Grammar Tips n’ tricks: COLON
Last time we discussed the semi-colon; today we’ll discuss the colon. We use a colon (:) in the following cases: lists A colon introduces a list. The main points are as follows: (l) ... , (2) ... , (3) .... I like three genres of movies: horror, suspense and noir. explanations A colon can introduce an explanation or amplification. We decided not to go for the show: we didn’t have too much money. Cricket is a funny game: one ball can change everything. Note: the left-hand side of a colon (the part of the sentence that comes before it) should always be an independent clause: it should be able to stand on its own. Direct Speech and quotations Normally, direct speech is introduced by a comma in writing; for e.g. Sam opened his eyes and said, 'Where am I?' But a long passage of direct speech [...]
Grammar Tips n’ tricks: SEMI-COLON
Today we’ll discuss the semi-colon I’ve discussed semi-colon (;) in the very first video of Phrases and Clauses chapter here. (You may have to register.) Today let’s get a bit deeper into semi-colons and see the two cases where they are used: instead of full stops We use a semi-colon, instead of a full-stop, to separate two related independent clauses. If you don’t know what a clause is, do check the video. In short, an independent clause is a sentence. (Note: A full-stop is also known as a ‘period’.) I have to reach home on time; my mother gets really worried. It is an amazing movie; let us hope it wins some awards. Of course you can use a full-stop in either one. in lists Semi-colons are also used to separate items in a list. We do this when the sentence is complex and/or when we might need [...]
Grammar Tips n’ tricks: Comma
We’re going to have a series on some tips and tricks in grammar. We are going to focus on commonly confused and error-prone areas. Let’s start with punctuations. Comma Today we’re going to focus on one of the most confused punctuation marks: the comma. A comma is generally used to reflect a pause in speech. Actually here’s the hierarchy of the pauses in speech as reflected by punctuation marks of pauses: Comma Semi-colon / colon Full-stop or period Paragraph In other words, a comma is the briefest pause, and the paragraph is the longest one. Here are the uses of a comma: Independent Clauses: As discussed in this video(you may have to register), a comma is used to separate two independent clauses with the help of a co-ordinating conjunction: I went to meet him, but he had already left. The Prime Minister has resigned, and now the government is in [...]
Doubt: TSD, common query, good shortcut
The following was asked on Facebook. Since it is a common doubt, I am making a post on it. To cover a distance, if I increase the speed by 3 kmph, it would take 40 minutes less, whereas if I decrease the speed by 2 kmph, it would take 40 minutes more. Find the distance. The student is looking for both the traditional solution and if there is any short-cut. Traditional Solution Two places beginners get stuck or waste time in this question. We have two set of values for Speed & Time (s + 3, t – 40) and (s – 2, t + 40). It is also obvious that Distance is same. And hence one can equate the product of the values. And it does not matter that speed is in kmph and time is in minutes. It is explained below. However this results in 2 variables but only 1 equation (with [...]
Mergers and Acquisitions Current Affair 2016
AT&T Inc on 22 October 2016 agreed to buy Time Warner Inc for 85.4 billion US dollars in a deal that will transform the phone company into a media giant. Russia's Rosneft Oil Company and its partners on 15 October 2016 acquired India’s second biggest private oil firm Essar Oil in an all-cash deal valued at about 13 billion US dollars. Anil Ambani-led Reliance Communications and Maxis Communications Berhad (MCB), promoters of Aircel, on 14 September 2016 agreed to merge their wireless businesses to form the fourth-largest telecom operator in the country. Sony Pictures Networks India on 31 August 2016 announced the acquisition of sports broadcasting business of Zee Entertainment for 385 million US dollar in an all-cash deal. Unilever, the parent company of Hindustan Unilever (HUL), on 16 August 2016 acquired Swedish firm Blueair for an undisclosed sum. Blueair is a leading player in mobile air purification technology. Flipkart [...]
