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1 REFERINłE GRAMATICALE Grammar Reference Authors: Dora LOGHIN ; Cristina FELEA Scurt Istoric privind Limba engleză – inflecŃii şi vocabular Historical Sketch of the English Language – Inflections and Vocabulary Engleza este o limbă de origine vest-germanică înrudită cu olandeza, frisiana şi germana, avand, însă şi multe elemente de vocabular din limbile franceză, latină sau grecă, dar şi din alte limbi. Engleza a evoluat pornind de la limbile de origine germanică ce au fost aduse pe teritoriul Marii Britanii în raidurile lor de cucerire de către triburi migratoare cum ar fi Anglii, Saxonii, IuŃii, etc, care sunt cunoscute împreună sub numele de Anglo-Saxoni sau popoare engleze străvechi. Engleza veche (Old English) deja se întrezărea la orizont încă din zorii secolului 8 După Cristos. Azi, cam 341 milioane de persoane vorbesc engleza ca limbă maternă şi încă aproximativ 267 milioane o folosesc limbă a doua în cadrul a peste 104 Ńări – inclusiv Marea Britanie, Irlanda, SUA, Canada, Australia, Noua Zeelandă, Africa de Sud, Samoa Americană, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua şi Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Teritoriul Britanic din Oceanul Indian, Insulele Britanice Virgine, Brunei, Camerun, Canada, Insulele Cayman, Cook precum şi Danemarca. Limba engleză este folosită pe glob de 750 milioane locuitori, fie ca limbă oficială a unei naŃiuni, fie împreună cu alte limbi (pidgin şi creola). Este una dintre limbile - sau chiar limba - oficiale pe teritoriul Marii Britanii, în Canada, Australia, şi Noua Zeelandă; în Statele Unite nu există o limbă oficială. Larga răspândire a englezei la scară mondială în diplomaŃie, comerŃ şi ştiinŃă, îi certifică importanŃa din acest punct de vedere şi ne ajută să înŃelegem de ce miliarde de persoane o preferă altor limbi şi uneori optează pentru a şi-o însuşi ca limbă a doua. Nu superioritatea sa intrinsecă în raport cu alte limbi a facut ca engleza să devină principala limbă vorbită pe glob. BogăŃia vocabularului, o mare flexibilitate a gramaticii şi faptul că e mai expresivă decât sunt alte limbi (unii pun cel puŃin ultimele două aspecte sub semnul întrebării), sunt calităŃi care reprezintă, de fapt, rezultatul şi nu motivele sau cauzele importanŃei acestei limbi pe glob. ImportanŃa unei limbi este dată de importanŃa utilizatorilor săi şi felul în care aceştia o folosesc. Începând cu secolul al 18-lea, vorbitorii de limbă

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Page 1: REFERIN łE GRAMATICALE Reference... · Scurt Istoric privind Limba englez ă ... frisiana şi germana, avand, ... cum ar fi pronumele, adjectivele si adverbele

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REFERINłE GRAMATICALE

Grammar Reference

Authors: Dora LOGHIN ; Cristina FELEA

Scurt Istoric privind Limba engleză – inflecŃii şi vocabular

Historical Sketch of the English Language – Inflections and Vocabulary

Engleza este o limbă de origine vest-germanică înrudită cu olandeza, frisiana şi germana,

avand, însă şi multe elemente de vocabular din limbile franceză, latină sau grecă, dar şi din

alte limbi. Engleza a evoluat pornind de la limbile de origine germanică ce au fost aduse pe

teritoriul Marii Britanii în raidurile lor de cucerire de către triburi migratoare cum ar fi

Anglii, Saxonii, IuŃii, etc, care sunt cunoscute împreună sub numele de Anglo-Saxoni sau

popoare engleze străvechi. Engleza veche (Old English) deja se întrezărea la orizont încă din

zorii secolului 8 După Cristos. Azi, cam 341 milioane de persoane vorbesc engleza ca limbă

maternă şi încă aproximativ 267 milioane o folosesc limbă a doua în cadrul a peste 104 Ńări –

inclusiv Marea Britanie, Irlanda, SUA, Canada, Australia, Noua Zeelandă, Africa de Sud,

Samoa Americană, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua şi Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados,

Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Teritoriul Britanic din Oceanul Indian, Insulele Britanice

Virgine, Brunei, Camerun, Canada, Insulele Cayman, Cook precum şi Danemarca. Limba

engleză este folosită pe glob de 750 milioane locuitori, fie ca limbă oficială a unei naŃiuni, fie

împreună cu alte limbi (pidgin şi creola). Este una dintre limbile - sau chiar limba - oficiale

pe teritoriul Marii Britanii, în Canada, Australia, şi Noua Zeelandă; în Statele Unite nu există

o limbă oficială. Larga răspândire a englezei la scară mondială în diplomaŃie, comerŃ şi

ştiinŃă, îi certifică importanŃa din acest punct de vedere şi ne ajută să înŃelegem de ce miliarde

de persoane o preferă altor limbi şi uneori optează pentru a şi-o însuşi ca limbă a doua. Nu

superioritatea sa intrinsecă în raport cu alte limbi a facut ca engleza să devină principala

limbă vorbită pe glob. BogăŃia vocabularului, o mare flexibilitate a gramaticii şi faptul că e

mai expresivă decât sunt alte limbi (unii pun cel puŃin ultimele două aspecte sub semnul

întrebării), sunt calităŃi care reprezintă, de fapt, rezultatul şi nu motivele sau cauzele

importanŃei acestei limbi pe glob. ImportanŃa unei limbi este dată de importanŃa utilizatorilor

săi şi felul în care aceştia o folosesc. Începând cu secolul al 18-lea, vorbitorii de limbă

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engleză – mai întâi cei de pe teritoriul insulelor britanice şi mai târziu cei din America şi din

dominioanele britanice – au exercitat o influenŃă considerabilă asupra fenomenului de

expansiune colonială, a progresului industrial şi technologic, precum Ńi asupra politicii

mondiale. Locul pe care engleza îl ocupă în lume este rezultatul direct al istoriei oamenilor

care o vorbesc.

Clasificarea limbilor

În cadrul istoriei limbii şi a popoarelor Indo-Europene, engleza este clasificată printer limbile

Vest- Germanice de Jos. Istoria timpurie a limbilor Germanice se bazează pe o reconstituire a

limbii Proto-Germanice, care între timp a evoluat şi a dus la formarea limbilor Germană,

Engleză, Olandeză, Afrikaans, Yidiş şi a limbilor scandinave.

Limbile Germanice

Subgrupa limbilor Germanice prezintă multe diferenŃe în raport cu alte limbi de origine Indo-

Europeană.

1. Legea lui Grimm(sau Prima Mutatie a Sunetelor) explică modificările consonantice care s-

au produs în cadrul limbii sub forma în care s-a prezentat aceasta începând cu etapa Protro-

Indo-Europeană până la etapa ei Germanică.

a. Oclusivele aspirate sonore au devenit oclusive neaspirate sonore (bh, dh, g s-au

transformat in b, d, g)

b. Oclusivele sonore au devenit oclusive mute (B, d, g au devenit p, t, k)

c. Oclusivele mute au devenit fricative mute (P, t, k au devenit f, θ, x (h))

Legea lui Verner explică alte excepŃii care nu apar menŃionate Ńn cadrul Legeii lui Grimm.

2. Sistemul verbal bi-temporal: desinenŃa de Past Tense (-ed) şi una de Present Tense (-s)

(fără a se recurge la prezenŃa verbelor auxiliare)

3. Past Tense neaccentuat: pentru exprimarea sa se folosea un sufix dental sau alveolar ( -ed

în

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engleză,-te în germană, sau -de în suedeză)

4. Adjective tari şi slabe: fiecare adjectiv avea o formă diferită in funcŃie de faptul că era

precedat sau nu de un determinant.

5. Accent fix: pe prima silabă.

6. MutaŃii vocalice (Proto Germanică)

o scurt la a scurt (în latină: hortus, în engleză: garden)

a lung la o lung (în latină: mater, în engleza veche: modor)

7. vocabularul comun: au apărut cuvinte care nu au mai existat pana atunci în vocabular, cum

ar fi termeni nautici (maritimi). Altele ar fi: rain, earth, loaf, wife, meat si fowl.

Perioada Englezei Vechi sau Perioada Anglo-Saxona (449-1066 A.D.) s-a numit Perioda

InflecŃiilor Intregi. Period cuprinsa intre1200 si 1500 A.D. s-a numit Perioada Englezei

Medii, sau Perioada InflecŃiilor Uniforme, iar perioada Englezei Moderne începe aproximativ

în 1500A.D. şi s-a numit , destul de impropriu, Perioada InflecŃiilor Pierdute.

În Perioada Modernă s-au manifestat aceleaşi tendinŃe la fel ca şi în celelalte doua perioade,

însă de semnalat este faptul ca într-adevăr schimbări mari şi rapide care au avut loc în această

ultimă perioadă s-au datorat apariŃiei tiparului şi a răspândirii educaŃiei.

Modificările cele mai importante din perioada Englezei Moderne sunt:

‘s este semnul cazului Genitiv

Though, thee, thy, thine şi ye au devenit forme arhaice, iar vechea formă de Acuzativ, youm,

este folosită acum ca formă de Nominativ şi Acuzativ singular şi plural pentru Pronoumele

Personal, persoane II plural.

NegaŃia dublă nu se mai utilzează pentru accentuarea unei forme negative.

Modul Subjonctiv este acum rar folosit, spre deosebire deconstrucŃiile cu Acuzativul şi cu

Infinitivul, care sunt acum foarte utilizate.

Be este folosit în loc de Have doar în cazul verbelor Intranzitive de Mişcare sau de

Schimbare a stării.

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Elemente referitoare la vocabularul limbii engleze

Evenimentul care a avut un impact covârşitor asupra limbii engleze, atât în privinŃa

gramaticii cât şi a stocului de cuvinte, adică a vocabularului acesteia, a fost Cucerirea

Normandă. Odată cu acest moment, tendinŃa formării de cuvinte exclusiv din surse pur

englezeşti a luat sfârşit, de acum încolo recurgându-se la împrumutul de cuvinte, ca o metodă

de adaptare la noile realităŃi socio-istorice. Pentru a exprima noile aspecte socio-umane,

engleza apela la ajutor din partea altor limbi, în vocabularul cărora conceptele respective

existau deja. Acest proces-procedeu a avut atât avantajele cât şi dezavantaje. Multe cuvinte

provenite din tezaurul lingvistic din perioada Englezei Vechi au fost eliminate, lor

substitutindu-li-se cuvintele nou-preluate – de ex. ‘inwit’ a fost înlocuit cu ‘conscience’,

(cp.’the ayenbite of inwit’ devine ‘remorse of conscience’), ‘rime-craft’ cu ‘arithmetic’,

‘wanhope’ cu ‘despair’. Multe astfel de cuvinte nou-sosite în limbă nu au supravietuit, însă

câştigul a depăşit pierderile, iar drept urmare, engleza a fost descrisă ca fiind ‘cea mai

completă limbă vorbită vreodată pe pământ.’Totuşi, engleza nu şi-a pierdut niciodată

identitatea. În ciuda copleşitoarei preponderente a elementului străin, de împrumut, mai ales

din limba latină, engleza este fără tăgadă o limbă de extracŃie teutonică indiferent din ce

punct de vedere am privi-o, ca limbă vorbită sau ca idiom scris. Toate inflecŃiile sale

gramaticale, şi părŃile sale de vorbire active, cum ar fi pronumele, adjectivele si adverbele

pronominale, prepoziŃiile şi conjuncŃiile sunt pur englezeşti. Toate cuvintele, chiar şi cele

mai banale, sunt, în general, englezeşti, iar la scrierea unei cărŃi, chiar şi autorii cei mai atraşi

de ‘cuvinte mari, nu pot să nu recurgă la stocul majoritar de cuvinte, care, fără doar şi poate,

sunt englezeşti. În Biblie, spre exemplu, din 100 de cuvinte, 97 sunt englezeşti - chiar şi în

scrierile lui Milton, raportul e de 80 la100. În scrierile în proză, raportul e de 60/100, 30

latine, 5 greceşti şi 5 provenite din alte limbi. De la pătrunderea în engleză a atâtor elemente

străine, s-a ajuns la o suprapunere destul de masivă vocabularului celor două limbi, ceea ce a

dus la abundenŃa acestei limbi în sinonime.

English is a West Germanic language related to Dutch, Frisian and German with a

significant amount of vocabulary from French, Latin, Greek and many other languages.

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English evolved from the Germanic languages brought to Britain by the Angles, Saxons,

Jutes and other Germanic tribes, which are known collectively as Anglo-Saxon or Old

English. Old English began to appear in writing during the early 8th century AD.

Approximately 341 million people speak English as a native language and a further 267

million speak it as a second language in over 104 countries including the UK, Ireland, USA,

Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla,

Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British

Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands,

Cook Islands and Denmark.

The English language is spoken by 750 million people in the world as either the official

language of a nation, a second language, or in a mixture with other languages (such as

pidgins and creoles.) English is the (or an) official language in England, Canada, Australia

and New Zealand; however, the United States has no official language. If we are to ask what

are the world’s most widely spoken languages we get a rather complicated answer.

Estimates of how many people speak a language are quite general and can vary

considerably. For example, English estimates vary from 275 to 450 million, Spanish from

150 to over 300 million, Hindi from 150 to 350 million, and Russian from 150 to 180 million.

The worldwide use of English in diplomacy, commerce, and science is evidence of its

importance in this regard, and serves to explain why many millions around the world find it

desirable and sometimes necessary to learn it as a second language.

It is not the intrinsic superiority of English over other languages that has made it the premier

world language. If it is richer in vocabulary, more flexible in grammar and more expressive

than other languages (and some would question at least the last two of these claims), these

qualities are the results, not the causes, of its importance in the world. Simply stated, what

makes a language important is the importance of the people who use it and the use to which

they put it. Since the eighteenth century, speakers of English – at first from the British Isles

and later from America and the dominions – have played an important role in colonial

expansion, industrial and technological development, and the world politics.

Classification of language families

The position of English in the world is the direct result of the history of those who speak it.

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The history of Indo-European language and people classifies English genetically as a Low

West Germanic language of the Indo-European family of languages. The early history of the

Germanic languages is based on reconstruction of a Proto-Germanic language that evolved

into German, English, Dutch, Afrikaans, Yiddish, and the Scandinavian languages.

Germanic Languages

The subgroup of Germanic languages contains many differences that set them apart from the

other Indo-European languages.

1. Grimm’s Law (or the First Sound Shift) helps to explain the consonant changes from

Protro-Indo-Europen to Germanic.

a. Aspirated voiced stops became Unaspirated voiced stops (bh, dh, gh became b, d, g)

b. Voiced stops became Voiceless stops (B, d, g became p, t, k)

c. Voiceless stops became Voiceless fricatives (P, t, k became f, θ, x (h))

Verner’s Law explains other exceptions that Grimm’s law does not include.

2. Two Tense Verbal System: There is a past tense marker (-ed) and a present tense marker (-

s) on the verb (without using auxiliary verbs.)

3. Weak Past Tense: Used a dental or alveolar suffix to express the past (such as -ed in

English,-te in German, or -de in Swedish.)

4. Weak and Strong Adjectives: Each adjective had a different form whether it was preceded

by a determiner or no determiner.

5. Fixed Stress: The stress of words was fixed on the first syllable.

6. Vowel Changes (Proto Germanic)

Short o to short a (Latin: hortus, English: garden)

Long a to long o (Latin: mater, OE: modor)

7. Common Vocabulary: Words developed that hadn't been used before, such as nautical

terms (sea). Others include rain, earth, loaf, wife, meat and fowl.

The Old English or Anglo-Saxon Period (449-1066 A.D.) has been called the Period of Full

Inflection. The period from 1200-1500 A.D. has been called the Middle English Period, or

the Period of Levelled Inflections, and the period of Modern English begins about the year

1500A.D., and has been called, not quite adequately, the Period of Lost Inflections.

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The same tendencies have operated in the Modern Period as in the other two, but a check to

great and rapid changes in this last period has been given by the Invention of Printing and

the spread of education.

The chief changes in the Modern English are:

‘s is used as sign of the Genitive case.

Though, thee, thy, thine and ye have become obsolete, and youm the old Accusative, is used

as Nominative and Accusative singular and plural of the 2nd

Peronal Pronoun.

Double negatives are no longer used to strengthen a negative.

The Subjunctive is very little used.

The Accusative and Infinitive construction is greatly extended in use.

Be is used for Have only with Intransitive Verbs of Motion or Change of State.

Vocabulary

The Norman Conquest had almost as great an influence on the Vocabulary of English as on

its Grammar. It gave a definite check to the tendency to form new words from purely English

sources, and introduced the habit of borrowing words to denote new needs from languages

where they existed already. This process ha caused loss as well as gain. Many Old English

words have been driven out by the new-comers – e.g. ‘inwit’ by ‘conscience’, (cp.’the

ayenbite of inwit’ becomes ‘remorse of conscience’), ‘rime-craft’ by ‘arithmetic’, ‘wanhope’

by ‘despair’.

Many new-comers themselves have failed to survive. But the gains greatly exceed the losses,

and the result has been described as ‘the most complete language spoken by man.’

English, however, has not lost its individuality. In spite of the overwhelming preponderence

of foreign, especially Latin, words in its vocabulary, English, as spoken, or written, is

thoroughly a Teutonic language. All the Grammatical Inflections, and the working parts of

speech, such as pronouns, pronominal adjectives and adverbs, prepositions, and

conjunctions are purely English. All the commonest, shortest, and most graphic words are

generally English, and in writing a book even those fondest of using big words cannot avoid

using a majority of English words. For instance in the Bible out of every 100 words 97 are

English, and even in Milton there are 80. In ordinary prose probably about 60 would be

English, 30 Latin, 5 Greek, and 5 from other languages.

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From the intrusion of so many foreign elements into English there has resulted a good deal

of overlapping of vocabulary, and English is therefore rich in synonyms.

A. Prefixe:

Prefixes

Prefixele sunt fie: a) de origine teutonică, anglo-saxonă, ori engleză sau, b) clasică sau

romanică.

Grupa limbilor clasice sau romanice include toate limbile moderne ce provin din latină,

inclusiv latina şi greaca.

Prefixes are either: a) of Teutonic, Anglo-Saxon, or English origin or, b) of Classical or

Romance origin.

Classical or Romance includes all modern langiages derived from Latin, as well as Latin and

Greek.

I. Prefixe anglo-saxone

Anglo- Saxon prefixes

a-, al-, afte-r, be-, by-, for(e)-, gain-, in-, mis-, n-, on-, out-, off-, over-, to-, un-, under-, up-,

with-.

a- = on : ashore, afoot

al- = all : almost, always, alone

be- = verbal prefix : to befriend, to become

by- = aside, near : by-path, by-stander

for- = very (when it is an intensive) or against (when it is a negative particle) : forgive,

forbid, forswear, for(e)go,

gain- = against: gainsay (= oppose, contradict, argue with, refute, deny)

in- = (im, em, en) in, with adjectives = to make : income, imbed, inlay, embitter, enrich

mis- = wrong : mislead, mistake.

n- = not : never, n-one

on- = onwards, ongoing, onrush, onset

out- = outcome, outcry,

off- = offspring, offset

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over- = oversea, overdo, overturn, oversee

to- = the, or asunder : today, tomorrow,

un- = not, back, or the opposite : unbelief, unroll, undo

under- = underfeed, underdone, underwood

up- = upturn, upheave, upland

with- = against, away from, withstand, withhold, withdraw

a. Prefixe clasice sau romanice

Classical or Romance prefixes

Aici intră majoritatea prepozitiilor de origine latină sau de origine greacă.

These include most of the Latin and Greek prepositions.

b. Prefixe latine

Latin prefixes

a-,ab-,abs-, ad-, etc = away from : avert abhor, absent, advance, ascend, accept, affirm,

aggressor, ally, annex, apply, arrive, assign attend

ambi- = on both sides, round : ambiguous, ambition

ante- or anti- = before : antecedent, anticipate

bi- = two : biscuit, biped

circum- = round : circumvent, circuit

cum- = together, with : compregend, coequal, collect, contact, corrupt

contra- = against : contradict, controversy, countersign

de- = down, from, away : descend, devious, decay

dis- = away from, asunder : distant, dissect, differ, delay

ex- = out of : except, event, evidence, effect

extra- = beyond : extraordinary, extraneous

in- = invite, import, irrupt, embrace, encourage

in- = not + adj. : intact, ignore, illegible, improper, irregular,

inter- = within : introduce, intromit

mis- = wrong, minus : mischance, mischief

non- = not: nonsense

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ob- = against, away, upon : omit, obvious, occur, offer, oppress, ostensible

per- = through : perceive, perfect, perlucid

post- = after : postscript, p.m.

prae- = before : precede, pretend, prevent

pro- = before, for, instead of : provident, pronoun, pollute, porten, puchase, pusue

re- = back, again : reduce, receive, redeem

retro- = backwards : retrograde, retrospect

semi-,sub-, super-, trans-, ultra-,

vice- = in place of : viceroy

c. Prefixe greceşti:

Greek prefixes

amphi- = on both sides : amphitheatre, amphibious

a- or an- = not : atheist, apathy, anarchy, anonymous

ana- = up, back : analyst, anatomy, anaphora

anti-, ant- = against : antipathy, Antarctic

apo- = from, back : apostrophe, apocalypse, apohorism

cata- = down : catastrophe, catalogue,

dia- = through : diameter, dialogue

ec- or ex- = out of : ecstasy, eccentric

en- = in : energy, emphasis, ellipse

epi- = on : epitaph, epigram

hyper- = over, above : hyperbole, hypermetrical

hypo- = under : hypotheses

meta- = change : metaphor, method

para- = alongside , contrary to : parallel, paradox

peri- = around : permeter, periphery, period

pro- = before : prolongue, programme

syn- = together with : syb=ntax, syllable, sympathy, system

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B. Sufixe

Suffixes

Când un sufix care conŃine o vocală scurtă este alipit unei rădăcini, una dintre vocalele

rădăcinii se schimbă pentru a pregăti pronunŃia pentru elementele care urmează. Această

prescurtare este cunoscută drept ‘fenomenul Umlaut’ (schimbare de sunet) sau MutaŃie.

