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Tag: English

  • Break The Backbone Sanskrit Indian Culture ,Indians Support this?

    That Lord Macaulay introduced English to India is known to every one.

    It is also , not so well-known that he introduced it, because,

     

    ““I have traveled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and, therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native self-culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation.”

    -Lord Macaulay’s speech in the British Parliament on 2nd February 1835.

    Macaulay on India.png
    Thomas Babington Macaulay On Hinduism,speech on introduction of English in India.

    Now a concerted attempt is on to justify(?) Macaulay by stating that ,

    “Are we to keep the people of India ignorant in order that we may keep them submissive? Or do we think that we can give them knowledge without awakening ambition? Or do we mean to awaken ambition and to provide it with no legitimate vent? Who will answer any of these questions in the affirmative? Yet one of them must be answered in the affirmative, by every person who maintains that we ought permanently to exclude the natives from high office. I have no fears. The path of duty is plain before us: and it is also the path of wisdom, of national prosperity, of national honor.[See the full text here]”

    What is the position?

    Voltaire French Philospher on Hinduism.jpg
    Voltaire on Hinduism

    Macaulay’s speech excerpts and Minutes.

     

    Education and the English Empire in India

    I feel that, for the good of India itself, the admission of natives to high office must be effected by slow degrees. But that, when the fulness of time is come, when the interest of India requires the change, we ought to refuse to make that change lest we should endanger our own power, this is a doctrine of which I cannot think without indignation. Governments, like men, may buy existence too dear. “Propter vitam vivendi perdere causas,” [“To lose the reason for living, for the sake of staying alive”] is a despicable policy both in individuals and in states. In the present case, such a policy would be not only despicable, but absurd. The mere extent of empire is not necessarily an advantage. To many governments it has been cumbersome; to some it has been fatal. It will be allowed by every statesman of our time that the prosperity of a community is made up of the prosperity of those who compose the community, and that it is the most childish ambition to covet dominion which adds to no man’s comfort or security. To the great trading nation, to the great manufacturing nation, no progress which any portion of the human race can make in knowledge, in taste for the conveniences of life, or in the wealth by which those conveniences are produced, can be matter of indifference. It is scarcely possible to calculate the benefits which we might derive from the diffusion of European civilisation among the vast population of the East. It would be, on the most selfish view of the case, far better for us that the people of India were well governed and independent of us, than ill governed and subject to us; that they were ruled by their own kings, but wearing our broadcloth, and working with our cutlery, than that they were performing their salams to English collectors and English magistrates, but were too ignorant to value, or too poor to buy, English manufactures. To trade with civilised men is infinitely more profitable than to govern savages. That would, indeed, be a doting wisdom, which, in order that India might remain a dependency, would make it an useless and costly dependency, which would keep a hundred millions of men from being our customers in order that they might continue to be our slaves.

    Are we to keep the people of India ignorant in order that we may keep them submissive? Or do we think that we can give them knowledge without awakening ambition? Or do we mean to awaken ambition and to provide it with no legitimate vent? Who will answer any of these questions in the affirmative? Yet one of them must be answered in the affirmative, by every person who maintains that we ought permanently to exclude the natives from high office. 1 have no fears. The path of duty is plain before us: and it is also the path of wisdom, of national prosperity, of national honor.

    Source

    From Thomas Babington Macaulay, “Speech in Parliament on the Government of India Bill, 10 July 1833,” Macaulay, Prose and Poetry, selected by G.M. Young (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1957), pp. 716-18

    “

    I have no knowledge of either Sanscrit or Arabic.-But I have done what I could to form a correct estimate of their value. I have read translations of the most celebrated Arabic and Sanscrit works. I have conversed both here and at home with men distinguished by their proficiency in the Eastern tongues. I am quite ready to take the Oriental learning at the valuation of the Orientalists themselves. I have never found one among them who could deny that a single shelf of a good European library was worth the whole native literature of India and Arabia. The intrinsic superiority of the Western literature is, indeed, fully admitted by those members of the Committee who support the Oriental plan of education.

