Binomials, Trinomials or Binomial Pairs – 10 Minute Grammar

  1. All in all: When everything is considered

All in all, it was a great experience staying at this holiday resort.

  • (Cost/pay) An arm and a leg: to cost/pay a lot of money

The lawsuit cost an arm and a leg to the company and it has impacted the profitability.

  • Back and forth: from one place to another and back again repeatedly

She was quite worried and clueless; walking back and forth in the lobby with no idea what exactly she wanted.

  • Beg, steal or borrow: to do whatever is necessary to get something

The moment any politician realizes having lost ground before the election, they scramble to beg, steal or borrow to appease them.

  • (in) Black and white: in a way that makes people or things seem completely bad or good, or completely right or wrong

I understand that this is not a black-and-white decision for anyone to make (= where the difference between two choices is completely clear)

It certainly is a complex issue for us, but our boss only sees it in black and white.

  • Born and bred: born and having grown up in a particular place with a particular background and education

I am born and bred in Chandigarh. So, you will see a lot of connection with typical Punjabi in me.

  • By and large: used when you are saying something that is generally, but not completely, true

By and large, Michael’s endeavors to reach out to the clients was not a futile exercise. He did win the confidence of them, and our team escaped from losing this project.

  • By hook or by crook: using any method you can, even a dishonest one

Sportsmanship does matter in any game and the world has always booed those players who want to win the game by hook or by crook.

  • Culture vulture (noun, humorous): a person who is very interested in serious art, music, literature, etc.

There is always something to satisfy the thousands of culture vultures who descends in the city of Ahmedabad.

  1. Done and dusted: completely finished

The last-moment flurry of activities means that he will have some loose ends to tie up on this weekend, and that is his job done and dusted and right on the track and schedule.

  1. Down and out: without money, a home or a job, and living on the streets

I really did not like the climax of that movie, because it is hard for the audience to see the lead hero down and out. People are generally interested to see a happy ending along with the journey of surprises. But that was not the case.

  1. Down and out: certain to be defeated

In the first forty hours, everyone felt that India was down and out against its arch-rival, but Dhoni came and changed the tempo with the furry of sixers. And guess what? We won the match with three balls to spare.

  1. Far and away (followed by comparative or superlative adjectives): by a very great amount

Virat Kohli is far and away the best batsman of this era.

  1. Far and wide: over a large area

The police officers cordoned the area and search for terrorists far and wide in the Kashmir valley. Eventually, success touched their feet after two days.

  1. First and foremost: more than anything else

First and foremost, we all need to reach the root of the cause in order to address this issue precisely or we will end up wasting our time.

  1. Flesh and blood: when you say that somebody is flesh and blood, you mean that they are a normal human with emotions, needs, and weakness

A good businessman considers the customer is flesh and blood, not just a sales statistic or a target to meet.

  1. Your (own) flesh and blood: a person that you are related to

Putting his own father in jail? That was really cruel. How could Aurangzeb do this to his own flesh and blood?

  1. From rags to riches: from being extremely poor to being very rich

It is a classic learning tale of rags to riches.

  1. Give or take: if something is correct to give or take a particular amount, it is approximately correct

It will cost you around $500, give or take $10 dollars or so.

  • Good and proper: completely; thoroughly

Congratulations! You have messed up all good and proper (sarcastic tone).

  • High and mighty: behaving as though you think you are more important than other people

It is a little easy to come on high and mighty over stealing and morality when you have never experienced poverty to death.

  • High and dry: in a difficult situation, without help or money

She will never object to his husband’s condescending attitude because he helped her high and dry before they got married. She always sees him as an angel.

  • Hustle and bustle: a large amount of activity and work, usually in a noisy surrounding

You know why I love living in the countryside because I hate the city’s hustle and bustle.

  • In black and white: in writing or in print

There is everything in black and white when you read the agreement.

  • Law and order: a situation in which people live obey the law and behave in a peaceful way

Law and order is worsening every day. It is sad to see young girls being raped everywhere. Although I have done nothing wrong, I feel ashamed of being a part of this shameful society.

  • Let bygones be bygones: to decided to forget about disagreements that happened in the past

I guess it is time for us to come to the ground of reconciliation or we will keep on bleeding each other for the years come. I urge you, “Let bygones be bygones.”

  • Little by little: slowly; gradually

Charismatic leaders may not rise overnight, but their consistent efforts take them to their destination little by little.

  • Live and learn: used to say that one has learned something from an experience that is surprising and usually unpleasant

If I go back in my life, I guess I could have done a lot many things and I would have also not done certain things, but you live and learn.

