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CORONAVIRUS COVID 19 INSPIRED WORDS- NEW COVID 19 VOCABULARY WORDS OF 2020 ADDED IN OXFORD DICTIONARY

COVID 19 INSPIRED WORDS

With all the ups and downs in our lives and making our lives hell, COVID 19  has gifted OXFORD DICTIONARY some new words. You will find here some words resembling the old words and at the same time, you will notice some words never used before. After the meanings of the words, I have added here one quiz also so that you could learn the meanings of the words more properly.

Following are the words that have been added in the Oxford Dictionary-

  1. QUARANTINI

       – a cocktail typically drunk during  the self-isolation

         ex – Payal was advised to keep on     

               having QUARANTINI  to recover 

               herself soon from this 

              killing disease.

 

  1. COVIDIOT 

       – someone who ignores health

         advice about COVID 19

        ex-  Arun never wears a mask 

         while leaving his home. He is

         really a COVIDIOT.

 

  1. ZUMP 

    – be dumped via zoom during 

      quarantine/ be careless while 

       having  online classes.

     ex- Most of the students used 

     ZUMP during online classes.

 

  1. SPENDEMIC

    – a tendency of doing over online 

      shopping during lockdown

      ex. The virus of ‘being spendemic’ 

      entered into our homes more fastly than         the virus of COVID 19. 

 

  1. SOCIAL BUBBLES

      -the practice of having a safe 

       distance in order to prevent to 

       spread of the disease

 

      ex- Dear students, try to be 

      social bubbles in your classrooms 

      in order to prevent yourselves 

     from the attack of a new virus.

QUIZ : CHECK HOW MUCH YOU HAVE LEARNT

[wp_quiz id=”6066″]

Which word/words did you like the most,please mention in the comment box below-

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REPORTED SPEECH RULES: NARRATION: INDIRECT SPEECH (Chapter-1) Introduction: What is a Reported Speech / Narration?

DEFINITION

Reported Speech is a formation of a statement that we tell to someone, 

i.e. to the second person. 

 

Based on a conversation, the words of the speaker can be formed in two ways:-

DIRECT

INDIRECT

Or in simple words , we can say , two speeches came into existence 

Direct Speech

Indirect Speech

 

Direct Speech

First, read the statement carefully-

The teacher said to the monitor, “ I will be on a leave tomorrow. So collect the notebooks from all the students today only for correction.”

(When the speaker is directly saying something to the listener or when we are repeating the words of the speaker to the third person, is called Direct Speech.)

Indirect Speech:

The teacher told the monitor that she would be on a leave the next day and ordered her to collect all the notebooks from the students that day only.

 

( Thus when the listener is repeating the words of the speaker to the third person in a roundabout manner, is called Indirect Speech. )

PARTS OF DIRECT SPEECH04

Now comes the formation of a Direct Speech-

There are two parts of a direct speech-

  • Reporting Verb

  • Reported Speech

  •  
READ THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT CAREFULLY

 

 

Ankit said to Ankita , “ Ridhima reads very well.”

 

(Reporting Verb)        (Reported Speech )

  • The part or clause that comes outside the inverted commas, is called Reporting Verb.
  • The part that is locked inside the inverted commas, is called Reported Speech.

*Remember

 

The position of the Reporting Verb and Reported Speech can be anywhere in the statement.

eg. 

 

Ankit said to Ankita , “ Ridhima is a very nice girl.”

Ridhima  said to Ankit to Ankita, “ is a very nice girl.”

 

“ Ridhima is a very nice girl.” Ankit said to Ankita.

 

All the lines in white  are Reporting verbs. That makes clear that it is not mandatory to have a reporting verb at the beginning of the sentence. Its position can be shifted according to the style of writing.

 

How to recognize a Direct and an Indirect Sentence :-

How to recognize a Direct Speech

  • The reported sentence is locked in the inverted commas.
    • Antima said , “Do you know Anuj ?”
  • After Reporting Verb, we put a comma.
    • Antima said, “Do you know  Anuj?”
  • The first letter of reported speech that is locked inside the inverted commas ,is  written in  capital letters.
    • Antima said , “Do you know  Anuj?”