    It will hardly be disputed, I suppose, that the department of literature in which the Eastern writers stand highest is poetry. And I certainly never met with any Orientalist who ventured to maintain that the Arabic and Sanscrit poetry could be compared to that of the great European nations. But when we pass from works of imagination to works in which facts are recorded, and general principles investigated, the superiority of the Europeans becomes absolutely immeasurable. It is, I believe, no exaggeration to say, that all the historical information which has been collected from all the books written in the Sanscrit language is less valuable than what may be found in the most paltry abridgements used at preparatory schools in England. In every branch of physical or moral philosophy, the relative position of the two nations is nearly the same.”

     

    The apologists Macaulay claim that,

     

     “

    Clearly, Macaulay was saying something directly opposite to what has been quoted as his!
    There is indeed a clear reason why this distorted quote was invented. This is indeed RSS and its followers, who put words on Macaulay. I now know RSS even referred to English speaking Indians as ‘Children of Macaulay’! The quote above, passed on by my trusting friend, is a spoof, RSS trying to interpret what Macaulay might have meant. [I am sure those who did it knew that Macaulay also put Arabic on the same boat as Sanksrit]”
    Macaulay on Indian Culture.

    ““I have traveled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and, therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native self-culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation.”

    Now one can judge as to what are the intentions of Macaulay.

    Citations.

    http://books.google.co.in/books?id=0kSMosMLUMwC&pg=PA169&lpg=PA169&dq=lord+macaulay+2nd+february+1835+india&source=web&ots=wmjOO95mYR&sig=Q6U0FlzLCJH3Tl21qCOIqva-oy8&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=lord%20macaulay%202nd%20february%201835%20india&f=false

    http://sundayposts.blogspot.in/2008/01/lord-macaulays-quote-on-india.html#.VKyg3cn4C4o

    http://legacy.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1833macaulay-india.asp

    http://koenraadelst.bharatvani.org/articles/hinduism/macaulay.html

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  • PERSONAL PRONOUNS. English Grammar.

    We have already seen Pro-Noun stands for a Noun.

    Personal Pronoun stand for Persons.

    There are three kinds

    Singular Plural

    First Person I We

    Second Person You You

    Third Person He / She/ It They

    Note that you is the same for Singular and Plural.

    I, you can refer to both Male and Female.

    In third person, He and She refers to Gender, while IT refers to NEUTER GENDER (without life). Plural THEY is used for all the three, HE / SHE / IT in Third Person.

    DIFFERENT FORMS OF PERSONAL PRONOUNS

    FIRST PERSON – MASCULINE OR FEMININE

    Singular Plural

    Nominative I We

    Possessive my / mine our / ours

    Accusative me Us

    SECOND PERSON – MASCULINE OR FEMININE

    Singular Plural

    Nominative You You

    Possessive Your / Yours Your / Yours

    Accusative You You

    In second person, Nominative, Possessive and Accusative cases have the same Singular and Plural. This is because Second Person is always used when the person /s are right in front of us. The communication can be clearly understood as they are before us.

    THIRD PERSON

    Masculine Feminine Neuter Plural for all genders

    Nominative He She It They

    Possessive His Her / Hers Its Their / Theirs

    Accusative Him Her It Them

    NOTE: In the First Person, we use the same singular and plural for both Mas gender; for the Second Person who is in front we also know their gender. The same logic is applied to ‘Second Person’.

    But, in Third Person, who may not be present, we have to differentiate between male and female.

    Note that Possessive cases of Personal Pronouns (mostly) have two forms. Of these, two, my, our, your, her, their are used with Nouns as in ………

    This is my shirt

    This is our house

    That is your car

    This is her eyeliner

    It is their office

    These are called Possessive Adjectives. These are also called Pro-nominal Adjectives as they are formed from Pro-Nouns.

    Third Person Masculine Possessive (his) and Feminine Possessive (her) are used both in Adjective and Pronouns.

    This is his Computer (Possessive Adjective).

    This Computer is his. (Possessive Pronoun).

    This is her make-up kit (Possessive Adjective). This make-up kit is hers. (Possessive Pronoun).

