by R. S. Karunaratne

'See': Many shades of its meaning

'See' is an irregular verb which means 'sense something by means of eyes,' understand, 'visit' or 'find out.'

1. See is usually used to talk about visibility.

Can you see me from there?

From the top of the building you can see the clock tower.

Blind men cannot see; so, they carry white canes.

It is difficult to see anything in the dark.

I want to see you very often!

2. 'See' can be used to talk about what you look at.

I saw 'My name is Khan' last week.

Did you see my pet dog anywhere?

We saw the Kandy perahera last year.

Tourists want to see Sigiriya.

We are going to see 'Kohomba Kankariya.'

3. 'See' is used to talk about seeing things in progress.

Can you see somebody moving in the garden?

She saw him performing yoga exercises.

We see the country developing in many spheres.

I saw the boy cycling down the hill.

You must see her acting.

4. 'See' is used to talk about seeing entire actions.

I didn't see him stealing my purse.

The guards didn't see anyone loitering in the premises.

Did you see anyone coming into my room?

Some journalists went to the war front and saw all the events.

5. 'See' is used to talk about things you have learned.

I see that the fuel price has gone up again.

We don't see why they are not progressing.

He is beginning to see how she has changed.

I don't think I'll ever see him in a responsible position.

6. 'See' is used to talk about what you discover

I'll see what I can do for you.

Do you see what is happening here?

Go and see whether my secretary has come.

I can see what's in your mind.

7. 'See' is used with certain modal verbs.

Now I can see clearly with my new glasses.

She was able to see me from the top of the mountain.

Could you see me tomorrow?

8. 'See' is followed by certain verb phrases.

I was surprised to see her at the carnival.

He was amazed to see his father in remand.

We are glad to see you again.

I am pleased to see you progressing.

She was relieved to see her son in school.

9. 'See' is very often used with certain adverbs.

I just saw him getting off a bus.

I can hardly see his face from here.

Now you can clearly see the ship.

10. Set phrases

A: Workers have come back to work.

B: Oh, I see (I understand)

This is a job I don't like, you see. (explaining)

A: Goodbye, Swarna.

B: See you (Goodbye)

As I see it, the opposition has no chance of winning the election. (In my opinion)

A: Where did Plato live?

B: Let me see, he lived in Greece.

(You are trying to remember)

Student: Can you cancel tomorrow's English class?

Teacher: We'll see. (I'll decide later)

Electronic words

Words are wonderful raw material to build sentences. The ability to make effective sentences will make you a better speaker and a writer. Try to match the words in bold type with their meanings. Check your answers with the solution.

1. The causes of the ethnic conflict were varied and complex.

(a) complicated

(b) interesting

(c) obscure

(d) misunderstood

2. After the accident John was confined to his home.

(a) tied

(b) drawn

(c) attracted

(d) restricted

3. There is a revolution in women's dress and deportment.

(a) attitude

(b) activities

(c) attire

(d) rights

4. The fundamental principle of running a firm is the search for profits.

(a) accepted

(b) practical

(c) basic

(d) ideal

5. The government funds many development projects in the country.

(a) approves of

(b) thinks about

(c) pays for

(d) relies on

6. Some parts of the city are compact.

(a) crowded with buildings

(b) noisy from people

(c) well-lit at night

(d) attractive to look out

7. Heaps of garbage are a disgrace to civic pride.

(a) service

(b) discouragement

(c) contribution

(d) discredit

8. Government policy does not allow citizens to make unconscionable profits.

(a) preference

(b) business

(c) regulation

(d) purpose

9. The author's philosophy is often reflected in his books.

(a) lifestyle

(b) beliefs

(c) publications

(d) relationships

10. Velusumana was a giant with incredible strength.

(a) ordinary

(b) amazing

(c) encouraging

(d) admirable

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Key:

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

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Using capital letters

Unlike in certain other languages such as Sinhala or Tamil, we use capital letters in English. Here is a short guide for the use of capital letters.

1. Start all your sentences with capital letters

King John signed the Magna Carta during the Middle Ages.

Don't use 'I' too much in your writings.

Do you know how to plant roses?

Keep in mind exactly what you are trying to accomplish.

2. Capitalise the names of people

Doyle played neither tennis nor baseball.

King Dutugemunu unified the country

Socrates was a great philosopher

Margaret Thatcher was known as the 'Iron Lady.'

3. Capitalise the days of the week

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

4. Capitalise the months

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.

5. Capitalise the names of religions

Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism

6. Capitalise the names of religious leaders.

The Buddha, Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed

7. Capitalise the names of all countries, nationalities, races, and languages. You should also capitalise all adjectives derived from them.

Sri Lanka is situated close to India.

Sri Lankans are proud of their nationality.

English is spoken in many parts of the world.

A Scandinavian friend of mine taught me to make Danish pastry.

8. Capitalise specific geographic or place names

Sri Jayawardenepura is the capital of Sri Lanka.

9. Capitalise the names of special organisations

My grandfather graduated from Yale University.

G.P. Malalasekara was the president of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress.

He is an active member of the Rotary Club.

The keynote address was delivered by a trustee of the Presbyterian Church.

10. Capitalise the names of buildings, ships, planes and trains.

I travel to Matara on the Ruhunu Kumari.

The International Book Exhibition was held at the BMICH.