Often when a suffix containing a short vowel is added to a root, a vowel in the root is

changesd in preparation for what follows. This shortening is called Umlaut (change of

sound) or Mutation.

Example:

cat – kitten, thumb – thumble, fox – vixen

a. Sufixe teutonice

Sufixe substantivale

Teutonic suffixes:

Noun suffixes:

Agent: -er (-ier, -yer, -ar, -or), -ster, -en, -ther, (-ter), -nd, -le

Instrument : -le (-el), -r, -ther, (-der)

State, quality, action: -dom, -hood, -head, -ing, -ness, -ship

Diminutive : -ing, -ling, -kin, -en, -ock, -y, (-ie, -ey)

Augumentative -ard, -ar

doer, liar, sailor, spinster, father, daughter, friend, stair, water, feather, kingdom, manhood,

goodness, hoping, friendship, landscape, gift, sight, death, earth, Mickey, annie, drunkard

b. Suffixe adjectivale

Adjective suffixes

= belonging to, somewhat like, made of

-ed, -en, -ish (-sh, -ch,)-ly, -less (without), -ow, -some (with), -th (-d), -ward, -y

ragged, golden, sweetish, French, manly, witless, yeallow, narrow, awesome, fourth, (third) ,

westward, dirty, heavy

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c. Sufixe verbale

Verb suffixes

- care exprimă ideea de frecvenŃă

Frequentative : k, le, er

brisk, grapple, glimmer/glitter

- cauzative

Causaive: en, se

gladden, hasten, cleanse

d. Sufixe latine

Latin suffixes

Sufixe substantivale

Noun suffixes

Persoană Person: -ant, -ent, -ate, (-ee, -ey, -y), -ary (-ier, -eer, -ar, -er, -or), -ess or -ese

Instrument : -ment, -ory, -ter (-tre)

Stare, calitate, acŃiune

state, quality, action: -ance, -ence, -age, -ity (-ty), -ice (-ess), -tion (-son), -tude, -

our, -ure, -y

Diminutive diminutives : -el (-le), -let (-et), -ule, -cle, -el, (-sel)

Colective collectives: -ary, -ery, -ar, -er

Augumentative augumentatives: -oon, -one, -on

servant, agent, advocate, trainee, attorney, army, adversary, engineer, vicar, archer,

chancellor, baroness, Chinese, countess, ornament, dormitory, monster, spectre, constancy,

confidence, courage, enmity, beauty, prejudice, largess, action, reason, magnitude, honour,

morsel, panle, circle, rivulet, bullet, pocket, globule, particle, vessel, cavalry, gutter,

grammar, balloon, million

e. Suffixe adjectivale

Adjective suffixes

-al, -ane, -ary, -ate, (-ete, -eet), -able, -ous(full of), -ory, -ive

loyal, humane, vulgar, ordinary, divine, ornate, complete, discreet, capable, cursory, plaintive

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f. Suffixe verbale

Verb suffixes

Frecventative: -ate : agitate

Inceptive (inchoative): -esce : effervesce

Causative: - fy : glorify, testify

g. Sufixe de origine greacă:

Greek suffixes

Sufixe substantivale

Noun suffixes

-ic, (-ics) - science and arts : arithmetic, logic, politics, mathematics

-y, -ism - state or action : melody, theory, philosophy, theism, antagonism.

-ist, -te, -t - agent : antagonist, sophist, apostate, patriot, idiot

h. Sufixe adjectivale

Adjective suffixes

-ic,- ical : epic, poetic, theological, skeptical

i. Sffixe verbale

Verb suffixes

-ize or -ise = to make or do : theorize, sympathise

(partial source: http://www.ethnologue.com)

C. Alfabetul – Reguli de PronunŃare

The English alphabet – Pronunciation

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Sunetele reprezentate aici sunt acelea care aparŃin dialectului engelzei britanice marcate de

accentul RP (Received Pronunciation). În ceea ce priveşte prounŃia, alte varietăti ale limbii

engleze diferă de acesta în destul de mare masură, mai ales cand e vorba de pronunŃarea

vocalelor şi a diftongilor.

The sounds represented here are those of British English spoken with an R.P. (Received

Pronounciation) accent. Other varieties of English differ considerably in pronunciation,

especially the vowels and diphthongs.

Pronunciation

The sounds represented here are those of British English spoken with an R.P. (Received

Pronounciation) accent. Other varieties of English differ considerably in pronunciation,

especially the vowels and diphthongs.

a. Ghid fonetic

Pronunciation guide

/ei/ sunet diftongic: a,h,j,k.

(difthong)

/i:/ sunetul lung: b,c,d,e,g,p,t,v

(long sound)

/e/ f,l,m,n,s,x,z

/ai/ i,y

/u:/ q,u,w

/əω/ o

/a:/ r

Sunete vocalice

Vowel sounds

Sunete consonantice

Consonant sounds

/a:/ fast

/٨/ cut, butter, but

/æ/ match, act, mass

/ai/ fly, mind, time

/au/ how, down, cloud

/aiə/ buyer, tyre, fire

/auə/ hour, tower, power

/ε/ ten, lend, men

/εi/ day, play, same

/b/ cab

/d/ desk

/f/ farm

/g/ greet

/h/ house

/j/ young

/k/ call

/l/ like

/m/ mark

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/εə/ wear, fair, care

/i/ sit, tip, dish

/i:/ feel, bee, treat

/iə/ clear, beard, here

lost, pot, dot /ر/

/əua/ boat, note, phone

more, floor, board /:ر/

i/ boy, employ, joinر/

/u/look, could, stood

/u:/ blue, you, choose

/uə/ poor, pour, sure

/ə:/ bird, later, word

/ə/ the weak wovel in: about,

forgotten, matter

/n/ note

/p/park

/r/ route

/s/ safe

/t/ test

/∫/ shore

/u/ look

/v/ vote

/w/ where

/z/ zebra

/ З/ leisure

/η/ bring

/t∫/ chairman

/θ/ thin, mouth, three

/ð/ that, mother, there

/dЗ/ German, Japanese, danger

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I.1. Pronumele subiect

Subject Pronoun

Pronumele complement înlocuieşte

complementul direct sau indirect al unui verb

We use the object pronoun to replace the

direct or indirect object of a verb

I.2. Pronumele complement

Object Pronoun

Help me. Give me a hand.

Pronumele complement urmează unei

prepoziŃii:

We use the object pronoun after a

preposition

sg. pl. sg. pl.

I we me us

you you you you

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he/she/it they him/her/it them

I’m late.

She’s (waiting) outside.

Were they present?

Wait for me. Maria doesn’t have the book, I

have it.

I can’t see Adrian and Susan; I can’t see

them.

Tell us the truth!

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I. 3. DeterminanŃii

Determiners

Substativele sunt adesea precedate de cuvinte cum ar fi: the , a sau an. Aceste cuvinte se numesc

‘determinanŃi’. Ele arată ce fel de referinŃă însoŃeşte substantivul respectiv. Dintre determinanŃi

amintim, de exemplu, articolul hotarât, care precede substative la numărul singular şi plural.

Nouns are often preceded by the words the, a, or an. These words are called determiners. They

indicate the kind of reference which the noun has. Such determiner the definite article It is used

before both singular and plural nouns:

Singular: the day, the week, the anthem

Plural the days, the weeks, the anthems

Determinantul a (ssau an, atunci cand substativul respectiv începe cu o vocală) se numeşte articol şi

se foloseşte impreuna cu substantive la numărul singular. Aceste articole (an, a, the) sunt cele mai

comune exemple de determinanŃi, însă limba engleză cunoaşte mulŃi alte tipuri de determinanŃi.

The determiner a (or an, when the following noun begins with a vowel) is the indefinite article. It is

used when the noun is singular: a day , a week, an antet

The articles the and a/an are the most common determiners, but there are many others:

any day, some day, that week, those students, this paper, whatever taxi, whichever participant

MulŃi determinanŃi exprimă ideea de cantitate. Many determiners express quantity:

each person, many people, several computers, all examples, every week, both parents, few

occasions, enough food, no escape.

I. 4. Numeralul

I. 4. 1. Numeralul cardinal şi ordinal

Cardinal and ordinal numbers

Numeralul cardinal reprezintă poate cea mai cunoscută modalitate de a exprimă ideea de cantitate.

Numeralele se numesc determinanŃi atunci când preced un substantiv. În această poziŃie, ei exprimă

ideea de cantitate. Perhaps the most common way to express quantity is to use a cardinal number.

Numerals are determiners when they appear before a noun. In this position, cardinal numerals

express quantity: one car , two cars, twelve cars.

În aceeaşi poziŃie, exprimă ideea de succesiune de elemente.

In the same position, ordinal numerals express sequence: first paragraph, second floor, third prize.

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I. 4. 2. Numeralul ordinal

Ordinal numbers

Subclasa numeralelor ordinale cuprinde un set de cuvinte care nu sunt numerale propriu-zise (aşa

cum first este legat de one sau second de two), dar pe care le numim, generic, numerale ordinale. Ele

sunt: last, latter, next, previous, şi subsequent. Şi acestea îndeplinesc funcŃia de determinanŃi. The

subclass of ordinals includes a set of words which are not directly related to numbers (as first is

related to one, second is related to two, etc). These are called general ordinals, and they include last,

latter, next, previous, and subsequent. These words also function as determiners:

next question, last meeting, previous paragraph, subsequent developments

Atunci când nu preced un substantiv, numeralele sunt considerate a fi o subclasă a substativului şi,

la fel ca acesta, primesc determinanŃi, sau pot fi precedate de numerale propriu-zise (în ultimul

exemplu, twos este un substativ la numarul plural si este precedat de determinantul five):

the two of us, the first of many; five twos are ten

When they do not come before a noun, as we've already seen, numerals are a subclass of nouns They

can even have numerals as determiners before them. And like nouns, they can take determiners. In

the last example, twos is a plural noun and it has the determiner five before it.

I. 4. 3. Pronumele şi adjectivul posesiv

Possessive advjective and pronoun

Adjectiv posesiv – Possessive

Adjective

Pronume Posesiv – Possessive

Pronoun

sg. pl. sg. pl.

my our mine ours

your your yours yours

his their his theirs

her their hers theirs

its their its theirs

I. 4. 3. i. Adjectivul demonstrativ

Demonstrative Adjective

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My reservation is valid. This suitcase is mine. Our room is smaller. The smaller room is ours.

Adjectivul posesiv se foloseste înaintea unui substantiv cu scopul de a indica apartenenŃa acestuia la

un anumit posesor.

(We use a possessive adjective before a noun to say who the noun belongs to.)

I like house music. My favourite producer is Jaydee. I am sure the next award is his.

Her guess was right. The right guess was hers.

II. Substantivul

The Noun

II. 1. Pluralul substantivului; Substantive cu plural regulat

Plural of Nouns; Regular plural nouns

cele mai multe substantive primesc terminaŃia –s: table – tables; book – books; train – trains.

most nouns end in –s

dacă substantivul se termină in consoană + -y, -y –ul dispare, substantivul primind desinenŃa finală –

ies:

match- matches; city – cities; duty – duties.

if the noun ends in a consonant + -y, the –y disappears and the ending becomes –ies.

în cazul în care substantivul se termină în vocală + -y, adăugăm la rădăcină terminaŃia –s: day –days,

toy – toys.

nouns ending in a vowel + -y, get an –s at the end of the noun.

Când substantivul se termină în –ch, sh, -s, -z, sau -x, primeste desinenŃa finală–es; se mai adaugă –

es si la următoarele substantive: potato(es), tomato(es).

nouns ending in –ch, sh, -s, -z, or –x get –es

de apropiere – of proximity

HERE

de depărtare – of remoteness

THERE

sg. pl. sg. pl.

this man these men that man those men

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În cazul substantivelor terminate în –f sau –fe, desinenŃa de plural devine –ves (excepŃie: roof,

hoof):

wife – wives; shelf – shelves, loaf - loaves.

nouns ending in –f or –fe, change their ending into –ves; exceptions: roof, hoof, proof, cliff, chief,

belief,

etc.

PronunŃie: pluralul s/-es

DesinenŃa –es pentru substantivele terminate în –ch, -sh, -s, -z, sau –x se pronunŃă /iz/: box / -

boxes;

wish - wishes.

With nouns ending in –ch, -sh, -s, -z, or –x, the -es ending is pronounced /iz/: box / - boxes; wish

- wishes.

II. 2. 1. Substantive cu plural neregulat:

Irregular plural nouns

man – men

woman – women

child – children

person - people

brother – brethren (spiritual -);

brother – brothers (blood -)

tooth- teeth

foot – feet

goose – geese

mouse – mice

louse – lice

ox – oxen

fish – fish/fishes (specii de peşti);

fruit – fruit/fruits (soiuri de fructe);

die – dice/dies

II. 3. Exprimarea cantităŃii

Expressions of quantity

Tipuri de substative

Types of nouns

1. Caracteristici

Features

Exemple

Examples

Substantive

numărabile

Countable nouns

singular form: a map/

- sunt însotiŃe de some + un

substantiv la plural în propoziŃii

afirmative şi de any + un

substantiv la plural în propoziŃii

He’s got an (interesting)

idea/ a (useful) tip.

The sportsman has won some

medals.

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banknote/ student

plural form: maps/

banknotes/students

Exemple:

We need a map, not

several (maps).

interogative şi negative

sunt însoŃite de many şi de

a few.

Countable nouns are used with

some + a plural noun in positive

sentences, and any + a plural

noun in questions and negatives

- (affirmative) some/several/

ideas/answers

- (interrogative) any ideas

- (negative) any /no ideas

- are used with many(a lot of)

and a few.

They have many friends.

There are a lot of job

opportunities here.

has a few problems with his

car

Do you/does she have any

questions?

Nobody had any solutions.

They had no solutions (at all/

whatsoever).

Substantive

nenumărabile

Uncountable nouns

only singular form:

advice

advice/information/

weather/music/money/

knowledge, etc

- sunt însoŃite de some in

propoziŃii affirmative şi de any în

propoziŃii interogative şi negative

în acord cu un verb la singular.

-sunt însoŃite de much şi de a little

Uncountable nouns are used with

some in positive sentences and any

in questions and negatives, but

only with a singular noun.

- are used with much (a lot of) and

a little

She has some (new)

information.

Is there any good music

here? I They haven’t got any

money.

All you need is a little food

and rest.

There isn’t much fun here.

It takes a lot of courage to

practise this sport.

2. Formele posesive: ‘s

şi of (Cazul Genitiv)

Possessive forms: ‘s

and of

- pentru persoane şi animale: ‘s

for people and animals: ‘s

după substantive la singular şi unele

substative la plural, atunci când acestea nu

se termină în –s

for people and animals

‘s - after singular nouns and plural

nouns which don’t finish in –s

the man’s briefcase,

the cat’s cushion

Jack’s opinion, the

children’s room

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- după substantive la plural terminate în –

s, scriem –s’

‘s - after plural nouns ending in –s, we

write –s’

- când sunt două substantive, ‘s se adaugă

celui de-al doilea substantiv, dacă este

vorba despre o posesie comună, sau după

fiecare substantiv în parte, în caz de

posesie individuală:

‘s – with two nouns, it is added after the

second noun in case of common

possession, or after each noun in case of

individual possession.

the students’ dorm,

my friends’ house

John and Mary’s

suggestion(s)

but

John’s and Mary’s

suggestion(s)

3. Cuantificarea

substantivelor

cantitative

Quantifiers

a piece of/ an item of luggage/ furniture, a piece/word of advice, a

piece of information/ news, a kilo of strawberries, a carton of

cakes, a bottle/glass of milk, a glass/ drop/ bucket/ gallon of water,

a bar of chocolate, a cake of soap, a slice/ loaf, piece/ morsel of

bread, a slice of cake, a film of dust, a ray of hope,

a bolt of thunder, a flash of lightning, a round of applause,

a pint of beer, foot of wood, a pound of rice, an ounce of courage,

a piece of music, a bag of money, etc.

Note: some indicates the indefinite amount: some water

III. Articolul

The Article

Article Characteristics/ features Examples

1.

Nehotărât: a/

an

- primă referire

a + substantive care încep cu o consoană

an + substantive care încep cu o vocală.

a + nouns which begin with a consonant sound

an precedes nouns which begin with a vowel

I can see a bus stop over

there.

Is there an information

desk

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Indefinite a/an

- first

reference

sound.

here?

She’s reading a map.

2.

Hotărât: the

- referinŃă

unică,

generică,

antrerioară

Definite: the

- prior

reference

PronunŃie: the /ðə/ inaintea substantivelor care

încep cu o consoană; the /ði/ înaintea

substantivelor care încep cu o vocală.

Pronunciation : the /ðə/ before nouns which

begin with a consonant; the /ði/ before nouns

begin with a vowel.

The bedroom door was

open.

The trip to Bucureşti was

cheap.

The girl is going to the

library.

The books she needs can

only

be found there.

3. Utilizarea articolului Use of articles

1.

Articolul

hotărât

definite article

- când precede substantive care denumesc mări,

râuri, nume de hoteluri, localuri, teatre, muzee,

ziare

before nouns denoting seas, rivers, hotels, pubs,

theatres, museums, and newspapers

- când substantivul denumeşte un concept unic

with nouns that denote a unique concept

Notă: articolul the nu se foloseşte la

substantivele care denumesc părŃi ale corpului;

pentru aceasta se folosesc pronume posesive.

Note: We do not use the with parts of the body.

We use my,/our/their, etc (I broke my arm and

she hurt her leg.)

The Daily Telegraph, The

Thames, The Pacific, The

Ambassador,

The Globe

the Sun, the Morning Star,

the Pope

2.

Articolul

nehotărât

indefinite

- cu substantive care denumesc o profesie:

with nouns denoting professions

- când însoŃeşte anumite formule de canitate:

with some expressions of quantity

He is a computer

programmer

and she is a midwife.

a pair of shoes; a little

patience; a couple of times;

a few discretion; a

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article

- în exclamaŃii, precedat de what:

in exclamations with what + a countable noun

hundred/thousand; once a

week; forty miles an hour

What an interesting idea!

What a pity! What a

terrible thing!

3. Omisia

articolului

No article

- înaintea pluralelor sau substantivele

nenumărabile, pentru o referire generală

before plural and uncountable nouns for

general reference.

- înaintea substantivelor ce denumesc Ńări,

oraşe, străzi, limbi, feluri de mâncare, reviste,

aeroporturi, gări, munŃi:

before countries, towns, streets, languages,

magazines,

meals, airports, stations, and mountains

- înaintea substantivelor ce denumesc lo

anumită locaŃie (un anumit loc) precum şi

înanintea unor substantive ce denumesc

mijloace de transport

before some places and with some forms of

transport

- în exclamaŃii, după construcŃia ‘what’ + un

substantiv nenumărabil :

in exclamations, preceded by what + uncount

She buys only fresh

bananas.

Mary doesn’t like

strawberries. Coffee keeps

you awake.

We will soon enter Braşov.

Don’t buy Vogue, buy

Cosmopolitan.

at school/work; by

car/tram/ plane, etc; in/to

bed; on foot; to

go/come/ return/leave

home

What beautiful weather!

What loud music!

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IV. Adjectivul si adverbul cu gradele lor de comparaŃie

The Comparison Degrees of Adjectives and Adverbs

Examples: a) regular adjectives and adverbs: (mono-/bosyllabic or polysyllabic) quick, blue, fit,

comfortable, fast, correctly etc. b) irregural adjerctives and adverbs: good,well, ill.,bad, far, little,

much, many, some.

Adjective Form Features

Adj: (mono-/bi-

syllabic) hard; hot;

pretty; fast

(pollyyllabic)

impoortant

forma de bază a adjectivelor şi a adverbelor;

nu

exprimă o comparaŃie.

the base form of the adjective or adverb; it

does not show comparison.

Positive

Adv: easily/gladly

Adj: (mono-/bi-

syllabic) harder;

hotter; prettier; faster

(polysyllabic) more

important

compară două elemente;

+ -er la adj mono-/bi-silabice

+ more pentru cele polisilabice

the form an adjective or adverb takes to

compare two things.

- + -er for mono and bi- syllabic adj

- + more for polysyllabic ones

Comparative

Adv (of manner) :

more easily/gladly

+ more : more gladly

Adj: (the) hardest;

(the) hottest; (the)

prettiest; (the) fastest

(polysyllabic) (the)

most important

compară trei sau mai multe elemente

the form an adjective or adverb takes to

compare three or more things.

- + -est for mono and bi- syllabic adj

- + (the) most for polysyllabic adjectives

Superlative

Adv (of manner): + most”: most gladly

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(the) most

easily/gladly

IV. 1.

ObservaŃie:

Less şi least se folosesc şi la formarea comparativelor şi superlativelor majorităŃii adjectivelor şi

adverbelor: less important and least important.

Less şi fewer nu sunt sinonime. Less se foloseşte împreună cu substantive nenumarabile (less time,

less affection), iar fewer cu substantive numărabile (fewer seats, fewer participants).

AtenŃie: - er şi more sau -est şi most nu se asociază niciodată.

This is the more nicer member of our family.(incorect)

This is nicer member of our family. (corect);

She is the most nicest sister (incorect);

She is the nicest sister. (corect)

Note: Less and least can also be used to form the comparative and superlative degrees of most

adjectives and adverbs: less important and least important. Less and fewer cannot be interchanged.

Forme Neregulate (adjective şi adverbe)

Irregular Adjectives and Adverbs

Positive Comparative Superlative

good better the best

well better the best

bad/ badly worse the worst

Far farther the farthest

Far further the furthest

Late later the later or latest

Little (amount) less the least

many more the most

much more the most

some more the most

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Less refers to amounts that form a whole or can’t be counted (less time, less affection), while fewer

refers to items that can be counted (fewer seats, fewer participants).

Never use -er and more or -est and most together.

Alte adverbe:

Other adverbs

yes (of course), no, by no means, by all means, not at all, hardly so, perhaps, probably, definitely,

likewise, otherwise, elsehow, anyway, anyhow, etc.

