Which expression is used for emphasis?

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Personal Pronouns Practice

COMMON MISTAKES:

l Common mistakes with verbs
l we will take a look at some common mistakes in the use of some verbs.

Incorrect: She told to me about it.
Correct: She told me about it.

l The verb tell should be followed by an indirect object without ‘to’.
Incorrect: She told that she wasn’t interested.
Correct: She told me that she wasn’t interested. OR She said that she wasn’t interested.

l When tell is used with a that-clause, it takes an indirect object.
Incorrect: I want that you talk to him.
Correct: I want you to talk to him.

l The verb want cannot be followed by a that-clause. It is followed by a to-infinitive.
Incorrect: The doctor suggested to take a vacation.
Correct: The doctor suggested that I take a vacation. OR The doctor suggested taking a vacation.

l The verb suggest should be followed by a that-clause or an ing form. It cannot be followed by a to-infinitive.
Incorrect: I would like to discuss about your plans.
Correct: I would like to discuss your plans.
Incorrect: Can you describe about this picture in hundred words?
Correct: Can you describe this picture in hundred words?
Incorrect: She requested for my help.
Correct: She requested my help.

l The verbs describe, discuss and request are transitive verbs. Transitive verbs should be followed by objects. They do not take a preposition before the object.

After all & at all

After all
This expression is used for saying that something is true in spite of what was said, done or planned before. When after all is used with this meaning, it usually goes at the end of the clause.

l I managed to answer very few questions. I passed the test after all.

l I’m sorry, but we are backing out of the deal after all.

l Tom wasn’t keen on becoming a lawyer. He went to law school after all.

l This expression is also used for giving a reason to explain something you have said. With this meaning, after all can go at the beginning or at the end of the clause.

l She should be able to live on her own she is twenty, after all.

l I do like him. After all, he is my brother.

l I’m not all that ambitious. After all, money can’t buy happiness.

l Don’t punish him. After all, he is a mere child.

 

At all
l This expression is used for emphasis. It is used when you are asking or saying whether something is even slightly true. It is common after words such as nothing, anything, anyone and any.
l Does she speak any English at all?
l He doesn’t know anything at all about computers.
l Has her health improved at all?
l The situation hasn’t improved at all.
l I haven’t got any money at all.

 

Deny and refuse

Incorrect: He denied my offer of help.
Correct: He refused my offer of help.
Incorrect: He refused taking the money.
Correct: He denied taking the money.

To deny is to say that something is not true.

l To refuse is not to take what is offered or not to do what one is asked to do.
Explain me and explain to me
Incorrect: Please explain me this problem.
Correct: Please explain this problem to me.

Fairly and rather
Incorrect: Please close the window. It is fairly cold.
Correct: Please close the window. It is rather cold.
l Fairly and rather both mean ‘somewhat’. Fairly is used to express a desirable or pleasant idea.
l The car is fairly big. It should be able to seat 8 people.
l Rather is used to express an undesirable or unpleasant idea.
l The car is rather big. I don’t think I will be able to drive it.

Far & A long way
Incorrect: The station is far from here.
Correct: The station is a long way from here.
Incorrect: The hostel is not a long way from here.
Correct: The hostel is not far from here.
l Far is common in questions and negative sentences. In affirmative sentences we use a long way.
l Far can be used in affirmative clauses with too, enough, as and so.
l Far can also be used to modify comparatives, superlatives and too.
l He is by far the best player in the team.
l She is far older than her husband.

Underline the conjunctions
l Conjunctions are words used to connect two words, phrases or clauses. Underline the conjunc- tions in the following sentences.
1. Give me something to drink or else I will die of thirst.
2. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
3. I hear that you are going abroad.
4. My grandfather died before I was born.
5. I shall be upset if you do it.
6. You cannot go unless you have his permission.
7. He fled lest he should be killed.
8. I did not go because I had not been invited.
9. Water and oil do not mix.
10. He is richer than his brother.
11. We can travel by land or water.
12. He asked whether he might take a day off work.
13. We reached home before the storm came.

Answers
1. Give me something to drink or else I will die of thirst.
2. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.
3. I hear that you are going abroad.
4. My grandfather died before I was born.
5. I shall be upset if you do it.
6. You cannot go unless you have his permission.
7. He fled lest he should be killed.
8. I did not go because I had not been invited.
9. Water and oil do not mix.
10. He is richer than his brother.
11. We can travel by land or water.
12. He asked whether he might take a day off work.
13. We reached home before the storm came.