How to recognize an Indirect Speech:-

 

  • The reported sentence is unlocked from the inverted commas.
    • Ritika said that she was her best friend.
  • Commas are replaced with conjunctions i.e. ( that/if /whether )according to the expression of the sentences.
    • Ritika said that she was her best friend.
  • Common  Rules of changing a Direct Speech into Indirect Speech:-
  • Inverted commas are removed in Reported speech
  • Commas are replaced with the conjunctions i.e. ( that/if /whether ) as per the expression of the sentences.
  • Never change the Tense of a Reporting Verb. Only the Tense of Reported Speech is changed if Reported Verb is in Past Tense.

Direct : Namita says to Nisha , “Mishti likes to play chess”

Indirect: Namita tells Nisha that Mishti likes to play chess. •

Direct: Danish said to Salman , “ I Visited Delhi last Monday”

Indirect : Danish told Salman that he had visited Delhi the previous Monday.

General Rules of Changing a Direct Speech:-

 

I. Common Changes:-applied in the complete Indirect Speech

II. Expression Changes:-  varies according to the different expressions

i.e. Kinds of sentences

They are again sub divided in the following parts-

I . Common Changes – applied in the complete Indirect Speech

a. Change of Tense

b. Change of Pronoun

c. Change of Time and place

Read and understand the following sentences and the chart before going further in the detailed study of Change of Tense, Pronoun or Time and Space-

How to change Say / said of Reporting Verb 

according to different kinds of sentences :-

 

 

Sentence Reporting Verb     Reported Speech Connector
Assertive   Say 
Says
Say to
Says to
Said
Said to
Told 		   say
says
tell
tells
said to
told
( reports / reported) 		     that
Interrogative Say /Says / Say to/ Says to / Said/Said to   Told      asked/ enquired of     If / whether
Imperative Request   Order     Advice    requested ordered /commanded advised       Connector {to}  
  Proposal   Making proposal  proposed to / suggested to   
                   Exclamatory Sorrow   Happiness Surprise Exclaimed with sorrow   Exclaimed with joy/happiness   Exclaimed with surprise   that  
 Optative Wish Curse wished/blessed cursed     that (In some cases without connectors)
HOW TO CHANGE SAY /SAID

 

NEXT: Part 2 & 3: If REPORTING VERB IS IN PRESENT/FUTURE.PAST TENSE

DIRECT TO INDIRECT

Examples:

Ankita says, ” Harsh is my brother.

Ankita tells that Harsh is her brother.

 

Shikha says to Nisha, ” Ridhima studies with me. “

 

Shikha tells Nisha that Ridhima studies with her.

 

Akhil said to Nilesh , “ I can not come to meet you here tomorrow.”

Akhil told Nitesh that he could not go to meet him there the next day.

 

Namita said to me , ” Anubhav has been working hard since last night.”

 

Namita told me that Anubhav had been working hard since last night.

 

Nitin said me , ” Will you also go to Goa?”

Nitin asked me if I would also go to Goa.

 

Rishika said to me , ” Do you have my book?”

Rishika enquired of me if I had her book.

 

Dinesh said to Mayank, ” Return me my bike.”

Dinesh ordered Mayank to return his bike.

 

Simran said to me , ” Please, help me in completing my project.”

 

Simran requested me to help her in competing her project.

 

Siya said me, ” Have a deep sleep for 6 hours a day.

Siya advised me to have a deep sleep for 6 hours a day.

 

Babita said to me,” Let’s play tennis.”

Babita proposed to me that we should play tennis.

 

Akriti said to Divyani, ” Let’s participate in the quiz. “

Akriti suggested to Divyani that we must participate in the quiz.

 

Gargi said, “Hurrah ! I have won a trophy.”

Gargi exclaimed with joy that she had won a trophy.

 

Shivani said to me ,” Alas! I have met with an accident.”