IV. 2 Forme adjectivale compuse: Substativ + Numeral

În acest caz, substantivul este folosit doar la forma de singular: A four-mile journey; a fifty-dollar

banknote, a three-piece suit

IV. 3. Indicarea direcŃiei prin adverbe de loc

Adverbs of place for giving directions

next to; at the corner of; continue straight ahead/to; across from; far from; go up the street; go up the

boulevard; go up the avenue; take the street/boulevard/ avenue; near to; turn left/right/at the corner;

cross the bridge/ the square; take the second street on the right, at the end of the street.

V. Verbul

The Verb

Formele gramaticale ale verbului sunt determinate de categoriile de timp, aspect, diateză, mod,

persoană şi număr. În acest sens, distingem două mari categorii ale verbului: formele predicative şi

formele nepredicative.

Modurile indicativ şi subjonctiv alcătuiesc formele predicative, care pot forma singure predicatul şi

care se acordă în număr şi persoană cu subiectul.

Modurile infinitiv, gerunziu, participiul prezent şi participiul trecut formează modurile

nepredicative, care nu pot forma singure predicatul propoziŃiei.

The grammatical forms of the English verb are rendered by the grammatical categories of aspect,

voice, mood, person and number, which divide its forms into finite and non-finite.

The finite forms include the indicative and the subjunctive moods, while the non-finite forms include

the infinitive, the gerund, the present and the past participle. The finite moods form predicates by

themselves, whereas the non-finite forms cannot.

Verbele limbii engleze se grupează in două clase mari: verbe regulate şi verbe neregulate.

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La Past Tense şi la Past Participle, verbele regulate primesc desinenŃa –ed, în timp ce verbele

neregulate nu primesc această terminaŃie, rădăcina celor mai multe dintre ele suferind modificări

interne la preluarea acestor forme. Există o listă de verbe neregulate la sfârşitul oricărui dicŃionar

sau manual de gramatică.

English verbs fall into two major classes: regular and irregular verbs.

Regular verbs receive the –ed ending at Past Tense and Past Participle. Irregular verbs do not

receive this ending and most of them change the form of their root while passing to one of these

forms. There is a list of Irregular verbs at the end of any dictionary or grammar books.

Infinitive Past Tense Past Participle

Vb. Regulate: (to) ask asked asked

Regular verbs (to) intend intended intended

(to) change changed changed

Vb neregulate: (to) take took taken

Irregular verbs (to) see saw seen

(to) understand understood understood

V. 1. Verbul to be, to have şi to have got

Verbul to be este folosit atât ca atare, la construcŃiile cu timpul Prezent Simplu, cât şi ca verb

auxiliar la construcŃiile cu Prezentul Continuu.

to be participates in the construction of the Present Tense Simple – its short infinitive – as well as

the Present Tense Continuous, as an auxiliary verb.

Be Have (got)

Singular plural singular plural

I am we are I have, I have got (I’ve got) we have, we

have got

you are you are

you have, you have got

(you’ve got)

you have, you

have got ( you’ve

got)

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he/she/it is they are he/she/it has,

he/she/it has got

(he’s/she’s/it’s got)

they have, they

have got (they’ve

got)

Caracteristici

Features

Exemple

Examples

- ‘have’ şi ‘have got’

exprimă ideea de posesie,

iar ‘have’, idea de acŃiune

- interogativul lui ‘have’ se

formează la fel ca

interogativul oricărui alt

verb (exceptându-l pe ‘be’)

la Indicativ Prezent.

- ‘have’ şi ‘have got’ sunt

folosite doar la prezent.

- ‘have’ participă şi la

construirea timpurilor Past

şi Future.

- numai ‘have got’ prezintă

forme contrase la pozitiv.

‘have’ and ‘have got’ are

used for ossession. - only

‘have’ is used when talking

about actions.

- the question form for

‘have’ follows regular

Present Simple:

- ‘have’ and ‘have got’ are

only used in the Present

Simple.

- use’have’ for the Past

Simple or Future forms

Jack has (got) a

new credit card.

I usually have

(nu have got)

breakfast at

home.

Do you have any

time for me?

I have a lot of

ideas; I've got a

lot of ideas.

Do you have a

car?

She will not have

time for two

jobs.

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- there is no contracted

form for ‘have’ in the

positive form, only for

’have got’.

V. 2. Timpurile gramaticale

The Tense System

V. 2. 1. Exprimarea Timpului Prezent

Expressing Present Time

Timp

Tense

2. ConstrucŃie

Formation rules

Caracteristici

Feature and

meaning

Exemple

Examples

3. Ortografiere

Spelling rules

Prezentul

Simplu

Present

Simple

Affirmative

S + verb

(pers.Isg./pl./II

sg./pl./III pl.)

S + verb+-s

(pers.III sg.)

Interrogative

Do + S + verb?

(pers.Isg./pl./II

sg./pl./III pl.)

Does + S +

verb?

(pers.III sg.)

Negative

S + verb + do

not/don’t

(pers.Isg./pl./II

exprimă adevăruri

general-valabile;

acŃiuni generale;

acŃiuni repetate

expresses general

truths, habitual or

repeated actions

Formule

adverbiale

Adverbial

constructions

We spend our

holidays abroad

I never leave

home late.

She works

hard.(in general)

My train leaves

at 5.42 p.m.

Does my train

leave at …?

My train does

not/doesn’t

leave at…. .

I get up late at

weekends.

Mary often

drops by for a

cup of coffee.

- persoana III sg,

primeşte desinenŃa

de pers./nr. -s

- verbs in III sg.

always get the -s

ending

I/you/we/they

travel

He/she/it travels

- verbele care se

termină în -ch, -sh,

-s, -z, -x primesc

terminaŃia –es)

verbs ending in -

ch,

-sh, -s, -z, -x

receive –- es

(he)teaches,

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sg./pl./III pl.)

S + verb + does

not/doesn’t

(pers.III sg.)

in the afternoon/

evening/morning/

at noon/

(mid)night/ one

o’clock/ weekend,

on Monday /time,

often, sometimes,

usually, always,

never, as a rule.

Do you ever

watch the

Discovery

Channel?

(it)analyzes, fixes

do şi go primesc –

esdo do and go

receive –es

(he) goes, does

- verbele care se

termină în

consoană + + -y, –

y → –ies

verbs which end in

consonant t+ -y

-y → –ies

(she) tries, cries

- verbele care se

termină în vocală +

–y, primesc

terminaŃia -s

verbs which end in

vowel + –y, only

add –s

(he) says, plays

Prezentul

Continuu

Present

Continuous

Affirmative:

S + be + verb +

-ing

Interrogative:

be + S + verb +

-ing ?

exprimă acŃiuni

care se petrec în

(sau aproximativ)

acest moment

expresses actions

which are

happening now or

around now

We are spending

our holiday

abroad.

I am leaving for

Sibiu.

She is working

hard. (now)

Are you talking

to me?

Is the student

we double the

consonant and add

–ing:

cut – cutting; run –

running; swim –

swimming.

- după –y, -w sau –

x se adaugă direct

–ing

after –y, -w or –y,

we simply add

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Negative:

S + be + not +

verb + -ing

Formule

adverbiale

Adverbial

constructions

(right) now, at the

moment , this

week

coming today?

They are

not/aren’t

listening!

We are not/

aren’t travelling

home.

Are you busy?

At the moment

I’m working on

my project.

Julia is resting

this week.

–ing:

mix – mixing;

delay – delaying,

snow - snowing

- la adăugarea -ing

la vb. terminate în

–ie, -ie → -y

when adding -ing

to vbs. ending in

- ie, –ie → –y

lie –lying, die-

dying

V. 2. 2. Exprimarea TimpuluiTrecut

Expressing Past Time: Past Simple and Past Continuous

to be – past forms:

I/he/she/it was we/you/they were

ObservaŃii:

1. În limba engleză, trecutul se poate exprimă prin mai multe construcŃii gramaticale, dintre care

doar unele coincid cu formele de trecut din limba română. Din această cauză, şi din fidelitate faŃă de

limba engleză, vom păstra denumirile din aceasta limbă, cu precizarea că, acolo unde e cazul, vom

face echivalarea cu denumirile timpurilor din limba română.

The tense English system is more diversified than the Romanian tense system. While some forms

match Romanian forms quite faithfully, others – most of them – only approximate them.

2. În cazul verbelor limbii engleze, unul din cele mai importante aspecte îl constituie împărŃirea lor

în verbe regulate şi verbe neregulate.

English verbs are regular and irregular

3. În mod invariabil, verbele regulate primesc la forma de bază (rădăcina), care rămane neschimbată

la toate persoanele, terminaŃia –ed

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Regular verbs end invariably in –ed

4. Verbele neregulate işi schimbă forma de bază, şi, prin urmare, trebuie învaŃate ca atare. La finalul

oricărei gramatici sau dicŃionar al limbii engleze există o listă cu verbele neregulate.

Irregular verbs change their form and must be learnt as such. Any grammar or dictionary is

provided with a list of irregular verbs.

Timpul

Tense

Caracteristici

Features and

meaning

ConstrucŃie

Formation rules

Exemple

Examples

Adverbe

Adverbials

1. Perfectul

Compus/

Simplu

Past Simple

Acest timp

păstrează în mod

omogen, aceeaşi

formă pentru toate

persoanele.

Exprimă o acŃiune

care s-a

întamplat/s-a

încheiat în trecut (e

însoŃit de adverbe

de timp/loc: last

year, yesterday, ten

minutes ago, etc).

This tense has the

same form for all

persons; it

expresses a

completed past

action.

I saw you at 2.30.

Affirmative:

S + verb +

-ed (for regular

verbs)

S + II from of

verbs (Past

Tense) (for

irregular verbs)

Interrogative:

(for all persons)

Did + S + verb?

Negative:

S + did +

not/did’t + verb

I travel(l)ed to

Cluj. (regular

verb)

Mary received the

invitation from the

secretary.(irregula

r vb)

The receptionist

wrote the taxi

number on a card.

They didn’t pay

their stay at the

hostel by credit

card.

What did you do

when she called?

(How did you

react?)

adverbials

yesterday, two

years ago, last

month, at 2.30,

in the park, in

your office,

etc.

subordinate

clauses:

while working,

when he came.

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2. Imperfectul

Past

Continuous

Exprimă o acŃiune

care afla în

desfaşurare la un

moment dat sau pe

o perioada

(de)limitată de

timp.

The action was in

progress at a

certain moment or

during a limited

period of time

I was reading

between 4 and 8

p.m./ at 4 p.m.

Affirmative:

S + was (pers.

I/III sg.) /were

(pers. I pl.; II

sg/pl; III pl.) +

verb + -ing

Interrogative:

Was/Were + S +

verb + -ing?

Negative:

S + was/were +

not/wasn’t/were

n’t + verb + -ing

I was travel(l)ing

to Cluj.

Mary was

receiving the

invitation from the

secretary’s hand.

The receptionist

was writing the

taxi number on a

card.

They weren’t

paying their stay

at the hostel by

credit card.

What were you

doing when she

called? (in that

very moment)

3. Would

Used to

(equivalents of

Past Simple

when used as

narrative

verbs)

Used to +

verbe de

acŃiune sau

verbe de stare

It is used with

both action and

state verbs

- exprimă acŃiuni

care curente în

trecut şi care acum

nu mai sunt în

vigoare (corespund

imperfectului).

These phrases

express a past

recurrent activit

/state which is now

over.

Affirmative:

S + used

to/would + verb

Interrogative:

Did + S + used

to + verb

Would + S +

verb?

Negative:

S + did

not/didn’t use(d)

to + verb

The

accommodation

used to be better

last year

They used to

travel more when

they were

younger.

When we stayed

in Spain we would

often travel to

Alicante.

Adverbials

at the moment,

at that time, at

2.30, all that

time, that

week(end)

(simultaneous

actions)

while she was

reading

(incidental

action)

when he

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Would +

exclusiv verbe

de acŃiune

It is used

exclusively

with action

verbs

S + would

not/wouldn’t +

verb

opened the

window

V. 4

Past Perfect

(Simple and

Continuous)

1. Past Perfect

Simple

had + Past

2. Past Perfect

Continuous

Participle

Are aceeaşi formă

pentru toate

persoanele Exprimă

o acŃiune încheiată

înaintea altei

acŃiuni trecute.

It has the same

form for all

persons.It expresses

a past action which

ended before

another past action.

exprimă o acŃiune

care se afla in

desfăşurare de o

perioadă de timp

sau de la un

moment dat până la

apariŃia altei acŃiuni

trecute.

S + had (for all

persons) + Past

Participle (III

form)

She had

completed a

specialized course

before she found

that job. When

they arrived at the

hotel, they

realized that the

guide had left.

I had already been

preparing the

bags for half an

hour when/before

my friends

arrived.

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expresses an action

which had been

going on for a

period of time or

since a moment

before another past

action occurs.

V. 2. 3 Prezentul Perfect

The Present Perfect

Timpul gram

Tense

Caracteristici

Features

ConstrucŃie

Formation rules

Exemple

Examples

Adverbe

Adverbials

1. Present

perfect Sinple

S + have/ has

+ Past

Participle

(IIIrd form)

Face legătura dintre

timpul trecut şi

timpul prezent

(uneori şi viitor).

Aruncând o privire

retrospectivă către

trecut, ne

informează ce s-a

petrecut pană în

sau înainte de

momentul prezent.

It relates past

Affirmative

I/you/they have

(‘ve) written

(irregular vb)

He/she has (‘ve)

travelled

(regular vb)

Interrogative

Have you

written…?

Has he travelled

long?

I’ve been to many

places and I’ve

known a lot of

people (so far/up to

now)

Adverbials

so far, lately,

just, already,

yet, always,

usually, never,

ever, seldom/

rarely, often/

frequently

or with no

time

specification

since

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actions and states

to the present. It

looks back from the

present into the

past, and expresses

what has happened

before now.

Exprimă o acŃiune

sau o stare are

continuă încă:

It expresses an

action or state

which began in the

past and continues

to the present.

- evenimente care

fac parte din viaŃa

noastră (în special

Present Perfect

Simple)

events that are up

to now part of our

life.

- acŃiuni care

continuă şi în

present

actions that are still

Negative

I have not

written

He has not been

travelling

(beginning of

action) for

(duration of

action)

I’ve had this

car for a year

(I still have

it).

Diana has

been learning

French (for a

long time)

(still learning)

Have you ever

visited

Romania?

They’ve never

been here

(before).

We’ve been

waiting for

weeks to get

the result! It’s

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going on.

- acŃiuni trecute cu

consecinŃe/ efecte

în prezent

past actions with a

result in the present

been raining

for days!

I am tired

because I’ve

been working

hard.

George has

taken/been

taking

computer

classes (can

use it )

2. Present

Perfect

Continuous

S + have/has +

been + verb+ -

ing

Affirmative

I/you/they have

been writing

He/she has have

been travelling

Interrogative

Have you been

writing…?

Has he been

travelling long?

Negative

I’ve not been

writing

He’s not been

travelling

since

(beginning)

/for (duration)

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În unele cazuri,

diferenŃa dintre cele

dous forme este

insesizabilă.

Sometimes the

difference between

the two Present

Perfect forms is

very slight

- pentru verbe care

exprimă ideea de

durată mare (work,

wait, travel, learn,

play), se preferă

forma continuă;

- cu verbe ca buy,

die, take, shut, etc,

şi care nu exprimă

această idee,

folosim mai

degrabă Present

Pefect Simple;

- verbele de stare

nu se folosesc la

Present Perfect

Continuous.

Present Perfect

Continuous + verbs

that express the

idea of long time;

Present Perfect

Simple + state

I have worked here

all my life/I’ve

been working here

all my life.

They’ve (already)

been walking for a

long time.

She’s passed the

exam. I’ve been

working/ trying so

hard to finish in

time.

She’s understood

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verbs

Present Perfect

Simple exprimă

ideea de acŃiune

incheiată, mai ales

atunci când este

însoŃit de o

construcŃie

adverbială

cantitativă.

Present Perfect

Simple expresses

completion of an

action when it is

followed by a

quantitative

marker.

you perfectly well.

She has (already)

corrected three

papers.

They’ve changed

two trains to come

to Cluj.

V. 2. 4. Exprimarea Timpului Viitor

Expressing Future Time

Forma de

viitor

Future form

Caracteristici

Features and

meaning

ConstrucŃie

Formation

rules

Exemple

Examples

Adverbe

Adevrbials

1. Simple

Future

- consecinŃă

consequence

- previziune

- If you wait too

long, you’ll (will)

get bored.

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prediction

- certitudine

certainty

- promisiune

promise

- avertisment

warning

- hotârare

determination

S+ shall/will

+ short

infinitive

- It will be fine

tomorrow.

- This letter will be

for me.

- I’ll always stand

by you.

- There won’t be too

much time left, so

we’d better hurry.

- I shall never

smoke.

3. Future

Continuous

- exprimă acŃiuni

viitoare văzute în

desfaşurare.

- expresses future

actions in

progress

S + will + be

+ verb + -ing

Who knows what I

will be doing

tomorrow this time?

In a week’s time

they will be enjoying

every moment of

their holiday.

in ten years’

time;

this time next

month; at 2

p.m.

2. Future

Perfect

- corespunde lui

Past Perfect şi

exprimă

anterioritatea unei

acŃiuni/stări

viitoare faŃă de o

altă acŃiune

viitoare.

- like Past

Perfect, it

expresses a future

action/state

completed before

another future

S+ will + have

+ Past

Participle

She will have left

when they reach the

hotel

by 4.30;

by the time

she returns;

by noon, etc

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action.

4. Present

Continuous

exprimă

aranjamente sau

planuri personale.

- prezenŃa

adverbului

corespunzător e

obligatorie.

- expresses

personal

arrangements,

plans – always

accompanied by a

near future time

expression.

S + be + -ing

What are you doing

later? Are you going

out with the group?

- adverbe

care indică

viitorul

apropiat

near future

adverbials

tomorrow,

next

(week)end,

today, in the

afternoon, etc,

- expresii

adverbiale cu

zilele

săptămânii

week days

adverbials

on Friday,

last Monday.

5. Present

Simple

- exprimă acŃiuni

sau demersuri

oficiale.

- expresses

official actions.

S + short inf.

The train leaves at

8.45 a.m.

The library closes at

10 p.m.

at 10 p.m

6.‘Going to’ viitorul intenŃiei

si al predicŃiei/

deducŃiei logice -

also called the

future of intention

and of

S + going to +

short inf.

Are you going to

start or not? I’m

going to ask when

the next train leaves.

It’s not going to be

any better than it is

when the next

train leaves

soon

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prediction/logical

inference.

now. Look! It’s

going to rain soon.

6. be to

= urmează să

– exprimă

iminenŃa unei

acŃiuni/stări.

- expresses the

imminence of an

action/state.

S + be to +

short inf.

They are to arrive in

the afternoon/in a

moment

in the

afternoon/

in a moment

8. be about to/

be on the

point/verge of

= a fi pe

punctul de a/

cât pe ce să/ a

sta să

S + be about

to + short inf.

S + be/verb

on the

point/verge

of + -ing

participle

The speaker is about

to end the

presentation.

The play is on the

point of starting.

She seems on the

verge of breaking

out.

9. be due to+

inf/ due at

un program/ orar

deja stabilit.

S+ be due

to/at + verb

The group of

students is due to

arrive at 8.30.

Their plane is due at

15.15. .

10. be bound

to

= trebuie să

- acŃiuni care se

impun ca

obligatorii.

S + be bound

to + verb

The group leader is

bound to know the

details regarding

their tour

programme.

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V. 3. Forme verbale simple şi continue - Verbe de stare şi verbe de acŃiune

Simple and Progressive verb forms - Stative, dynamic, process verbs

Majoritatea verbelor pot avea atât aspect continuu cât şi simplu, exprimând, în funcŃie de context, o

acŃiune static-informativă, sau o acŃiune dinamică.

Most verbs can take on either of the aspects, expressing, according to the context, a stative-

informative action, resopectively, a dynamic-progressive one.

John lives in this house. (it is his PERMANENT rersidence)

John is living in this house. (it is his TEMPORARY residence)

The stative form of the verb ‘lie’, means ‘be situated gepographicaly’ and its dynamic form means

‘having a recumbent, horizontal position’ Forma statică a verbului lie înseamnă’ a fi situat

geographic, iar cea dinamică înseamnă ‘a sta culcat, a se întinde’ This country lies north of Spain.,

dar şi de poziŃie spaŃială: He left the papers lying on the table.

Verbe procesuale: arata evoluŃia graduală a unui process

Process verbs: they show gradation of a process:

grow,change, deteriorate, mature, narrow, widen, slow down.If it relates a process, then the verb is

an action verb. If it relates a state, the verb is a stative verb. Stative verbs: be, hate, like, love, need,

belong, believe, cost, get, impress,, know, reach, recognize, taste, think/consider, understand.

Generally, stative verbs fall into the following four groups:

Tipul verbului

Type of verb

Exemple

Examples

ÎnŃeles de bază =

stare

Basic meaning =

state

ÎnŃeles schimbat =

proces/acŃiune

Changed meaning =

process/action

1. care exprimă

o opinie sau un

proces cognitiv

which express

thought or

epinions or

mental

cognition

know, believe,

understand,

recognize

think/consider,

imagine,

impress, intend,

mean, mind,

perceive, please,

prefer,

I think it will be a

successful

seminar.(opinion)

I consider it would

be proper to wait.

I dislike rudeness.

I am thinking of leaving.

I am (seriously)

considering leaving.

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presuppose,

realize, recall,

recognize,

regard,

remember,

satisfy, suppose,

think,

understand,

want, wish.

2. Verbe de

relaŃie

(relaŃionale)

sau care

exprimă posesia

Relational

Verbs, or verbs

which express

possession

be, belong to,

concern, consist

of, contain, cost,

depend on,

deserve, equal,

fit, have,

include, involve,

lack, matter,

need, owe, own,

possess, require,

resemble.

We don’t have such

a lot of time.

It belongs to

nobody.

I only own a bicyle.

Susan is (as a rule!)

a discreet person.

They are not having lunch

right now.

Today Susan is being very

nosy.