    We cannot use these for third Person Neuter Gender.

    It is its Nest

    The Nest is its.

    See, how ridiculous it sounds?

    When to use IT

    – For things without life.

    Here is you key, take it.

    – For animals

    The dog keeps on barking but it won’t bite.

    – For a child when we do not want to refer to sex (male / female).

    I saw the new born baby. It was crying.

    – For some statement or action taken place before.

    Harbhajan Singh slapped SreeSai. He knew he would be punished for it.

    – To give emphasis to the Noun or Pronoun that follows.

    It was you who started the quarrel.

    We find many use to convey the same meaning. It was you only ……. quarrel.

    This is not English.

    – Use as a temporary subject before the verb ‘To be’.

    The real subject follows.

    It is easy to speak (To speak is easy).

    – Use as an indefinite Nominative of an Impersonal verb (We shall deal extremely what Impersonal verb under ‘VERBS’.

    It rains

    The ‘IT’ used here is also called Impersonal Pronoun. The ‘Verb’ rains is called Impersonal Verb.

    – Personal Pronoun should be of the same gender Neuter and person on the Noun.

    Ronaldo is a great football player. He has joined “Real Madrid’.

    Here, Ronaldo is masculine and in third person. So, we should use adjective HE and not SHE or IT. Since Ronaldo is singular, we use only singular.

    The IPL Twenty 20 Players are committed and so they are paid huge sums. We have used players Plural. Here, Plural ‘THEY’ are used.

    – When a Pronoun stands in for a collective Noun, it must be in singular and Neuter Gender.

    The Pakistani army suffered its worst defeat in Bangladesh war.

    – If the collective Noun refers / indicates to separate individual of the group, the Pronoun should be in Plural.

    The Supreme Court Judges were divided in their opinion.

    – When two or m ore Singular Nouns are joined by ‘And’, the Pronoun must be in Plural.

    DHRYODHANA AND his brothers Nero evil personified. They paid for it.

    – When two Singular Nouns are joined by ‘and’ and refer to the same person, the Pronoun should be in Singular.

    The Secretary and Treasurer are negligent of their duty.

    – When two Singular Nouns jointly and are precede by EACH / Every Pronoun in Singular.

    EACH and every grain one eats, has his name written on it.

    When two or more singular Nouns are jointly or either …… or Neither ……. nor use Singular.

    Lord Rama or Krishna should shower their grace on us.

    Neither Ravana’s army or his personal valour helped him save his life.

    – When a Plural Noun and a Singular Noun are joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, Pronoun is Plural.

    Rahul David and his Players failed in their matches.

    – When you use a Pronoun to refer to more than one Person (Noun) or Pronoun of different persons, you must use First Person Plural and not the third.

    You and I have done our part.

    – When we speak or write, we must use first person later and give preference to second and third person. That is we should use II / III Persons first.

    You and I and not I and You

    He and I and not I and He

    You and He and not He and You

    Personal Pronouns – I, He, She, We, They have different forms of Reaccurative cases viz ; me, him, her, u, them.

    Correct Usage Incorrect Usage

    These books are These Books are

    Meant for me Meant for I

    Always use accusative case after ‘but’.

    Nobody shall come to your rescue but me.

    http://ramanisblog.in/2012/09/10/articlesknow-your-grammar/

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  • ARTICLES,Know Your Grammar.

    A, AN and THE are called ARTICLES. They are nothing but demonstrative Adjectives.

    Whenever we want to point out a Person / Place / Thing, we need to use or employ the article.

    Let us say, there are three books on the table.

    I ask you to pick up a book. You pick up any one of the three books.

    You do not pick a specific or particular book. Here we have used ‘a’ right before on the word ‘book’. As we are not particular or definite about the book, ‘a’ is called the ‘Indefinite Article’.

    When we are not sure or particular or definite about the Person or thing, we speak, of we use the indefinite article ‘a’.

    Normally, we use ‘a’, the indefinite article before singular countable Nouns.

    When I ask you (take the book, you normally take a book that is pointed out or already known to you and to me. that is both of us are sure what we are speaking about.

