Grammar Rules

Made Simple
Contents
Nouns
Conjunctions
Adjectives
Sentence Connectors
Adverbs
Tenses: Present and Past
Subject-Verb Agreement

Common Errors
Singular and Plural Nouns
Articles
Prepositions
Subject-Verb Agreement
Pronouns
Tenses
Passive and Active Voice
Grammar items
-Type of mistakes made 1
-Type of mistake made 2
-Type of mistake made 3

Nouns
Types of Nouns
Common Nouns
Refers to general names of people, animals, places and things
Example: brother, cat, table, school, ’ garden, kitchen, etc.
Proper Nouns
Refers to particular persons, animals or places and things
Example: Reduan, Mr Lim, Kuala Lumpur, Proton, etc.
Abstract Nouns
Refers to an idea, a concept, quality or feeling
Example: truth, ability, pride, hate, love, happiness, etc.
Collective Nouns
Refers to a group of people, animals or things
Example: a herd of elephants, a swarm of bees, a fleet of cars, etc.

Types of Conjunction
(1) To show similar value or function - and, both
Examples:
Mother bought some apples and grapes.
Both of my sisters live in Kuala Lumpur.
(2) To show contrast - but, although, however
Examples:
Lucy can sing well but she cannot dance.
Although she arrived early, the train had already left.
(3) To show consequence or result - so, since
Examples:
Since Jessie was sick she did not go to the concert.
Dennis was not at home so Laila left him a note.
(4) To show reasons - because, as
Examples:
Tommy was punished because he was late for school.
As Ashwin is good in English he must give the speech.
(5) To show two or more actions happening at once - while, when
Examples:
Switch off the lights when you leave the room.
Mrs Wong read a book while waiting for her son.

Adjectives
(1) Adjectives of quality
We saw beautiful flowers.
Swee Lan is generous.
(2) Interrogative adjectives
Where is your new bicycle?
Whose magazine is this?
(3) Distributive adjectives
Every Scout must wear his uniform.
Each student must join the club.
(4) Demonstrative adjectives
The red bag is mine.
Those books are his
(5) Possessive adjectives
Can you please return my CDs tomorrow?
This is their class.
(6) Adjectives of quantity
Robert has many cars.
She brought plenty of food.

Sentence Connectors
(1) To show sequential order – firstly, secondly, next, after that, then, finally
and others
Example:
Firstly, you must wash the vegetables. Then slice them accordingly. Finally, stir fry the
vegetables in a frying pan.
(2) To show cause and effect – consequently, therefore, as a result of, thus
and others
Example:
Darwin did not sturdy for the test. As a result, he could not answer any of the questions.
(3) To show contrast – on the other hand, on the contrary, in contrast, in
comparison and others
Example:
Amy likes to go to the beach. In contrast, her sister Lisa likes to go mountain climbing.
(4) To show additional information – besides, furthermore, in addition,
also and others
Example:
Besides nurses, we need doctors. In addition, we will also welcome medical supplies for
the refugees.
(5) To show similar ideas – similarly, likewise, also and others
Example:
I had dinner at home. Similarly, my friend Julie also had dinner at home last night.

Types of Adverbs
(1) Adverbs of place - Tell us where an action takes place
Example:
Leave your bags here.
The post office is across the road.
(2) Adverbs of time – Tell us when an action takes place
Examples:
Mother is cooking dinner now.
John is leaving for Japan soon.
(3) Adverbs of manner – Tell us how an action is carried out
Example:
The girl ran quickly up the stairs.
The man donated generously to the cause.
(4) Adverbs of degree – Tell the degree or extent of an action
Example:
The driver was severely injured.
I need more time to complete the test.

