Graduated: Pranesh-5 years- Kindergarten

Last week I received a call from my son-in-law

“Uncle, we are attending ‘Graduation day’ of Pranesh at Mother’s”.

Pranesh is my grand son. His school is called ‘Mother’s Pride’.

I was thoroughly confused! How could it be?

My grand son, Pranesh, is just 5 years old. He is a student of Kindergarten at Mother’s Pride. I could have easily asked somebody, a question, whether a Kindergarten student could receive a certificate of graduation.

We usually associate graduation with degree in university. I felt that I could have asked somebody who knows English better. But my ego did not allow me to ask anybody. I hope that you also would have felt like me.

Then,

What does graduation mean?

I quietly tried books and dictionaries. It is enlightening to have come across so many meanings and usages. Let me share with you some of them.

Graduation – The act or ceremony of getting a degree or certificate after completion of a course in a university, college.

It also includes completion of a course in a school.

GRADUATION MEANS STEP BY STEP.

Examples of usage:

Colleges and universities graduate students.

I graduated from St.Johns College.

Philips graduated in Physics from St.Xaviers College.

In the evening it was my wife’s turn to wonder “How could a school student get graduation?”

I explained to her, as naturally as I could, with a concealed pride. She does not know till this date that I had also been ignorant of this usage till that day.

If you come across any such ‘graduation days’ for children in yourhouse or in their preparatory schools, join the festivities and enjoy.

Had and Had better

Hi,

I’m ‘HAD’. Usually people try to go away from old persons like me. Some of you call me ‘granny’ because I am always associated with past.

Many of you use me in two ways: As single verb or as past perfect.

My position as single verb:

I know that you are very intelligent people. Examples are enough for you to know and understand this simple use.

I had a book on ‘Essentials of Balanced Food’ ( implying that i don't have it now).

In Past Perfect use:

I usually refer to past. A little confused? Let me explain.

Example:

I went to my college last month (a reference to past action) to receive my Diploma which I had completed three years ago (this was completed three years ago from last month)

Here there are two past actions.

One is ‘visit to college last month’. O k!

Then Second one is ‘Diploma course was completed still earlier’. Right!

I always get along with ‘chronologically earlier action’ or to put it in a more informal way ‘older or elder action’.

Nowadays people avoid me. I expect that ‘Past Perfect’ might become archaic and a part of unused grammar.

On the other hand ‘this granny with a better companion’ gets changed into a complete new person and gives a future meaning. I mean ‘had better’.

Examples:

You had better apply for passport on Monday. (You should apply for passport on Monday)

He had better get out of this place; otherwise he may invite anger from mother.

Here I mean ‘immediate future’ and serve as a better replacement for ‘should or ought to’.

I don’t want to bore you much. I had better say a bye to you all.

With regards,

Had

PS: As a granny with memory loss, I made a mistake in using the word ‘persons’. My teacher used to say that the plural for person is people. So remember to use person and people properly.

MARRIAGE OR WEDDING: A CONFUSION

Hi,

I’m an important word in everybody’s life. I’m the cause of happiness, joy and security to many of you. Sometimes I am blamed for your failures. In reality it all depends on how your attitude is towards fellow beings and especially your better (?) half.

I stop talking about life because my purpose is to tell you how, as a word and as a part of language, I am misunderstood and misused. Yes, I am the word ‘marriage’.

Let me introduce my clan members.

Wedding: This fellow is often confused with me-‘marriage’

You may wonder what the difference is.

Actually ‘marriage’ is related to customs or legality of getting married.

You can call it a Contract in legal terms. We can say that it is a religious ceremony.

Then what is ‘Wedding’?

It is a part of marriage.

Wedding is the occasion of marriage and the connected celebrations.

Example:

A friend is to get married soon. Ask him “Will you invite us to your wedding?”

Do not ask “Will you invite us to your marriage?”

Marry: Is closely related to me.

You can also use ‘marry’ without preposition.

