by R. S. Karunaratne

Know everything about 'why'

'Why' is a question adverb used to ask for a reason. It can also be used as a relative adverb to give a reason.

1. We use 'why' to ask for the reason for something.

Why are you late?

Why did he leave the university?

Why don't you improve your English?

Why do some people commit crimes?

Why does she avoid me?

2. We use 'why' to ask indirectly, or talk about, reasons.

Do you know why Sam is angry with me?

Some students don't understand why they should learn English.

I want to know why you failed the exam?

There is no reason why you should fail the examination.

They don't know why they came here.

3. We use 'why' to emphasize the reason for something.

The reason why I called the police was to frighten the robbers.

Why he needs another house baffles me.

I don't understand why you need another computer.

They have to understand why workers are shouting slogans.

Now tell me why you came here.

4. We use 'why' to ask informal questions. In such questions we usually omit the verb or the auxiliary (helping) verb.

Why all this fuss about cricket?

Why no transparency in reality shows?

Why go abroad for higher studies?

Why so many visitors to see him?

Why not a cab?

5. Set phrases

A: Do you like to stay back and help me with my homework?

B: Why not?

(You agree with a suggestion)

A: How can I pass the exam?

B: Why don't you read my notes?

A: My room is in a mess.

B: Why not get someone to clean it.

(You make a suggestion)

Why on earth does she wear such clothes?

(To show surprise or annoyance)

Amanda: Today you can do the cleaning?

Sumana: Why me?

(To show surprise)

Why is it that only women receive preferential treatment?

(To ask a rhetorical question)

6. 'Why' is frequently followed by reason.

What is the reason why most private bus conductors are rude?

The reason why I don't wish to leave now is quite obvious.

7. 'Why' questions are answered with because.

A: Why are you late?

B: Because it's raining.

Activity

Write the actual question.

1. The teacher asked me why I was late.

2. Somebody asked him why there were no buses.

3. Do you know why he is shouting?

4. He asked me why I hadn't done my home work.

5. People asked him why he didn't win the prize.

6. Can you ask him why he is smoking here?

7. Ask him why he came at this time.

8. He asked me why the lights went out.

9. Some people ask me why I don't retire.

10. Ask him why he cannot wait for me.

************

[Key]

1. Why are you late?

2. Why there are no buses?

3. Why is he shouting?

4. Why haven't you done your homework?

5. Why didn't he win the prize?

6. Why is he smoking here?

7. Why did he come at this time?

8. Why did the lights go out?

9. Why don't you retire?

10. Why can't he wait for me?

************

English learners should make an attempt to enrich their vocabulary on a regular basis. Today we bring you 10 words that are used to describe appearances and attitudes. Indicate the correct meaning and check your answers with the key.

1. I could no longer tolerate her bilious remarks about my family background.

(a) bitter

(b) complimentary

(c) kind

2. My boss's bumptious personality caused him problems wherever he went.

(a) powerful

(b) arrogant

(c) striking

3. Tamara began to cry when her teacher made some captious comments about her dress.

(a) casual

(b) good

(c) critical

4. Sam was admonished by his father for his churlish table manners.

(a) commendable

(b)strange

(c) boorish

5. As a new recruit Norman had to act in a complaisant way.

(a) foolish

(b) willing to please

(c) dignified

6. The judge who felt that the accused was contrite gave him a light sentence.

(a) crushed in spirit by a feeling of guilt

(b) convinced that he was not guilty

(c) convinced that he was guilty

7. All of us enjoyed the party because of the convivial atmosphere.

(a) dull

(b) festive

(c) bleak

8. The rabbit is a craven animal that will not fight back against injustice.

(a) cunning

(b) brave

(c) cowardly

9. Danny impressed the wedding guests with his debonair appearance.

(a) ugly

(b) gracious

(c) arrogant

10. I usually do not read newspaper articles with a dyspeptic viewpoint.

(a) confused

(b) bright

(c) gloomy

*******

Key: 1. (a), 2. (b), 3. (c), 4. (c), 5. (b), 6. (a), 7 (b), 8. (c), 9. (b), 10. (c)

*******

Starters :

Subject and predicate

A sentence usually has a subject which tells us what the sentence is about. The predicate gives us information about the subject.

Max Perera teaches English.

Khema is a ballet dancer.

In the above sentences, 'Max Perera' and 'Khema ' are subjects. 'Teaches English' and 'is a ballet dancer' are predicates.

In any sentence, the subject usually comes before the predicate.

Amila (subject) can type fast. (predicate). If you put the predicate first and use the subject later, the sentence makes no sense.

The predicate must have at least one finite verb. A verb that ends in 'ing' or coming with 'to' before it, is a non-finite verb.

Accordingly, we cannot say:

'The bird flying.' It should be written as 'The bird is flying'. Similarly, we cannot say, 'We to try to pass the exam'.

It should be written as 'We must try to pass the exam.'

A finite verb changes its form according to the tense and subject of the sentence.

Susila dances well.

But, Girls dance well.

However, a non-finite verb does not change its form.

Susila wanted to dance.

Girls wanted to dance.

The predicate may contain an object, a complement or an adverbial. The object or complement usually comes after the verb.

Look at the following sentence:

Prabath wrote an essay.

Here 'Prabath' is the subject.

'wrote' is the verb.

'an essay' is the object.

So, we have the usual order of words in a sentence:

Subject + Verb + Object (SVO)

The adverbial usually appears at the end of a sentence.

Prabath wrote an essay neatly.

Activity

Indicate the correct sentences. Check your answers with the key.

1. (a) Can play cricket tomorrow you.

(b) You can play cricket tomorrow.

(c) Tomorrow you can play cricket.

2. (a) Out are my friends.

(b) My friends are out.

(c) Are my friends out.

3. (a) You make me laugh.

(b) Make me laugh you.

(c) Laugh make you me.

4. (a) To be a writer my ambition is.

(b) My ambition is to be a writer.

(c) Ambition my is to be a writer.

*********

Key: 1. b, c 2. (b) 3. (a), 4. (b)

*********

Spelling rules

Rule

In words of one syllable that end in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, we double the consonant when we add a suffix beginning with a vowel.

beg - begging - beggar

slip - slipper - slipping -

slippery

dig - digger - digging

big - bigger

sit - sitter - sitting

However, we do not double the consonant if the word ends in two consonants.

fast - fasted

melt - melted

salt - salted

halt - halted

We follow the same pattern if the word has a double vowel.

feel - feeler - feeling

brief - briefer - briefly

heal - healer - healing

keen - keener - keenest

bloom - blooming - bloomer

Exceptions to the above rules:

bus - buses

gas - gases

wool - woollen

Rule

In words of more than one syllable ending in a single consonant preceded by a single vowel, we double the final consonant only if the last syllable is stressed.

debit - debited

Exceptions

omit - omitted

travel - traveller - travelling -

travelled

counsel - counsellor -

counselling - counselled

parallel - paralleled

civil - civility

worship - worshipping -

worshipped

outfit - outfitter

kidnap - kidnapped -

kidnapper