Read wisely

Find the meanings of bold words.

It is difficult to change someone's opinion by badgering him. The child who begs his mother to "get off his back" when she implores him for some assistance with the household drudgery, may very well plead interminably for some special privilege when he wants something for himself. How paradoxical* that neither is able to perceive that no one likes being nagged.

give your answer in comment box.

Word of the Day

Word of the Day

placid
ˈplasɪd/
adjective

• not easily upset or excited.

"a placid, contented man"

synonyms: even-tempered, calm, equable, tranquil, imperturbable, unexcitable, peaceable, peaceful, serene, mild, gentle, quiet, cool, cool-headed, collected, cool, calm, and collected, composed, self-possessed, poised, easy-going, temperate, level-headed, steady, unruffled, unmoved, undisturbed, unperturbed, unemotional, phlegmatic, stolid, bovine 

informal unflappable; rare equanimous
"she's normally very placid"

• calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity.

"the placid waters of a small lake"

synonyms: quiet, calm, tranquil, still, peaceful, motionless, smooth, waveless, pacific, unruffled, undisturbed, like a millpond;
restful, sleepy
"the placid waters of a small lake"

Using Predicate Adjectives after Linking Verbs

Using Predicate Adjectives after Linking Verbs

A predicate adjective is an adjective that follows a linking verb and describes the subject of a sentence. Remember that linking verbs describe a state of being or a condition. They include all forms of to be (such as am, is, are, were, was) and verbs related to the senses (look, smell, sound, feel). Linking verbs connect the subject of a sentence to a word that renames or

describes it.

Note:

Some verbs do double duty: Sometimes they function as linking verbs, but other times they function as action verbs. As linking verbs, these verbs use adjectives as complements. As action verbs, these verbs use adverbs as complements.

Solve the servant's problem

Find the meaning of Bold words.

The worlds of science-fiction abound with wonders. Yet modern technology progresses so rapidly that what may be today's wild dream may be next year's kitchen appliance. A British scientist has prognosticated that within ten years every suburban matron will have her own robot servant. One task this domesticated automaton will not have to contend with will be scouring the oven because even today the newest ranges can be "programed" to reduce their own baked-on grime to easily disposed of ashes.

Please give your answer in comment box.

THE REAL PRINCESS

THE REAL PRINCESS

There was once a Prince who wished to marry a

Princess; but then she must be a real Princess. He travelled

all over the world in hopes of finding such a lady; but

there was always something wrong. Princesses he found in

plenty; but whether they were real Princesses it was

impossible for him to decide, for now one thing, now

another, seemed to him not quite right about the ladies.

At last he returned to his palace quite cast down, because

he wished so much to have a real Princess for his wife.

One evening a fearful tempest arose, it thundered and

lightened, and the rain poured down from the sky in

torrents: besides, it was as dark as pitch. All at once there

was heard a violent knocking at the door, and the old

King, the Prince’s father, went out himself to open it.

It was a Princess who was standing outside the door.

What with the rain and the wind, she was in a sad

condition; the water trickled down from her hair, and her

clothes clung to her body. She said she was a real Princess.

‘Ah! we shall soon see that!’ thought the old Queenmother;

however, she said not a word of what she was

going to do; but went quietly into the bedroom, took all

the bed-clothes off the bed, and put three little peas on the

bedstead. She then laid twenty mattresses one upon

another over the three peas, and put twenty feather beds

over the mattresses.

Upon this bed the Princess was to pass the night.

The next morning she was asked how she had slept.

‘Oh, very badly indeed!’ she replied. ‘I have scarcely

closed my eyes the whole night through. I do not know

what was in my bed, but I had something hard under me,

and am all over black and blue. It has hurt me so much!’

Now it was plain that the lady must be a real Princess,

since she had been able to feel the three little peas through

the twenty mattresses and twenty feather beds. None but a

real Princess could have had such a delicate sense of

feeling.

The Prince accordingly made her his wife; being now

convinced that he had found a real Princess. The three

peas were however put into the cabinet of curiosities,

where they are still to be seen, provided they are not lost.

Wasn’t this a lady of real delicacy?

Comparing with Adjectives and Adverbs

Comparing with Adjectives and Adverbs

Now that you know how to form the comparative and superlative forms of adjectives and
adverbs, follow these guidelines to make the comparisons correct.

1. Use the comparative degree (-er or more form) to compare two things.

• Your house is bigger than mine.
• Your house has more rooms than mine.

2. Use the superlative form (-est or most to compare three or more things.

• The kitchen is the largest room in the house.
• It is the most impressive room of all.

Fewer and less have different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably. Fewer refers to items that can be counted (fewer sandwiches, fewer cookies). Less refers to amounts that can’t be counted (less sugar, less sand, less anger, less filling).

3. Use other and else correctly in comparisons.
When you compare one item in a group with the rest of the group, be sure to include the
word other or else. Then your comparison will make sense.
Confusing comparison: Truman was greater than any American president.
Logical comparison: Truman was greater than any other American president.
Confusing comparison: The sinkhole in our front yard is deeper than any in the neighborhood.
Logical comparison: The sinkhole in our front yard is deeper than any other in the
neighborhood.
Confusing comparison: Tina scored more points than anyone on the badminton team.
Logical comparison: Tina scored more points than anyone else on the badminton team.
Confusing comparison: The sumo wrestler is heavier than anyone in the competition.
Logical comparison: The sumo wrestler is heavier than anyone else in the competition.

4. Create complete comparisons.
Sentences that finish a comparison make sense. Comparisons that are incomplete or that
compare illogical items become muddled. This confuses readers and obscures your point.
Confusing comparison: Jack spends more time playing video games than homework.
Logical comparison: Jack spends more time playing video games than doing homework.
Confusing comparison: My suit is more stylish than Nick.
Logical comparison: My suit is more stylish than Nick’s suit.