English capitalization rules: When to capitalize (Continuation)

 

English capitalization rules: When to capitalize

What words need to be capitalized?

Places

If you’re using the name of a place, capitalize it. This applies to everything from tiny Deer Creek to the massive planet Jupiter.

New York City

Lake Victoria

Keep in mind that if you are not using the name of a place but the general word to describe it, you do not capitalize that word.

The Grand Canyon is a good canyon, but I wouldn’t call it “grand.”

Countries, nationalities, and languages

In English, countries, nationalities and languages are capitalized. Country names fall under the category of places, but by extension the names of the people who live there and the adjective form of their culture are also capitalized. This includes languages.

Haiti

a team of Haitians

Haitian cuisine

AUTHOR

Dr L Suresh

Assistant Professor of English

Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science

Coimbatore - 641020

Contact: 9944138137

e-mail ID: sureshenglit@rmv.ac.in

Interesting Facts

 Did you Know? 

·       Iceland is the only country in the world with no Mosquitoes, snakes and other reptiles. Also, there are only a few species of spiders here, and none is harmful to humans.

·       Snail’s Teeth are the strongest natural material on earth, able to withstand pressure high enough to turn carbon into diamond.

·       The Statue of Liberty was made with copper, but due to oxidation, it changed to green.

·       In 1859, 24 rabbits were released in Australia, and within 6 years, the population grew to 2 million.

·       After World War II, women in France who had relations with German Soldiers were shaved bald so that everyone could see that they had betrayed their country.

·       Three people once stole the secret recipe of Coca-Cola and contacted Pepsi to sell it. Pepsi immediately informed Coca-Cola and the FBI about it. 

English Language and Expression

                                                       English Expression

Cry Wolf

-        To ask for help or attention by lying about a situation.

Example:

If you keep crying wolf, nobody is going to help you when you need it.

Money is the root of all evil

-        According to this saying, all immorality and wickedness are caused by money or by people loving money.

Work like a charm

-        If someone works like a charm, it works very well.

Example:

I tried adding account milk to the curry as you suggested, and it worked like a charm. It was delicious.

Invest in

-        To put your energy and resources into something that you think will help you to achieve your goal.

Example:

People who invest their time and money in helping others who are not so fortunate in life say they get a great sense of satisfaction and fulfilment from doing so.

Author: 

Dr M. Selvam

Assistant Professor of English

Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science

Coimbatore – 641 020

Normal English vs Advance English

 

Terms Used for Collective Nouns

 

Terms Used for Collective Nouns

Dear readers, in the previous post we discussed some of the common errors associated with countable and uncountable nouns. In this present post, let us learn some important terms used for collective nouns. A collective noun deals with a collection of things or members.

1.   An assembly of people.

2.   A band of singers.

3.   A board of trustees or directors.

4.   A bunch of grapes, plantains, keys.

5.   A bundle of sticks, old clothes.

6.   A chain of mountains.

7.   A choir of singers.

8.   A class of students, persons.

9.   A cloud of locusts.

10.           A clump or grove of trees.

11.   A code of laws.

12.   A crowd of people.

13.   A pair of shoes.

14.   A series of lectures.

15.   A team of players.

Let us discuss a new topic in the next post.

Author:

Dr. K. Nandhakumar

Assistant Professor of English

Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science (Autonomous)

Coimbatore- 641 020

Subject-Verb Agreement- Common Errors

 

Subject-Verb Agreement- Common Errors

Dear readers, in the previous post we discussed some of the common errors associated with Errors due to Proximity in terms of Subject-Verb Agreement that English as non-native speakers encounter in their daily conversation. In this present post let us learn some important conditions in terms of subject-verb agreement.

1.   “Some” and “any” go with plural or uncountable nouns.

 Examples:

·       I have read some books. (Plural)

·       The students had some fun. (Uncountable)

·       Do you have any friends from Delhi?  (Plural)

·       I will give you any information. (Uncountable)

2.   “Many” and “a few” go only with plural nouns.

Examples:

·       We purchased many computers.

·       They got only a few seats.

3.   “Much” and “a little” go with uncountable nouns.

Examples:

·       There is much juice in the bottle.

·       There is only a little water in the jug.

Let us discuss other conditions in the next post.

Author:

Dr. K. Nandhakumar

Assistant Professor of English

Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science (Autonomous)

Coimbatore- 641 020