Shivani exclaimed me with sorrow that she had met with an accident.

 

Aditi said , ” What a beautiful flower it is !”

Aditi exclaimed with surprise that it was a beautiful flower.

 

Garvit said, “May God bless you !”

Garvit wished that God might bless me.

 

Vikram said to his friends, ” May you go to hell !”

Vikram cursed his friend that he might go to hell.

NEXT: Part 2 & 3: If REPORTING VERB IS IN PRESENT/FUTURE.PAST TENSE

Yes, Lord Listens : Krishna Listens : The Universe Listens

Krishna Listens - The Universe Listens

So, on the evening of April 15, 2023,, I found myself in the courtyard of Bake Biharij, unable to believe what I witnessed that my dream had come true so miraculously. 

I don’t know how the desire to visit Bake Bihariji  (one of the childhood incarnations of Lord Krishna) slipped into my mind when I was about to return to Agra my birth place from my Didi’s house in Bihar. I was scrolling up and down some of the videos of the temple of Bake Bihari ji during the week of Holi- one of the well-known Sanatani festivals of colors.

 

BANKE BIHARI TEMPLE

I was left with mind-boggling remembrances if I had visited Bake Bihari Ji during my childhood. We often used to visit Vrindavan with family as it is situated close to  Agra. But I could hardly remember the temple. During some of the school picnics as well, I visited Vrindavan but hardly could remember if I had visited Bake Bihari ji . And,  I decided to visit Bake Biharji as soon as I reach Agra.

But as it is said, ‘ When you wish to visit any of the spiritual places by heart, God also wishes to call you in a true sense . But at the same time , He keeps on giving tests to you just to make the devotee more righteous by breaking their old bad Karma patterns including this birth as well. God actually does so because He loves you a lot but due to the laws of the universe, He is also limited to fulfill our desires. So let how much He loves you, He can’t go against the laws which say,  ” Your Kamas will only bear the fruits. “

But because He loves you very much so helps you to break your bad Karma patterns so that you could be free of baggage and continue your spiritual journey unless you meet the purpose of your life. So I couldn’t visit Vrindavan the whole of the year due to a number of unexplained reasons. But the day when my Lord felt-  I should be in His courtyard, He called me.

 

I was going to visit my Didi’s place again exactly after a year. It was the last day. On 14th April, 2023, ,  we had reservations in waiting. One reservation had been confirmed and two were still in waiting. As we were total three members– I , my elder sister and my niece.
We were busy in packing in a hope of the reservation might be confirmed by the last moment.
However, despite all my preparations, I was anxious that the Lord didn’t finally call me. One whole year has gone by and my mind was struggling with trillions of questions: –

 


“Is God not happy with me ?
“ Have I done any mistake in His service? “

“ Am I not the worthy one to have His Darshan by receiving His blessings? “


 

 

In the end, I burst out at Him, saying, “It’s OK if you don’t want to call me, but, if you really feel I deserve to meet you, do the miracle and call me otherwise don’t upset me with this idea in my mind and disappointment in my heart that I couldn’t visit your temple,” and then forgot all about it.

However, God genuinely is very kind. He doesn’t make any distinctions in his affection for anyone.  Only you have to communicate with Him with full right in the same way you would with your parents. He truly does pay attention. He truly wants, you should have loving arguments with Him also as you do with your siblings . 

Well, it was the evening time, Finally, reservations couldn’t be confirmed and we got relaxed with a heavy heart obviously in the hope of booking tickets through ‘tatkal’  emergency reservations.

 

The next day, as part of my daily morning routine, I awoke to the sound of Lord Vishnu hymns playing on my phone. I then got to work reading and writing the script for my upcoming video lesson on “Kinds of Idioms” for my educational YouTube channel, “Buds of Wisdom,” when I overheard my niece whispering to my sister (her mother), “Now since we don’t know when we are going to our place, let’s visit to Bake Bihari Ji.”

 

I was startled to feel as though Krishna had entered her head and was speaking through her. And Didi immediately booked OLA as she knew , I was consistently requesting her from some days. Hearing all of this made my blood turn cold.