3. senzoriale

related to senses

and perception

see, hear, feel,

smell, taste,

sound

This sandwich tases

sour. (characteristic)

It also smells odd.

The blouse feels

rough against my

skin.

She sees well with

her new glasses.

I am tasting the sandwich.

(action)

I must smell it.

I am feeling this piece of

silk cloth.

She is seeing the eye

doctor. tomorrow. (has an

appointment)

Jane is no longer seeing

George. (is not dating him

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This song sounds

familiar to me.

This idea sounds

great! (=seems)

I hear you very well,

don’t shout.

anymore)

She is seeing things

(=imagining)

They will sound their

complaints (=announce)

They started hearing

voices (=imagining).

4. care exprimă

emoŃii/trăiri

which express

feelings

astonish, love,

hate, like, desire,

detest, dislike,

know, believe,

understand,

suppose, want,

wish, remember,

forget, forgive,

guess, abhor,

adore, doubt,

feel, wonder

They didn’t forget

about the

documents.

‘I feel better’ = ‘I

am feeling better ( a

very present state, or

a gradual process,

probably more

evident in the

present)

He was forgetting/(again)

was remembering to walk.

(the process of

degradation or of recovery

of an ability)

Sometimes, for the sake of

emphasis, we can say: I’m

simply loving being here!

(I’m fully enjoying every

single moment of my stay

here). Couldn’t you see he

was hating the

conversation?

VI. ConstrucŃii interogative

Questions

1. Întrebări cu cuvinte care conŃin grupul

‘wh’ (wh – questions)

Wh- questions

Where is the station? (Close to the city

center.)

Who gave you this direction? (The dean’s

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what; who; whose; which; where; when;

how; why; how + adjectiv/adverb ( how

much/ how far/ how fast)

VI. 2. Întrebări care cer răspunsuri de

tipul ‘da/nu’ (mereu despărŃite prin

virgulă de restul propoziŃiei)

Yes/no questions

Pronumele interogative ‘who’ şi ‘what’

pot îndeplini în frază atât rol de subiect

(subject) cât şi rol de complement (object). În

cazul în care întrebarea vizează subiectul, nu

se produce inversia subiectului cu predicatul

şi nici nu e nevoie de auxiliarul do

(respective does sau did). În schimb, la

celălalt tip de întrebări, aceste fenomene

apar.

Who and what can function either as subject

or as object of the sentence. In subject

questions, there is no inversion and no do

(does or did) auxiliaries, unlike in

complement questions.

secretary.)

How can I get to the Library? (You’ll see the

sign right away.)

Why were/are you late? (I missed the bus.)

When do I pay for the trip? (Even now if you

wish.)

She didn’t say which she preferred. (She is

still undecided.)

What were you doing at the time? (I was

looking for the hostel.)

Whose car are/were you washing? (My

own.)

How long have you studied/ been studying ?

(Not too long.)

Are you sitting comfortably?

Yes, I am/ No, I am not(I’m not).(sitting

comfortably? Did you see the presentation?

Yes, I did/ No, I didn’t (see the presentation)

Do you find the lecture interesting?

Yes, I do/ No, I don’t (find it interesting).

Was you friend listening?

Yes, he/she was/ No, he/she wasn’t

(listening).

Have you been to the theatre?

Yes, I have/No, I haven’t.

The Committee asks the candidate questions.

Who asks the candidate some questions?

(The Committee = Subject)

Who does the Committee ask some

questions? (The candidate = Object)

3 Alte tipuri de construcŃii interogative

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Other types of interrogative constructions

1. Întrebări care vizează Subiectul Întrebări care vizează

Complementul

Subject Questions Object Questions

Who makes the schedule? Who did she ask?

The group representative does. She asked no one.

What has he pointed out? What did he do with the

folders?

Who left the plan on the table?

Who has been to Romania before?

2. Întrebări descriptive: Cum e/

Cum sunt?

Descriptive questions:

What….like?

‘What is it/he like? What are they like?’

A nu se confunda What is he like? cu How is

he? (care înseamnă ‘cum se simte (cu

sănătatea)?’)

Note: We should not mistake : What is he

like? with How is he? (meaning ‘How does

he feel?’and we refer here to the person’s

health)

What is your home town like?

It’s a nice, quiet, provincial town.

What are your room-mates like?

Oh, them. They’re all right, I suppose. I’ve

hardly met them.

How is your friend now, after that nasty flu?

She’s much better now, thank you.

VII. ConstrucŃii cu Verbele Modale

Modal Constructions

Verbele modale: can - could, may – might, must-have to; will-would, shall-should, ought to, dare

(to), need (to)

Verbele Modale sunt semi-auxiliare, deci se comportă altfel decât verbele obişnuite, adică, îşi

formează interogativul şi negativul singure, fără a se ajuta de verbele auxiliare clasice be şi do, nu

primesc –s la persoana III sg. prezent şi nu au forme nepersonale (infinitiv, gerunziu).

(I can to to greşit).

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ExcepŃie fac ‘have to’, need to, be bound to, be going to’ la care se regăsesc toate aceste trăsături

şi care se numesc semi-modale. Aceste verbe au în cele mai multe cazuri dublu înŃeles: I may go at

last!

(I am allowed to) I may go today.( I will probably go).

De asemenea, majoritatea au o expresie sinonimică care să le înlocuiască în construcŃiile în care

acestea sunt improprii: They can swim (present) – They will be able to swim (future).

Modal verbs are semi-auxiliary verbs, therefore they have other characteristics than notional verbs,

that is, they don’t be or do to form the interrogative and the negative, nor do they get an -s in the III

sg. Also, they do not have non-finite forms (gerund or infinitive).

Exceptions are ‘have to’, ‘need to, ‘be bound to, ‘be going to’, ‘dare to’, which are called semi-

modals. They generally carry two meanings

I may go at last! (I am allowed to) I may go today.( I will probably go) and have a

synonymous expression to replace them in various situations where they are not fit.

Toate construcŃiile modale au două forme de bază:

A. construcŃiile modale simple, care se referă la situaŃii prezente sau viitoare:

S + modal + short infinitive

Paul may be leaving on Monday (It is possible that Paul is leaving on Monday);

This book may be what I really need. (This book is likely to be what I really need.)

B. construcŃiile modale perfecte, care se referă la evenimente trecute

Perfect Modal constructions – referring to past events

S + modal + have + Past Participle (IIIrd

form)

He should have arrived by now. (We expected him to arrive already by now.) The course must have

started. (I am sure the course has already started.)

All modal constructions can be found under two major forms: A. Simple Modal constructions –

referring to present or future situations;

VII. 1. Can - Could

Verbul

modal

Forma sininimică

Synonymous form

Sens

Meaning

Exemple

Examples

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Modal verb

1. be able to abilitate fizică sau mentală (=a fi

capabil de ceva)

physical or mental ability = ‘to

be able to do something’

They can (are able

to) ski very well.

I could (was never

able to) never learn

to drive.

2. be likely/ possible

to (happen)

posibilitatea ca ceva să aibă loc;

o presupunere

possibility/probability/conjecture

or a characteristic

It can (sometimes)

be (is very

likely/possible to

get) very cold in

these parts in

winter.Can it really

happen to me/ Is it

really happening to

me?

CAN

3. Can’t = it’s

impossible; it’s

unlikey/ not likely

mposibilitate este exprimată doar

cu ajutorul formei negative

impossibility – exclusively the

negative form

It can’t be true (it’s

impossible to be

true)! He can’t have

said such a

thing!(It’s

impossible/not likely

that he said such a

thing)

1. was able to o însuşire/caracteristică trecută

past ability

I remember that ten

years ago they could

speak Spanish much

better (…were able

to speak…).

2. it is probable that This route could be

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it happens/ to happen

; it is quite likely

that…

the right one.(it is

quite likely that this

is the right route).

3. Could’t = it’s not

possible/ it’s hard to

accept/believe

This is line 4, so this

couldn’t be the train

to Braşov.

COULD

4. why didn’t you?

reproş

reproach

You could hurry up

a bit! (it would be

nice if you did it!)

(Ai putea să te

grăbeşti puŃin!)

She could have

come in time! (It

would have been

polite of her to come

in time)(Ar fi putut

veni la timp!)

VII. 2. May - Might

Verbul

modal

Modal verb

Forma sininimică

Synonymous form

Sens

Meaning

Exemple

Examples

1. MAY

1. be

allowed/permitted

exprimă

permisiunea/aprobarea de a

face ceva; forma negativă

exprimă interdicŃia de a face

ceva expresses

permission/consent for an

action; the negative form

expresses interdiction to an

You may not enter

the building during

conference hours.

May I add

something?

But! They will not

be/were not

allowed/permitted to

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action

enter the building

without a permit.

exprimă probabilitatea unei

acŃiuni - e mai puternic decât

might

expresses the probability for

the occurrence of an action –

it is stronger than might

It may be better if

you left in the

morning instead of

tonight.

it is probable,

possible that/to

exprimă probabilitatea (mai

mică) unei acŃiuni – e mai

puŃin puternic decât may

expresses likeliness (not very

strong, though) for the

occurrence of an action – it is

less strong than may

Her neighbours

might tell you where

she’s moved. (I am

not sure either

whether they know

or wheter they are

willing to tell you.)

Leaving today might

be an option.

Attending the class

only might have

been enough to

understand the

course.

- este o formă de reproş

it is a form of reproach

You might at least

stay until the speech

ends.

2. MIGHT

- de asemenea, exprimă o

acŃiune ramasă ca ultimă

alternativă (neplacută

vorbitorului)

it also shows that the action is

We’ve lost the

document! We

might as well start it

all over again!

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seen as the last alternative

left, which the speaker resents

doing.

VII. 3. Must – Have to

Verbul modal

Modal verb

Forma sininimică

Synonymous form

Sens

Meaning

Exemple

Example

1. MUST (for

‘internal’

obligation

/conviction)

1. be compulsory/

obligatory/mandatory

2. it’s sure/certain

- exprimă obligativitatea

(convingere personală, nu

constrangere) de a face ceva;

forma negativă, ca şi may,

dar mai puternic decât

acesta, exprimă interdicŃia de

a face ceva , sau un reproş.

expresses obligation(

personal conviction rather

than imposition);

the negative form, expresses

interdiction to an action (in

a stronger way than may) or

reproach.

- exprimă ideea de

certitudine expresses

certainty

Well, I really

must go now.

(I know it’s

right to do so)

The plane

passengers must

first pass

through the

sanitary filter.

The passengers

must not open

their safety

belts unless told

to.

You mustn’t

speak to anyone

like that!

This must be

the way to the

hostel (I am

sure it is) The

train must have

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already left the

station by now.

2. HAVE TO (for

‘external’

obligation/

imposition

it’s compulsory/

obligatory/mandatory

I have to open

the meeting

today.

They had to run

to catch that

bus.

The lecturer

will have to

give you the

information.

3. SHALL

-

- obligativitate legală it is

obligatory by law (a very

strong obligation, it is

stronger than must);

sometimes it is followed by

‘have to’

obligation/compulsion

All books shall

be returned in

due time.

The citizens

shall (have to)

pay their levies

before the close

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of the year (if

they want to

avoid being

fined).

-

- ofertă de ajutor/serviciu

offer of help

Shall I carry the

bags for you?

-

- horârarea de a face ceva

dublată de certitudina

efectuării acŃiunii.

an action which the speaker

feels strong for and is

certain to happen.

I shall give up

smoking.

VII. 4. Shall – Should – Ought to

Verbul modal

Modal verb

Forma sininimică

Synonymous form

Sens

Meaning

Exemple

Examples

it is advisable/

recommendable;

it is met that…

- sfat, recomandare, uneori

reproş blând

advice, recommendation,

mild criticism

You should be

careful with

your money (!)

No one should

judge others!

One should

never judge

anyone!

1. SHOULD

- indecizie

hesitation

Should I stay or

should I leave?

You should

have completed

your project last

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- expresses coincidence,

when doubled in meaning

by it is strange/funny/odd

that …

It is really odd

that George

should be here

now.

2. OUGHT TO - recomandare morală = s-ar

cădea, ar trebui să, ar fi bine

să.

moral/etical

recommenadtion

Laws ought to

be obeyed by

every citizen!

We ought to be

caring with

elder people.

VII. 5. Needn’t to – don’t have to

Needn’t to/ Needn’t have to Don’t/Didn’t have to

Needn’t = absenŃa obligativităŃii

lack of obligation

You needn’t do it = there is no need to do

it

Needn’t have to = acŃiunea a fost efectuată

desi nu era necesar sa fie efectuată

She needn’t have to come today = She

came today although it wasn’t necessary.

Not have to = absenŃa constrângerii

no compulsion

You don’t have to do it = you are not

forced to do it

Didn’t have to = acŃiunea nu a fost

efectuată dar nici nu era necesar sa fie

efectuată

She didn’t have to come today – She

didn’t come today and it wasn’t necessary

either

VII. 6. Will- Would

Verbul modal

Modal verb

Forma sininimică

Synonymous form

Sens

Meaning

Exemple

Examples

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- promisiune

promise

I will write as

soon as I

arrive.(I

promise to

write)

încăpăŃânare

- încăapăŃânare

stubborn determination

If you will

refuse to attend

the course,

you’ll fail the

exam.

1. WILL

(willingness/

determination to

do something)

- deducŃie logică

logical deduction

This message

will be for me.

(I have been

expecting it, so

I know)

2. WOULD

- presupunere

supposition – similar to

could/may/might

Phoning the

station would

(may/

might/could)

spare you the

effort to go and

ask yourself.

VII. 7. Need ≠ need to

Need to nu este un veb modal, el se comportă la fel ca orice verb notional (primeşte –s la pers. III sg,

etc.) şi exprimă ideea necesitătii unei stări sau unei acŃiuni.

Need to is not a modal verb, it behaves like any notional verb (gets –s in III pers sg, etc.)and

expresses the necessity of a state or action.

They need to return as soon as possible.

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Need este un modal şi este folosit în propoziŃii interogative sau negative.

Need is a modal auxiliary, and it is used only in interrogative or negative sentences.

Need she really show off like that? (Chiar trebuie să epateze astfel ?)

VIII. ConstrucŃii cu diateza pasivă

Passive Constructions

(Be + Past Participle; Have + Be + Past Participle; Will + Be/Will + Have + Been + Past Participle;

Be + Being + Past Participle; Modal + Be + Past Participle; Modal + Have + Been + Past Participle

S + Passive Voice + by…(agent) + with… (instrument) (Complement de agent ; instrumental)

The mistake was made by Helen. (agent)

The window has been broken with a rod. (instrument)

John will be given all the instructions for the project (Lui John i se vor da toate

instrucŃiunile…)

She might have been told, I don’t know (Se poate/S-ar putea să i se fi spus, nu ştiu)

ConstrucŃiile predicative care acceptă forme passive: Present Simple; Present Continuous; Past

Simple Past Continuous; Present Perfect Simple; ‘will’-Future, Future Perfect, Modal

Constructions.

(Acceptable Passive predications)

The plan is being discussed at the moment.(Deocamdată / în acest moment/ în momentul de

faŃă,

planul se află în discuŃie.)

Verbe dublu-complementare (cu două complemente)

VIII 1. Verbe cu două complemente

Verbs with 2 objects

Dacă într-o propoziŃie există două complemente, ordinea lor este persoană – obiect.

If there are two objects in a sentence, the normal word order is: person (p) – thing (t)

You should write your parents (p) a postcard (t) before you leave Paris.

With verbs such as say, present, explain, describe, report, we always put the person after the thing:

(t) + ‘to’→ (p)

I explain this rule to you.

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Mary will present the new programming technique to the staff.

If the thing is a pronoun, it stands behind the verb.

I must buy it for my sister (p).

These verbs generate two kinds of passive sentences, the subject of each sentence with indirect

object and direct object respectively:

The organisers have offered the participants a set of useful brochures.

a) The participants have been offered a set of useful brochures by the organisers.

b) A set of useful brochures have been offered (to) the participants by the organisers.

ACTIVE VOICE PASSIVE VOICE

1. Present Simple

They always tell me to be careful.

2. Present Continuous

They are discussing the plan.

3. Past Simple

They didn’t open the museum last year.

4. Past Continuous

The Committee was amending the project.

5. will-Future

They will soon check my documents.

6. Future Perfect

They will have closed the office by the time

we get there.

7. Present Perfect Simple

They have passed the new ordinance.

8. Modal Simple

Any of us can easily do it.

9. Modal Perfect

I think they could have told me about the

schedule change.

I am always told to be careful.

The plan is being discussed.

The museum wasn’t opened last year.

The project was being amended by

the Committee.

My documents will be soon checked.

By the time we get there the office

will have been closed.

The new ordinance has been passed.

It can be easily done by any of us.

I think I could have been told about

the schedule change.

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VIII. 1.1. Verbe care nu pot fi pasivizate

Verbs which do not take on a passive form

Iată câteva: arise, consist of, depend on, exist, fall, happen, lack (even if it takes a direct object)

occur, result from-in, rise.

În cazul în care verbul este urmat de un complement direct, el poate fi pasivizat. Dacă nu există

acest complement direct post-pus verbului, pasivizarea nu are loc.

If the verb can be followed by a direct, it can be made passive. However, if there is no direct object

to become the subject, the verb cannot be transformed to the passive.

Leaving England occurred to me many times.

VIII. 1. 2. Cazuri speciale al Diatezei Pasive

Special passive cases

VIII. 1. 2. 1. Have something done (to you by somebody else than you)

She will have her classes rescheduled next week.

(I se vor face schimbări în orar săptămana viitoare)

My boss has had his office redecorated. (Biroul sefului meu a fost redecorat)

VIII. 1. 2. 2. Get something done (ideea de urgenŃă)

Get your car serviced today!

VIII. 1. 2. 3. Impersonal Passive (used in news)

It is said/rumoured/thought/considered + that + ….. (se zice/zvoneşte/crede/consideră că…)

Passive sentence 1:

It is said that sometimes trains can arrive with great delays.

Passive sentence 2:

Trains are said to (be likely to) arrive sometimes with great delays.

It is said/rumoured/thought/considered that Mary is/was the best candidate for the job.

S + is/was said/rumoured/thought/considered + to be/ to have been….(Se zice(…)/s-a zis (…)că…)

Mary is said to be the best candidate for the job.(Se zice că Mary este…)

Mary is said to have been the best candidate for the job. (Se zice că Mary a fost/ar fi fost…)

Mary was said to have been the best candidate for the job.(S-a zis că Mary a fost/ar fi fost…)

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IX. Vorbirea Directă şi Indirectă

Reported Speech

Cu ajutorul vorbirii indirecte, cuvintele unui vorbitor sunt preluate şi redate de către un alt vorbitor.

Astfel, se schimbă perspectiva (locul/poziŃia/timpul/persoana) din care este emis un enunŃ.

In indirect speech, someone’s words are reported by someone else. A change of perspective takes

place: the place, position, time and speaking person are modified.

Transformări:

Transformations

I/we/me/us �he/she/you/they/him/her/them

here � there

now � then

today � yesterday

this week � last/the previous week

last week � the last week

come � go Imperative � ‘to’-infinitive

Present (Perfect) � Past (Perfect)

Past � Past Perfect

will � would

Modalele – ramân neschimbate ca formă şi înŃeles, cu excepŃia lui can, care la Past devine, în

funcŃie de înŃelesul cerut de context, could sau was able to.

Modals don’t change, except the Past Tense of can, which is equally could and was able to.

Din punct de vedere semantic, timpul la care se face referire în vorbirea directă NU SE SCHIMBĂ.

Modificarea este doar una formală, pentru a se respecta legea concordanŃei timpurilor

din limba engleză.

Semantically speaking, the reference time from the Direct Speech statement DOES NOT CHANGE –

the change is only a FORMAL change, to obey the SEQUENCE OF TENSES law.

Vorbirea directă

Direct speech

Vorbirea indirectă

Indirect speech

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“She is my friend”, Ann said

“Come here right now!”

“I can’t do it by myself right now."

You should think it over, don’t you

think so?”

“The session couldn’t have started.”

“How old are you; where do you live;

how many brothers and/or sisters do you

have?”

Ann said (that) she was her friend.

She ordered me/her/him/us/them to go there

in that very moment.

She said/complained (that) she

couldn’t/wasn’t able to do it all by herself in

that moment.

She advised me to think it over/ She said

(that) I should think it over.

They agreed/said that the session couldn’t

have started.

She asked me/wanted to know how old I

am/was, where I live/lived and how many

brothers and sisters I have/had.

IX. 1. Verbe raportoare

Reporting verbs

With if/whether

Peter asked whether/if anyone should leave

by the morning train.

ask, know, remember, say, see

With an object + long infinitive

My parents advised me to stay in tonight.

advise, ask, beg, command, forbid, instruct,

invite, teach, tell, warn

With that+(should) clauses or an

infinitive

He added that all candidates (should) wear

suits and ties.

The chairman expected everyone to be on

time.

add, admit, agree, announce, answer, argue,

boast,

claim, comment, complain, confirm, consider,

deny, doubt, estimate, explain, fear, feel, insist,

mention, observe, persuade, propose, remark,

remember, repeat reply, report, reveal, say,

state, suggest, suppose, tell, think, understand,

warn.

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advise, beg, demand , insist, prefer, propose,

recommend, request, suggest.

decide, expect, guarantee, hope, promise,

swear, threaten

With question words

He asked me how we could explain all that.

I can’t say who could have imagined the

consequences.

decide, describe, discover, discuss, explain,

forget, guess, imagine, know, learn, realise,

remember, reveal

say, see, suggest, teach, tell, think, understand,

wonder.

X. Formele verbale nepersonale (infinitivul, gerunziul, participiul)

Non-finite verb forms (infinitive, gerund and participle)

Gerund = the –ing form of a verb (e.g. going, talking, writing, etc)

Infinitive = to + simple form of the verb (e.g. to talk, to dance, to write, etc)

Participle = forme participiiale – ele intră în compoziŃia anumitori timpuri verbale şi a unor

forme adjectivale ; alte utilizări: pentru a scurta unele propoziŃii

kinds of participles in English

present participle, past participle and perfect participle the first two are part of certain tenses and

adjective forms; additional uses: to shorten sentences.

