Uncertainty, Desire, Hope, Emphasize urgency/request

SUBJUNCTIVE

If I were the president of US. It is important that he speak loudly. I advise that he just work hard on the rules. It is important that she attend the meeting. Notice a pattern above the subjunctive is used after the following verbs:

to advise (that) to ask (that) to command (that) to demand (that) to desire (that) to insist (that) to propose (that) to recommend (that) to request (that) to suggest (that) to urge (that)

Cont

The Subjunctive is also used after the following expressions:

It It It It It It It It It It It is is is is is is is is is is is best (that) crucial (that) desirable (that) essential (that) imperative (that) important (that) recommended (that) urgent (that) vital (that) a good idea (that) a bad idea (that)

Quantity Issues Countable: Many, As many, Few/Fewer, Number. (Example: Many Shirts, As many hats, Few Pens, number of pens) Uncountable: Much, As much, Less/Little, Amount. (Example: Much money, As much money, Less money, amount of happiness)

VOICE
Active: I completed the project. {I (subject) completed (verb) project (object)}. Passive: The project was completed by me. {The project (object-subject) completed (verb) me (subject-object)} Active: John decided to follow the rules. {John (subject) decided (verb) rules (object)} Passive: It was decided by John to follow the rules. {decided (verb) John (subject) - rules (object)}

Passive not always incorrect

Can you avoid passive in the following construction?: Coming out of the store, Mark got thrashed by John.

Answer: NO as if you were to write Coming out of the store, John got thrashed by Mark, you will change the meaning of the sentence by implying that John and NOT Mark was the one coming out of the store.

Being NOT always incorrect

Correct when simple grammar requires a being Example: I am afraid of being late.

With + Noun + being + noun compliment

Example: With Sachin Tendulkar being the best batsman in the world.

SEMICOLON (;) AND COLON (:)

Semicolon (;) is used to connect two closely related statements. BOTH statements must be able to stand independently. John and Mark are close friends; doing everything together. John and Mark are close friends; they do everything together. Colon (:) is used to equate two parts of a sentence. The statement that precedes the colon must be able to stand alone. I love listening to: classical, rock, and pop I love many kind of music: classical, rock, and pop

Each Singular/Plural
The subject of a sentence beginning with each is grammatically singular. Each dog has paws Each of these shirts is pretty When each follows a plural subject the verb and subsequent pronouns remain plural. They each are great tennis players The three main news channels each broadcast the same show at the same time.

Compared with/Compared to
Compared with: To bring out similarities/dissimilarities between LIKE things. Johns signature was compared with/compared to the original signature. Compared to: To bring out similarities/dissimilarities between UNLIKE things.

Her beauty was compared to/compared with a summer day

USUAL Vs IS USUAL USUAL: When something is compared to itself. Example He is happier than usual.

IS USUAL: When something is compared to the subgroup to which it belongs.

Example Mercedes is more expensive than is usual for a car.

MISCELLANEOUS
One of the + Plural noun + that/who + Plural Verb

Example: This is one of the cars (plural verb) that run (plural verb)/runs on hydrogen.
Each time (2) vs. Every time (2+) Example The dog bit him twice and each time he had to go to the hospital. The dog bit him thrice and every time he had to go to the hospital.