 

I thanked God immediately I thanked the universe instantly.

And we got ready as soon as possible.  And took a sigh of relief when I found myself standing in front of him in the midst of thousands of devotees. I saw Him and expressed my gratitude to Him for finally making me realize He listen to me.

 

Well, the experience I went through is not that much surprising to all the people who have given time to devotions but it serves as a modest lesson and reminder for anyone who feels that God is not listening to them.  God always listens, just call Him with full faith and with full right . He is listening to you without a pinch of doubt, If ever you feel like , He is getting late, don’t get angry with Him as He is only repairing the wires of your bad Karmas by improving and polishing it.  He is listening to you each moment. He loves you unconditionally more than you can imagine.

Hare Krishna

जय हो श्री बांके बिहारीलाल की

Formal Expression Part – 3/ Workplace RelatedJob Related Statements

COUNTRY

NAME IDOMS

APPLICABLE TO

WORKPLACE/

FORMAL EXPRESSIONS
- PART 3

Read all the idioms carefully with their meanings. 

Afterward, check your answers given below- 

1. Pardon my French – sorry for using swear words

2. Greek to someone –   hard to understand by someone

3. Go Dutch-   – to pay for your own meal instead of dividing the bill

4. New York minute – a moment, a very short period of time

5. Indian Summer – a period of great success after a period of not being successful /

                                  a peaceful and successful time something near its end. 

1. Kindly, __________ . That very moment, in anger, I had lost my senses, I really regret my misbehavior.

a. pardon my French

b. Greek to me 

c. Indian Summer

2. I couldn’t believe when I saw that a 15-story building had fallen down within  _______ before my eyes.

a. a New York minute

b. a London minute

c. an Indian minute

3. It’s a great day for me. Let’s ______ and yes, no one needs to bother about the bill.

a. go Dutch

b. go  Rome

c. go French

4.I ‘m not sure what message he was trying to convey throughout the sessions. All of his words are still in  ______
a. Dutch to me

b. Rome to  me

c. Greek to me

5. I worked hard all my life, but I never got what I deserved for. Now, I wish to enjoy _____ at least before my death.

a. a New York Winter

b. a London Autumn 

c. an Indian Summer

 

ANSWERS

  1. PARDON MY FRENCH
  2. A NEW YORK MINUTE
  3. GO DUTCH
  4. GREEK TO ME
  5. AN INDIAN SUMMER
MORE WORK PLACE BASED STATEMENTS

I AGREE WITH YOU/ I DISAGREE WITH YOU / HOW TO SAY IN DIFFERENT WAYS

 

HOW TO EXPRESS YOUR OPINION 

 

I AGREE WITH YOU 

  

I DISAGREE WITH YOU

 

IN DIFFERENT WAYS

HOW TO SAY – PART 3

When a motion is moved during a meeting, you must express your opinion before making an important decision: you often agree or disagree with the proposal.

 

 So in today’s session , let’s look at different ways to say-

 

 “I agree with you”  to express when you  share the same views.

 “I disagree with you” – to express when you don’t share the same views.

 I AGREE WITH YOU

  •  You’re right.
  • You’re correct.
  • I concur with you.
  • You’re right about that.
  • You’re right if you ask me.
  • I don’t think you’re wrong.
  • I guess you’re right.
  • It seems to me you’re right.
  • I believe you’re correct.
  • I share your opinion.
  • I hold the same opinion.
  • You have a point there.
  • You’re right about that.
  • You’re right about that.
  • You are correct about that.
  • I think you’re right.
  • That makes sense.
  •  That’s a really good point.
  •  I’d go along with your idea.
  •  I see it that way too.
  •  I share your opinion.
  •  I hold the same opinion.
  •  My position is the same as yours.

I DISAGREE WITH YOU. I’M SORRY.