Example:

Before Williams married Kate, he had asked her to marry him.

Get marry: is another cousin of mine. It prefers to enjoy the company of 'to'.

Example:

Williams is getting married to Kate.

Let me finish here with a request. Please do not curse me for your failures. I am after all a ‘word’. Your life only gives more real and deeper meaning to me.

I wish you all happy married life.

Bye.

Hare and Tortoise: A team of winners

This is a well known story. It is about the little *Hare and Tortoise. One day Hare called for a race between them; Tortoise accepted it with reluctance. It thought that it might not win, it was really absurd to have a competition between not so much equal competitors. Their common friend Eagle was the judge.

The running race began. Hare was very fast and confident. Within the first 15 minutes, Hare had taken a huge lead, leaving the tortoise to eat its dust far behind. Hare had a feeling of assurance; believed that everything was under its control; so it decided to take a nap. In his over confidence, he thought that a short rest wouldn’t hurt his chances since the little tortoise was no where in sight. He had a nap which evolved into a deep slumber. After an hour Eagle shouted at it “Get up; you are defeated.” It was a totally unexpected shock. The ‘Slow and steady’ won the race. Our Hare had a guilty feeling. It knew that the reason for failure was procrastination caused by laziness and indifference.

Then Hare requested for another round. It was immediately granted by Eagle. This time our subdued Hare was ‘confident and fast’; Tortoise unwillingly followed ‘Shall I have the same luck today?’ But the vigilant Hare won.

Tortoise, on its part, thoughtfully put up a challenge to Hare for a long distant race: That was up to the foothills of the far away mountain ranges. Hare, as usual, started with all vigor. Suddenly he had to stop in front of an endless sheath of cold water which was between the mountain and him. Without second thoughts it took an immediate decision and ran along the bunds of the great blue lake. When it reached the foothills, he saw the tortoise taking his turn of nap across the finish line after crossing the lake successfully.

Then next day Eagle smilingly told “Now it is my chance to make you both run for the title. Let me inform the conditions.” After a minute it announced “My dear Friends, you are going to have the same race like yesterday. But you must complete it within two hours.”

For a moment both of them felt confused; Hare thought that it might not be possible for both of them to reach the target. The wise tortoise suggested “My dear, I have an idea. You are fast on land; I am fast on water; shall we work together?”

The sharp Hare picked up the cue and told “That is precisely what I am also thinking. From this second it is not ‘YOU or I’ but it is ‘WE’ the team.”

Hare carried the little tortoise on its back; then in water it traveled on the back of tortoise. It took one hour and fifty minutes. From a tree top Eagle watched everything with satisfaction and felt proud about the egoless achievement of both of its friends.

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*Names of characters: Hare, Tortoise and Eagle.

_{A note on ‘might’}:

Usually most of us, who have English as second language, are shy of using ‘might’. Some people think that ‘might’ is the past form of ‘May’.

But ‘May’ and ‘Might’ mean the same.

E.g. Hare thought that it might be possible to win.

‘Might’ is used when ever we are less sure of things or actions. ‘May’ can also be used in the same sense. Both can be used in future or present tenses

Example: It might/may rain tomorrow.

‘May and Might’ are also used in conveying permissions and requests.

Newton's third law of motion, Focus and Success

When I heard his story, suddenly it dawned on me that Newton’s Third Law and this story have some striking relationship. I think you might also have the same feeling after reading this.

Near the thick forests of Westernghats, our man was a famous hero; an unequalled archer; easily the best hunter among the villagers around. If he set his eyes on any flying or running being, everyone was sure that the poor thing would be destined to have only a few more minutes to live and enjoy the life.

One day a minister came on an inspection to the village. Naturally our friend had to accompany him to the forest. The minister was amazed and simply carried away by the prowess of our hero.

“Dear Son, Come to the festival at the palace and win a thousand gold coins and a job in the army. There is no one in our country to equal your skills as far as my knowledge goes”. He went back to the capital leaving our hero stunned in an elated joy and pride. Hero’s wife started dreaming of jewels and hero, on his part, thought of a palatial house as an officer in the army.

