by R. S. Karunaratne

Know how to use 'you'

'You' is a pronoun that can be used as the subject or the object. It is also used as an impersonal pronoun that refers to people in general.

The contracted forms of 'you' are as follows:

You are: you're

You have: you've

You will: you'll

You would: you'd

You had: you'd

1. We use 'you' to refer to the person we are talking to. It can be the subject or the object.

You look worried.

I want to talk to you.

Can you do it?

I can't hear you.

Can you hear me?

I want to meet you

I cannot be friends with you.

2. We sometimes use 'you' to refer to people in general. Here again 'you' can be the subject or the object.

How do you say 'goodbye' in French?

I don't like when people phone you early in the morning.

You feel guilty when you commit immoral acts.

3. We use 'you' to tell others to do or not to do certain things.

You write the essay now.

Don't you do it again, do you hear?

Come home, will you?

You light the sky rockets , I'll light the sparklers.

4. We use certain words when we use 'you' to address move than one person.

You all know what to do in an emergency.

You two clean the classroom.

You both will be punished by the principal.

You children be quiet!

5. You and Me/You and I

We should do well in the exam, you and me.

You and I have the same T-shirts.

You and me have the same T-shirts. (Informal)

Between you and me, I think she's got a scholarship to China.

6. Set phrases

A: Ah-Choo!

B: Bless you

A: Thanks.

(When somebody sneezes)

A: Happy New Year!

B: Same to you.

(When you return a greeting).

A: Do well in the exam.

B: You too.

(To return somebody's wishes)

A: Can you move a bit, please?

B: Right you are.

(When you accept a request)

Fun with proverbs

Proverbs are the concentrated folk wisdom.

They are amusing but full of meaning. Be familiar with the following selection of proverbs.

1. Like a bull in a China shop.

When somebody behaves in a way that is not usually approved by sensible people, such a person is referred to as a bull in a China shop. Such people lack finesse and tact.

2. Little pitchers have big ears.

'Little pitchers' are small children who pick up what they hear and repeat it later. So, adults must be careful of their speech when children are around.

3. Little things please little minds.

'Little minds' are children. You do not need expensive gifts to please them.

4. Locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.

It is useless taking precautions after a damage has been done.

5. Look before you leap.

You must be cautious of your actions. Consider all the pros and cons before doing something important.

6. Look on the bright side of things.

This is positive thinking. Positive thinkers are the winners wherever they go.

7. Losers weep, finders keep.

When you lose something, you weep over it. But the finder is happy because he can keep it.

8. Love is blind.

When you are in love with someone you do not see that person's faults. You simply find him fascinating.

9. Love me, love my dog

If you love somebody, you have to love his faults and failings.

10. Make a mountain out of a molehill.

Some people make a big issue out of a small incident.

11. Make hay while the sun shines.

When you get an opportunity, make the best of it.

12. Man does not live by bread alone.

Here 'bread' is synonymous with food. You need it for the body. However, that alone is not sufficient for life. You need to fill your mind with knowledge.

13. Manners make the man.

Some well-dressed people may look very impressive. However, if they behave badly, they will expose themselves.

14. Many hands make light work.

When many people share a task, the job becomes easier to handle.

15. March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.

In certain countries, March is a stormy month. However, at the end of the month comes spring. So, the lion becomes a lamb at the end of the month, at least symbolically.

Starters :

How to answer 'who' and 'what' questions

When you answer a question in which 'who' or 'what' is the subject, you have to replace them with a noun or a pronoun. Make sure the verb agrees with the subject.

Q: Who needs a fountain pen?

A: Amara needs a fountain pen.

Q: What fell just now?

A: A mango tree fell just now.

Q: Who was fighting with you?

A: Mangala and Jerard were fighting with me.

Q: What is in your trouser pocket?

A: Some coins are in my trouser pocket.

When you do not use 'who' or 'what' as the subject of a verb, you can do the following.

1. Change the noun in the question to a suitable pronoun and move it to the beginning of the sentence.

Q: Who is that beautiful woman?

A: She is Anoma's sister.

Q: What are those little balls?

A: They are marbles.

2. Repeat the pronoun in the question.

Q: Who is she?

A: She is my sister.

Q: What colour are they?

A: They are blue.

We do not answer with a 'yes' or 'no' to a 'wh-question'.

Q: Who has the key?

A: Mallika has the key.

The pronoun 'you' in the 'wh-question' should be changed to 'I' or 'We' in the answer.

Q: Who are you?

A: I am the new lecturer.

Q: Who are you?

A: We are students.

The possessive adjective 'your' in the 'wh-question' should be changed to 'my' or 'our' in the answer.

Q: Who is your father?

A: My father is Nelson.

Q: Who is your principal?

A: Our principal is Mr. Jeyakumar.

When 'what' is not the subject in a question with an 'ing' verb, follow the following method.

Q: What is Abdul writing?

A: He is writing an essay.

Q: What are Colvin and Perera eating?

A; They are eating mangoes.

Activity

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

1. What paints is this?

(a) It is oil paint.

(b) This paint is oil.

2. What is the correct answer?

(a) Pandukabhaya is the correct answer.

(b) The correct answer is Pandukabhaya.