Most Important Current Affair Question For SNAP
1.Who has been elected as the new Secretary General of the United Nations? Answer: Antonio Guterres 2. Which State is declared as the first organic farming state of India? Answer: Sikkim 3. Venue for 2016 Olympics ? Answer: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 4. UN Observes 2016 as ________? Answer: International Year of Pulses 5 . Who was recently appointed as Chairman of Competition Commission of India? Answer: Devender Kumar Sikri 6. What is the full form for ASBA that was recently in news ? Answer: Application Supported by Blocked Amount (Introduced by SEBI for applying to IPO – initial public offers ) 7. Who will be the chief guest at 2016 Republic day parade? Answer: French President Francois Hollande 8.Who is the First Lady chief minister in jammu and kashmir? Answer: Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed 9. First railway university will be in which state? Answer: Gujarat( Vadodara ) 10. Who is [...]
Winner of US OPEN: 2016
Men’s Singles Title: Stan Wawrinka from Switzerland has won the 2016 US Open men’s singles title. This is Wawrinka’s maiden US Open title and his third major title. In the final match, he defeated Novak Djokovic from Serbia by 6-7, 6-4, 7-5 and 6-3 score Women’s Singles Title: Angelique Kerber from Germany has won the 2016 US Open women’s singles title. In the final match she defeated Karolína Plíšková of Czech Republic by 6–3, 4–6, 6–4 score. Men’s Doubles Title: Jamie Murray (United Kingdom) and Bruno Soares (Brazil) won the 2016 US Open men’s doubles title. In the final match, they defeated Spanish pair of Pablo Carreño Busta and Guillermo García-López by 6–2, 6–3 score. Women’s Doubles Title: Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States and Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic won the U.S. Open women’s doubles title for their third Grand Slam trophy as a pair, beating the top-seeded French [...]
WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIPS
Winners of 2016 Wimbledon Championship Tittles of Tennis Men’s Singles Title: Britain’s Andy Murray won the 2016 Wimbledon title in men’s singles category. It was his second Wimbledon title after he had won it for the first time in 2013. In the final match, he defeated Canada’s Milos Raonic. Women’s Singles Title: Serena Williams of United States has won 2016 Wimbledon title in women’s singles category. In the final match played she defeated Germany’s Angelique Kerber. It is Williams’ seventh Women’s Singles Wimbledon title (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2015) and overall 22nd Grand Slam title. Note: She equals the records of Steffi Graf for winning highest numbers of Grand Slams. Women’s Doubles Title: US pair of Serena Williams and Venus Williams won the 2016 Wimbledon title in the women’s doubles category. They defeated Tímea Babos (Hungary) and Yaroslava Shvedova (Kazakhstan) pair. Men’s Doubles Title: French pair of Pierre-Hugues [...]
Current Affair One-Liner (June)
Business & International: India became the 35th full member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), an exclusive club of countries controlling exports in missile technology. British people voted to leave the European Union by referendum showed a near 52-48 percent split. Microsoft Corporation agreed to buy LinkedIn Corp for $26.2 billion in cash. India became the tenth largest recipient of foreign direct investment in 2015 in the world, grossing $44 billion following a series of reforms by the government, as per the latest World Investment Report released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). According to this report, Top 10 Countries are: United States, Hong Kong, China, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore, Brazil, Canada and India. The International Day of Yoga (IDY) is observed on June 21 every year to spread awareness about yoga. The 2016 theme is “Connect the Youth”. The Union Human Resource Ministry has selected [...]
French Open 2016
French Open 2016 Winners List Men’s Singles Title World Number One tennis player Novak Djokovic from Serbia has won the 2016 French Open title in the men’s singles category. In the final match, Djokovic defeated Britain’s Andy Murray by 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. It is his first French Open title and completed the career Grand Slam. It was Djokovic’s 12th major title and he is only the third man after Don Budge and Rod Laver to hold the four majors at the same time, and the eighth man to triumph at Wimbledon and the French, U.S. and Australian Opens. Women’s Singles Title […]