The day came. Many villagers accompanied him. Our friend looked sharply at the target and closed his eyes in a prayer like posture. Within his closed eyes he could not avoid visualizing the palatial house with his wife waiting at the entrance with all those weighty glittering jewels. After a second, he released the arrow.

Alas! Unexpectedly it got past the target. The entire crowd saw the first failure of our hero.

The minister came to him and told “Son, you had two aims .. two targets in your mind."

Our hero in a slightly broken voice asked ‘Really ..I….I could not understand what you said. Please guide me to success.’

The wise minister told ‘Son, when I saw you in forests, your arrows pierced many animals and fast flying birds successfully. During those moments Your entire focus was on action. You did not think of gifts. Even you did not expect my appreciation. Now it is not so. You were disturbed by the thought of thousand gold coins. So, the focus got eroded; consequently, you missed the mark. I think, now, you understand’.

He won next time with only one aim and target.

How?

Eighteen years later he told his son 'Dhanush, when I got the next chance, I just concentrated on my target. My only thought at that moment was I should hit that fast rotating wooden-bird. And I won.'

'I couldn't understand.' replied the confused son.

'Dear, it is just like throwing the ball on a wall. Don't you get it back? Do you remember that You planted a mango tree ten years ago. Now it gives us the fruits. Actions ....followed by reactions.'

'Yes dad. Now it is clear.'

'You are going to higher studies tomorrow. Remember my story. Forget marks, forget jobs; but give concentrated effort to what you are doing at that moment. Study. Excel yourself every time. You need to compete with you only . Rest will follow naturally and automatically.This law of nature never changes.'

Now let us have a look at the third law: For every action there is equal and opposite reaction.

Is it not a quite good psychology to do some thing perfectly and let the nature allow us reap what we sow in the past?

Is it not that we can face any crisis if we invest our best to-day, without the anxieties or expectations of tomorrows?

Another thing: Doesn’t it sound like Bagavat Geetha’s ‘Do your duty, expect not the fruits’?

NOW READ AGAIN –

NEWTON’S THIRD LAW=FOCUS=SUCCESS.

Do you accept?

The Good old man, Fish and me

_{The good Old man, fish and me}

I usually go for walk. The sea was calm. It was a warm morning. I was watching him in action for several years. On that day I chose to have a talk with him.

He was busy throwing back into sea some of the star fish which were brought by the incessant waves. Both of them, the old man and the sea, worked tirelessly against each other.

I asked “Old man, what are you doing?”

“I am throwing back the star fish into sea”.

“Turn back and watch. Thousands of them are lying dead behind you. Every next wave throws a lot of countless fish. Could you save all of them?”

“No” came the reply.

“Then what is the use of your action?  Don’t waste your time. Walk…, do some exercise, and then go home. Do you have a home?” I asked in doubt.

He replied politely “What? I am having 3 sons and 2 daughters. I have a family business as well. I started doing this at the age of 9. Almost sixty years have gone. Everyday I save around 100 star fish within this one hour of walk. Every year I save up to 30000 fish. 60 years. Now calculate. That is what I have saved so far. If you can also save one, do it. Or let me do what I believe in. Because every minute wasted is death to another star fish.”

In my home after listening to this story my son called me in one word “Cynic”.

I smiled. Actually I had saved some of the ants in the bath room that evening after this star fish incident. I felt the joy of saving  some fellow beings, first time, in my life. I am not a cynic or merely a critic.

 Next morning I also started throwing back the star fish into sea to enable them have another lease of life.

This time the old man shouted at me, of course, happily “I am having two more hands now.” 

Use of ‘Having’: Is it right or wrong?

It is wrong to ‘have’ in progressive tense if it means owning or possession.

Example:- Wrong: I am having a car.

                 Correct: I have a car.              