  • I disagree. I apologize.
  • I don’t agree. I apologize.
  • I’m not in agreement with you.
  • I have to disagree.
  • I don’t think so.
  • I would beg to differ. I apologize.
  • I take exception to that.
  • I don’t think ,it makes any sense.
Asking about the news

WHAT’S YOUR NAME ? HOW TO ASK IN DIFFERENT WAYS?

 

WHAT’S YOUR  NAME ?

 

HOW TO ASK IT IN DIFFERENT WAYS

 

  MY NAME IS _______

HOW TO TELL IN DIFFERENT WAYS

Sometimes,  it seems awkward to ask anyone’s name in the same old fashion. So here, I’ve brought for you some impressive ways to request anyone’s name, along with how to tell your name in a more elegant way. You’ll also learn here how to ask anyone’s name in case you’ve forgotten for saving yourselves from embarrassment. 

 

WHAT’S YOUR NAME ?

  • May I know your name, please?
  • How can I address you?
  • What name are you recognized with?
  • What name are you official with?
  • What can I call your ?

You are titled as _____?

 

IN CASE YOU FORGET ANYONE’S NAME

  • It seems embarrassing but may I know your name again?
  • Sorry, it slipped my mind. You are______?
  • Pardon me, I forgot your name again.
  • If my memory doesn’t deceive me, I guess your name is_____.
  • As far as I remember your name is_______
  • I guess you’re addressed as ___________. Am I right?
  • It’s slipping my tongue, I guess you are addressed as ______.
  • If I’m correct , your name is______.
  • If I’m not mistaken, you are called ______.
  • I’m terrible with names. May I know your name again ?
Asking about the news

ANY SPECIAL NEWS? ASKING & REPLYING TO THE NEWS

 

ASKING / REPLYING 

 

ABOUT THE NEWS

 

  IN DIFFERENT WAYS

1. ANY SPECIAL NEWS ?

FORMAL

 

Any news on the stages?

What’s the latest?

What’s the new special?

Any latest events ?

Any latest stories ?

Any recent reports?                

Any latest information?

 

INFORMAL

Anything sizzling?

So, what’s the burning news of the day?

 

2. NOTHING SPECIAL !

Nothing wonderful !

Nothing so great !

Nothing exceptional !

Nothing remarkable !

 

3. GOOD NEWS !

Yes, wonderful news here !

Here’s a great news regarding……..

Yes ,I ‘ve a wonderful news from …….. 

Yes, You got some great news.

4. REALLY A GOOD NEWS 

This is truly wonderful news.

This is indeed wonderful news.

This is really exciting news.

That is really excellent news.

Oh, this news made my day!

This news killed the worries of the day. 

4.NOT A GOOD NEWS/ BAD NEWS

FORMAL

Sorry, unfavorable news!

Sorry but, unpleasant news.

INFORMAL

Extremely sorry, but you have unflattering news today.

Sorry but, unfriendly news today!

5. REACTION TO A BAD NEWS

I’m really sad to hear that.

So sad to learn that

Heartbroken to learn that!

Shocked to hear this!

I’m so sad to discover that

Disappointed to learn that

PREVIOUS- NICE TO MEET YOU

JOB RELATED IDIOMS / WORKPLACE BASED IDIOMS – FORMAL STATEMENTS PART 2

IDIOMS

APPLICABLE

TO

WORKPLACE

Read all the idioms carefully with their meanings and explanations. 

Afterward, take the quiz to check your understanding.

1. Get one’s feet under the table – to get confident in a new job
2. Go back to square one– to start over
3. Blue-sky thinking – creative and imaginative thinking.