Forma verbală

nepredicativă

Form of non-finite

verb

Caracteristici

Features

ConstrucŃie

Form

Exemple

Examples

- în combinaŃie cu

structuri ca:

we use infinitives in

combination with

structures such as:

(I’m) hono(u)red/

delighted/ pleased/

a) Verb + ‘to’

Infinitive

advise, agree, ask,

expect, intend, offer,

plan, pretend, hope,

promise, refuse,

want, would like +

She’s delighted to see

you again.

I’m surprised to meet

you here again.

I want to return there

one day.

They promised not to

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1. INFINITIVE

surprised+ to meet y

- pentru a exprima

scopul:

- to express purpose:

b) Verb + (Pro)noun

+ ‘to’Infinitive

remind, invite, permit,

allow, warn, ask,

would like, expect,

invite, force, require,

encourage, advise, tell

+ someone + to do

‘to’ infinitive

be too late.

Mary hoped to pass

her exam.

Read the instruction to

be able to use this

device correctly.

She is here (because

she wishes) to learn a

new language.

She told me to be here

before 9 o’clock.

(passive : I was told to

be here….)

The policeman waved

the driver to pull

left.(no passive form !)

Compare:

They expect to pass

the test (expectation

about themselves)

and

They expect me/the

candidate to pass the

test.

(expectation about

someone else)

a) îndeplinesc

funcŃie de subiect sau

complement (ca şi

substantivele)

-can fulfill a noun

They enjoy staying

here (= they enjoy

their stay here)

Studying (= the study

of) this is fun.

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2. GERUND

function (as a subject

or object)

b) Preposition +

Gerund

c) ‘to’ (= preposition,

not infinitive

particle) + Gerund

d) ‘not’ precede un

gerunziu

‘not’ precedes a

gerund

Verbe urmated de un

gerunziu:

Verbs followed by

Gernunds

avoid, consider (think

about), delay, discuss

(talk about), enjoy,

keep(on), mention,

I (don’t) like working

in large groups. (= the

work)

Compare:

Writing (subject)

essays is useful in

language study

They are writing

(present participle) an

essay.

This is writing (- adj.)

paper.

Mary talked about

leaving for Canada

soon.

He is in charge of

organizing the trip.

Are you interested in

joining us?

She is used to working

late.

They look/are looking

forward to meeting

you.

I do not object to

(their) postponing the

meeting.

I am already

accustomed to not

sleeping very much.

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postpone(put off),

suggest, stop (e.g.

‘stop working’)

3. PARTICIPLE

a) Participiul Prezent

Present Participle

1. se foloseşte pentru a

forma timpuri

continue

- it is used to form

progressive /

continuous tenses (e.

g. Present Progressive)

2. as an adjective

3. se foloseşte

împreună cu verbe

senzoriale, mai ales

atunci când idea de

finalitate a acŃiunii nu

este implicită.

We use it with verbs of

the senses if we do not

want to emphasise that

the action was

completed. (see

Infinitive or Ing-Form)

: see, watch, notice,

feel, smell, hear, find,

listen to

b) Participiul trecut

Past Participle

forma a treia a

verbelor pentru

Ortografiere

Spelling:

- final -ie becomes –

y: dye – dying (=a

vopsi) ; lie lying

-final consonant

after short, stressed

vowel is doubled :

refer – referring;

permit – permitting

Ortografiere

Spelling:

- consonant + -y = -

i:

marry - married

- final consonant

after a short, stressed

I am listening!

The film is interesting.

Did you notice her

leaving the office?

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formele verbale

perfecte

the third form of

verbs used either to

build up

- perfect tenses

(Present/Past Perfect

Simple

- passive forms

- adjective forms )

c) Participiu perfect

Perfect Participle

- uneşte propoziŃiile

care au acelaşi subiect,

atunci când acŃiunea

exprimată de

construcŃia cu

participiul perfect s-a

incheiat înainte de

începerea altei acŃiuni.

- joins clauses that

have the same subject

when the action

expressed by the

perfect participle was

completed before the

next action begins.

- exprimă o acŃiune

este în desfăşurare de

câtva timp şi o alta

începe.

one action has been

vowel:

permit→permitted

active voice: having

+ past participle

passive voice:

having been + past

participle

I have/had read this

book.

The book was edited

by….

It was well-written.

Having read the

bibliography, they

wrote an article (=

They read the

bibliography and

wrote an article. )

Having been looking

for a flat for a good

while, he wanted to

give up.(= He had

been looking for a flat

for a good while and

he wanted to give up.)

Having arrived at the

hotel, they checked in.

Having been

redecorated, the house

looked neat.

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in progress for some

time, and another

action starts.

- face parte din

construcŃiile active si

passive.

it is used for active

and passive

constructions.

X 4. Like doing ≠ would like to do

Like/love to/prefer to do/doing Would like/love to

- exprimă plăcerea vorbitorului de a

face ceva.

expresses the speaker’s

fondness/preference to do something.

They like to spend their weekends in

the mountains. (le place să/ preferă

să…)

You prefer/like to spend/spending

yours at home.

exprimă dorinŃa vorbitorului de a

face ceva.

expresses the speaker’s

wish/desire to do something.

They would like to spend their

weekends in the mountains. (le-ar

place/ar dori să…)

XI. Structuri Sintactice: Coordonarea şi Subordonarea

Syntactic Structures: Coordination (Correlations) and Subordination

Cu ajutorul coordonării şi subordonării, unităŃile simple gramaticale de tipul expresiilor sau

propoziŃiilor simple se pot combina, obŃinându-se unităŃi complexe.

Grammatical units (phrases and the simple sentences) can be combined to make new, more complex

units by means of coordination and of subordination.

1. Subordonarea

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Subordination

Orice propoziŃie subordonată este introdusă de o conjuncŃie subordonatoare sau de către un pronume

relativ şi va avea în mod obligatoriu atât subiect cât şi predicat, fără însă să poată fi considerată

drept o propoziŃie de sine stătătoare. Pentru intregirea sensului este nevoie de precizari suplimentare.

A subordinate clause - also called a dependent clause - will begin with a subordinate conjunction or

a relative pronoun and will contain both a subject and a verb. This combination of words will not

form a complete sentence. It will instead make a reader want additional information to finish the

thought.

Notă

Note

Virgula se cere pusă în mod obligatoriu doar dacă subordonata apare în faŃa propoziŃiei principale,

altfel utilizarea ei nu este obligatorie.

When you attach a subordinate clause in front of a main clause, use a comma.

Not having been able to finish our task in time, we were frowned on by the project coordinator.

Were we to be busy on Tuesday, find someone to substitute for us.

but:

Nick needed additional explanations Ø because he had missed the past three courses indicated

in the course.

My team is very likely to win again the leading position in the district Ø since out entire

activity is

coordinated by real professionals.

Subordination is there to be used to combine ideas effectively, for example, two ideas in a single

sentence:

My son called. A woman asked about me.

Since the two simple sentences are related, you can combine them to express the action more

effectively:

My son called when a woman asked about me.

If the two ideas have unequal importance, save the most important one for the end of the sentence so

that your reader remembers it best. If we rewrite the example above so that the two ideas are

flipped, the wrong point gets emphasized:

When a woman asked about me, my son called.

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Subordinating conjunctions Relative pronouns

after once

until

although provided that

when

as rather than

whenever

because since

where

before so that

whereas

even if than

wherever

even though that

whether

if though

while

in oder that unless

why

that who whose

which whoever

whosever

whichever whom

whomever

2. Coordonarea

Coordination

COORDINATION

Conjunctions: or, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Punctuation: , and ;

Examples

Functions of ‘and’

- simple addition (2nd clause adds something

to the 1st clause)

- sequence (2nd clause comes after the 1st

clause)

- result (2nd clause results from the 1st

- This museum houses ancient items, and it

also has a collection of recent international

currency.

- Mark checked in, and (then) he went to

meet his colleagues.

- The maid found the wallet under the bed,

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clause).

- contrast (2nd clause is in contrast to the 1st

clause)

- concession (1st clause concedes something

while 2nd clause gives the actuality or truth)

- condition (1st clause is a condition for the

2nd clause)

- similarity (2nd clause makes a point similar

to that of the 1st clause) .

- explanation (2nd clause comments on or

explains the 1st clause)

and John cryed out for joy.

- Catleen prefers the seaside, and her

husband loves the Scottish mountains.

- Your ambition is to come up with a

breakthrough, and yet you always seem to

miss it in the last second.

- We should try harder, and you’ll reap your

success.

- The new subscribers benefit from a 20%

deduction, and the regular clients can enjoy

similar advantages with each renewal.

- He needs to take steps immediately, and

that’s to change completely both his food and

work habits.

XII. Fraza CondiŃională

Conditional Constructions

PropoziŃia CondiŃională exprimă o condiŃie necesară în vederea obŃinerii unui rezultat care apare ca

urmare a realizării condiŃiei.

It is a Subordinate Clause which contains a condition. Three major types of Conditional Clauses

are known according to the condition on which the clause is built.

AtenŃie! if = dacă dar even if = chiar dacă, cu toate că.

Note:

PropoziŃiile introduse de ‘if’ exprimă condiŃiile necesare prin care se ajunge la un anumit rezultat.

Aceste condiŃionale determină rezultate predictibile, care sunt motivate de însăşi condiŃia intrinsecă

care stă la baza acestora. Spre dosebire de ele, în cazul condiŃionalelor cu ‘even if’, rezultatul la care

se ajunge este unul neprevăzut.

ComparaŃi:

Compare

If she studies hard, she will pass the exam (Dacă se pregăteşte serios,va lua examenul)

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and

Even if she studies hard, she won’t pass the exam. (Chiar dacă/ Cu toate că se pregateşte serios, nu

va lua examenul).

‘If’ clauses express the conditions necessary for the result. If clauses are followed by expected

results based on the condition. In contrast to sentences with ‘if’ sentences with ‘even if’ show a

result that is unexpected based on the condition in the ‘even if’ clause.

În funcŃie de felul condiŃiei, se cunosc trei tipuri de propoziŃii condiŃionale.

Tipul I: sau condiŃionala posibilă şansele de realizare a condiŃiei sunt foarte mari.

În propoziŃia principală avem de regulă Future Tense (uneori Present Tense sau un Modal), iar în

propoziŃia condiŃională avem Present sau Present Perfect Tense.

Type I - often called the ‘real’ conditional because it is used for real - or possible - situations.

These situations take place if a certain condition is met; it contains a Possible (sometimes called

Probable or accomplishable) Condition.

We have Future/Present/Modal in the Main Clause and Present Simple/Present Continuous/Present

Perfect in the Conditional Clause.

Tipul II: sau condiŃionala puŃin probabilă deoarece exprimă situaŃii imposibile sau chiar nereale; în

acest caz, nu mai suntem atât de siguri de realizarea condiŃiei propuse. În cazuri, rezultatul la care se

ajunge este unul imaginar.

ObservaŃie : Forma verbului ‘to be’ este in acest context ‘were’.

În propoziŃia principală avem Past Tense (sau Past Continuous), iar în propoziŃia condiŃională,

Present Conditional (would + verb)

If he had a student card, he would travel cheaper.

I wouldn’t jump to conclusions if I were you.

Type II - often called the ‘unreal’ conditional because it is used for unreal - impossible or

improbable - situations. This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given situation.

Note : The verb ‘to be’, when used in the 2nd conditional, is always conjugated as ‘were’.

Tipul III – adesea e numit şi ‘past conditional’ deoarece se referă doar la situaŃii trecute cu rezultate

ipotetice.

Type III - often referred to as the ‘past’ conditional because it concerns only past situations with

hypothetical results

If Al Gore had been elected president, the situation would have been different/ would now be

different.

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XII. 1. Alte conjuncŃii care introduc Subordonata CondiŃională:

Other subordinating conjunctions

Whether or not – indiferent de condiŃiile propuse, rezultatul va fi acelaşi:

Whether they have money or not/whether or not they have money, they are determined to

leave.

(Indiferent dacă au sau nu au bani/fie că au bani sau nu, sunt hotărâŃi să plece.)

Unless – are aceeaşi valoare cu ‘if not’:

Unless she eats everything, she won’t get any better. E IDENTIC CA SENS CU: If she doesn’t

eat, she

won’t get any better. (‘Dacă (ea) nu mananca, nu se va simti mai bine)

AtenŃie! ‘Unless’ se foloseşte doar în CondiŃionalele de Tipul I.

In case şi in the event se folosesc atunci când nu ne aşteptăm ca un eveniment sa se aibă loc. Ambele

expresii se folosesc in special pentru exprimarea evenimentelor viitoare. ‘In case it rains, take the

bus.’ ‘I'll be studying upstairs in the event he calls’.

Only if – înseamnă ‘doar în cazul în care se întamplă ceva – şi numai atunci’. Are practic acelaşi

înŃeles cu ‘if’, dar pune accent pe îndeplinirea condiŃiei pentru a se ajunge la rezultatul scontat.

Dacă ‘only if’ se află la începutul propoziŃiei, atunci trebuie să inversăm propozŃia principală.

Certificates will be released only if the participants attend the entire section of the workshop.

If only (!) (o falsă CondiŃională) exprimă, de fapt, o dorinŃă ipotetică, o intenŃie prea puŃin

realizabilă.

PropoziŃia Principală se deduce din contextual semantic al ideii de dorinŃă:

If only they were given the right directions (they would be able to reach the hotel for the check in)!

Măcar dacă li s-ar fi dat instrucŃiunile corecte (ei ar fi reuşit sa ajungă la timp pentru cazare)!

Whether or not expresses the idea that neither one condition or another matters; the result will be

the same. Notice the possibility of inversion

Unlessexpresses the idea of ’if not and is only used in the first conditional.

In case and in the event usually mean that you don’t expect something to happen. Both are used

primarily for events.

Only if means ‘only in the case that something happens - and only if’. This form basically means the

same as ‘if’. However, it does stress the condition for the result. Note that when ‘only if’ begins the

sentence you need to invert the main clause.

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If only is a false Conditional, in fact, expressing a wish, a hypothetical desire or a hardly

accomplishable dream. The Main Clause is understood from the semantic context of the wish.

when=if

When (=if) I am not supposed to, I don’t interfere.

XII. 2. CondiŃionala de Tipul I (CondiŃia Reală – cu referire la viitor sau la prezent)

Type I Conditional –Probable Condition

- exprimă o situaŃie anticipată posibilă/foarte realizabilă. (Acest tip de condiŃională este identic ca

structură cu subordonată temporală introdusă de un adverb de timp: when, as soon as, the moment,

etc.)

If anything happens, I will stand by you. (Dacă ceva se întamplă, eu te voi sprijini.(în mod sigur!)

If/When/As soon as/ The moment Mark comes, I will talk to him.

- mai exprimă o situaŃie de tipul cauză-efect (în acest caz, avem Present Tense in PropoziŃia

Principală şi tot Present Tense în PropoziŃia CondiŃională):

If you work, you have money, if you don’t work, you starve.

Situations that are always true if something happens. This use is similar to, and can usually be

repleaced by, a Time Clause using a time adverbial.

TYPE I

PropoziŃia

Principală

Main Clause

ConjuncŃia

Conjunction

PropoziŃia CondiŃională

Conditional Clause

Îndeplinirea acŃiunii

are un grad mare de

certitudine -condiŃie

posibilă.

Probable, highly

fulfillable condition

-promise/prediction

- warning

FUTURE

You will get a room

I’m going to miss the

beginning

You’ll fall asleep

PRESENT

The plant grows

if

PRESENT

you check in in time.

you don’t leave now.

PRESENTCONTINUOUS

you are not working faster.

it is watered regularly.

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- cause-effect

MODAL

You can/may leave

You can’t/won’t take

the exam

you finish.

PRESENT PERFECT

you haven’t written the

essay. (stress on action

completion)

XII. 3. CondiŃionala de Tipul II (CondiŃia improbabilă sau nereală)

Type II Conditional (Imporbable, unreal condition)

- exprimă o condiŃie improbabilă, îndeplinirea acesteia nefiind la fel de sigură ca în primul cazde

condiŃie; este vorba mai mult de situaŃii ipotetice, imaginare. Traducerea in limba romană se face cu

ajutorul modului condiŃional-optativ prezent.

În PropoziŃia Principală avem would/could + verb, iar în PropoziŃia CondiŃională avem Past Tense/

Subjonctivul ‘were’.

Often called the unreal or hypothetical or even absurd conditional because it is used for unreal -

impossible improbable - situations. This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given

situation.

NOTE: The verb ‘to be’, when used in the 2nd conditional, is always conjugated as ‘were’.

TYPE II

PropoziŃia Principală

Main Clause

ConjuncŃia

Conjunction

PropoziŃia

CondiŃională

Conditional Clause

AcŃiunea are

sanse mai mici

de indeplinire

decât în cazul

Tipului I –

condiŃie

probabilă

Improbable

condition, less

likely to be

PRESENT

CONDITIONAL

You would get a room

if

PRESENT

you checked in in time.

I were you/18 again

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fulfilled

- hypothetical

condition

-

unreal/absurd

condition

- past cause-

effect

I would try again

PAST

The plant grew

(unreal, because I can

never be you/ I no

longer 18)

PAST

it was watered

regularly.

XII. 4. CondiŃionala de Tipul III (CondiŃia imposibilă/nerealizată)

Type III Conditional

- exprimă o condiŃie neîndeplinită datorită faptului că timpul rezervat realizării ei a trecut. Este, de

fapt, un regret tardiv, exprimat foarte bine de constatarea consecinŃei acestei neîmpliniri. Aceasta

nouă frază este introdusă de ‘but…’ iar predicatele din ambele propoziŃii ale acesteia sunt la Past

Tense.

The Dean would have considered their proposal, if they had requested a meeting with him. (!but

/however they did not request a meeting with the Dean, therefore/ so, and consequently their

proposal was not reconsidered) (Decanul le-ar fi luat în considerare propunerea, dacă ei ar fi solicitat

o întrevededre cu el.)

She would be able to write much better (now), if she had practiced more. (!but she did not practice

enough, so she is not able to write any better now) (Acum ar fi în stare să scrie mult mai bine dacă

ar fi exersat mai mult.)

Often referred to as the ‘late regrets’ because it concerns only past situations with no fulfillable

perspectives.

Nothing can be done anymore to solve a past failure.)

TYPE III

PropoziŃia Principală

Main Clause

ConjuncŃia

Conjunction

PropoziŃia

CondiŃională

Conditional Clause

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AcŃiunea nu a

fost efectuată -

condiŃie

imposibilă

Impossibe

condition, not

fulfilled

Sometimes

called a ‘late

regret’ or a

‘missed chance’

(even if it is not

expressed, we

feel there is an

implied ‘but’)

PAST CONDITIONAL

You would have got a

room

if

PAST PERFECT

you had checked in in

time.

(but you did not check in

in time, so/therefore/in

conclusion/consequently,

you did not get a room;

but since you did not

check in in time, you did

not get a room)

XII. 5. CondiŃionale mixte

Mixed conditionals

I + II Mary will get the prize if she worked harder.

II + III Mary would be a winner now if she had worked harder.

XII. 6. Inversiunea în propoziŃia condiŃională

Inversion in Cconditional Clauses

Se foloseste cu scopul de a accentua condiŃia

It is used for emphatic purposes

Were she to come, I would talk to her. = If she were to come, I would talk to her.

Had we decided to leave sooner, we would have met Tom at the airport. + If we had decided to

leave sooner, we would have met Tom at the airport.

XII. 7. Alte moduri de a exprima o condiŃie

Other ways to express condition

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1. Supposing

I might give Mina the book, supposing she drops by (which I hardly think will happen)

2. If it weren’t/wasn’t for/ If it hadn’t been for = but for

Type II If it wasn’t for Michael, I would be lost! (daca n-ar fi Michael, as fi pierdut(a))

But for Michael, I would be lost

Type III If it hadn’t been for Michael, I would be lost (NOW) /I would have been lost.

(THEN)

(daca n-ar fi fost Michael, as fi pierduta (acum)/as fi fost pierduta (atunci)

But for Michael, I would be lost (NOW) /I would have been lost. (THEN)

3. If so

Ken may refuse to substitute for me. If so, (= in this situation) else.

4. Should (= it is rather unlikely to happen)

If Ken should refuse to substitute for me, which I doubt it will happen, I’ll have to find someone

else.

(with inversion) Should Ken refuse to…, I’ll have to resort to someone else.

5. Happen to – expressing chance

Tell Ann I won’t be able to be there in time, if you (should) happen to see her.

XIII . Alte tipuri de PropoziŃii Subordonate

Other Types of Subordinate Clauses:

1.Noun Clauses are classified into: Subjective, Predicative,

Direct Object, Prepositional, Appositive

2. Adjective Clauses or Attributive

3. Adverb Clauses (the most important of them): of Time, of Place, of Purpose, of Reason, of

Result, of

Manner (Comparison), Conditional (see ch. XI),

of

Concession (Contrast), Relative, Participle

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Type of clause Function Examples

1. Noun Clause

it fulfills the function of a

Direct Object

it fulfills the function of the

Object of a preposition

it fulfills the function of the

Apposition

- the conjunction that before a

noun clause may be omitted

in some sentences

The results are misleading.

What the results report, is

misleading. (Subject) I do not

know his address. I do not

know where he lives.

Give the statistical part of the

project to James. Give the

statistical part of the project to

whoever can manage it best.

That fact – the opposition’s

success (the fact that the

opposition won) discouraged

many.

I know (that) she is right.

2. Adjective

Clauses

- if it is not used as a subject,

the relative pronoun in an

adjective clause may

sometimes be omitted.

We need reliable employees

(= who are reliable).

We took the trodden path

(=which had been trodden).

There is no longer such a

thing as a safe neighbourhood

(= where people feel safe)

John is the person I trust.

(=whom I trust)

- may modify a verb, an

adjective, an adverb, an

infinitive, a gerund, a

Soon the lights went out.

When the windstorm hit, the

lights went out.

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3. Adverb

Clauses

participle, or even the rest of

the sentence in which it

appears. Many adverb clauses

can take various positions in a

sentence. Adverb clauses are

ordinarily introduced by

subordinating conjunctions.

Some adverb clauses may be

elliptical.

