vii
Preface
This book focuses on the grammatical problems that prevent speakers at your level from achiev-
ing a native-like command of English grammar. While the book covers most areas of English
grammar, it has a heavy concentration on those aspects of grammar that have proven to be the
greatest obstacles for intermediate and advanced nonnative speakers.
The book has an unusual format. Most topics are broken into small mini-units, most of
them no more than a page or two. Each of these mini-units is supported by an exercise cover-
ing just the material in that mini-unit. The explanations help you understand the material, but
it is the exercises that enable you to gain active control over it. All of the exercises have complete
answers in the back of the book. It is very important for you to work through these exercises.
There is a world of difference between the passive knowledge gained by reading the explanations
and the active command gained by writing out the exercises.
English Grammar Drills is organized into three parts: Part 1 covers noun phrases, the fi rst of
the two fundamental building blocks of English grammar. Noun phrases function as the subjects
of sentences, the objects or complements of verbs, and the objects of prepositions.
Part 2 explores verb phrases, the second of the two fundamental building blocks of English
grammar. Verb phrases contain three components: the verb, the complement, and the optional
adverbs.
Part 3 examines sentences. The main topics are how to form and use active and passive
sentences, how to form questions and negatives, and how to change direct quotations to indirect
quotations.
Each chapter is self-contained. Unlike a conventional textbook, you do not need to start on
page 1. You may begin with whatever topic you would like to gain more active control over.
(i-viiiB,001-328B) whl bk.indd vii 3/16/09 12:33:53 PM
This page intentionally left blank
Noun Phrases
PART 1
(i-viiiB,001-328B) whl bk.indd 1 3/16/09 12:33:53 PM
This page intentionally left blank
3

5. everest, mountain
6. actor, harrison ford
7. dixie, song
8. ship, titanic
9. hotel, the ritz
10. planet, mercury
From this point on, we will focus only on common nouns.
Count and noncount nouns
Common nouns are divided into two groups: count and noncount. Count means that we can
make the noun plural and use number words with the noun. Using the noun dog, for example, we
can make the noun plural:
The dogs are in the park.
We can also use number words with dogs: one dog, two dogs, three dogs, and so on. Most nouns
that refer to concrete objects are count nouns.
However, nouns that refer to abstractions and nouns that are used to label things that occur
in undifferentiated masses (as opposed to individual persons, places, or things) are often non-
count nouns. The term noncount means that we cannot count these nouns with number words
or make them plural. For example, the abstract noun luck cannot be counted: we cannot say
X one luck, X two lucks, X three lucks. Also we cannot use the noun as a plural. For example:
*X They have had really bad lucks over the last few years.
* roughout the book, X signi es an incorrect choice or answer.
(i-viiiB,001-328B) whl bk.indd 4 3/16/09 12:33:53 PM
Nouns 5
Count nouns
Most count nouns in English form their plural by adding a sibilant sound written as -s or -es.
Plurals formed this way are called regular plurals. Some nouns form their plural in other ways.
They are called irregular plurals.
The spelling of a regular plural is determined by its pronunciation. If the plural is pro-
nounced as a single sibilant sound pronounced either as /s/ or /z/, then the plural is spelled -s.
However, if the plural is pronounced as a separate unstressed syllable /