Tenses: Future and Past

(Talking about action)
(1) Present tense
-To express general truth
-To show habitual action
- To give orders for instructions
(2) Past Tense
-Talk about something that has already happened
-To talk about an action that was completed in the past

Subject-verb Agreement
(Must agree in number)
(1) Singular subject
-Takes singular verb
-Add ‘-s’ to singular verbs
-Uncountable, abstract and collective nouns take singular verbs
(2) Plural subject
-Takes plural verb
-Plural verbs retain the original form
-Compound subject takes plural verbs

Examples:
Singular
-Ann works hard in school.
-Mother likes to sing.
-The information is confidential.
-A herd of elephants runs into the village.
Plural
-They work hard in school.
-Mother and Father like to sing.
-We attend tuition class every day.
-You and Ali are late.

COMMON ERRORS
Singular and Plural Nouns
(a) Singular Nouns
There is a house at the top of the hill.
I don’t have a sister.
The boy is playing in the field.
(b) Plural Nouns
There are only a few houses at the top of the hill.
She has five sisters.
Some boys are playing in the field.
(c) X - Wrong
There are only a few house at the top of the hill.
She has many sister.
Some boy are playing in the field. "

Exercise
She arranged the (furniture/furnitures) in this room. ______
She bought a sack of (rice/rices) from the grocery shop._____
Benjamin’s best friend gave him some good (advice/advices).____
Her beautiful hazel brown (eye/eyes) are simply captivating._____
The (food/foods) they packed for the camping trip went bad.______
We saw the (fruit/fruits) of our labour on the orphan’s happy faces.____
Puan Atira has four (child/children); two boys and two girls._____
There were two (man/men) and three (woman/women) teachers in the
staffroom._____
There are more (chicken/chickens) in the world than any other kind of bird._____
Did you know that (baby/babies) are born without kneecaps?_____
She saw a (mouse/mice) in the kitchen._____
The children are riding their (bicycle/bicycles)._____

Articles
Article ✓ Right X Wrong

A Please fetch Please fetch

me asweater. They me answeater. They
had ahard time with had thehard time
the exam. with the exam.
An He is an ugly man. He is a ugly man.
That is anenormous That is a enormous
cake. cake.
The Please hand Please hand
me thebrown book. me abrown book. Dry
Dry your wet shoes your wet shoes
under the sun. under asun.
Exercise
Write the correct words in the spaces provided.
This is a book you need to study for a quiz tomorrow.____
He borrowed few books from the library yesterday._____
She only had little money left in her bank account._____
It was a honour to be invited to the Oscars._____
Janet was a outstanding athlete in college._____
We need to take an action immediately to solve the problem of water pollution.____
He was given a rewards for his honesty and kindness._____
If you read a lot of books, you get a knowledge._____
It becomes dry when you expose it to sun.____
Father went to bank yesterday to perform some transactions._____
An university will be built not too far away from the town centre.____
She threw the fit when she was voted off the singing competition._____

Subject-Verb Agreement
The subject of a sentence must agree with the verb of a sentence:
-In number: singular vs. plural
-In person: first, second, or third person

✓ Right X Wrong

They are running the marathon They is running the marathon

tomorrow. tomorrow.
Everyone has some money. Everyone have some money.
The characters in the The characters in the
play live in a world of fantasy. play livesin a world of fantasy.
R. K. Narayan’s The Man-eater R. K. Narayan’s The Man-eater
of Malgudi is my favourite of Malgudi are my favourite
novel. novel.
Neither Anna’s parents nor her Neither Anna’s parents nor her
husband approves of her husband approve of her
actions. actions.
* When the subjects are joined
by “nor” or “or,” the verb agrees
with the closer subject (the last
one)
Exercise 4
Write the correct words in the spaces provided.
Somebody are playing a prank on me!____
His aunt, together with his cousins, is going to visit the zoo tomorrow.____
Everyone say good bye to Alexander when it are time to leave._____
The tall and handsome man are coming this way._____
No one are happy with the decision to postpone the wedding._____
Selene and the twins is going swimming tomorrow at Damansara._____
After Gillian finishes her lunch, she wash up and go to bed._____
Like his sister, he have a lovely pair of hazel eyes._____
Several families in the area has moved in fear of more landslides and floods._____
Some students was caught smoking in the washroom._____