No alcoholic beverages are

sold locally (=sold where I

live.

Speak distinctly. Speak so that

you can be understood.

If I can save enough money,

I’ll go to Alaska next summer.

If not, I’ll take a trip to St.

Louis.

Types of Adverb Clauses

3.1. Adverb Clauses of

Time

Characteristics Examples

- relate other actions to

the activity in the main

clause.

- are introduced by

adverbs of time such as

before, after, while, as

soon as, by, when, as

which indicate the time

when something

happens.

John (had) made some

phone calls before he

answered his e-mails.

John answered his

e-mails talked to Anca

after he (had) made some

phone calls.

John opened his

mail box when he made

some phone calls.

John opened his

mail box while he made

some phone calls.

John had (already)

made some phone calls

by the time he started

reading his e-mails.

John will have

(already) made some

phone calls by the time he

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checked his mail box.

3. 2. Adverb Clauses of

Place

– indicate the place

where something

happens.

I remember where I put

the book.

You will find them

waiting exactly where

they are now.

I accept to live wherever

you decide (to).

3. 3. Adverb Clauses of

Purpose

- it states the purpose of

the action in the

independent clause.

- the most common type

of purpose clause is a

to-infinitive clause, but in

formal writing, in order

to and so as to, so that or

in order that are

preferred.

- the difference between

so and so that is that so

that implies that the

cause was deliberately

done by someone in order

to get a specific result.

- other ways of

expressing purpose are:

for the purpose of, with a

view to, with the intention

of, with the object/aim of.

- with these phrases the

verb must be in the -ing

form.

I tried to buy the car to be

able to come into the city

more easily.

The report was written

in order to give a brief

presentation of the

research results.

The lecturer came up

with additional

explanations so that the

students would be able

to/could get the

point more easily.

We offer new courses on

cultural matters with a

view to upgrading the

general public’s

knowledge in the domain.

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3. 4. Adverb Clauses of

Reason

- they say why

something happens

- are introduced by the

conjunctions because, as

or since, when(!) or the

prepositional phrases

because of and on

account of.

As I needed more

information on the

subject, I decided to

enroll for an extra

semester.

They didn’t buy the

house because it was too

deteriorated.

My room mate was

unable to work on his

project on account of a

malfunction in the

computer. (because the

computer malfunctioned.)

3. 5. Adverb Clauses of

Cause and Effect

Because

Notice how because can

be used with a variety of

tenses based on the time

relationship between the

two clauses.

As

means the same as

because but is used in

more formal, written

English.

As long as

means the same as

because, but it is more

informal, spoken English.

Since

means the same as

because.

They received a high

mark on their exam

because they had studied

hard.

I’m studying hard

because I want to pass

my exam/because I know

too little.

As the test is difficult,

you had better get some

sleep.

As long as nobody will be

in this house for a while,

why don’t you move in

yourself?

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It tends to be used in

more informal spoken

English. Important note:

Since when used as a

conjunction is typically

used to refer to a period

of time, while because

implies a cause or reason

Due to the fact

that

means the same as

because but is generally

used in very formal,

written English.

Inasamuch as

means the same as

because and is used in

very formal, written

English.

Since his application was

rejected , he decided to

apply soemhwere else.

It’s clear we shall have

get up earlier since work

starts at 8.

We will be staying for an

extra week due to the fact

that we haven not yet

finished.

Inasmuch as the students

had succesfully

completed their exams,

their parents rewarded

their efforts by giving

them a trip to Paris.

3. 6. Adverb Clauses of

Contrast (Concession)

- it is used with these

words or expressions:

despite + noun/possessive

adjective + gerund,

in spite of +

noun/possessive

adjective+ gerund

(al)though, even

if/though, however,

whoever (and the rest of

the words combined with

Although/even if/though

we are loadsed with

work, you can leave for a

few days.

You can leave for a few

days Although/even

if/though we are loaded

with work.

Despite the fact that we

loaded with work, you

can leave… Despite our

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–ever), yet, while,

whereas, at the same

time, all the same, or to

inverted structures:

adj. + as + S + may/might

be/was

being loaded with so

much work, you can

leave…

In spite of our being

loaded with work, you

can…/In spite of the fact

that we are loaded with

work, you can…..

However loaded with

work we may be/are, you

can leave all the same.

Loaded with work as we

are/as we may be, you

can (still) leave….

We are loaded with work

indeed, yet/but you can

leave….

We are loaded with work,

all the same, you can

leave….

We are loaded with work,

yet you can leave…

We are loaded with work;

at the same time you can

leave……

We are loaded with work;

nonetheless you can

leave…..

3. 7. Adverb Clauses of

Manner (Comparison)

- it tells us how to do

something.

- its connectors (all have

the same meaning): as, as

The directions should be

complied with as the

organizers indicated you

to.

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if, and as though.

- the comparison can be

either realistic or

unrealistic.

- in realistic

comparisons, are used

normal tenses of the

verbs to agree with the

main clause (here , we

use the present tense to

agree with the present

tense in the main clause.)

- in unrealistic

comparisons, we use

‘more past.

Note that as can be an

adverb clause connector

of time, manner and

reason.

Read the text aloud as if

you were an actor on

stage.

Apply for that college as

though it was/were the

ultimate solution.

She looks at me as if it’s

a joke. (it’s possible that

it’s a joke.)

The child trembles as

though he saw something

terrible.

Maybe he really saw

something terrible.

He cries as though he

were stabbed.

Nobody stabbed him.

He dances as if you were

Nureev.

He’s not Nureev.

As you refused to help

me, I asked someone

else.. (reason)

We will keep you

informed as the decision

is made. (time)

Behave as you were told

to. (manner)

3. 8. Adverb Clauses of

Result

- indicates the result of

an action or situation

- are introduced by

The lecture was boring

and irrelevant, so some of

the students began to fall

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conjunctions such as so,

so... that, or such … that

and some other words

that have the same

semantic coverage, such

as: therefore, thus, in

consequence,

consequently, for this/that

reason

- other ways of indicating

the result of an action or

situation are and as a

result or with the result

that.

asleep.

Peter was having

problems with

mathematics, so he went

to see his tutor to ask for

advice.

There were so many

books on the subject that

Cindy didn’t know where

to begin.

There was such a lot of

material to cover that

Ivan found it difficult to

keep up with his studies.

The lecture was boring

and irrelevant, and as a

result some of the

students began to fall

asleep.

The lecture was

boring and irrelevant,

with the result that some

of the students began to

fall asleep. As a result

can also be used at the

beginning of a new

sentence.

The lecture was

boring and irrelevant. As

a result, some of the

students began to fall

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asleep.

Causal relations can be

expressed by ing-clauses

of result.

The government

increased the duty on

wine. As a result, there

was a fall in demand.

The government

increased the duty on

wine, resulting in a fall in

demand.

3. 9. Participial Clauses

-is used in writing, in

order to include as much

information as possible in

the same sentence:

- if we use a participle

construction used to

combine or shorten

clauses, both clauses

should have the same

subject.

- it uses the conjunctions

as, because, since and

relative pronouns who,

which are left out.

- the conjunctions before,

when are obligatory in

the participle

clause,while the

conjunctions after and,

while are omissible.

I smelled them (namely,

my next door neighbours)

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Participle Clauses with

different Subjects

- if the main clause

contains one of the

following verbs:

see, notice, watch, smell,

feel, find, hear, listen to.

- apart from the

exceptions mentioned

above, participle clause

and main clause should

have the same subject,

otherwise the sentences

might sound rather

strange.

cooking roast.

Mary was writing an e-

mail, when her boss

entered the

office.(correct)

Writing an e-mail, her

boss entered the

office.(wrong)

3. 10. Subordonata

Relativă

The Relative Clause

Caracteristici

Features

Exemple

Examples

- este introdusă de un cuvânt

relativ-interogativ: who,

which, where, sau de that.

it begins with a question word

or the word that.

- adverbe relative

Students who can develop

independent learning skills often

achieve good academic results.

There will be a new rule that

addresses immigrants who enter the

country after 2008.

A university is a place where people

pursue advanced knowledge in

specific academic disciplines.

Anyone can tell the difference

between a public place or one in

which access is granted only by a

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relative adverbs

when (= in/on which)

where (= in/at which)

why (= for which reason)

- modifică un substantiv sau

un pronume aducând

informaŃii suplimentare despre

acesta.

it modifies a noun or pronoun

(it identifies or gives more

information about it).

- la combinarea propoziŃiilor

cu o relativă se câştigă în

fluenŃă şi se evită redundanŃa;

de asemenea, se pot introduce

informaŃii adiŃionale.

a text gains in fluency and

avoids word redundancy if we

combine sentences with a

relative clause. The insertion

of additional information can

also be done in this way.

- deoarece nu este de sine-

stătătoare, relativa are nevoie

de propoziŃia principală

it does not have complete

autonomy of meaning,

therefore it is joined to the

main clause.

- who, which, that introduc atât

Pronumele Subiect (pronumele

special permit or membership card.

It was on the night when they

arrived.

This is the shelf where I left the

papers.

Tell them why (the reason why/for

which) we have to meet.

She asks for the file which contains

the addresses reference information

of the candidate.

Ted was on the bus (which) I had

missed.

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relativ urmat de un verb) cât

şi Pronumele Obiect

(pronumele relativ urmat de un

substantiv)

who, which, that introduce

both the Subject and the

Object Pronoun; the relative

pronouns followed by a verb

are subject pronouns. They

are must always used. If they

are not followed by a verb (but

by a noun or pronoun), they

are object pronouns. Object

pronouns can be omitted in

defining relative clauses

(called Contact Clauses).

1.

Restrictive/Defining/

Identifying Relative

Clauses

- give details about the subject

- it is never put between

commas

. they are most often met in

definitions

- Contact Clauses have a

relative clause without the

relative pronoun

- if instead of a nonspecific

noun is used a specific one

instead, the relative clause

becomes nonessential and thus

requires commas to separate it

from the rest of the sentence.

- to make the style more

concise, we reduce the

The question which we usually

avoid asking refer to personal

matters.

A personal question is a question

that we always avoid asking.

The policeman (who/whom) we

asked our way didn’t know English.

Transportation (that is) arranged for

conference members will be paid for

by the host country.

The local members (who/whom) the

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defining relative.

- Participles can contract

relative clauses:

- the Infinitive is used in

Relative Clauses

- sub-type relative clauses:

essential and non-essential

clauses. They dis- ambiguate a

noun (mention which one of

many elements are/is meant)

- the same clause can become

non-restrictive.

president asked to supervise the

proceedings of the conference are

paid extra.

The lecturer who teaches Portuguese

is absent today = The lecturer

teaching Portuguese is absent today.

To be sure about the righ departure

hour, the receptionist phoned the

railway station, which, was very

helpful for us all.

The city where I graduated is a well-

known university centre in

Romania.

Sibiu, where I graduated, is a well-

known university centre in

Romania.

2. Non-

Restrictive/Non-

Defining/ Non-

Identifying Relative

Clauses

- give additional information

on something, but do not

define it

- are put between commas

- that, which is not used in a

non-defining relative clauses

- who and whose are used for

persons

- which and whose are used for

things

- object pronouns must be used

Policemen, who/whom we usually

ask for direction, are indispensable

in crowded places.

My highschool friend Lavinia, who

lives in France, was promoted in

April. (‘who lives in France’ is not

essential, which means that I only

have one highschool friend, whose

name is Lavinia,and she does not

need to be defined by the relative

clause)

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here.

- unlike defining clauses,

these clauses cannot be

reduced.

XIV. ConjuncŃii Subordonatoare care introduc PropoziŃii Adverbiale

Subordinating conjunctions Introducing Adverb Clauses

XV.

Con

stru

cŃii

cu:

as

if/th

oug

h;

‘wish’; I’d rather/sooner/better; I’d prefer; it’s (high/about) time;

Unreal Tenses

XV. 1. As if / as though + past tenses

Timpul de

referire

Reference time

ConstrucŃie

Form

SituaŃie reală

Real

(implication)

SituaŃie nereală

Unreal (implication)

Referire la

prezent

Present

reference

S + past tense

S + was

(real)/were

(unreal)

She behaves as

if/though she was

the boss. (she is) –

we use a regular

predicate

Se poartă de parcă/

ca şi când ar fi şefa

She behaves as if/though she

were the boss (she is not)

Mike speaks/sounds as

if/though he owned the land.

(he owns it or he does not,

according to the context)

we use the Subjunctive

Temporală

Time

Cauzală

Cause and

Effect

Contrastivă

Opposition

CondiŃională Condition

after, before, when, while,

as, by the time (that), as

soon as, since, until,

whenever, the first time

(that), the next time (that),

the last time (that), every

time (that)

because, since,

as, as long as, so

long as, due to

the fact that

although, even

though, though,

whereas, while,

in spite of,

despite

if, only if, unless,

whether (or not), even if,

providing (that), in case

(that), provided (that), in

the event (that)

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(chiar este).

Mike speaks/sounds

as if/though he

owned the land. (he

owns it or he does

not, according to the

context)

‘were’ for all persons

Referire la

trecut: S + Past

Perfect

Past refrence

The distinction

between the

Real and the

Unreal situation

is not marked

grammatically;

in both

situations we

use the Past

Perfect

She behaved/

behaves as if/though

she had been the

boss (she was )she

wasn’t, according to

the context)

Se poarta/Se purta

de parc/ca si cand ar

fi/ar fi fost sefa. (in

functie de cerinta

contextuala)

She behaved/ behaves as

if/though she had been the

boss (she wasn’t)

XV. 2. Wish

Meaning

‘want’/’intend’

wish and hope

+ verb

Formulaic

function

Regrets about

present

situation

Regrets about

past situation

Whoever wishes

to speak first, is

welcome to

begin.

She doesn’t wish

to see anyone

right now.

- with ‘will’ =

She never fails

to wish me luck

when I start

work.

(Moreover) She

says she hopes

that I have all

the luck in the

I wish you all

the best/many

returns of the

day!

Ted wishes he

had a car right

now (he doesn’t)

I no longer wish

I could be/ was/

were different.

-formal with Ist

and IIIrd

I wish (now) I

hadn’t tackled

(before/then)

this subject in

the first place.

I wished (then) I

hadn’t tackled

(then) this

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‘be willing to’ :

I wish you would

stop smokinh in

here! (you are

annoyed about a

habitual negative

behaviour/action)

world.

The pilot always

wishes the

passengers a

safe and

pleasant flight,

which means

that he hopes

they will have a

safe and

pleasant flight.

persons sg) :

I wish I were

(subjunctive)

somewhere else!

He wished he

had not been

here!

subject in the

first place.

The manager

wishes

(now)/wished

(then) he had

hired more staff.

XV. 3. I’d prefer (it); I’d rather

4. It’s (high/about) time

I’d prefer/I’d prefer it; I’d rather it’s (high/about) time

- preferences about oneself: would prefer

to/ would rather do (I’d prefer to do/I’d

rather do something)

Maybe you’d prefer to wait here/you’d rather

wait here.

I’d prefer to listen to you (rather than (to)

someone else).

- negative forms

I’d rather not listen to someone else.

I’d prefer not to work late tonight.

- to express preferences: prefer to (do) or

prefer + verb in -ing

They say they prefer to study/studying about

this topic some other time.

- prefer something to something else

Many people prefer self-training to gym

It’s (high/about) time + Past Tense

- an urge/ a reproach/ a warning – present

reference:

an action should already have taken place

I don’t believe you say it’s high time I was

ready with all this work!

The board decided (that) it was high time

they (had) started working on the new

project.

- a reproach - past reference: It is/it was

(high/about) time + Past Perfect

It’s/was high/about time Mark had taken on a

job.

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training.

They prefer to train by themselves rather

than pay fortunes to personal trainers.

Preferences about someone else – present

reference: Past Tense is used

I’d rather + Past Tense/ would

I’d prefer it if + Past Tense/ would

I’d rather you wouldn’t/didn’t interrupt me!

I’d perefer it if you didn’t/wouldn’t interrupt

me so often!

Preferences about someone else – past

reference: Past Perfect is used

I’d prefer it if you hadn’t bought that car

(you did!)

XVI. Inversiunea şi accentuarea retorică

Inversion and Emphasis

1. Inversia în propoziŃii afirmative

Inversion in statements

1. Inversia subiect-verbeste o caracteristică a propoziŃiilor interogative, însă poate apărea şi în

propoziŃii afirmative împreună cu anumite forme (expresii) adverbiale.

Subject-verb inversion is typical of interrogative sentences, yet it may be used in affirmative

sentences too in combination with certain adverbials.

2. Inversia după expresii adverbiale la forma negativă

Inversion after negative adverbial expressions

Formele adverbiale negative apar la începutul frazei pentru a se obŃine un efect emfatic. Unele

expresii adverbiale negative pot apărea şi la începutul unei propoziŃii, îndeplinind astfel un rol

emfatic. Ele caracterizează comunicarea scrisă, mai degrabă formală. Alte forme similare acesteia

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sunt: Never, Rarely/Seldom, Hardly /Scarcely… when, No sooner… than, precum şi unele forme

care îl conŃin pe ‘no’. Only se foloseşte în mod similar.

Some negative adverbial expressions can be put at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis. These

structures are usually found in formal, written contexts: Not only + auxiliary + subject (+ main

verb)

Not only do I possess a Computer Programming diploma, I also have one in Mathematics.

Other expressions that can be used in this way are Never, Rarely/Seldom, Hardly/Scarcely… when,

No

sooner… than, and a number of expressions including ‘no’. Only can also be used in this way.

Only much later could I get the meaning of his words.

Hardly/Scarcely had the film started when thjr transmission stopped.

No sooner are the forms handed out than everybody begins to fill them in(out).

Never will she (ever) return here.

Under no circumstances are you to arrive later than 1 p.m.

3. Inversia după neither, nor, so şi as.

Inversia dupa neither, nor si so indică faptul ca două lucruri sunt similare. Inversia subiectului cu

auxiliarul predicatiei se comportă astfel:

Inversion after neither, nor and so indicates that two things are the same.

Inversion of the subject and auxiliary is needed after these phrases when they are used in this way:

I can’t arrive in time and neither can you.

She doesn’t understand the indications. - Nor do I.

He was happy, and so were we.

They are very inquisitive, as tend to be most children nowadays.

4. În fraza condiŃională: ‘were’ şi ‘had’ sunt in deosebi utilizate în engleza cu caracter formal

pentru

a-l înlocui pe ‘if’.

In conditional sentences: inversion after ‘had’ or ‘were’, mostly in formal, written English, to

replace ‘if’:

Were you to meet Harry, tell him I’ll be expecting him on Friday morning.

Had I been able to attend the meeting, I would have presented that paper. (=If I had been able

to

attend the meeting, …)

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5. Inversia după expresii ce indică locul (locaŃia)

Inversion after expressions of place

After expressions of place, inversion of the subject and the verb, not an auxiliary, is possible when

the expression starts the sentence:

Down there will you find a better parking place.

Off goes Mary. She’s in such a hurry!

2. Emphasis

In/when suggesting, expressing opinions or feelings such as irritation or annoyance, disagreement,

we resort to emphasis.

Some emphatic forms have already been treated. These are:

- the use of the Passive Constructions where the stress falls on what happens to something

rather than who or what does something.-

- Inversion.

- the Present/Past Continuous + always/forwevr/continually to express annoyance.

Others possibilities are:

- the use of (emphatic) do or did, often to express something contrary to what another person

believes.

I did call John last night. (Why don’t you believe me?)

- ‘cleft’ constructions

There are two forms of clefts: the It-cleft and the Wh-cleft. The It-clefts mark given information

that the listener is not necessarily thinking about, while with the Wh-clefts, we assume that the

listener is thinking about the given information

They are a form of embedded structures, which interpose noun phrases/adverb/prepositional phrases

between two clauses. They function as meaning indicators in a sentence ina an emphatic way, by

pointing out which element is new information and which is given information. One such examples

is the It-cleft. The clefted phrase stands for the new information

How did you (come to) meet your coordinator?

The answer to the question (i.e new information) is clefted:

It was when I was loking for a topic that I chanced to meet prof. Emerson.

a. It is/was/will be + S/Adv.of Place/Time/Cause … that

(Ist part) It will be you who (IInd part) will present the report. (emphasis on you)

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instrad of

You will present the report

It is now that I’m telling you!

instead of

I’m telling you now.

This is another way of expressing an It-cleft

The paper (which/that) she meant is about anthropology not medicine.

meaning

It is the paper about anthropology that she menat not (the one about) medicine

b. ‘wh’-cleft constructions, the new information comes after the verb be.

(’wh’-word - is/was/ will + be)

In such constructions, however, the clefted noun phrases, prepositional phrase, or adverb follows the

verb be, and the rest of the clause is placed between the two parts of the construction. They are non-

defining relative clause versions.

The three students who were appointed to work on this project are X, Y and Z.

It is/was students X, Y and Z who were appointed to work on this project

The train where they met is not the Orient Express.

It was on the OE that they (had) met.

Where they (had) met was on the OE

Who your brother said he had given the money was Michael (and not (to)

someone else)

This is an alternative in Wh-constructiuon to an It-cleft:

When Peter said he would arrrive was at 3, not at 4.

Meaning: It was at 3 not at 4 when Peter said he would arrive.

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XVII. Subjonctivul

The Subjunctive

În mare, construcŃia subjonctivală şi cea cu indicativul sunt identice, singurul indiciu fiind faptul că

la subjonctiv nu se adaugă terminaŃia –s pentru persoana III sg ; la timpul prezent verbul be ramâne

be pentru toate formele, în timp ce la trecut are forma were.

In most cases, subjunctive and indicative forms of a verb are the same - often you would not notice

whether a verb is used in subjunctive or indicative mood. The only indicator for subjunctive is that

no ‘s’ is added in 3rd person singular and that the verb be remains ‘be’ for all forms in present tense

and becomes ‘were’ for all forms in past tense.

XVII. 1. Utilizări

Uses

Subjonctivul apare în anumite expresii, cum ar fi formulele de felicitare (Subjonctivul formulaic)

Subjunctive is used in some fixed phrases (formulaic subjunctive).

Happy birthday/ Many (happy) returns of the day! ; Be that as it may; Cheers!; Bless you !