    When we are sure of what we are referring about, we use the Article ‘The’.

    The is to be used when we are sure of what we intend. ‘The’ therefore, is called the DEFINITE article.

    The House, The School, The Car.

    When you say ‘a’ school, a car, or a house, it may refer to any school, any car or any house. But, when you say the school, the car, the house, you refer to a school a car or a house you are sure or definite about.

    We use ‘the’ definite article before singular countable Nouns. Plural countable Nouns and uncountable Nouns. The rice, the pen, the computer.

    There are time when we want to use the Vowels – a, e, i, o, u.

    ‘a’ the indefinite Article, we can use ‘a’ or ‘an’. this is determined by the above five vowels.

    Vowels relate to or refer to sound or how we pronounce a word. We should use ‘an’, when the pronunciation of a word starts with the sound of ‘ a, e, i, o, u’.

    an honest man.

    an elephant

    an irate customer

    an odour

    an umbrella

    an hour

    The word EDUCATION consists all the five vowels. (a,e,i,o,u).

    The word ABSTEMIOUS contains all the vowels, a,e,i,o,u in the same order. Abstemious means to refrain / from doing certain things we do. It has negative connotation or meaning.

    For words beginning with a consonant, we use ‘a’. – a boy, a University.

    (here we do not use an for University because, the pronunciation is ‘University’

    Where to use DEFINITE ARTICLE.

    When we are particular about a Person / thing as in The Book.

    When we refer to a particular / Singular Nouns meant to mean a whole class.

    The dog is a faithful animal.

    Here we refer to the whole class of dogs.

    We can use indefinite Article before Proper nouns like river, ocean, mountain, countries.

    The Ganges

    The Indian Ocean

    The Republic of India

    The Vindhyas

    We can also use the …………… something which represents our identity / culture.

    The Mahabharatha

    The Bible

    The Korean

    The Vedas

    We can also use ‘the’ before words that are special or unique – the sun, the moon.

    We can use before a Proper Noun to indicate emphasis. Normally, we use a quality that makes the Person / Place noticeable.

    The Great Rama

    Use before Superlatives.

    The Ganges is the holiest river for Hindus.

    Use before ordinals.

    Neil Arm Strong was the first man to set foot on the moon.

    Use before an adjective when the Noun is understood.

    The rich do not know the misery of the poor.

    Use before musical instruments

    The Veena, the Sitar, the Bingos.

    Use an adverb with Comparatives.

    The more the senses have, the more they want.

    How to use Indefinite Articles?

    To indicate one unit.

    – A kilo

    – Not a hair out of place

    – In a vague sense of ‘a certain’.

    A certain Krishna (somebody called Krishna).

    enquired of you.

    To refer / point out a particular individual representing a group / class.

    A son should respect his parents.

    – Certain / Some – Here we know the Noun. But completely or we are not completely familiar. i.e we are vague. Still we have an idea.

    Where to omit Articles?

    – Before noun of substances and uncountable Nouns.

    Sugar is bad for people with Diabetes.

    – Before Plural countable Noun used in the General ………..

    Computers serve 17 industries.

    – Before names of Meals

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. e.g. Lunch will be ready. We use ‘a’ when we refer to a particular meals – a Breakfast , a Dinner

    If we are sure of the meals, we can use ‘the’.

    The Dinner at my friends marriage was sumptuous.

    – Before languages / schools / hospitals when they have been referred to invite for their primary functions.

    We study French at school.

    We study English.

    My father is in hospital.

    But, when you are specific about these places, you can use ‘the’.

    My father is in the hospital. i.e. We know the hospital where he is in; we have ……

    – Do not use before Names of Relations – Father, Mother

    – Do not use before Predicative Nouns. (We shall discuss this later denoting a unique position).

    Mr. Venkatraman was Principal of Vivekananda College.

    – Do not use in phrases which have transitive verb followed by its object. (We shall deal with transitive verb later).

    – to cast anchor

    – to catch fire

    – to take offence.

    – Do not use in phrases that contain a Preposition followed by its object.

    at home, by day, at sundown, by air, on tour, on demand, underground, above ground, at ease.