Pronouns
Pronouns ✓ Right X Wrong

Personal Pronouns She and I had a I and she had a

I, you, he, she, it, we, fight. fight.
you, they
Possessive pronouns My mother My mother
mine, yours, his, hers, likesher new likeshis new
ours, yours,theirs hairstyle very hairstyle very
much. much.
Reflexive pronouns She shamelessly She shamelessly
myself, yourself, praised herself in praised himselfin
himself, herself, itself, front of the class. front of the class.
ourselves,
yourselves,themselves
Exercise
Write the correct words in the spaces provided.
I blamed me for not handling the situation well enough.____
They were kind because them knew what it was like to be homeless and alone.____
The boy always does her homework promptly._____
The cat licks it paws himself.____
It’s tail is full of mud.____
“Please behave yourself! ” the teacher scolded the whole class._____
That one over there is your, this one is my.____
“We made the cake ourself,’’ said the twins.____
I saw him admiring him in the mirror._____
I wrote the story itself._____
They helped themself to some food at the party._____
The lonely girl often talks to himself.____

Tenses
Tenses ✓ Right X Wrong

Simple present He plays football every He playing football every

tense weekend. weekend.
Simple past tense Yesterday, I came to school. Yesterday, I come to school.
Simple future tense Tomorrow, I will go to my Tomorrow, I will going to
tuition. my tuition.
Present continuous I am watching television I watching television now.
tense now.
Past continuous She was reading a book when She is reading a book when
tense he called. he called.
Present perfect She has eaten her lunch She has eat her lunch
tense already. already.
Past perfect tense They had gone went you They have gone when you
arrived. arrived.

Exercise
Write the correct words in the spaces provided.
They plays football in the park every weekend._____
The patient die of a heart attack.____
Has Nancy took her vitamins yet?_____
He was late for the meeting. Luckily, no one notice._____
While I am watching television last night, someone called me._____
The nurse noticed that the baby has turned blue and wasn’t breathing._____
When my father was doing his work in his study, we will not disturb him.____
I am living in Kepong since last September._____
The phone rung while I was doing my homework._____
I have receive your letter last month._____
Has anyone ever tell you to knock before you enter a room?_____
Have you wrote a note to your grandfather to thank him for the present?_____

Grammar items ✓ Right X Wrong

The use of Contractions Contractions can only be used Do not use contractions such
in writing dialogues and as I’m, don’t or couldn’t in
informal letters. exams

The use of Modals + also Richard can also make ... Richard also can make ...

Pronoun I used with a group My friends and I ... My family I and my friends ... I and my
of people and I . . . family ...

Interrogative Pronouns What is your name? Who is your name?

what, when, why, where, To whom did you To who did you
who, whom, whose, how call? Whois your mother? call? Whoseis your mother?

Verb after Prepositions
By sitting on the chair, you
will be served.
Before going to school, take
your bag.
After coming to my house,
he likes it.
By sit on the chair, you will
be served.
Before go to school, take your
bag.
After come to my house, he
likes it.

Exercise
Write the correct words in the spaces provided.
After tied up the thief, I called the police immediately._____
“Stop cry or I will hit you,” he shouted angrily._____
This problem can be solved by control pollution that area._____
I saw a man climbed over the gate of my neighbour._____
On Chinese New Year’s Eve I and my family have dinner together._____
John also will go to her house._____
Who should Ali give the book to?_____
The watch, who belongs to the boy, is with the teacher now._____

Type of mistakes made 1

Types of mistakes made ✓ Right X Wrong 1

Gerund Walking is good for us. I Walk is good for us. I

Verb ending with -ing that like playing football. likeplay football.
can function as a noun.