Anumite verbe (demand, insist, recommend, suggest) precum şi unele adjective (essential,

important, vital) sunt însoŃite de ‘that’ + subjunctive (subjonctivul instrucŃional) pentru a indica

faptul că ceva trebuie neapărat făcut (aspectul directiv).

Certain verbs (e.g. demand, insist, recommend, suggest) and adjectives (e.g. essential, important,

vital) are followed by ‘that’ + subjunctive (mandative subjunctive) to indicate that something must

be done (directive aspect).

Students demand that the hostel be opened before the start of the univeristy year.

It is important that everyone register.

Deoarece construcŃiile cu subjonctivul sună foarte formal, adesea se preferă construcŃia cu un

auxiliar. În

cazul în care aspectul directiv al propoziŃiei este suficient de clar şi fără auxiliarul respectiv, e

sufcient să

folosim forma de bază a verbului la modul indicativ.

Sentences in subjunctive sound very formal, however, so often an auxiliary is preferred. If the

directive aspect of the sentence is clear enough without an auxiliary, it is also possible to simply use

the main verb in indicative mood.

People demand that the troops are / should be withdrawn.

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It is important that everyone registers.

AtenŃie : În următoarele exemple se observă diferenŃa între construcŃile cu subjonctivul şi cele cu

indicativul

Note the difference of subjunctive and indicative in the following example.

She insisted that she participate too = She wanted to participate too. (directive aspect;

subjunctive)

She insisted that Anna participated too. = She knew and wanted to persuade others of the

fact tha

Anna really was there. (observation; indicative)

În exemplul de faŃă, subonctivul instrucŃional se foloseşte întotdeauna la infinitiv, chiar dacă se

referire la o acŃiune trecută. În cazul propoziŃiilor negative, la subjonctiv nu se foloseste auxiliarul

do.

In the example above, you can also see that mandative subjunctive is always used in infinitive, even

if we talk about a situation in the past. Note that in negative sentences, the auxiliary ‘do’ is not used

for subjunctive mood.

She insisted that he not be present.

În cazul dorinŃelor şi speranŃelor nerealizabile (subjonctivul voliŃional), se foloseşte construcŃia de

trecut a subjonctivului. Pentru toate verbele (exceptând verbul be) forma de trecut a subjonctivului

este aceeaşi cu cea de la indicativ.

For wishes and hopes that cannot be fulfilled (volitional subjunctive), subjunctive is used in past

tense. For all verbs (except be) past tense in subjunctive mood is the same as in indicative mood.

Past tense, subjunctive mood for ‘be’ is ‘were’.

I wish I were better prepared for the exam.

XVIII. Phrasal and Prepositional Verbs

These are verbal constructions which consist of a base verb and particle which is either a preposition

or an adverb. The meaning of such a verbal construction can be a combination of the meanings of

the two words (come in, run away, go on, come through, fall apart).

Sometimes, the base meaning is conveyed the verb while the preposition or adverb functions as an

intensifier (put up (with), work out).

In other cases, the new two-part verb has quite a different meaning from the two separate parts: give

(renounce), take after (resemble), blow up (explode), carry out (finish), etc.

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Type of verbal

form

Characteristics Examples

1. Phrasal verbs

- Components: verb + word or

phrase/particle (an adverbial, which

can be a preposition with adverbial

function)

- meaning most often different from

the initial meaning of the constituting

lexical elements

- can be transitive (the two

constituting parts can be separated by

the direct object), e.g., bring up, call

off, carry out/off, get over with, grow

up, lock up, look up, make out, make

up, turn on/off/up, put trough, put off,

put (smb.) up tell off, throw away,

track down, try out, turn down, etc.

- or intransitive: break off, break

down, bring abourt, bring up, count

on, come up, count on, drop in, end

up, get along (with), get at, get on,

hang around, look into, point out , set

about, throw up, wear off/out, etc.

We must call off the

whole business as all our

plans have fallen

through/apart..

No, we just have to put it

off for a while, that’s all.

Look all the meanings up

in the reference

bibliography.

Don’t throw these papers

away yet.

They were locked up in a

room for two weeks. The

kidnappers locked them

up.

The couple broke off last

week.

I’m afraid you can’t count

on me in money matters;

lately I’ve been as poor as

a church mouse have

none.

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It’s ahrd to understand

what you’re getting at. Be

more explicit, will you?

I’m sick. I think I’ll throw

up.

Just hang around for a

while till I come back.

The students all set about

working on te project.

2. Prepositional

Verbs

Verb + preposition (it cannot be

separated by the verb)

- always have objects (get over the

bridge)

- the meaning of this tandem (verb +

preposition) varies:

- it can be a combination of the two

words’ meanings.

- the meaning of the verb is

intensified by the preposition

- the new two-part verb has quite a

different meaning from the two

What is he thinking about?

You never look after

yourself.

She nearly fell off the

chair.

Will you get into the

house before you get wet?

The boy walked across the

classroom to the

blackboard.

I didn’t dare come in.

Moreover, I ran away

before he saw me.

They can’t break up, they

love each other too much.

(=separate completely)

We should have already

checked in. It’s late!

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separate parts

Mark doesn’t take after

his parents at all.

3. Phrasal-

Prepositional

Verbs

verb + adverb +

preposition

verb + adverb + preposition

look forward to = anticipate with

pleasure

It’s always good to get on

with (have a friendly

relationship) your

colleagues, not just to put

up with (tolerate) them.

We look forward to our

next meeting.

We ran out of fuel/it.

XIX. TEXT ORGANISATION – STRUCTURE OF A TEXT

XIX.1. Linking words and phrases

Although some of these words have already been mentioned as sentence connectors, they can also

be used to develop coherence within a paragraph, that is linking one idea / argument to another.

Print off this page to keep as a reference of useful linking words and phrases.

Type of connector Connecting word Example

Sequence first / firstly,

second / secondly,

third / thirdly etc

next, last, finally

in addition, moreover

further / furthermore

another

also

I shall have to make a

rigorous plan regarding our

enterprise.

Firstly/First(of all) we will

sit down and find the best

strategy… .

Next, we will appoint a

secretary… Then, we’ll find a

manager…

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Another step would be to…

Result in conclusion

to summarise

so

as a result

hence

consequently

as a consequence (of)

therefore

thus

It wasn’t so late to start it all

over again. Therefore, we

agreed to meet as soon as

possible and …

As a result, we managed to

get everything done in due

time.

To summarize / In

conclusion, the merger turned

out to be a success.

Emphasis undoubtedly

indeed

obviously

generally

admittedly

in fact

particularly / in particular

especially

clearly

importantly

Their suggestion was

admittledly unsubstantial but

Mary will undoubtedlycome

up with a better one. In fact,

we have always relied on her.

Addition

and

in addition /additionally/

an additional point

furthermore

also

too

as well as

Mary’s report turned out to

be exactly what we had all

expected. In addition, she

offered to write one for the

following session.

Reason due to

because

since

Due to the board’s constant

refusal to look into my

proposals, I will not try again

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as

because of

Example for

for example

for instance

that is (ie)

such as

including

namely

These are not what we call

constructive contributions,

such as, for instance, your

colleague’s.

I will have to take into

account the needs of all our

member’s, including those of

their families’.

Comparison Similarity

similarly

likewise

also

like

just as

just like

similar to

same as

compare

at the same time

both

also

too

as well as

Difference (contrast)

(as ) compare(d) to / with

… differs from

in contrast to/ in comparison

(to)

on the one hand/ on the other

(hand)

Aviary flu is not at all similar

to any other viruses known si

far.

It likewise affects children

and adults, men and women

alike.

A protection campaign for

the population has already

began.

At the same time, a vaccine is

expected to be put to use

soon.

On the one hand, school

children will be inoculated

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not only...but also

while

but

yet

still

whereas rather

though

although / even though

however nevertheless

nonetheless

contrary (to)/ in contra

conversely despite / in spite

of

with the latest vaccines on

the market, and on the other,

pregnant women will strictly

be monitored on weekly

basis.

Whereas/ While children will

be inoculated with the latest

vaccines on the market,

pregnant women, will strictly

be monitored on weekly

basis.

In spite of/despite/contrary

the so far efforts, no definite

conclusion has been reached.

XX. Academic Language Skills

A. Introductory considerations

Using the academic register means achieving a formal, direct language and clear expression. When

approaching texts that use this register, one should equally be able to recognise (when reading a

text) and employ (when writing a text) certain stylistic ‘devices’ such as:

- the use of the passive voice rather than the active and of nominalisation (nouns rather than

verbs)

The groups of researchers preferred an isolated venue (active voice) where they could

hold

(verbalization) the conference on inter- and outerspace contact exploration.

An isolated venue was preferred by the groups of researcher (passive voice) for the inter-

and

outerspace contact exploration (nominalisation)

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Also, the Centre for Independent Language Learning of Hong Kong Polytechnic University,

suggests the following:

- the use of tentative rather than assertive language (possibly and pobably in front of verbs

and noun

phrases: This is possibly due to the use of …... or It will probably result in … .

- using the modal verbs may and might: This may be the cause of …..

- using appears to and seems to: This appears to have caused the extinction of … .

- avoiding always and every, and replacing them with often and many/much

- using formal vocabulary (employ rather than use)

- using more formal grammar, for example: - avoiding short, disconnected sentences

- avoiding the use of personal pronouns such as

you and we

to address the reader using One, There, It as

the subject of

the statement:

One may rarely find a better facility than… .

There are some further issues to be discussed ...

;

It is highly convenient to...

- avoiding the use of rhetorical questions : Can you imagine another means of reaching the

same result?

- avoiding the use of contractions such as won’t, didn’t, we’ll

- avoiding the overuse and misuse of certain logical connectors, especially besides,

furthermore and moreover. Besides is too informal, and both furthermore and moreover

mean that the following information is more important than the information before, which is

usually bad organisation. Use In addition or Also instead

- ensuring that grammar is accurate, that ideas link together smoothly and that a full range of

grammatical structures is employed, such as relative clauses

- referencing correctly, in both in-text references and bibliographical references.

(http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/eap/academicstyle.htm)

B. Using the Academic Writing Style

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When writing, information, evidence and ideas, but must be incorporated into your work carefully.

Quoting, paraphrasing and summarising are all different ways of including the works of others in

your assignments.

1. Summarising – an indicator of the degree of one’s understanding of the proposed text

Used lavishly in research activities, summarising is one of the most important academic skills, if

not, indeed, the most important one.

Applications

in note-taking ,in writing abstracts, an aid in writing both introductions and conclusions, in

collecting and collected information management, when referring to original texts, in making

frameworks (subject to further detailed analysis), for brief proposals or progress reports.

It is a text-shortening operation to a maximum number of words/ a 10th of the source text.

The gist of a (longer) text is preserved unaltered in its shortened version without copying entire

statements from the original text.

Steps

- getting the the text’s main subject or purpose, usually in one sentence

- formulating the main ideas

- including them in brief paragraphs, each based on only one issue or topic.

- writing a paragraph to combine all the previous ideas/points.

- restoring the general idea (gist) concisely and accurately in the new shorter text (the

summary) without

copying out parts of the original.

Some

extra tips

- the layout should be easy to read, with spaces between each note

- always mention the source(s)

Examples

Original text

Everyone hoped that the weeks of planning and preparation would prove to

be worthwhile. The summer fete was the most important fund raising activity

in the school calendar. Last year’s event had raised over $ 1500 which had

been spent on improiving the outside play area. This year, the organising

committee had set an ambitious target of $1800 with the aim of purchasing

muych needed sports equipment for the school.

Altogether fourty different stalls had been advertised. There were a

Summary

A number of new

attractions and

perfect

weatherconditions

helped make thi

year’s summer

fete the most

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number of exciting new activities, including pony rides and a bouncy castle,

both of which were to be introduced for the first time. It was hoped that they

would be as popular as some of the most traditional stalls like the coconut shy

and tambola. A large number of parents and children had offered their help

and the committee was confident that this would be the most successful fund

raiser to date.

On the day of the fete the day was perfect. It was sunny, but not too hot,

and best of all, no rain had been forecast. The new attractions went down very

well. There seemed to be a permanent queue of children waiting at the bouncy

castle. The committee was absolutely delighted when the final takings were

counted and announced as a record of $ 1900, exceeding all expectations.

Following such an outstanding success, everyone agreed that it was worth all

hard work and effort.

(model worksheets:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/reading/summarising/worksheet.shtml)

[237 words]

successful ever. A

record amount of

$1900 was raised.

The proceeds will

be used to buy

new sports

equipment for the

school.

[38words]

C. Organising Text

Organisational patterns have various functions: they provide a framework for connecting the main

idea with details, provide variety to writing, and help writers assist their readers in understanding the

logical development of ideas, staying on target and avoiding digressions.

In academic writing, several organisational patterns can be used at the level of the paragraph and of

the essay.

1. Defining

Defining is one of the major functions in academic writing. Definitions of key words, phrases, as

well as of terms used in academic writing are necessary in order to avoid misinterpretation.

The general structure of a simple definition (used for concrete items) can be

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Concept is a/ an/ the

may be defined as

form of/ species of +

general class word

relative pronoun:

which/ who/ that special features

An

anthropologist is a person who studies people

general class

word

relative pronoun:

which/ who/ that special features is called/is known as concept

A person who studies people is called an

anthropologist

Relative clauses are often used to give more information.

On the other hand, in most academic pieces of writing, especially when dealing with abstract or

complex concepts, we need to resort to extended definitions of terms, by giving examples of their

use and/ or by stating their main characteristics. There will be obvious differences between a general

dictionary definition and a specialized one, for example

Sociology (n.) is the study and classification of human societies.

(Source: http://wordnet.princeton.edu)

Sociology is the study of human interaction and social organisation. (Consequently/ therefore) it is

the science that studies patterned, shared human behaviour.

Sociology is a social science that studies human societies, their interactions, and the processes that

preserve and change them. It does this by examining the dynamics of constituent parts of societies

such as institutions, communities, populations, and gender, racial, or age groups. Sociology also

studies social status or stratification, social movements, and social change, as well as societal

disorder in the form of crime, deviance, and revolution.

(Source: sociology. (2008). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved October 25, 2008, from

Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/551887/sociology

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General meanings

The term X has come to be used to refer

to ...

The term X is generally understood to

mean …

The term X has been applied to situations

where…

In broad sociological terms, X can be

defined as…

The broad use of the term X is sometimes

equated

with ...

Sociology has come to be used to refer to the

study and classification of human societies.

Sociology is generally understood to mean the

study of human interaction and social

organisation.

The broad use of the term sociology is

sometimes equated with the study and

classification of human societies.

Indicating difficulties in defining a

term:

In the field of X, various definitions of Y

are found.

Y is a commonly used notion in X’ and

yet it is a concept difficult to define

precisely.

A generally accepted definition of Y is

lacking.

James (2006) identified four … that might

be subsumed under the term Y: a) ..

The term Y embodies a multitude of

concepts.

In the field of sociology, various definitions of

media are found.

Media is a commonly used notion in journalism

and yet it is a concept difficult to define

precisely.

A generally accepted definition of sociology is

lacking.

Stating terms that are used in an

essay/thesis:

In this essay the term Y will be used in its

broadest sense to refer to ......

In this essay the term media will be used in its

broadest sense to refer to all means of

dissemination of fact, opinion, … such as…

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Throughout this thesis, the term Y is used

to refer to…

While a variety of definitions of the term

X have been suggested, this paper will use

the definition first suggested by James

(1988) who saw it as…

In this paper, the term that will be used to

describe this phenomenon is X.

In this dissertation, the terms X and Y are

used interchangeably to mean…

Throughout this thesis, the term media is used to

refer to what the general public terms as "the

media,"…

While a variety of definitions of the term media

have been suggested, this paper will use the

definition suggested by McLuhan (1964) who

saw it as “extensions of man.”

In this paper, the term that will be used to

describe this phenomenon is mass

communication.

In this dissertation, the terms mass media and

mass communication are used interchangeably to

mean a means of public communication reaching

a large audience.

Referring to authors’ definitions:

Smith (1954) was apparently the first to

use the

term ......

X writes/ believes that “.....” (1957, p.11).

According to a definition provided by X

(2001:23), Y is „......”.

The term "…" is used by Smith (2001) to

refer to ......

X (2001) uses the term "…" to refer to

......

For X (2001), … means/refers to .......

… is defined by Smith (2003: 119) as

Marshall McLuhan (1967) was (apparently) the

first to bring up the idea that “the medium is the

massage.”

G. L. Kreps and B. C. Thornton believe media

extend "people's ability to communicate, to

speak to others far away, to hear messages, and

to see images that would be unavailable without

media" (1992, p. 144).

According to a definition provided by G. L.

Kreps and B. C. Thornton (1992:144), media

could be seen as an extension of "people's ability

to communicate, to speak to others far away, to

hear messages, and to see images that would be

unavailable without media".

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"......................"

X defines … as "…."

Adapted from: http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/definitions.htm. Retrieved 22.08.2008

Sample paragraph: extended definition pattern (with signal words underlined)

The sociologist, however, thinks of institutions in a deeper and broader sense than any

meaning connoted in the examples cited. To him, an institution is an established pattern and

framework of collective behaviour that exists to fulfil some basic and abiding human need. A social

institution, as defined by Harry E. Moore, is an enduring, complex, integrated, organized behaviour

pattern through which social control is exerted and by means of which the fundamental social

desires or needs are met. Institutions are the major components of a culture and may be further

defined as a complex of social patterns, roles, and relations which persons enact in certain

standardized ways for the purpose of satisfying basic social needs. In this sense of the term, the

sociologist distinguishes between the family institution, the religious institution, the educational

institution, the government institution, and the economic institution

2. Describing1

I Position, weight, structure, colour, composition, size, shape, function

Position

adjacent to/ alongside/ below/ beyond/facing

(diagonally)/ parallel to/underneath/ opposite/ in

the middle of/ on the right of/ on the left of/ near/

close to/ touching/ behind/ in front of/ under/ on

top of/ above/ below/ level with/ diagonally above/

vertically below

house The

road

The

tunnel

The

roof

is

between/ equidistant from B and C.

1 http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm

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Examples

• The road runs alongside the house.

• The tunnel is under the road that is adjacent to the house.

• The roof is on top of the house that is facing the road in front of it and also above the tunnel

that is vertically below the road above it.

Structure

is nailed/ screwed/ fixed/ fastened/ linked/

welded/ tied/ connected/ attached

to furniture by staples

nails

screws

consists of

contains/ comprises/ includes

iron ore

alloys, carbon

held in place/ secured/ supported/ suspended by

joined

to

Wood

Metal

Brick

is

mounted/ placed/ pivoted

on

concrete, cement

Examples

• Wood is generally fixed to furniture with joints; sometimes it may be nailed or screwed.

• Metal cannot be nailed effectively; it is usually welded or screwed to other metals.

• Bricks contain/ comprise clay and sometimes straw and mud only.

Colour

Black

Shade

Night

is dark/ light/ pale/ bright/ dull when

compared to…

green.

blue.

red.

yellow.

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Grass

Examples

• At night the grass does not seem to be green as it is dark

• In the shade, colours are not as bright as in sunlight; now they are dull.

• Black is the darkest colour we know and yellow is one of the brightest.

Composition

A/An

blend

alloy

mixture

is made of

metal./ steel./ aluminium./ an alloy of A and B./ cloth./

silk./

china./ wood./ plastic./ glass./ assortment.

Examples

• Sometimes a metal is a blend of metals known as an alloy.

• Plastic and glass are usually clear and come in an assortment of colours.

• Most structures today are a mixture of metal, wood and glass or plastic.

Size and weight

A pencil is 6 cm long/ high/ wide

6 cm length/ height/ width/ diameter A cube is

6 Kg

in

weight

length/ height/

width/ diameter

4 metres The

weight

of a small

car

is

600 Kg.

length/ width/ height/ diameter 90 cm. A table has a

weight

of

60 Kg.

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A bag of potatoes weighs 10 Kg

Shape

A/An … is square/ round/ rectangular/ triangular/

semi-circular/ conical/ spherical/ hexagonal/

octagonal/ oval/ circular/ irregular

in shape

A/An … is is shaped like a square/ circle/ rectangle/ triangle/ semi-circle

hexagon/ octagon

A/An … is cubical/ cylindrical/ pyramidal/ spherical/

tubular/ spiral/ hemispherical/ conical

in shape

bulbous/ tapering/ concave/ convex in shape. A/An … is

diamond-shaped/ kidney-shaped/ U-shaped/ star-shaped/ bell-shaped/

dome-shaped/ mushroom-shaped/ X-shaped/ crescent-shaped/ egg-shaped/

pear-shaped/ Y-shaped.

Examples

• A football is round and never square or triangular in shape.

• A rectangle is measured in mass, and never shaped as tubular or like a pyramid.

• An arc can take many shapes diamond, kidney, star or even bell shaped, arcs form arches for

us to pass through.

Function

The function/ purpose

aim/ objective

of

the

thermometer

tripod

is to measure temperature.

hold a beaker.

The thermometer

tripod

is used for measuring temperatures.

holding beakers.

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Properties

Copp

er

Lead

Glass

is

light/ tough/ soft/ elastic/ malleable/ flexible/ (in)soluble/ a good (bad)

conductor of electricity (heat)/ (not) corrosion resistant/ (non-

)combustible/ transparent/ smooth/ heavy/ brittle/ hard/ plastic/ ductile/

rigid/ opaque/ rough

II Describing Data

In academic writing, you may have to present data in various ways, such as charts, graphs, and

tables. Below, there is some of the basic vocabulary used to describe trends, express numerical

values, as well as the standard format for the structure of the data commentary. Finally, lexis

necessary in presenting data/ research findings in a cautious way is brought to attention.

