by R. S. Karunaratne

Use of 'work' in different contexts

'Work' is a regular verb: work, worked, worked. It also means 'function'.

1. We use 'work' to talk about the jobs people do.

Lal works as a journalist.

I have not been working for some time.

Where do you work?

You have to work in order to earn money.

He has some work - related problems.

2. We use 'work' to talk about things that function properly.

My laptop is not working.

Some mobile phones do not work in remote areas.

This camera doesn't work without a battery.

If your phone is not working, report it.

The motor has stopped working.

3. We use 'work' to talk about making things or people work.

Do you work hard in New York?

She doesn't know how to work the blender.

4. We use 'work' to talk about our job.

When do you start work in office?

I started working in my early twenties.

Her work involves meeting people.

Do you enjoy your work?

I work flexible hours.

5. We use 'work' to talk about the place where we work.

I was at work when I met her.

6. Some adverbials are used frequently with 'work'.

Father works hard to maintain his family.

The labourers worked steadily to put up the stage.

She had to work round the clock to pass the final examination in laws.

Norma works perfectly whatever the job may be.

As a banking assistant he had to work properly.

Very few people can work smoothly.

7. Some prepositions often follow 'work'?

Romesh works as a janitor.

Perera is working on a new project.

8. There are some phrasal verbs with 'work'?

Can you work out this problem? (solve)

Their marriage did not work out. (It ended).

He goes to the gym for a work out. (Physical exercise)

9. Set phrases.

A: I got through the exam with flying colours.

B: Nice work! or Good Work! (congratulations!)

Let's get down to work, without wasting time. (start doing work).

She worked her way to be the editor. (made slow progress)

I'll try to work it so that you'll get the job. (arrange for something to happen.)

This medicine will work wonders. (produce good results)

Is your computer in working order? (Functioning properly)

Activity

Make compound nouns using 'Work' with the following nouns. Check your answers with the key.

Metal, groups, courses, spade, body, patch, wood, home, ground, day, force, load, man, mate, place, sheet, shop, station.

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[Key]

Metalwork, groupwork, coursework, spadework, bodywork, patchwork, wood work, homework, groundwork, workday, workforce, workload, workman, workmate, workplace, worksheet, workshop, workstation.

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Current English usage

English is a living language and its usage undergoes change from time to time. Here's help for you to be familiar with new developments in English.

1. Denouement

This is a word commonly misspelt. Note the 'oue' combination. It means 'the final outcome.'

The novel had an unexpected denouement.

2. Dependant and dependent

Dependant is 'a person who depends on somebody else for financial support.'

He has three dependants - his wife and two children. Dependent is an adjective meaning 'relying on somebody else for financial support.' Do you have many dependent relatives?

3. Deprecate and depreciate

Deprecate means 'to express disapproval of'.

Do not depreciate your rival's performance.

Depreciate means 'to reduce in value'

Most vehicles depreciate in value over the years.

4. Deprived

It means 'having something removed'.

Now he is a prisoner deprived of his privileges. In current usage it means 'not having what are considered to be basic rights.' Most deprived people live in shanties.

5. Desert and dessert

Desert is a barren land often covered with sand. We used camels to cross the desert.

Dessert is a sweet course of meal

Do you like to have icecream for dessert?

6. Desiccated

This is a frequently misspelt word. It means 'dried.'

Some countries export desiccated coconut.

7. Despatch and dispatch

Both spellings are acceptable. It means 'to send.' The king despatched a messenger to his chief minister.

8 .Device and devise

Device is a noun meaning 'a tool.'

The doctor used the latest device to remove the stones from the patient's bladder.

Devise is a verb meaning 'to bring about.'

He devised a method to improve the accounting system.

9. Diagnosis and prognosis

Diagnosis means 'the identification of a disease. The young doctor had failed to make the correct diagnosis and the patient died.

Prognosis means 'the prediction of the likely course of a disease.' According to the consultant's prognosis, the patient's life is in danger.

10. Dialogue

It means 'a discussion between two or more people.' The ministry officials and union leaders are having a dialogue over the salary anomalies.

Starters :

Wh-questions

In today's lesson we will concentrate our attention on the use of 'who' in speech and writing.

1. In a 'who question,' the verb must agree in tense and number with the subject.

Who is your favourite singer?

Who are your favourite singers?

Who is your best friend?

Who are your friends?

2. The singular form of a main verb is used with a 'who question' in the present tense.

Who goes there?

Who wants some apples?

'Who want some apples' is non-standard.

Who edits this newspaper?

Who gives us money?

Who feeds the hungry?

3. In a 'who question' you should use the 'be verb' and the 'ing' form.

Who is hoisting the national flag?

Who was sitting in my chair?

Who is watching TV at this time?

Who was heading for victory?

Who is writing with my pen?

4. In traditional English who is used as the subject of a sentence and whom as the object. However, the distinction is fast disappearing. Today we use who in both situations.

5. The negative form of the verb 'to do' with who can be used in the following way.

Who doesn't like ice cream?

Who doesn't want to get rich?

Who doesn't want to be happy?

Activity

Indicate the correct sentence?

1. A. Who in the car?

B. Who is in the car?

2. A. Who does not has a ruler?

B. Who does not have a ruler?

3. A. Who brought these apples?

B. Who was brought these apples?

4. A. Who is writing an essay now?

B. Who writing an essay now?

5. A. Who did not take the medicine?

B. Who did not taking the medicine?

6. A. Who those beautiful girls?

B. Who are those beautiful girls?

7. A. Who makes the best bread in town?

B. Who make the best bread in town?

8. A. Who are your class this morning?

B. Who is at your class this morning?

9. A. Who does not like music?

B. Who does not liking music?

10. A. Who is play the guitar?

B. Who is playing the guitar?

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[Key]

1. B, 2. B, 3. A, 4. A, 5. A, 6. B, 7. A, 8. B, 9. A, 10. B

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