    When are Articles repeated…?

    I have a car and a bike.

    When we have two names, we use the article before each Noun.

    I have a Noun. I want to use two adjectives for the same Noun. Where should I use the Article?

    I have a black car a white car.

    Here, we use Article before each Noun. But, in the present case where we have only one Noun, we should write the Article thus:

    I have a black and white car.

    Here, it means that I have a car which is partly white and partly black. There is only one car.

    In the earlier case, there were two cars. In this case, we use the Article before the first Noun only. Let us see another case.

    The President of India and Commander-in-Chief of India participated in the Republic Day Parade.

    The President of India is also the Commander-in-Chief of armed forces. So, we use the Article ‘The’ only once.

    The President of Pakistan and the Commander-in-Chief were present when they held talks with the Prime Minister of India.

    In Pakistan, the President and Commander-in-Chief are two different persons. So, we use the Article before each Noun.

    When we have two Nouns that are connected or mean the same thing, we use the Article once before the first Noun.

    When the Nouns are not connected and are different, we use Article before each Noun.

    While comparing Thing / Persons, use the Article before first Noun.

    Sachin is better batsman than a bowler.

    http://ramanisblog.in/2012/09/05/correct-usage-of-adjectives-know-your-grammar/

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  • CORRECT USAGE OF ADJECTIVES, Know Your Grammar.

    Suppose we want to use an adjective relating to quantity e.g. some, any.

    Some is used in affirmative sentences; Any in negative and interrogative sentences.

    I can use some sugar. (Affirmative).

    Do you have any sugar? (Interrogative).

    Is any one there? (Though Interrogative, we expect a negative reply i.e. nobody is there).

    I do not have anything left to eat. (Negative).

    In the sentence, I can use some sugar, we normally assume the reply to be ‘yes’. So, we can use some in cases when we need to make requests or when we want to offer.

    ‘ANY’ can be used in the affirmative sentence also if it follows ‘ if ’, If you need any cash, I shall provide you.

    EACH, EVERY

    ‘Each’ is used when we speak of two or more things.

    ‘Every’ is used only when we speak of more than two things.

    ‘Each’ places emphasis on the individual.

    ‘Every’ emphasis to total group.

    ‘Each’ is used when the number in the group is limited or definite.

    ‘Every’ is used when the number is indefinite.

    India expects every citizen to do his / her duty.

    Each row in the Auditorium has twenty-five seats.

    Everyone should play his part in Twenty 20 tournament to ensure to win.

    LITTLE, A LITTLE, THE LITTLE

    Little – more or less nothing.

    Little – There is little hope of his getting through the final examination (He has no chance).

    (Normally few, a few, the few are used along with countable Nouns).

    A Little – There is a little hope of his getting through the final examination. (He has some chance).

    The Little – Whatever is available (it is not much).

    The little information on the type of explosives used, has been very vital in nabbing the culprit.

    (The information on the explosive was not much, but, it was very important in catching the culprit).

    FEW, A FEW, THE FEW

    Few – more or less nothing, insignificant. Few honest persons become politicians.

    A Few – some

    May I request the Chief General to say a few words?

    The Few – Whatever available, though not much.

    The few friends I have would give their life for me, if need be.

    We must ensure that we use the correct adjective at the correct position. Otherwise, the meaning will become different.

    e.g.: give me some rice – The emphasis here is on ‘me’. Give some rice to me – Emphasis ‘rice’.

    Many of us make mistakes in this respect and often we convey a wrong meaning.

    Fill in with few, a few, the few, little, a little, the little.

    1. I have time.

    2. drops do not make an ocean.

    3. I havefriends.

    4. rupees he had saved, when he was affluent, had stood him instead.

    5. Havemore.

    6. fact would have prevented misunderstanding.

    7. Aurangzeb showed mercy on his enemies.

    8. knowledge of dehydration thereby saved his life.

    Related:

    http://ramanisblog.in/2012/09/05/some-examples-on-degrees-of-comparison-and-tipsenglish-grammar/

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  • Some Examples On Degrees of Comparison and Tips,English Grammar.