  • Loud and clear: in a way that is very easy to understand

I hear you loud and clear.

  • Mumbo jumbo: language or ceremony that seems complicated and important but is actually without real sense or meaning; nonsense

To her naivety, Rebecca could not comprehend a maze of dense and mumbo jumbo legal terms and ended up losing plenty of money.

  • No ifs and buts: no uncertainties or doubts

I want no ifs and buts, just get your acts together. I want to see this report on my table tomorrow morning.

  • Not in any (in no) way, shape or form: under any circumstances or conditions
  • Now and then: from time to time; occasionally

Now and then when I see her face, she takes me away to that special place and if I’d stare too long, I’d probably break down and cry. (sung by the band, Guns & Roses – Sweet Child of Mine)

  • Now or never: this is the only opportunity somebody will have to do something

You’ve got to decide now. It now or never!

  • Odds and ends: small items that are not valuable or are not part of a larger set

Before I move to Canada, I have plenty of odds (=small jobs) and ends to do.

  • Part and parcel: an essential part

Professional hazards and negligence are part and parcel in life, but it is not acceptable.

  • Pride and joy: someone or something that makes someone very proud and happy

Our kids are our pride and joy. Life without them is incomplete.

  • (the) Pros and cons: the advantages and disadvantages of something

The company weighed upon the pros and cons of this proposal and finally decided against it.

  • Pure and simple: used after the noun that it refers to in order to emphasize that there is nothing but the thing you have just mentioned involved in something

It is negligence, pure and simple.

  • Rise and shine: wake up and get out of bed promptly

Rise and shine tomorrow, my son. It is your graduation ceremony time.

  • Rough and ready: crude but effective; (of a person or place) unsophisticated or unrefined

The way he trains is rough and ready, but we have not seen any better trainer than him to date. Maybe he is not the first choice for our team!

It was a rough-and-ready guide to our training module.

  • Safe and sound: you say that someone is safe and sound when they are still alive or unharmed after being in danger

All his mother was hoping for was that wherever his son was he would come home safe and sound. To her disappointment, it was not the case. You cannot take control of your own destiny, can you? – that was the morale of the tale.

  • Short and sweet: pleasant but not lasting a long time

Listen, buddy, I am running late so I don’t have enough time to explain it in detail. Therefore, I will make it short and sweet.

  • Sick and tired: bored to the point of weariness

Joanna’s erratic behavior makes everyone sick and tired in our team. I think she will have to go now. Enough is enough!

  • Sink or swim: to be in a situation where you will either succeed by your own efforts or fail completely

You have only two days to prepare well for the IELTS exam. Sink or swim.

  • (a) Song and dance: if you make a song and dance about something, you complain or talk about it too much when this is not necessary

I agree with you that some people are oversensitive and others are just as indifferent. Both types are as good as nothing because the oversensitive has a tendency of making a song and dance while the indifferent enjoys the best of brazenness in all aspects.

  • Sooner or later: at some time in the future, even if you are not sure exactly when

Mark my word; you will realize your folly sooner or later. Their family has no conscience and will do anything for money.

  • Spick and span: neat and clean
  • Step by step: so as to progress gradually and carefully from one stage to the next
  • Take it or leave it: 1. used to say that you do not care if somebody accepts or rejects your offer 2. used to say that somebody does not have a strong opinion about something
  • (the) The nitty-gritty: the basic or most important details of an issue or a situation
  • Through thick and thin: even when there are problems or difficulties
  • Time after time: often; on many or all occasions
  • Time and time again: often; on many or all occasions
  • Tit for tat: a situation in which you do something bad to somebody because they have done the same to you
  • Tom, Dick, or Harry: any ordinary person rather than the people you know or people who have special skills or qualities
  • (fight) Tooth and nail: to fight in a very determined way for what you want

She was all determined to fight her case tooth and nail.

  • Tried and tested/trusted: that you have used or relied on in the past successfully

People in India generally give the first preference to Maruti Suzuki cars as they are tried and tested.

  • Ups and downs: the mixture of good and bad things in life or in a particular situation or relationship

It was a plain story, missing the real ups and downs of life. Maybe this story could be liked by children, but it surely is not meant for adults.

  • Wear and tear: the damage to objects, furniture, property, etc. that is the result of normal use

No insurance policy can cover damage caused by any type of wear and tear so what you are expecting is something unacceptable.

  • Wine and dine: to go to restaurants, etc. and enjoy good food and drink; to entertain somebody by buying them good food and drink

My city offers many amazing opportunities for wining and dining these days.