1 Doubts about using to + I am used to playing chess. I am used to play chess.

| -ing I am looking forward I am looking forward to play
(Verb + preposition + -ing) toplaying chess. Ichess.
j Modals/Auxiliary Verb I can fly to England. I can flew to England.
(can, could, may, might, He might break the glass. He might broken the glass.
must, need to, ought to, shall, We should play the game. We should played the game.
should, will, would) *After a modal, use a root
:- word, in whatever situation.

Exercise
Write the correct words in the spaces provided.
If you have a car, you can travelled around Penang easily._____
When she is free, she will helps us voluntarily._____
He can easily recognises his old friends because they were very close.____
Suddenly, I saw a group of people walk towards me angrily._____
She is used to read books under the tree._____
I will be looking forward to hear from you soon as I miss you very much._____
The boys and the girls ought to go and practising in the field._____
Never stop remind them about the importance of the examination._____

Type of mistake made 2

Type of mistakes made ✓ Right X Wrong

| Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverb forms The happiness is what I am The happy is what I am
seeking. seeking.
The shop assistant could The shop assistance could
not help much. not help much.
The difference between the The different between the
two products is not much. two products is not much.

Exercise
Write the correct words in the spaces provided.
Mrs Lee has an eight-years-old daughter.
I have just returned from a ten months holidays.
Outside the corridor, I took a deep breathe in.
They were boring by the film which they saw many times.
We had a very frightened experience in my school.
In spite of his injured, he decided to take part in that competition.

Type of mistake made 3

Type of mistakes made ✓ Right X Wrong

Choice, of words
The teacher advises them to behave. The teacher advices them to
Please lend your book to me. j behave.
The principal is very strict. Please borrow your book to
| me.
The principle is very strict.
Exercise
Write the correct words in the spaces provided._____
Please do not lift the classroom until you complete your examination._____
The shop assistance was kind and I was able to buy what I wanted._____
Respect for one’s elders is very importance in Asian society._____
I ought to advice him to be good and courteous when he visits his grandparents._____
The clean in the room must be maintained at all times._____
She went home because her stomach was hurt._____
She was happy to receive male from home._____
We seen all five of children at the park._____
I like this dress better then that one._____
Its getting late, I must go home now._____
Their going to Hawaii on their honeymoon._____
The village was badly effected by the flood._____

Comparative & Superlative Nouns

old - older - oldest
beautiful - more beautiful - most beautiful little - less - least much - more - most far -
further -furthest
Conjunctions
and, or, for, but, nor, so, yet
Correlative Conjunctions
either/or, neither/nor, both/and, whether/or, not/but, not only /but also
Conjunctive Adverbs
according, consequently, finally, furthermore, however, moreover, nevertheless,
otherwise, then, therefore
Quantitative Adjectives
whole, any, some, a few, a little, many, much, several, plenty
Demonstrative Adjectives
this, these, that, those

Exercise
Write the correct words in the spaces provided.
These cattle is hers._____
I don’t have some money with me now but I will get it for you from my house._____
She is tallest of the two girls chosen for the competition._____
Between Sally and Sofea, I like Sally best._____ (most)
Neither the father or the son is contented with the present situation._____ (nor)
Neither Samuel nor the boys likes to play football._____ (like)
“Its time to take a break and come back in ten minute’s time,” said the
principal.____ (It's)
Harry is the fatter and taller of the three boys in class 5B._____ (fattest, tallest)
The table is very heavy for Lisa to carry into her room._____
You can find the toys in the children department there._____
Evelyn practiced the piano; however her brother practiced the violin._____
Only a little children turned up for the party, so there were a lot of food
leftover._____
1. This VS These

That VS Those

This – ini (satu) That – itu (satu)

These – ini (banyak) Those – itu (banyak)

e.g.:

