English Notation

Proficiency
ENP003: Grammar Basics
Lesson Objectives

By using the learning resources and participating in class discussions,

you will be able to:

• Define articles, prepositions, tenses, subjects, verbs, and

subject-verb agreement
• Identify the proper articles, prepositions, tenses, and
subject-verb agreement to use when constructing simple
sentences
• Demonstrate the proper usage of articles, prepositions,
tenses, and subject-verb agreement in call handling

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Articles

An article is a word that comes before a noun. Articles by themselves

have little or no meaning, but when placed before a noun, the article
indicates whether the noun is specific, and if it is singular or plural.

• Definite articles: These indicate a defined, single noun.

The is a definite article. Using the before a noun indicates
that the noun is unique.
“Jill is the best team leader.”
• Indefinite articles: These indicate an instance of a noun
or an object. A and an are indefinite articles. Using a or
an before a noun indicates that there are other objects
similar to that one.
“Jill is an employee of Convergys.”

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Prepositions

Prepositions are words that show time, place, and movement in a

sentence. A preposition links nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other
words in a sentence.
Prepositions of time: at, on, in, for, since
• Use “in” for unspecified time during a day, month, season,
or year – “She started in November 2005.”
• Use “for” when measuring time – “She was an agent for
one year.”
• Use “at” to designate time – “She comes in at midnight and
leaves at noon.”
• Use “on” to designate days and dates – “She takes her days
off on Mondays and Tuesdays.”
• Use “since” with a specific date or time – “She has been a
team leader since December 2006.”
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Prepositions, continued

Prepositions of place: at, on, in

• Use “at” for specific places and addresses – “You can see
her working at her station diligently during her shift.”
• Use “in” for the names of land areas (towns, counties,
cities, states, countries, and continents) and parts of
organizations – “Jill is the best team leader in the
production department.”
• Use “on” to designate names of streets, avenues, and so on
– “The office is now located on Fifth Street.”

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Verbs

What are verbs?

Verbs are action words. They denote measurable movement

or change.

Examples: upgrade, change, apply, search, cancel, run, do,

reach, provide, got to/have to, want to, and so on

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Tenses

What are tenses?

Tenses are verb forms that indicate a relationship between the

time the action in a verb occurs and the time the verb is
uttered. In English, there are three basic tenses: present, past,
and future.

Forms
Tense
Simple Continuous

Present call/calls am/is/are calling

Past called was/were calling

Future will call will be calling

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Tenses, continued

Present Simple Tense – Expresses an unchanging, repeated, or

recurring action or situation that exists only now. It can also represent a
widespread truth or instructions.
“She makes sure that she coaches her agents on their areas for
improvement every week.”

Past Simple Tense – Expresses an action or situation that was started

and finished in the past.
“She was an agent for 1 year.”

Future Simple Tense – Expresses an action or situation that will occur

in the future.
“The technician will resolve the issue tomorrow.”

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Tenses, continued

Present Continuous Tense – Describes an ongoing action that is

happening at the same time the statement is written or spoken.
“Right now, they are preparing a surprise party to celebrate Jill’s
accomplishment.”

Past Continuous Tense – Describes a past action that was happening

when another action occurred.
“Last Tuesday, while she was evaluating her agent, Jill learned that she
will be travelling.”

Future Continuous Tense – Describes an ongoing or continuous action

that will take place in the future.
“Jill learned that she will be travelling to another site to share her best
practices with other team leaders.”

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Subject-Verb Agreement

Identify the Subject – The subject in a sentence refers to a person

performing an action or an object being described.

Identify the Verb – Verbs are typically action words. The action is
usually performed by the subject.

Linking Verbs – Linking verbs do not express action. They connect

the subject of a verb to additional information about the subject.

Subject-Verb Agreement – The subject and the verb must always

agree in number. This means that both the subject and the verb must
either be singular or plural.

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Subject-Verb Agreement, continued

• If subjects are joined by and, use a plural verb – “The agents and the
manager are excited to see Jill’s reaction when they surprise her.”

• If subjects are joined by or or nor, the verb should agree with the
subject closest to the verb – “The agents or the manager is going to
call Jill from her station so that they can start the party.”

• If the subject is any of the following, use a singular verb, because they
are considered singular: each, each one, either, neither, everyone,
everybody, anybody, anyone, nobody, somebody, someone –
“Everyone is very proud of her.”

• If the subject is followed by any of the following, the verb should agree
with the subject: with, together with, including, accompanied by, in
addition to, as well as – “All of the agents, together with the
operations manager, are in the pantry to set up the party.”
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Activity – Passage

Jill is the employee of Convergys. She started at November 2005. She

was an agent for 1 year, and she has been a team leader on December
2006. Jill is a best team leader on the production department. She
made sure that she coaches her agents on their areas for improvement
every week. You can see her working on her station diligently during
her shift. She comes in on midnight and leaves at noon. She takes her
days off Mondays and Tuesdays.

Last Tuesday, while she evaluated her agents, Jill learned that she is
travelling to another site to share her best practices with other team
leaders. Everyone are very proud of her. Right now, they prepare a
surprise party to celebrate Jill’s accomplishment. All of the agents,
together with the operations manager, is in the pantry to set up the
party. The agents or the manager are going to call Jill from her station
so that they can start the party. The agents and the manager is excited
to see Jill’s reaction when they surprise her.

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Knowledge Check

Now it’s time to test your knowledge of the material we have just
covered. Consider the following questions:

Define the following:

1. Articles
2. Prepositions
3. Tenses
4. Verbs
5. Subject-verb agreement

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Putting It Together

By using the learning resources and

participating in class discussions, you
should now be able to:
• Define articles, prepositions, tenses, subjects,
verbs, and subject-verb agreement
• Identify the proper articles, prepositions,
tenses, and subject-verb agreement to use
when constructing simple sentences
• Demonstrate the proper usage of articles,
prepositions, tenses, and subject-verb
agreement in call handling

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© 2011 Convergys Corporation. All rights reserved.