    Some examples of Positive, Comparative and Superlative Degrees of Comparison.

    Positive Comparative Superlative

    Good Better Best

    Hot Hotter Hottest

    Sharp Sharper Sharpest

    Tall Taller Tallest

    Short Shorter Shortest

    Large Larger Largest

    Small Smaller Smallest

    Dry More dry (drier) Most dry (driest)

    Cold More cold (colder) Most cold (coldest)

    Proud More proud (prouder) Most proud (proudest)

    High Higher Highest

    Legible More legible Most legible

    Great Greater Greatest

    Cut Cut Cut

    Put Put Put

    Useful More useful Most useful

    Ferocious More ferocious Most ferocious

    Nutritive More nutritive Most nutritive

    Pretty More pretty (prettier) Most pretty (Prettiest)

    We should remember that we have two things to compare in Comparative degrees. We can say one is better than the other.

    In cases, when we have to make comparison between more than two Persons / Objects, we have to say one or one group is better or worse than the other.

    Ex: A, B, C and D are compared.

    A is taller than B

    B is taller than C

    D is of the same height of C

    B is taller than C and D, but, shorter than A.

    Changing the Degrees of Comparison

    – POSITIVE Degree occurs when we make a statement or a matter of fact without comparison.

    – COMPARITIVE Degree occurs when we compare two things / place / persons.

    – SUPERLATIVE Degree occurs when more than two things / place / persons are involved. Remember, beyond Superlative there is nothing more to be compared. If only two persons / places need to be compared, then one can use the Superlative.

    – When forming comparative degree, normally add

    a) ‘er’ to positive

    Ex: tall – taller sharp – sharper

    old – older short – shorter

    young – younger long – longer

    large – larger high – higher

    b) for superlative, add ‘est’ to positive.

    tall – taller – tallest sharp – sharper – sharpest

    old – older – oldest short – shorter – shortest

    young – younger – youngest long – longer – longest

    large – larger – largest high – higher – highest

    c) for word ending with ‘ y ’ remove ‘ y ‘ from positive and add ‘ier’ for comparative and ‘iest’ for superlative.

    heavy – heavier – heaviest lucky – luckier – luckiest

    pretty – prettier – prettiest dirty – dirtier – dirtiest

    merry – merrier – merriest dirty – more dirty – most dirty

    The Adjectives which have two syllables, will have ‘more’ for comparative and ‘most’ for superlative.

    Ex: beautiful – more beautiful – most beautiful

    honest – more honest – most honest

    popular – more popular – most popular

    reliable – more reliable – most reliable

    pretty – more pretty (prettier) – most pretty

    (prettiest)

    Some form themselves into comparative and superlative in an irregular pattern.

    Positive Comparative Superlative

    good / well better best

    bad / ill worse worst

    high higher highest

    little less least

    much / many more most

    far farther farthest

    fore former foremost / first

    You will become familiar with more words to use in Degrees of comparison by reading.

    For changing from one degree to another.

    From Positive to Comparative.

    a) Find out the comparative form of positive and place it in the place of positive adjective and follow it with ‘than’ or ‘to’ and follow it with the object.

    Rama is elder (comparative) to Lakshmanan

    To change into superlative, you should make sure or ensure that all the persons / places / things compared are taken into account. In superlative, you should leave nothing out of comparison.

    In the above example, in comparative, we have taken only two persons ; Rama and Lakshmanan

    If we are certain that we have to make a statement involving Rama and Lakshmanan to indicate who is elder of the two, comparative degree will do. But, if we have more than two people, if we say, ‘Rama is elder to Lakshmanan’, when two others namely, Bharata and Shatrugana are involved, if we say Rama is elder to Lakshmana, we will not know if Bharata or Shatrugana is elder to Rama. So, if we say, Rama is the eldest of four brothers, we have taken into account Bharata and Shatrugana. We get the clear picture that Rama is the eldest of the four.

    Let us see another example for changing from one degree to another.

    Madurai is the oldest town in Tamil Nadu (Superlative).

