTENCES

Sentences are classified into four kinds based on their grammatical structures: Simple,
compound, Complex and compound-complex sentences.

1.Simple Sentence

Is made up of only one independent clause.

a)single subject - single verb

➢ Time flies. She laughed.

b)single subject- compound verb

➢ The man laughed and cried.

c)Compound Subject – Single Verb

➢ John and his brother laughed at the top their sound.

d)Compound Subject-Compound Verb

➢ My friend and I borrow and wear each other’s clothes.

2.Compound Sentences

Is made up of two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions.

(FANBOYS=FOR,AND,NOR,BUT,OR,YET,SO)

➢ All soil samples have been taken and they have been dried in the laboratory to remove
all remaining water.
3.Complex Sentences

Is made up of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

➢ The construction industry is growing fast although there is shortage of construction

materials.
4. Compound-complex sentences

Is made up of two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Whenever we play outside, my mother feels worried but if we are at home; she is so happy even
if we shout a lot.

Exercise 3:1

I.Sort the following sentences into simple, compound, complex or compound-

complex.
1.I have never played tennis, but I hope to start taking lesson next year.

2.The players and the judges arrived and reported to the football federation.

3.I bought Coca-Cola, and I drank it at once because I was very thirsty.

4.When you leave, you can lock the door and I will take a key with me.

5.Robert and Henry keep a sailboat on the river, and they use it nearly every day during the
summer.

6.We submitted our calculations and we included several drawings even though both types of
information weren’t available.

7.If John can come tomorrow, we will go to the park; if he can’t, we will stay home to read story
books.

8.They were fishing all day; they didn’t catch anything.

9.The dog that shouted at me ran away when I fired a gun.

10.He spent many hours watching insects because he was deeply interested in their habits

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

➢ Every conditional sentence has two parts: If clause and Main clause.

Types of Conditional Sentences.

Zero Conditional Sentence/Express general truth.

If clause –present simple Main-clause –present simple

A:What happens to fish if it is taken out of water?

B:If fish is taken out of water, it dies.

Type I Conditional Sentence/likely or probable.

There is a real possibility that something will happen.

If clause-Present Simple(v1,v1 s, es) Main-clause –Simple Future(will/shall+v1)

Robel: I think I left my watch at your house. Have you seen it?

Rahel: No, but I will have a look when I get home. If I find it, I will send it to you.

Type II Conditional Sentence/improbable

If clause –Past Simple (v2) Main-Clause -Present Conditional
(would/could/might/should+ v1)
 Tesfaye wants to repair his bicycle but he can’t do this because he doesn’t know how to repair
it.If he had the knowledge, he would repair it .

Type III Conditional Sentence/impossible

If clause-past perfect (had +v3) Main-clause-perfect Conditional

(would/could/might /should+have +v3)

Last month Nahom was in hospital for an operation. Selam didn’t know this, so she didn’t go to
visit him. She met him a few days ago and she said:

If I had known you were in hospital, I would have come to visit you.

➢ Unless - If …. Not

Unless we finish the work before noon, we will lose our job.

If we don’t finish the work before noon, we will lose the job.

Exercise 3:2

I. Complete the following conditional sentences.

1.If you asked him for money,

2.If she finished her work in time,

3. I would ask him the secrete of his greatness.

4. he would have got the job.

5. I would invite him to dinner.

6.Unless it rains early this season,

7 Had it not been my father’s help,

8.I would have bought your car

9. ,he won’t be permitted to attend the classes.

10.If she hadn’t cheated in the examinations ,

II. Supply the verbs given in the parentheses into the correct form.

1.If I had read the instructions properly, I (not make) all those mistakes.

2.If you (not show) us the way, we would have never reached the place.

3.If the rains failed to come, there (be) famine again.

4.Had it not been for our guard saw them, the thieves (steal) our property.

5.What will happen if she (press) the red button.