Answers

1. This gadgets are used in today’s technology. These

2. These flower is given to Helen on Valetine’s Day. This

3. Those car under the tree is mine. That

4. That machines in the factories are made in Japan. Those

2. Verbs (Kata Kerja) after ‘finish’, ‘enjoy’, ‘start’, add ‘+ing’

e.g.:

Answers

1. My father enjoys swim in the morning. swimming

2. The kids started play football since they were four. playing

3. Most of the lecturers drive back home after they finish work. working

4. We have finished eat when the guests came. eating

5. The players enjoyed play the friendly match with the players from another state. playing

3. Preposition
in VS at VS on

TIME

at– specific time

e.g.: at 7 o’clock, at night

on– days and dates

e.g.: on Monday, on 17 June 2001

in – non-specific times during a day, a month, a year, or a season.

e.g.: in the afternoon, in July, in 2009, in summer.

PLACE

at – specific address

e.g.: at 97, Jalan Roket, Sibu, Sarawak.

on – name of streets

e.g.: on Jalan Roket.

in – town, states, countries, and continents

e.g.: in Sibu, in Sarawak, in Malaysia, in Asia.

e.g.:

Answers

1. Danny loves jogging at the morning at 7am. in

2. In Thursday, we will have a surprise party for the new president of Rotary Club. On

3. In six o’clock sharp, we will start the opening ceremony. At

4. I live in Jalan Klang now. on

5. At China, you can find many cheap products. In

6. Two years ago, he lived in 87 Bondi Street in Sydney. at

 6. Pronoun

her/his/its/my/their/our + something/someone

Her dia punya (perempuan)

His Dia punya (lelaki)

Its Dia punya (haiwan/benda/perkara)

My Saya punya

Their Mereka punya

Our Kami/ Kita punya

e.g.: Her bottle is in my house

His car looks new.

My hobby is playing football.

hers/his/mine/theirs/ours –> di hujung ayat

Hers dia punya (perempuan)

His Dia punya (lelaki)

Mine Saya punya

Theirs Mereka punya

Ours Kami/ Kita punya

e.g.: The bottle in my house is hers.

 The new car is his.

Playing football is a hobby of mine.

e.g.:

Answers

1. Bryan has three sisters, her eldest sister is working as a nurse now. his

2. Last Monday, my mother had their tumour removed. her

3. Those skirts are the girls’. The dresses are also hers. theirs

4. I have a dog named Lily. Last month, I took her dog to the vet. my

5. Children like to eat fast food. However, as adults, we need to make sure they diet is balanced. their

7. Conjunction

or VS and VS but

Meanings:

or – atau

and – dan

but – tetapi

e.g.:

Answers

1. The library is giving out free reference books, dictionaries, or novels. and

2. The train is supposed to stop and the brake is broken and the passengers are in danger now. but
 3. You can either stay negative for the rest of the week and do something to change what you are feeling
or
now.

4. In 2015, four firemen: Sean, Jackson, Billy, or Philip had helped rescue 30 people who were trapped in
and
a fire in New York.

8. it’s VS its

he’s Vs his

there VS their

then VS than

These words are always paired together in PT3 questions, as they sound very similar.

Often,

If ‘it’s’ is underlined, the probable answer is ‘its’.

If ‘he’s’ is underlined, the probable answer is ‘his’.

Meanings:

it’s –> it is/it has

its –> dia puya

he’s –> he is / he has

his –> dia punya (lelaki)

there –> di sana

their –> mereka punya

then –> ketika itu

than –> dari/daripada

e.g.:

Answers
1. He should not have parked he’s car near the tree. his

2. Mount Kinabalu is beautiful. It’s view on mountain is magnificent. Its

3. Many people are looking for a job now. They are sending there resumes to every company they can
their
find.

4. Most people are stronger then they think they are. They just have to believe in what they do. than

5. Now and than, we will organize a reunion for everyone from class 2013. then

6. We’d like to send some gifts to our teachers in school as they are having there teacher’s day
their
celebration there.