                       Wrong: I am having a friend or am having a son.

                       Correct: I have a friend or have a son.

                                    Wrong: I am having two more hands now.

                                    Correct: I have two more hands now.

                When do we use progressive tense?

                For temporary actions like:   I will call you later, I am having a meeting now or i'm having a bath.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                .

Potatoes, Corruption and God

Potatoes, Corruption and God 

It was a January morning about 5.30 and still it was dark. A pleasant chillness was in the air. Both of us liked the weather very much. We were in a municipal Market. We went to the shop where we regularly buy vegetables. The owner has almost become a friend of us in the past 5 years.

"How many Kilos Madam?”

"Just two ….  Kilos of potatoes. What is the rate?"

"Today it is ...Eighteen"

My wife sighed and asked "Why? Yesterday it was only fifteen".

He looked here and there. Then he told “I can tell you. The Officers are new. We are all asked to give three more rupees per kilo to them from this day onwards”. Then he whispered “This is bribe money.. Madam".

"Give it from your profit".

"Madam ...Corruption is everywhere. It is like God who is all pervasive. Both are present in the air, water and sand too. Look at that chemical factory and the smoke. The company has given something to the Officers and politicians who have shut their eyes. The price of their product includes this cost: corruption money. You are taking all the vegetables from those fields where its pesticides and manures are used. The farmer pays his price for chemicals including the bribe. Then  we…the traders buy the whole thing from them. We add our part of bribe to price. Lastly YOU take up the whole burden. No one gives up his profit. Can you show me at least one person?”

She replied smilingly “The person is in front of me”

He smiled back...at her smart reply  “Sure ... Seventeen rupees. It is because you both are my friends.”

We returned in silence and anger.

I asked “Have you seen NDTV? We should support Anna Hazare in his crusade against corruption.”

“Yes. We must support him”

I again stressed “All of us have to support him”. We returned in silence and anger. We looked at the sky. There was some light of dawn on the east.

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_{USAGE OF SHOULD, MUST AND HAVE TO}

When to use ‘should’, ‘must’, and ‘have to’?

We generally interchange all these words. They seem to have same meaning.

Just have a look at the examples in the story:

‘Should support’, ‘must support’ and ‘have to support’.

In fact in the given context all are correct.

We use ‘should’ when we feel something is good. Yes, it is good to support Anna Hazare because he fights against corruption.

We use ‘must’ when we feel something is necessary.

Yes, we must support Anna. It is very much necessary because his cause is related to everybody.

Then why do we use have to?

Let us assume you are planning to go out on your motor bike. Immediately your father shouts “You have to wear helmet”.

It is law. It is obligation. It is impersonal. You do not have any other option. So naturally ‘have to’ is the best choice when it is obligation.

When you are sick, you have to take medicines. ( No other option)

‘Have to’ is used for insisting impersonal contexts like law etc.

 It can be used on all occasions when ever you want to emphasize something including in personal contexts. We can replace must or should  with 'have to'.

 But remember ‘must’ has to be used when something is necessary.

 Example: “You must get some vegetables, otherwise be ready to eat the bread without any side dishes."

Use ‘should’ when you feel something is good.

Example: One should see ‘Three Idiots”. It is a good film. 

Welcome to My Blog

I dedicate  this blog to my father, Swarnavel, who  was my first and  foremost teacher and to all my young friends who encouraged  and guided me to venture into a completely new profession .


So I  am here  now- teaching English and training youngsters and professionals in  Soft Skills to build effective communication/interpersonal skills, to help succeed in interviews, to promote Presentation Skills and of course train IELTS aspirants.


In this process  of  knowledge sharing in the class I  am  learning  continuously .
 Yes, teaching is one of the best methods of learning. Naturally, I  come across common errors in English usage, misunderstanding of  Interviews and Presentations . So, as a result I would like to share them here with you all and get corrected if necessary through your comments. Some times the topics may be about current affairs and environment: Plants, Trees, Animals and Human beings.