4. Get your ducks in a row– to organize your task and schedule
5. Roll up your sleeves– to prepare to work hard
6. Learn the hard way – to learn by making mistakes
7. Learn the ropes– to learn how to do a task

TRY TO PICK THE CORRECT OPTION AND CHECK

YOUR ANSWERS BY TAKING THE QUIZ AFTERWARDS-

1.I would like to give my thumbnail work to Jyoti. She is a girl  _________

a. with blue sky thinking.

b. on cloud nine

c. who learns the hard ways

2. Everyone, let’s______ and finish the project within two days.

             a. get our ducks in row

 b. roll up our sleeves

c. get our feet under the table

 3.    If you want to achieve the best results in your line of business,

 try ________ first.

a. blue sky thinking  

b. rolling up your sleeves

c. learning the rope first

             4.    Let’s forget about our last month’s setback and _______

 with a new spirit.

a. go back to square one

b. learn the hard way

c. get our feet under the table

5.   Look at the new staff, he joined the firm a month before and has ___________ so soon.

a. gone back to square one

b. learned the hard way

c. got his feet under the table

6. Jasmine,  you need to ________ before flying on a business trip.  

a. roll up your sleeves

b. learn the hard way

c. get your ducks in a row

7. _______________ brings us remarkable success.

a. learning the ropes

b. learning the hard way

c. getting our feet under the table

TAKE THE QUIZ TO CHECK YOUR ANSWER

[forminator_quiz id="23351"]

NICE TO MEET YOU !



NICE TO MEET YOU!


HOW TO SAY IT IN DIFFERENT WAYS

 

  ( On Formal & Informal Meetings )

ON FORMAL MEETING

Glad to meet you!

Gladden to meet you!

Pleased to meet you !

Pleasure to meet you!

Indeed, glad to meet you!

Glad to have a meet!

Delighted to meet you!

Enthralled to meet you!

Holly Polly! I can’t believe whom I am meeting.

      (When you meet a special personality.)

(Holly Polly expression of surprise)

 

 ON INFORMAL MEETING!

Glad to see you!

Happy to see you!

Good to see you !

Thrilled to meet you !

Glad we could make it !

Glad I caught you !

 

 BEFORE THE MEETING

 

FORMAL  / WHEN YOU MEET A SPECIAL PERSONALITY!

Oh , I am on cloud nine to meet you !

Holly Polly! I can’t believe whom I am going to meet.

Really , enthusiastic to meet!

Can’t wait to meet you !

 

INFORMAL  / WHEN YOU MEET YOUR SPECIAL PERSON!

Am Excited to meet you !

Am Super excited to meet you!

Meeting with you warms the cockles of my heart.

 

AFTER THE MEETING

 

FORMAL / WHEN YOU MEET A SPECIAL PERSONALITY!

Was gratified to meet you !

Was enthralled to meet you !

I was on cloud nine to meet you!

Really, was enthusiastic to meet you!

Encounters with you were heartwarming !

 

INFORMAL/ WHEN YOU MEET YOUR SPECIAL PERSON!

Oh, I was on cloud nine to meet you !

Was Excited to meet you !

Was Super excited to meet you!

Meeting with you warmed the cockles of my heart.

GRAMMAR QUIZ

ONE OF THE – WHAT VERB IS USED , SINGULAR OR PLURAL ? GRAMMAR ERROR PART 2

‘ONE OF THE ‘ TAKES SINGULAR

          OR PLURAL VERB

   COMMON GRAMMAR ERRORS PART 2

HUMBLE REQUEST 

 

The lesson may be a controversial one, so kindly read the entire lecture before drawing any conclusions. 

 

Thank You!

SUBJECT VERB AGREEMENT

SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT WITH ‘ ONE OF THE ‘

For many learners, understanding how to use a verb with the phrase ‘ one of ‘  is a challenging concept in and of itself. I’m attempting to eliminate all of your doubts in this lesson about how to agree on a verb with its subject in such statements,  bearing the phrase ‘ one of ‘.

 

Typically, it is stated that we should only use a singular verb after ‘one of’. But this isn’t always the case. Depending on the number of the subject addressed, the term has varied rules. The singular or plural form of the verb that agrees, depends on the subjects used in the statement i.e. singular or plural.

 

RULE NO 1.

‘ One of ‘

A singular verb or Plural Verb is used depending on the subject used in the statement i.e. singular or plural.

 

Example

One of the games people are mad after is football.

( Here one game has been chosen out of many  )

One of my paintings is spotted badly when I dropped juice on it by mistake.