Verbs

Adverbs Adjectives Noun

Up

go up, take off, shoot

up, soar, increase, rise,

grow, rocket, improve,

climb, escalate

increase, a rise, a

growth,

improvement,

upturn, surge,

upsurge, upward

trend

Down

go/come down, fall, fall

off, collapse, crash,

drop, slump, plunge,

slide, dip, decline,

decrease, plummet,

slip, shrink

Showing degrees of

change

dramatically,

considerably,

sharply,

significantly,

substantially,

moderately, slightly

Showing speed of

change

abruptly, suddenly,

rapidly, quickly,

steadily, gradually,

slowly

Showing degrees of

change

dramatic,

considerable, sharp,

significant,

substantial,

moderate, slight

Showing speed of

change

abrupt, sudden,

rapid, quick, steady,

gradual, slow

fall, decrease,

decline, drop,

downturn,

downturn trend

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No

change

remain stable, level off, stay at the same level, flatten off, remain constant, stagnate,

stabilise, hold steady

At the

top

reach a peak/ high, peak, top out

At the

bottom

reach a low (point), bottom out

Recover pick up, bounce back, rally, recover

Prepositions

to increase by 50% / to fall by 30% a rise from $10 to $12 /an increase of

7.5 per cent over last year

Examples of Describing Movement in

Graphs

1. The market is showing some signs of

growth.

2. The market is extremely volatile.

3. The pound slipped back against the

dollar.

4. The Swiss franc is staging a recovery.

5. The lira lost ground slightly.

6. There's been a dramatic downturn in

the market.

7. There's been an upsurge of interest in

gold.

8. The share price bottomed out at 115p.

9. Sugar peaked at $400 a tonne.

10. Profits will level off at around

$10,000.

11. Sales hit an all-time low.

12. There hasn't been much movement in

the price of tin

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Numbers

The following table shows a number in different years (2000-2005):

2000 2005

2200 3300

You could describe the above table using numbers, fractions or percentages:

The number went up by 600, from 2200 to 3300. (Number)

The number went up by half, from 2200 to 3300. (Fraction)

The number went up by 50%, from 2200 to 3300. Percentage)

The number went up 150%, to 3300. (Percentage)

2002 2004 2006 2008

500 1000 3000 12000

Use "trebled," "-fold," and "times:"

The number doubled between 2002 and 2004.

The number trebled between 2004 and 2006.

The number quadrupled from 2006 to 2008

There was a twofold increase between 2002 and 2004.

The number went up sixfold between 2002 and 2006.

The figure in 2006 was three times the 2002 figure.

The figure in 2008 was four times the 2006 figure.

2002 2004 2006 2008

1000 800 400 100

Use Fractions:

Between 2002 and 2004, the figure fell by one-fifth.

Between 2004 and 2006, the number dropped by a half.

The figure in 2008 was one-tenth the 2002 total.

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Structure of Data Commentary2

A. location elements and/or summary statements

B. highlighting statements

C. discussions of implications, problems, exceptions etc.

a. Location elements and/or summary statements

Starting a Data Commentary

Location Summary Summary are shown in Table 5.

a. Table 5 shows are provided in

Table 2.

b. Table 2 provides are given in Figure

4.2.

c. Figure 4.2 gives

the results of the second

experiment.

OR

The results

of the

second

experiment

Note 1: we can also use linking as-clauses. Pay attention to preposition use!

As shown in table 5, home disks are the most frequent source of infection.

As can be seen in figure 8, infant mortality is still high in urban areas.

As revealed by the graph, the defect rate has declined.

As shown by the data in table 1

As described on page 34

Note 2: Some of the most frequently used verbs are show, provide, give, present, summarise,

illustrate, reveal, display, demonstrate, indicate, suggest.

b. Highlighting Statements

Highlighting statements are the central sections of data commentaries. They are generalizations that

can be drawn from the details of the data display, such as trends or regularities in the data, more

important versus less important findings, or data on which you can make appropriate strength.

2 Swales and Feak 1994: 80

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c. Describing data: Degrees of Certainty

In presenting data/ research findings or supporting arguments/ viewpoints, academic writers/

researchers need to be cautious and sometimes critical. Learning to become “confidently uncertain”

is a slow but necessary process.

Degree of

certainty/

commitment

Verbs Adverbs +

adverbial

phrases

It is +

(determiner)

adjective

There is a +

determiner +

possibility +

that

complete Is (not)

Will (not)

Must

(not)

Certainly

Definitely

Clearly

Undoubtedly

Actually

It is certain

It is clear

that

strong

partial

less

strong

can/cann

ot

could(not

)

should

(not)

may (not)

might

(not)

probably

(is)

likely/unlikely

presumably

possibly

perhaps

It is almost

certain

It is very

(im)probable/

highly

(un)likely

that

It is probable/

likely

It is possible

There is a

strong

possibility that

good

definite

slight

remote

Phrases for

introducing

partially

correct

statements

to a certain/ limited extent (degree)

to some extent (degree)

in a way (sense)

this is partly true (but) there is some truth in (this)

in some cases

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up to a point

Dealing with

“imperfect”

data

This discrepancy may be due to the small sample size.

can be attributed to

can probably be accounted for by

is probably a consequence of

would seem to stem from

People seem to have less confidence in the economy.

appear to

It would seem/ appear that people have less confidence in the economy.

Impersonal

(i.e. no

commitment of

self)

It is said that…

X reports that…

There is evidence to suggest that…

According to this preliminary study,… people have less confidence

Based on informal observations (made by)… in the economy.

In the view of some experts

On the limited data available

Generalisation - the verb tend

People tend to have less confidence in the economy.

- qualifying the subject

A majority of

In most parts of the world people have less confidence in the economy.

People in most walks of life

- adding exceptions

With the exception of

Apart from the administrative staff, people have less

confidence

Except for in the economy.

- choosing a weaker verb

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Caused (stronger) -> contributed to (weaker)

- various phrases

as a (general) rule, generally, in general, on the whole, by and large, in most

cases

In the independent sentence

Except (prep.) + NP/ Pron. (objective case) = with the exclusion of; other

than

No one except Laura knew about it.

Everyone had come except her.

Except (verb)

Present company excepted.

N.B. Except for= different from, apart from

But

I have finished all courses but one.

Save

I enjoyed the trip save the flight.

Apart from

Apart from her, I did not really enjoy the company.

With the exception of

With the exception of the children, all were told what to do.

Bar/Barring

The crop will be excellent bar/barring a disaster.

Otherwise than

Without

Exception/

exclusion

In the sentence

Except (conj.)=if it were not for the fact that; otherwise than

I would buy the suit, except that it costs too much.

They did not open their mouths except to complain

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D. Classifying and Listing

Classifying is an operation of grouping and naming things according to previously established

criteria of what they have in common. Classification helps writers and readers alike to understand

shared qualities and features as well as the differences between things. Along with definitions and

listing (i.e. a series of items), classifications are used to present information systematically and/or in

the order of importance.

There are several ways of building up classifications and lists:

General Classifications

X may be (generally)

divided into

X falls under

There are

The

of

X

consists of/

comprises/

can be divided into

three

main

two

classes/ sub-groups/ categories/

types/ sorts

varieties/ headings

X may be classified/ grouped according to

on the basis of

depending on

in terms of

Y (criterion/ criteria) into X’ and

X’’

Specific Classifications

In the U.S. system, X is graded according to whether .....

on the basis of ......

in terms of

Smith (1966) divided

classified

Xs into two broad types: Xi’s and Xii’s

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grouped

Thomas and

Nelson (1996)

describe

four basic types of validity: logical, content, criterion and construct.

Sample paragraphs: classifying pattern (with signal words underlined)

1. In almost every society, marriage is recognized as the beginning of a new social group. There are

three types of marriage: monogamy, polyandry, and polygyny. Monogamy is the marriage of one

man to one woman. Polyandry permits the marriage of one woman to several men. Polygyny allows

a man the option to take and maintain several wives.

2. The vast majority of children in Britain (87%) attend state schools, which provide compulsory

education from the age of 5 to 16 years. These schools can be classified according to the age range

of the pupils and the type of education provided. There are two types of school: primary and

secondary, although in some areas there are also middle schools. Primary schools cater for children

aged 5-11, and secondary schools for ages 11-16 (and in some areas up to 18). Primary schools can

be sub-divided into infant schools (for ages 5-7) and junior schools (for ages 7-11).(…)

When pupils reach the age of 16 there may be three choices open to them. Firstly, they may

leave school. Secondly, they may stay on at school for two more years if it has a Sixth Form.

Thirdly, they may transfer to a Sixth Form College or a Tertiary College.

E. Comparing and Contrasting

Identifying and understanding similarities and differences between two things usually involve a

process of analysis, in which we compare the specific parts as well as whole. Comparison may also

be a preliminary stage of evaluation so by comparing specific aspects of X and Y, we can decide

which is more useful or valuable.

This pattern may organise an essay as well as a paragraph.

Comparison: Similarities

Within sentence

X is exactly/ the same as Y with

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X and Y are precisely/

just/

virtually/

practically/

almost/

nearly about

quite

very

similar

comparable

respect/

regard/

reference to

in terms of

to that/

those

Compared

In

comparison

with X , Y is

Both X and Y

are

There are a number

of/ several/

two

similaritie

s

between X and Y

Numerous

studies

have

compared

in X and Y

Across sentences

X is

expensive

to produce.

Similarly,/

Likewise,/

Moreover,/

In addition,

/By the

same token,

Y …

Y, similarly,/

likewise,

Americans and French are quite similar with respect to cultural stereotypes regarding each other.

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Numerous studies have compared the intercultural stereotypes in the Americans and the French and

found they are relatively similar.

Both Americans and French are adamant about each other being arrogant and conceited or

domineering, in the sense that they give lessons to others and do not take criticism.

Americans see the French as arrogant and conceited, always giving lessons to others. Similarly, the

French see the Americans as domineering, in other words not taking criticism from others.

Contrast: Differences

Within sentence

is unlike/

dissimilar/

different from

Y X

contrasts

with

Y

with respect to cost/size

etc

with regard to/ in terms

of price

in that X is larger than

Y

X and Y differ

are

different/

dissimilar

in many respects.

in every/each respect.

X produces

500

while/ whereas/ but/ although

in spite of

Y

produced 700.

producing 700

While/

whereas/

although/ in

spite of the

fact that/

Even

though

X produced 500,

it is true that X produced 500,

it cannot be denied that X

produced 500,

Y produced 700.

The main difference/One of the main

differences between X and Y

is is that X...................., whereas

Y.............

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X

XX

is

are

a great deal

considerably

(very) much

somewhat

a little

slightly

hardly

bigger than Y.

Across sentences

X is difficult

to produce.

On the other hand,

However,/ In contrast,/

Conversely,

On the contrary,/

Even so,/

Needless to say,

Y…

Introducing other people’s opposing arguments

Opponents of

Y

Others

Many people

argue/ believe/ claim

that

oppose this viewpoint

strongly disagree

X…

Americans and French differ in many respects, such as their attitude to past, language, and social

identity.

Americans are different from French with respect to their attitude to the past.

Whereas Americans base their social identity on the individual, the French prefer being members of

a group.

The French are more likely than Americans to value their past.

The French are more likely to value their past than Americans.

The main differences between Americans and French people come from education. According to

psychoanalyst Pascal Baudry, schools help American kids become independent and autonomous

while French kids learn the principle of authority.

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According to psychoanalyst Pascal Baudry, schools help American kids become independent and

autonomous. Conversely/ In contrast, French kids learn the principle of authority.

Sample paragraph: Comparison and contrast pattern (with signal words underlined):

There are more similarities between the French and the Japanese than with the French and

Americans. In both France and Japan the relation with the authority principle, the individual and the

group, and others are very similar. Likewise, the two countries have a long feudal history and are

tradition-bound. On the other hand, the French and the American share a long-standing tradition of

cultural stereotyping and clichés.

F. Cause and Effect

Understanding and suggesting solutions to problems is at the heart of much academic work.

However, solutions cannot be suggested unless the problem is fully analysed, and this involves a

thorough understanding of the causes and the effects. The cause may show what lead up to the event

or idea – that is, what caused to become what it is now. The consequences of the event or idea are

the effects of it. Cause or effect paragraphs are sometimes written separately; in this case, one

paragraph will state the causes, and the other will give the effects. Often, though, both the cause and

the effect are combined into a single paragraph. Some of the language that you may find useful for

explaining causes and effects is listed below:

VERBS

Lack of adequate

resources

may cause/ can lead to

can result in

poverty and

injustice

can give rise to

Much of the instability stems from the economic

effects of the war

Interpersonal and

community violence

caused by/ resulting from

produced by/ stemming from

NOUNS

poverty, ...

The most likely causes of X are poor diet and lack of health care.

A consequence of chronic deprivation is a feeling of insecurity.

Social advocacy is an important factor in helping people undo negative coping.

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Many other variables have an influence on poverty levels.

Another reason why Xs are considered to be important is that ...

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

A great number of people

become poor

owing to/ because of

as a result of/ due to

wrong economic

policies.

ADVERBIAL PHRASES

Wrong economic policies

are often applied,

thus/ thereby a great number of

people become poor.

perpetuating the

poverty cycle.

SENTENCE CONNECTORS

Many people encounter

chronic deprivation.

Therefore,

Consequently,

Because of this,

As a result (of this),

they develop a

feeling of

insecurity.

Sample paragraph: cause and effect pattern (with signal words underlined)

Until World War I, the United States had always been a debtor nation. The value of the goods and

services we imported often exceeded the value of the goods we sold to foreigners, and foreigners

were investing far more in the United States than Americans were investing in other countries. Thus

we had to pay interest and dividends to investors abroad. During World War I, the situation was

reversed. The war-torn nations of Europe needed U.S.goods, so our exports more than doubled,

while the value of the goods we imported declined, By 1919 we had become a creditor nation –

foreign nations owed more to the United States than the United States owed to them. This net credit

position continued until 1985, at which time the United States once again became a net debtor

nation. The value of our imports greatly exceeded the value of our exports, and foreigners were

investing heavily in U.S. securities, largely because of the relatively high interest rates here. [Note:

A chronological listing is also evident in this paragraph, but the cause and effect relationship of the

events is the major emphasis.]

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(Gordon, S.D., and George G.Dawson. Introductory Economics. 7th ed. Lexington:

D.C.Heath. 1991. 433

G. Exemplifying and Illustrating

Examples and illustrations are given to support the author’s claim (argument. They can also be used

to help the reader/ listener understand unfamiliar or difficult concepts, which are then easier to

remember. In their turn, students may be required to give examples to show they have understood a

complex problem or a concept.

In academic writing, many paragraphs show development from general statements to specific details

or examples.

Examples as the main information in a

sentence

Examples

This is shown/ exemplified/ illustrated by… This is shown/ exemplified/ illustrated by the

author’s choice of words.

For example/ instance,… 'There are a number of rules you must abide

by. For instance, you may not use the

swimming pool unsupervised.'

Several researchers wanted to prove this

thesis. For example, …

A key experiment shows/ exemplifies/

illustrates this.

‘Compulsory activity for over 50s job

seekers. Experiment shows good start.’

By way of illustration, X (2004) shows…

A classic/ well-known example of this is…

An example of this is the study carried out by

X (2005) in which…

X illustrates this point/ shows this point

clearly.

By way of concrete illustration Herbart

instances the common observation that the

properties of things exist only under external

conditions. (Wikipedia)

This is shown by the following examples, …

The following are examples of this:

The following is a case in point:

This can be illustrated briefly by…

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Another example of what is meant by X is…

… is a case in point.

… institutions such as the family…

Examples as additional information in a

sentence

..., such as…

…, for example…

…, including...

H. Clarifying/Explaining/Putting it in other words

The lecturer will try to explain the meaning of difficult concepts. To do this he or she may repeat the

information using different words. It is important to recognise that this is the same information

expressed differently and not new information.

In other words, /Or rather,/ That is to say,/

Basically/ To put it another way,/ If we put

that another way,/ By which I mean/ Or you

could say/ The point I'm making is /That is to

say,/ That is, /Namely,/ i.e./ That means

What I

am suggesting

am trying to say

meant to say

should have said

is

Let me put it another way.

Foreign policy is the total involvement of the

American people with peoples and

governments abroad.

That means that, if we are to achieve a new

standard of leadership, we must think in the

total context of our situation.

The Argumentative/ Discursive Essay

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The function of an argumentative essay is to show that a writer’s assertion (opinion, theory, and

hypothesis) about some issues is correct or more truthful than others' relating to the same/similar

topic.

Notice should be made that writers do not have to completely prove their point. Actually, they

should only convince reasonable readers that their argument or position has merit; i.e., that it is

somehow more accurate and complete than competing arguments.

There are two main types of argumentative essays, which are often organised in a 6-paragraph

format presented in the table below:

For and against

Authors present both sides of an issue,

discussing points in favour or against,

or the advantages and disadvantages of

a particular question.

Opinion

Authors present their personal opinion,

clearly stated and supported by reasons and/or

examples.

Introduction

Paragraph 1

State topic (without stating your

opinion)

Introduction

Paragraph 1

State the topic and your opinion

Main body

Paragraphs 2 – 3

Arguments for and justifications,

examples or reasons

Paragraphs 4 – 5

Arguments against and justifications,

Main body

Paragraphs 2 –4

Viewpoints and reasons/examples

Paragraph 5

Opposing viewpoint and reason/example

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examples or reasons

Conclusion

Final paragraph

Balanced consideration or opinion

Conclusion

Final Paragraph

Summarise/restate your opinion

Useful Tips for Writing Essays

When writing a discursive essay, you should:

� use formal, impersonal style

� use topic sentences to introduce the subject of each paragraph

� write well-developed paragraphs, giving reasons/examples

� use generalisations

� use sequencing (e.g. First/ly, Second/ly, etc) and linking words/phrases (e.g. however,

although, etc)

� make references to other sources (e.g. Experts have proved that…)

� use quotations, either word-for-word or in paraphrase, being careful to identify the source

You should not:

� use short forms, informal/colloquial language, etc

� use very emotional language (e.g. I absolutely hate people who…)

� express personal opinions too strongly (e.g. I know…); instead, use milder expressions (e.g. All

politicians are…)

� refer blindly to statistics without accurate reference to their source (e.g. “A recent study

showed…” – which study?)

� use clichés

� use personal examples

Compare and contrast 3 essay-structures

1. First compare, then

contrast (or vice versa).

Focuses on the comparison and contrast instead of on the two

ideas being compared and contrasted.

2. First do one idea, and then

do the other.

Compare and contrast ideas by treating one idea thoroughly

before taking up the second one.

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Cause and Effect

Pattern

Introduction of general topic

Specific areas to be covered

Essay section A (Causes)

Cause 1

a) subsection

b) subsection

Cause 2

a) subsection

b) subsection

Essay section B (Effects)

Effect 1

a) subsection

b) subsection

Effect 2

a) subsection

b) subsection

Effect 3

a) subsection

b) subsection

Conclusion

3. Only compare or only

contrast.

Writers who only compare two ideas sometimes briefly

mention the contrast in the introduction and then move on so

that they do not lead readers to think they cannot make

relevant distinctions. Writers who only contrast ideas

sometimes briefly summarize similarities in the conclusion so

they do not leave the impression that they are thinking in

opposites.

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Summary of main points (and look to future)

Classification Essay

1. Sort things into useful categories.

2. Make sure all the categories follow a single organising principle.

3. Give examples that fit into each category.

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Useful expressions and linking words/phrases

Conclusion expressing balanced considerations/opinion indirectly

it can/must be said/claimed that …

In conclusion, it seems/appears that …

On balance, it would seem that …

All things considered, it is likely/unlikely/possible/foreseeable that

Taking everything into account/ it is clear/obvious that …

consideration, there is no/little doubt that …

To conclude, the best course of action would be to…

To sum up, achieving a balance between … would be…

All in all, it is true to say that …

Finally/Lastly, although it must be said that …

it may be concluded/said that …

All things considered, the obvious conclusion to be drawn is that …

There is no absolute answer to the question of …

In the light of this evidence, it is clear/obvious that …

In conclusion, clear/apparent above evidence

All in all, it is plain/obvious from the points

To sum up, evident foregoing arguments

Conclusion expressing opinion directly

In conclusion,

On balance, it is in my belief/opinion that …

All things considered, I (firmly) believe/feel/think that …

Taking everything into account/ I am convinced that …

consideration, I am inclined to believe that …

To conclude, I (do not) agree that/with …

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To sum up,

All in all,

Taking everything in to account, I therefore conclude/feel/believe (that) …

For the above-mentioned reasons, therefore, I (firmly) believe that …

* * *

Appendix: Lista Verbelor Neregulate cel mai frecvent utilizate

List of most frequently used Irregular Verbs

Infinitive (base form) Past Simple Past Participle

be

become

begin

bend

blow

break

bring

begin

build

burn

buy

can

catch

choose

come

cost

cut

do

was/were

became

began

bent

blew

broke

brought

began

built

burnt/burned

bought

could

caught

chose

came

cost

cut

did

Been

become

begun

bent

blown

broken

brought

begun

built

burnt/burned

bought

could/been able to

caught

chosen

come

cost

cut

done

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draw

dream

drink

drive

eat

fall

feel

find

fly

forget

get

give

go

grow

have

hear

hit

hold

hurt

keep

know

lay

lead

learn

leave

lean

lend

let

lie

light

lose

make

drew

dreamt/dreamed

drank

drove

ate

fell

felt

found

flew

forgot

got

gave

went

grew

had

heard

hit

held

hurt

kept

knew

laid

led

learnt

left

leant

lent

let

lay

lit

lost

made

drawn

dreamt/dreamed

drunk/drunken

driven

eaten

fallen

felt

found

flown

forgotten

got/gotten

given

gone

grown

had

heard

hit

held

hurt

kept

known

laid

led

learnt

left

leant

lent

let

lain

lit

lost

made

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mean

meet

must

pay

put

read

ring

run

say

see

sell

send

show

sing

sink

sit

sleep

spend

stand

steal

swim

take

teach

tear

tell

think

throw

understand

wake

wear

weep

win

meant

met

had to

paid

put

read

rang

ran

said

saw

sold

sent

showed

sang

sank

sat

slept

spent

stood

stole

swam

took

taught

tore

told

thought

threw

understood

woke

wore

wept

won

meant

met

had to

paid

put

read

rung

run

said

seen

sold

sent

shown

sung

sunk/sunken

sat

slept

spent

stood

stolen

swum

taken

taught

torn

told

thought

thrown

understood

woken

worn

wept

won

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withdraw

write

withdrew

wrote

withdrawn

written