    The meaning is that there is no other city in Tamil Nadu which is older than Madurai. So, to convert the above into superlative and convey the same meaning, we should say ‘Madurai is older than any other city in Tamil nadu’. We can also express the same in another way.

    No other city in Tamil Nadu is older than Madurai.

    However, the emphasis we want to give on Madurai is slightly different or varied. This, we shall discuss later.

    Shakespeare is greater than any other English poet. (Comparative)

    Shakespeare is the greatest of English Poets (superlative).

    As a rule, make sure the meaning in various degrees remain the same, instead of blindly following hints. In fact, while dealing with grammar, we should pay more attention to the meaning conveyed, whatever be the circumstances.

    Change the degree of comparison without changing the meaning.

    1) The pen is mightier than the sword.

    2) Cow is more useful than any other animal.

    3) Mount Everest is the highest peak in the World.

    4) Mariana Trench is the deepest point in the ocean

    5) It is better to have loved and lost than to have not loved at all.

    6) Mango is sweeter than Lime.

    7) Very few Nations are as materialistic as the USA.

    8) Samudra Gupta was greater than any other King in India.

    9) No other orator was more powerful as Demosthenes.

    10) I have more books than you.

    ADJECTIVES USED AS NOUNS

    ‘The rich do not know the condition of the poor’

    The adjectives are ‘rich’ and ‘poor’.

    What do we mean by these adjectives?

    Rich – people who are rich or rich people.

    Poor – people who are poor or poor people.

    The nouns ‘People’ are not stated openly. They are implied or hidden behind the adjectives. So, when we say rich or poor in the above sentences, we mean rich (adjective) people (noun – collective noun), do not to know the sufferings of the poor (adjective) people (noun – collective noun). In practice, we use rich and poor. Hence, adjective is used as Plural Nouns.

    The future is happy. Here, future means futurity. It is an Abstract Noun. In such cases, the adjective (future) becomes Noun. It is in Singular.

    Some other adjectives derived from Proper Nouns become adjectives. They may relate to proper ethnicity – Indians, Americans, Tamilians.

    Some adjectives indicating persons also become Nouns. They may belong to particular profession or an activity that is common to all of them – juniors, seniors, Criminals.

    Yet some other adjectives denoting quantity / things in general become Nouns. It can be both in Singular and Plural.

    – Secrets, total, solids, liquids, gases, valuables.

    Some adjectives like sweet are used as Nouns in Plural and not in Singular. We can say sweets, it, that is, in a many eatables that are sweet.

    Some phrases also become Nouns whenever this make appear into the sentence below the proceeding one. In short, Before long, Ere long, At Best, At the very least, in black and white.

    In general, to identify an adjective functioning as a Noun, look for Plural Nouns, Singular Nouns of quality, derivatives of Nouns (means Adjectives formed of Noun). Or some phrases that indicate Nouns implicitly.

    Also, ‘the’ appears before Adjective functioning as Noun (in general).

    Remember the above guidelines are only indicative. Best way is to look for the meaning. i.e. what we speak about Persons / Places / Things and what we add to give more meaning to the forms and decide if the Noun is implied.

    Sometimes we use Noun as adjectives as well.

    I am a city boy.

    He always plays computer games.

    Adjective is normally placed before the Noun.

    He is a great man.

    In poetry, the adjective may appear after the Noun – ‘Men’, of great valour never die more than once’.

    We place adjectives after Noun in Prose also, when we have more than one adjective to emphasis.

    Lord Krishna was a great King, Philosopher and Leader.

    He was a kind man, patient, forbearing and of compassion.

    We also place adjectives after a Noun when we join some words or phrases to adjectives. This is to place emphasis.

    MS Dhoni is fertile in imaginative tactics..

    In some cases, in some phrases, Adjectives come after the Noun.

    God Almighty, time immemorial.

    In some instances, the adjectives are more of explanatory in nature or indicate a specific quality which we want to emphasis.

     

    Related:

    http://ramanisblog.in/2012/08/30/comparison-of-adjectives-or-degrees-of-comparisonenglish-grammar/

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