( Here also among many paintings, his one painting was spotted. )

RULE NO 2

One of the Noun+Relative Clause

 

Read the following statements carefully :-

Which sentence is correct?

This is one of the pens that are precious to me.

This is one of the pens that is precious to me.

One of the most controversial rules. There is an ongoing debate among grammarians on the proper usage of verb agreement, and study in this area is still ongoing. According to some grammarians, both claims are accurate given the user’s intended meaning. Although a lot of them oppose it. We can clear this debate on these two grounds-

 

a. AWARE OF THE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

b. IGNORE THE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE.

 

 

a. AWARE OF THE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

This is one of the pens that are precious to me. 

In this statement,  the verb is inside the relative clause.  ‘ that are precious to me.’ Because it is starting with a relative pronoun ‘ that ‘ and in such cases, we’ll have to be aware of the prepositional phrase. Because as Garner’s  Modern English usage suggests ‘that’ is the subject of the relative clause, and it takes its number from the plural noun to which it refers. 

 

Thus the statement – This is one of the pens that are precious to me.- is the correct one. 

b. IGNORE THE PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE.

This is one of the pens that is precious to me.

In this statement, if we concentrate on ‘one’ ignoring the phrase ‘ of the ‘ , the use of the verb is absolutely correct.

 

This one (pen) is precious to me.  

Thus the statement – This is one of the pens that is precious to me 

– is also the correct one. 

 

After a number of arguments, many of scholars agree with our great, English Author, Joseph Addison from the early 1700s, who freely used both singular and plural verbs as he thought best fit his sentences.

RULE NO 3

‘ More than One of  ‘

Again a controversial rule:-

Commonly with the phrase  ‘ more than one of ‘  only a plural verb must be used.

 Example

More than one of his friends are notorious.

More than one of my cousins are attending my 

friend’s birthday party tonight. 

 

But here also some of the arguments arise regarding the use of singular or plural verbs. Some say that only a singular verb must be used here. 

 

Thus, This explanation can also be understood on two grounds.

a. IF THE CONCENTRATION IS ON THE ONE SUBJECT

b. IF THE CONCENTRATION IS ON PLURAL SUBJECT

 

a. IF THE CONCENTRATION IS ON THE ONE SUBJECT

More than one of my cousins IS attending my friend’s birthday party tonight. 

Now, assume anyone asks me , ‘ Is your only one cousin attending the party tonight?

I’ll answer, ” No, not only one cousin is coming but others are also coming. “

Because here my concentration is only on my one cousin for I know he alone is not coming. 

 

Thus in such case, the singular verb is applied.

b. IF THE CONCENTRATION IS ON PLURAL SUBJECT

I’ll reply,  ” No, others are also coming.  “

So in such cases, a plural verb is suitable. 

More than one of my cousins are attending my friend’s birthday party tonight. 

 

So overall , like rule no2 , here also you are free to use any  verb, singular or plural.

 

– MORE THAN ONE-    Tap to study the topic in detail

RULE NO 4- MY OPINION

 Decide what the subject is !

After going through all these painstaking rules, I’d wish to add my opinion with a conclusion that we must choose the exact subject, we want to indicate

Here are two statements:-

Anjani is one of my students who cares for me a lot.

Anjani  is one of my students who care for  me a lot.

In statement 1 , I wish to express my gratitude to Anjani , my student. That is singular in number. Thus I would use the verb5 ( cares) , singular verb.

In statement 2 , I   wish to express my gratitude to the students who care for me and Anjani is one of them Thus, I’ll choose ( care ) plural verb. 

 

Thus, both the statements are correct. Trust me, none, including great English scholars and good grammar checker websites,  are still sure what verbs to use in such statements. You can use freely any verb, you wish to use.

 

 

Positive reviews are invited.

Thank you!

Happy Learning!

