Communicative English Short Notes
Norm: Something (such as a behavior or way of doing something) that is usual
or expected.
We use an active voice when we want to focus on the doer/actor/subject of the
action.
We use the passive when;
1. We don’t know who did the action
2. It is not important who did the action
3. We don’t want to say who did the action
4. When there is inanimate cause or agent (which is not conscious or lacks
power of motion)
Active simple present tense
1. Add –s to third person singular (he/she)
2. Used to express general truths
3. Used for describing habits, feelings, giving instructions, describing programmed
activities, and narrating.
Example
1. He doesn’t usually take sugar in his coffee. (habit)
2. She generally likes children. (feelings)
3. Hand in your assignments tomorrow. (instruction)
4. The train to Dire Dawa leaves at 8:30 AM. (timetable future)
5. The film star falls down, he picks his gun, aims and shoots (narrative)
Passive simple present tense
Form: am/is/are + past participle
We use passive when we don’t know, or it is not known or it is not important to know who
or what did the action; or when we don’t want to say who did the action, or when there is
an inanimate cause or agent. If we want to say who did or what caused the action, we use
‘by’.
Example: Children are given names by their parents. (Here the focus is on children’s’ name)
Indicating degree of frequency of events
The present simple, active and passive, are also used with a range of modifiers in order to
indicate the degree of frequency of certain events.
Examples of modifiers;
- Always, generally, mainly, normally, often, traditionally, usually, frequently,
sometimes, seldom, occasionally, rarely, never…
1. Children are normally given names by their parents. (frequency in passive
form)
2. Marriages are traditionally arranged by parents.
Meanings of words
Overwhelming: Something that is so confusing, difficult, etc. that you feel unable to
do it.
Impression: The effect or influence that something or someone has on a person’s
thoughts or feelings.
Mystery: Something not understood or beyond understanding.
Foe: An enemy or one who opposes on principle (eg. Wenger and Alex Ferguson)
Presume: To think that something is true without knowing that it is true.
Winding: A curved course, line, or progress
Intricate: Having many complexly interrelating parts
Confinement: The time when a woman is giving birth to a baby.
Time clauses for descriptive writing
Rule: Time clauses should not contain future verb forms. For example, one cannot
say: After the marriage feast will be (is) over, the couple will start their lives
together. Here, ‘after’ is a time indicator and the first clause is time clause.
Indicators: After, as soon as, before, when, etc.
Time clauses shall be used with: Present simple active or passive, and present
perfect active or passive, NOT with any future tense.
Critical Reading
Crouched: bent down/nailed down
Sense: feel
Absorbed: Involved
Exist: Prevail
Ritual: Religious or cultural ceremony
Performed: Carried out
Cleanse: Make free from madness
Purify: Clean
Parents to be: Newly married people who expect an offspring
Extended family: Line of descent
Attempt: Try
Wooden mortar: Wooden bath/vase/bowl
Intone: Sing
Will away: Remove/avoid
Rocking down: Touching the ground
Red earth: Soil
Swirl: Mix/stir
Somberly: Seriously
Pardon: Give mercy
Stream: Move together/flock/swarm
Endanger: Threaten
Spill: Move out
Witchcraft: Predictor/magician (male)
Sorcery: The use of magical powers that are obtained through evil spirits/magic
Wield: hold/seize
Appease: Pacify/Calm/to make peaceful
Acculturated: Changed, influenced, affected
Climax: High point
Constitute: Form
Aloof: Far, not influenced by something
Fragile: Not secured
Cherished: Loved, interesting
