Category: CELPIP

Simple Past Tense – 10 Minute English Grammar

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The sentence formation follows:

  Singular Number Plural Number
1st Person I did We did
2nd Person You did You did
3rd Person He did  
  She did They did
  It did  

Uses of The Simple Past Tense:

  1. The past tense refers to actions completed in the past at a definite time:
    1. Actions with the specific time given: We met them to discuss this proposal yesterday.    His father passed away in 2016. I was born in 1990.
    1. When actions took place even though time is not mentioned: The bus arrived 10 minutes late.    How did you convince him to work with you?    I bought a Volvo S90 car in Canada.
  2. The past tense is used for a past habit: She always carried a water bottle.    My father drank the cold milk.
    1. We can also use ‘used to’ or ‘would’ for past habitual actions: My father used to drink cold milk. My father would drink cold milk.
  3. The past tense is also used in conditional sentences when the supposition is contrary to known facts: If I were you, I would not have done such a mistake (But I am not you.)

Note: The same sentence can also be constructed in other way as well: Were I you, I would not have done such a mistake (But I am not you.)

If I knew this fact beforehand, I would not have permitted him to go and talk to him. (But I don’t know this fact.)

For the unreal past, we use subjunctive mood with as though, as if, it is time, if only, would sooner/rather and wish.

She is crying as if she were a child. (But she is not a child)

  • The past tense is used for describing incidents/accidents: The plane was hijacked by terrorists.    Two pilots were killed in a helicopter crash.
  • The past tense is used for narrating stories and history: Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a brave king.    There was a clever crow.    The 1897 battle of Saragarhi was the epitome of bravery, sacrifice and valor.    Baji Rao never lost a battle in his life.

Pleonasm

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A pleonasm refers to the use of more words than they are necessary to express an idea i.e., redundancy. It is derived from a Greek word that means ‘excess’. Some people complicate the language for no reason. They have a habit of using redundant in sentences or with the combination of unwanted words.

In other words, a pleonasm is a redundant and tautological phrase or clause.

For example,

Judy is the cousin of Joshua.

Not: Judy is the cousin sister of Joshua.

  • Tuna fish burger: We ordered a fish burger last night.
  • My own eyes: I saw him with my eyes and confirm that he was behind this crime.
  • Free gift: Every child loves to have a gift.
  • Foreign imports: Most reading glasses are imports from Germany.
  • ATM machines: you will have many ATMs in the vicinity, but a couple of them are out of operation today.
  • Actual facts: It is always unwise to judge anyone until all facts are in.
  • Busy in: James was busy gathering the required papers the other day.
  • Circle around: When you circle the building, you will see a puppy near the bench.
  • Could possibly: You could either accept or reject the validity of this paper.
  • Current incumbent: The higher voting percentage suggests that the incumbent government will be defeated in this election.
  • Crisis situation: during the financial crisis in the USA, there was a ripple effect on the banks worldwide.
  • Confused state: I am confused about whether to accept this proposal or not.
  • Cope up with something: he was not able to cope with the stress and the strains of the job, and hence he quit.
  • Discuss on/about: We discussed this matter at length.
  • Drop down: the topline revenues dropped to $13 million last year.
  • Down south/ up north: As you move towards the north, the temperature will get cooler.
  • Empty out: ‘Empty his pocket’ was a scream from the back.
  • False pretense: Politicians are masters in engineering falsehoods and pretenses.
  • Frozen tundra: North Asia is an arctic tundra in the winter time and therefore it is not a recommended neighborhood to live in.
  • Hear with my own ears: I heard him clearly owning up to his few mistakes.
  • Gather together: We gathered to discuss this matter last evening.
  • It’s déjà vu all over again: A shiver crept down my spine as I experienced a sense of déjà vu.  
  • Join together: Why don’t you join us tonight?
  • Lift up: The US fed lifted the interest rate this month and cleared the uncertainties in the stock market.
  • Meet together: Let’s all meet this weekend and have fun.
  • New innovation: This innovation will disrupt the Information Technology world.
  • Open up: Open the door. (open up means begin shooting).
  • PIN number: Don’t ever share your PIN with anyone.
  • Pursue after: I pursued this plan wholeheartedly so I don’t think that I can disown it.
  • Raise up: It is time that the company has to raise the salary package of seniors.
  • Revert back: Once you receive the email, please revert immediately.
  • Safe haven: Some countries are a tax haven for tax evaders.
  • Total destruction: The earthquake wreaked havoc and the city witnessed destruction at every corner of it.
  • True fact: The fact remains unchallenged forever.
  • Ultimate goal: my goal is to train students for a good score in the IELTS exam.
  • Visible to the eyes: It is visible; one does not need to put efforts for the same.

Saskatchewan revises the in-demand occupation list

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The Government of Saskatchewan keeps revising the in-demand occupation list periodically considering the labour market needs. The updated occupation list is far more encouraging than the previous list as nine occupations do not require licensure or professional status.

The updated 24 occupations are listed below:

NOC Occupation Title Licensure Required
0423 Managers in Social and Community Services Yes
1226 Conference and Event Planners No
1311 Accounting Technicians No
2154 Land Surveyors Yes
2174 Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers Yes
2251 Architectural Technologists and Technicians No
2255 Technical Occupations in Geomatics and Meteorology No
3211 Medical Laboratory Technologists Yes
3215 Medical Radiation Technologists Yes
3216 Medical Sonographers Yes
3234 Paramedics Yes
4151 Psychologists Yes
4212 Social and Community Service Workers Yes
4214 Early Childhood Educators Yes
4215 Instructors of Persons with Disabilities No
5254 Program Leaders and Instructors in Recreation, Sport and Fitness No
6331 Meat Cutters Yes
6332 Bakers No
6342 Tailors, Dressmakers, Furriers and Milliners No
7292 Glaziers Yes
7312 Heavy-duty Equipment Mechanics/Technicians Yes
7321 Automotive Service Technicians, Truck and Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers Yes
7322 Motor Vehicle Body Repairers Yes
7332 Appliance Servicers and Repairers No

CELPIP Success – Your Writing Struggle Ends

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CELPIP Success is the one and only book for the CELPIP test written by an Indian author – Vinod Gambtoo. The CELPIP test is a designated English Proficiency Test accepted by IRCC for Canada PR status. Intended immigrants who are tired of taking IELTS over and over again could think of switching to this test for their English language eligibility criterion.

With CELPIP Success, test takers will be able to:

  • write both tasks with confidence
  • play with language
  • create captivating content
  • craft ideas
  • connect with the test requirements emphatically
  • leverage the hidden writing skills inherent in great communication

Have a happy reading!