IELTS Listening Essentials

Recently our students took the IELTS test and shared their experiences with us with regards to the Listening module. Their contributions to this lesson are commendable, and the takeaways from this chapter might help you improve your Listening performance.

Our experience suggests that some students who do well in the classroom while practicing the Listening exercises do not have a similar performance in the actual test. In some cases, they have heard and written the right answer, but they have wrongly spelt out the word. The spelling mistakes here play a spoilsport and drag the score down. So, if you are planning to take a test in the near future, please check your spelling of the following words. They are likely to be repeated in the coming tests.

The following is the list of some words reported by our students who took the test in May and June 2019.

✔️a button 

✔️a caravan 

✔️a gender 

✔️a helmet 

✔️a locker 

✔️a plan 

✔️a sailing class 

✔️a screen 

✔️a size 

✔️a station 

✔️a village 

✔️an attitude 

✔️attacked 

✔️benefits 

✔️culture 

✔️depth * 

✔️efficiency 

✔️electricity * 

✔️external 

✔️fireplaces 

✔️fishing 

✔️golf 

✔️golf 

✔️industry 

✔️lights 

✔️maps 

✔️massage 

✔️menu 

✔️migration patterns 

✔️money 

✔️morning 

✔️occupancy 

✔️painting classes 

✔️stories 

✔️to dismiss 

✔️to explode 

✔️to fear 

✔️weather * 

✔️wood

(* these words are used as answers in every other test more often)

Articles – 10 Minute Grammar

  • We generally do not use ‘The’ before abstract nouns unless they are described in a particular sense:
    1. Men respect life and fear death. (abstract noun)
    1. The death of his father shattered the entire family. (used in a particular sense)
  • Before names of games: Cricket, Tennis, Golf
  • When we say something about or describing nature, where it means the spirit creating and motivating the world of animals and plants etc.
    1. If you do not take care of nature now, your next generation will suffer for it.
    1. I think Mother Nature is going through a worse phase because of global warming.
  • Home: When we use home alone in a sentence i.e, is not preceded or followed by a phrase or descriptive word, the is omitted:
  1. She is at home now. You can go and see her.
    1. She went home early.
    1. My brother arrived home after dark.
  2. Court, church/temple/synagogue/mosque, bed, hospital, prison, school/college/university:

We do not use the before the nouns listed above when these places are visited or used for their primary purpose.

  1. My mother usually goes to bed before 11. (her sleeping pattern)
    1. Let’s meet at church/temple/synagogue/mosque. (for prayer)
    1. When the litigant reached court, he realized leaving important papers behind. (in the case matter)
    1. While returning from school, we decided to visit the dog shelter. ( from school after studying)
  2. Sea: As a sailor when you go to sea, the is omitted. Or maybe as passengers or crew, we omit the.
    1. The commanding officer is going to sea next month and replace his colleague.
    1. I still remember we were at sea last year this time.

However, when we live near the sea or seaside, we do not omit the.

  • Work and office:
    • She is on her way to work.
    • Men are at work.
    • We are getting delayed for a movie because Alex has not returned from work yet.

Office ( a place of work) requires the: Please call me afterward as she is not in the office.

To be in office without the means to hold an official post.

  • Town: Are you in town tomorrow? Oh yes, you can drop in. ( it does not come with the)

Some Useful Phrasal Verbs

  • Peace talks between the USA and Iran have collapsed, and it seems that things are getting messier.

Peace talks between the USA and Iran have broken down, and it seems that things are getting messier.

  • I am trying to calculate which products fetch us good gains and which are dead weights. 

I am trying to work out which products fetch us good gains and which are dead weights.

  • The doctor said, “Initially you will feel intoxicated for some time, but after a few hours the effects of the drug will disappear.”

The doctor said, “Initially you will feel intoxicated for some time, but after a few hours the effects of the drug will wear off.”

  • It is a common sight that people exhaust themselves through overwork. They are unable to enjoy quality time with family.

It is a common sight that people wear themselves out through overwork. They are unable to enjoy quality time with family.

  • Sonali Bendre is a classic example of resilience in adversity. Despite the severity of the disease, she recovered with the help of appropriate drugs.

Sonali Bendre is a classic example of resilience in adversity. Despite the severity of the disease, she pulled through with the help of appropriate drugs.

  • I think we can resolve this issue only by having talks. Or this episode will lead to an acrimonious divorce.

I think we can sort this issue out only by having talks. Or this episode will lead to an acrimonious divorce.

  • When parents start to live apart, it impacts heavily on young children. Because of their troubled childhood, it may lead to juvenile crime in some cases, too.