MORE + NOUN + THAN ONE, MORE THAN ONE + NOUN, MORE THAN WITHOUT NOUN – GRAMMAR ERROR PART 1

4 GRAMMAR MISTAKES IN ONE LESSON 

Subject-Verb agreement among the statements, having the following four phrases –

 a. MORE THAN ONE + NOUN

b. MORE THAN ONE OF + NOUN

c. MORE + NOUN + THAN ONE

d. MORE THAN WITHOUT NOUN

MORE_NOUN THAN ONE/ MORE THAN ONE

Depending on the number of nouns used in the statement, the verb that follows the phrase “more than one + noun ” can either be singular or plural.

A.  MORE THAN ONE + NOUN

When the statement carries the phrase ‘

 more than one + noun’ ,  ‘ the noun

 ( subject ),  it carries, must always be singular in number.

Additionally, the verb must also agree with the noun, therefore it must always be singular in accordance. 

 

Examples

  1. More than one birds were sitting on the mango branch. (Incorrect) 

      More than one bird was sitting on the          mango branch.(Correct)

    2. More than one movies were seen

         by me this weekend. ( Incorrect )

       More than one movie was seen by me

        this weekend. ( Correct )

 

B. MORE THAN ONE OF THE + NOUN

Plural nouns are required whenever the word ‘ one of the’ follows a statement and obviously, once the noun (subject) appears in the plural, it accepts the plural verb only. 

Examples

  1. More than one of the bird was making nest together on the mango tree. ( Incorrect )

        More than one of the birds were making nest together on the mango tree.

( Correct )

 

    2. More than one of my kite was torn with the gust of wind. ( Incorrect )

        More than one of my kites were torn with the gust of wind. ( Correct )

 

Note: after the phrase ‘ one of ‘ always use a suitable determiner.
Leran the lesson in detail – 8 KINDS OF DETERMINERS 

 

C. MORE + NOUN THAN ONE 

If the statement has the phrase ‘ noun + than ‘ just before ‘ one’, the noun ( Subject ) must be plural in number & as obvious, the verb must agree with the noun, so it must always be plural in number. 

 

  1. More sparrow than one was flying across the river.

                                                                           ( Incorrect )

      More sparrows than one were flying across the river.

                                                                              (Correct )

     2. More boy than one has been playing cricket

         on the playground since morning.    ( Incorrect )

         More boys than one have been playing cricket on the

         playground since morning.                  ( Correct )

NOTE: Some websites and grammar checkers may provide you with confusing responses.

A detailed explanation is provided in ‘ The American Heritage Book of English Usage.’

D. MORE THAN ONE WITHOUT NOUN

When a statement has the phrase 

‘ more than one ‘ but no noun, it signifies that the assertion is independent. In such contexts, the verb can be agreed upon according to its usage. Specifically, depending on the connotation it conveys, both singular and plural verbs are appropriate.

 

Understand it with these two short conversations:- 

a. When it demonstrate ‘oneness’, the singular verb is used.

Shikha : How many apples did you consume today, Snehil ?

Snehil : I consumed six.

Shikha : More than one is unhealthy to consume.

(Denotes that ‘ eating more than one apple’,  is bad for your health.)

b. But, the plural verb is used to display things individually.

Nupur: How many apples have you plucked today, Radha r?

Radha: Simply one, You too?

Nupur: No, more than one have been plucked by me.

( Denotes some apple )

NOTE: Some websites and grammar checkers may provide you with confusing responses.
A detailed explanation is provided in ‘ The American Heritage Book of English Usage.’

Check how much you could understand :-

  1. More than one birds were sitting on the mango branch. 
  2. More sparrows than one was flying across the river.
  3. More boys than one have been playing cricket on the playground since morning.
  4.  More than one of the squirrels were crawling under the mangrove tree.
  5. More than one butterflies were sitting on the sunflowers. 
  6. More hours than one was spent on this project
  7. More than one of the bird was making a nest together on the mango tree.

ANSWER

  1. bird was
  2. one were
  3. correct
  4. correct 
  5. butterfly was
  6. were
  7.  were making

If you wish to say anything, kindly share through comment section

Thank You!

Happy Learning !

ONE OF THE
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