died of or died from ?

Straight From The Horse's Mouth

              The idiomatic expression “ straight from the horse’s mouth ” means that the information is  true  and reliable because it comes from the original or authentic source.  Now , where did this expression come from ? Well , here’s the story . In the olden days , it was believed that the age and general state of health of a horse can be seen in its mouth and teeth . Thus ,  horse dealers   who wanted to avoid being  cheated by lying middle men would themselves go straight to the horse and  inspect its    mouth  and teeth . The expression  caught on and developed another shade of meaning . These days , it has a  figurative meaning that something is true or  correct .

Example : 

You better believe that the company will lay off  Mr. Jones soon . The Human Resources Director himself told me . So , it's really straight from the horse's mouth.  

" One of the ..."

Grammar Lesson 3  – “ One of the …”

Don’t be confused by the word “ one ”. The expression       “ One of the …” should  be followed by a plural noun , but the verb should be singular because the subject is the word " one ". 

a. One of the men is wearing a red neck tie . 

      b.  According to a reliable source , one of the senators is           going to resign.

  

    c.  One of  his professors  has given him an “ F ”.

Grammar : A number / The Number

Grammar Lesson  2 -  The number / A number

The expression a number takes a plural verb because it means “ some ”.On the other hand , the expression the number takes a singular verb because it refers to a statistical or numerical figure.

a.  A number of UN delegates  are in  the country to monitor  poverty alleviation projects. 

b.  The  number of  endangered species   in  the world  has increased by 10 %. 

Confusing Words : Chords / Cord and Adopted /Adoptive

Chord or Cord ?

               A.      In the musical and mathematical sense , use CHORD . 

                      Kris  is learning to read guitar chords.

                Use CHORD also to describe an emotional reaction.

                The president’s speech struck a chord among the working class.

              B.      When  referring  to anatomical parts (i.e., parts of the human/animal  body )   , use CORD                           Kevin’s spinal cord was seriously injured  at the accident .

               She has inflamed and painful  vocal cords.  

  

Adopted or Adoptive ? 

        A. The adjective ADOPTED is applied to a child who was adopted .

This ten-year-old boy is Jane’s adopted son.

B.      The adjective ADOPTIVE is applied to the adult  who adopted the child.

Mr. Sanders and his wife are the adoptive parents  of Mike whose biological parents are actually  Russians.  

Nouns that are always singular in form

Grammar  Lesson 1 

Some English nouns do not have plural forms , except under special  conditions.  Here are some of them .

1.equipment                         

2. furniture

3. advice

4. music

5.jewelry

6. aircraft

7. poetry

8. homework

9. information

10. evidence

11.livestock

If you want to use them in the plural sense , words like “ pieces “ , “ units “ and “ files ”  should be used.

A.1  The  mixing equipment  is  out of order . We have to knead the dough manually. ( singular)

A.2  Three  new  units of mixing  equipment were delivered last week. ( plural )

B.1  The evidence against the accused is very strong .  ( singular )

B.2  The files of evidence were more than  enough to convict the accused .  ( plural )   

Names for groups of animals List 2

VOCABULARY LESSON 3

1.       A skulk of foxes

2.       A sounder of swine

3.       A piteousness of doves

4.       A sloth of bears

5.       A gaggle of geese

6.       A parliament of owls

7.       A colony of ants

8.       A rafter of turkeys

9.       A dray of squirrels

10.   A route of wolves