When parents split up, it impacts heavily on young children. Because of their troubled childhood, it may lead to juvenile crime in some cases, too.

  • Last time, test takers who were not to take the test at our exam center came and we had to turn them away.

Last time, test takers who were not to take the test at our exam center showed up and we had to refuse them to enter.

  • The Chinese government wrongly assumed that India would join the one belt initiative road project, but India stopped being a part of the deal.

The Chinese government wrongly assumed that India would join the one belt initiative road project, but India pulled out of the deal.

  • Indians celebrate Diwali by exploding fireworks.

Indians celebrate Diwali by letting off fireworks.

  • Expecting from those people who do not fulfill their promises will disappoint you in the end.

Expecting from those people who do not fulfill their promises will let you down in the end.

  • She continued working hard after her assignment though she was well aware that she would not do well.

She kept on working hard after her assignment though she was well aware that she would not do well.

  • The journey towards Ontario was delayed because of harsh weather, and no flight took off from the island.

The journey towards Ontario was held up because of harsh weather, and no flight took off from the island.

  • We were expecting a handsome incentive after completion of our project, but the promised incentive did not take place, hurting the sentiments of the whole team.

We were expecting a handsome incentive after completion of our project, but the promised incentive fell through, hurting the sentiments of the whole team.

  • The last cycle of recession wreaked havoc and many employees became jobless.

The last cycle of recession wreaked havoc and many employees ended up jobless.

  • Scientists did some tests on rodents and found medicine had no effect whatsoever.

Scientists carried out some tests on rodents and found that medicine had no effect whatsoever.

  • Large corporations during the winter season in North America spend less on staff costs.

Large corporations during the winter season in North America cut back on staff costs.

  • After a marathon analysis and investigation, the team was successful in removing technical glitches of new software.

After a marathon analysis and investigation, the team was successful in doing away with technical glitches of new software.

  • I was talking to my boss while driving and accidentally the talk was disconnected.

I was talking to my boss while driving and accidentally the talk was cut off.

  • The project manager estimates $10 million to renovate the entire recreational areas and the testing laboratory at university.

The project manager estimates $10 million to do up the entire recreational areas and the testing laboratory at university.

Future Perfect Tense – 10 Minute English Grammar

The sentence formation follows:

  Singular Number Plural Number
1st Person I shall have eaten = I’ll have eaten We shall have eaten = We’ll have eaten
2nd Person You will have eaten = You’ll have eaten You will have eaten = You’ll have eaten
3rd Person He will have eaten = He’ll have eaten  
  She will have eaten = She’ll have eaten They will have eaten = They’ll have eaten
  It will have eaten = It’ll have eaten  

Uses of The Future Perfect Tense:

  1. It is generally used to show the completion of an action by a certain time in the future. We use a time expression beginning with by in most cases: by that time, by the next month, by then, etc.
    • By the end of next month, I think I will have completed this project.
    • By the time you realize your mistake, you will have paid a heavy price for your wrong actions.
    • Before she comes to my place, I shall have left for school.
    • By 2025, the city’s population will have doubled.

Past Perfect Tense – 10 Minute English Grammar

The sentence formation follows:

  Singular Number Plural Number
1st Person I had eaten = I’d eaten We had eaten = We’d eaten
2nd Person You had eaten = You’d eaten You had eaten = You’d eaten
3rd Person He had eaten = He’d eaten  
  She had eaten = She’d eaten They had eaten = They’d eaten
  It had eaten = It’d eaten  

Uses of The Past Perfect Tense:

  1. The past perfect tense is used for actions completed before a certain moment in the past:

Present: My brother has just left for airport. If you hurry you will catch him.

Past: When he arrived, my brother had just left for airport.

I met her father in Canada last year. I had seen him the last ten years before.

  • When two actions happen in the past, it may be necessary to describe which action happened earlier than the other.

When he arrived, my brother had just left for airport.

The child had begun crying before her mother reached the nursery school.

  • The past perfect tense can be used with since/for/always etc. for an action which began the time of speaking in the past, and
    • was still in progression at that time or
    • ended at that time or just before it.
  • He had been a police officer for ten years, and decided to stay in the police department till he reached the retirement.

We had lived in this small village for five years before moving to a big city.

  • The old banyan tree, which had stood in the middle of the garden for 40 years/since before the garden was developed, suddenly crashed to the ground.

