English Preparation

A dead metaphor occurs when the original meaning of the comparison is lost either due to excessive repetition or a semantic shift (words losing or changing their initial meaning over time). For example: Roll up the window (Originally referring to the action of rolling up a window in a car, it now refers to closing a window in general).

This is an example of Standard metaphor which compares the two things directly. This metaphor 'Laughter is a medicine for the soul', compares laughter with medicine that cures and helps keeping good health.

Metaphor in English language is a figure of speech where we compare two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. They create a bright imaginary picture in the mind of the reader by using sensory details and descriptive language. For example: He has a heart of gold. (describing a person to be extremely kind, generous and empathetic).

Simple Present Tense Rule:

Subject + base verb (s/es for he/she/it)

Example: She goes to college.

Shows habit, facts, and routines.

Present Continuous Tense Rule:

Subject + is/am/are + verb-ing

Example: She is going to college.

Shows actions happening now or temporary actions.

The rule of Present Continuous Tense in English Grammar is:

Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing + Object

Examples:

• I am playing.
• He is writing a letter.
• They are watching TV.

To identify the Present Continuous Tense in a sentence, follow these three steps:

1. Check if there is 'is/am/are' in the sentence.
2. Check for the –ing form of verb.
3. Lastly, confirm that the sentence is describing an action happening right now, a temporary ongoing action, or a future action.

The Present Continuous Tense is used in three cases:

Case 1: Actions happening right now

Examples:

• She is talking on the phone.
• We are ordering Pizza from Dominos for lunch.

Case 2: Temporary or ongoing actions

Examples:

• I am staying at my friend's house for a few days.
• She is going to Decathlon to buy a winter jacket.

Case 3: Future planned events (with a specific time frame)

Example:

• They are having a cricket match this Sunday.
• He is flying to London next week.

The present continuous tense is a verb tense describing actions happening in the present or to be continued in the future. The formula for Present Continuous Tense is Subject + is/am/are + present participle (verb + ing) + Object.

Examples:

• I am driving the car.
• They are going on a trip to Meghalaya.

A gerund is a verb form that ends in -ing but functions as a noun in a sentence. Although a gerund looks like a verb, it acts as a subject, object, or complement.

Example:

• Joey is taking acting classes.
• Monica is working as a chef at a restaurant.

To identify gerund in a sentence, look for the word ending with '-ing', which is acting as a noun (not a verb or adjective).

Example:

• Painting is fun.
• I am trying to learn German language.
• She is practicing for tomorrow's cricket match.