Present Perfect Tense – 10 Minute English Grammar

The sentence formation follows:

  Singular Number Plural Number
1st Person I have eaten = I’ve eaten We have eaten = We’ve eaten
2nd Person You have eaten = You’ve eaten You have eaten = You’ve eaten
3rd Person He has eaten = He’s eaten  
  She has eaten = She’s eaten They have eaten = They’ve eaten
  It has eaten = It’s eaten  

Uses of The Present Perfect Tense:

  1. It indicates completed actions in the immediate past: She has just gone out = She went out a few minutes ago.   We have just had supper = We had supper a few minutes ago.
  2. It is also used for an action which happened in the past, and its connection with the present is still maintained and possibly they could repeat in the present time, too: I have seen coyotes in that jungle. This implies that we could also see them in the present time. Daler Mehandi has sung many popular songs. This implies that Daler Mehandi is alive and can sing more.

In some case, the impact of action/result could stretch to the future: You have lost this golden opportunity. It implies that you may never get the same opportunity in the future.

3. Some actions that take place in the present perfect often results in the present: She has had a nightmare. (She is probably still in that trauma).

My car has broken down. (I have to call a taxi for my commuting).

I have completed my report for you. (It means my job is done, and you could now start yours by analyzing it).

4. It is used for an action beginning at some point of time in the past and continuing up to the present moment: We have not met for ages.   I have not received the repeat order for my produce since last month.   She has been sick since last two days.

5. The following adverb or adverb phrases can be used with the Present Perfect Tense:

Just

Often

Never

Ever (in question only)

So far

Till now

Yet (in question and negatives)

Already

Since

For

Today

This week

This month

Lately

Recently

All day

All my life

All the time

Always, etc.

IELTS Grammar

It is a common sight that students (in some cases, teachers, too) worry about the ‘complex structures’ aspect of grammar score in their writing tests. It is nothing but a waste of time.

It makes no sense when students have several complex structures (joining clauses in one sentence using linkers) with full of errors. In the IELTS test, error-free sentences are of great importance if someone wants to achieve an 8-band score. Let us look at the marking parameters here:

Band 8: most sentences are error-free
Band 7: frequent error-free sentences

I explain this fact to students, and yet, they fall in the trap. I can see that most students can write sentences with more than one clause using linkers, such as while, where, when, because, yet and as among others. They are perfectly be categorized as complex structures and do connect ideas. So, why do we need to press the need for more complex structures? I guess we do not need more than that.

Test takers must concentrate on error-free sentences, and should focus on this aspect carefully rather than being experimental on something on which they may mess up their write-up. And, if someone is not able to produce such error-free sentences, they should rely on simple sentences. In the end, your grammar mistakes count!

Future Progressive Tense – 10 Minute English Grammar

Future Progressive Tense

The sentence formation follows:

  Singular Number Plural Number
1st Person I will/shall be eating We will/shall be eating
2nd Person You will be eating You will be eating
3rd Person He will be eating  
  She will be eating They will be eating
  It will be eating  

Uses of The Future Progressive (Continuous) Tense:

  1. It is used as an ordinary progressive tense. Generally, it has a time reference:
    1. There is no IELTS class on Sunday. So, on Sunday students will not be sitting in the classroom.
    1. By this time, I will be traveling to Mumbai
  2. It expresses the future with or without intention.
    1. I will be seeing my professor tomorrow.
    1. I guess he will not be coming with us tomorrow.
    1. I will be writing an email to my boss and tell him about this update.

Past Progressive Tense – 10 Minute English Grammar

The sentence formation follows:

  Singular Number Plural Number
1st Person I was eating We were eating = We’re eating
2nd Person You were eating = You’re eating You were eating = You’re eating
3rd Person He was eating = He’s eating  
  She was eating = She’s eating They were eating = They’re eating
  It was eating = It’s eating  

Uses of The Past Progressive (Continuous) Tense:

  1. The past progressive tense is mainly used for past actions which continued for some time, but we may not have an idea about their exact limits. In other words, it is not important to learn the fact how long it went on. Look at the below-mentioned diagram:

. . . . . . ———————-. . . . . .

  • It can be used without a time reference; indicates gradual development.: It was getting difficult.   The temperature was rising.
  • It can also be used with a time reference; denotes that an action which began prior to that time and probably continued then after, too.
    • At nine I was having breakfast says indirectly that I was in the middle of breakfast at nine, i.e. that I started it before nine.
    • I had breakfast at nine would indicate that I started it at nine.
  • With when and while time expression:
    • When I entered the room, my cat was whining.
  • It is used in the indirect narration; a past equivalent of the present progressive tense:
    • Direct speech: She said, ‘I am leaving this place’.

Indirect speech: She said she was leaving that place.