Quantifiers

Quantifiers are a type of determiner which denote imprecise quantity. They differ from numbers or numerals which indicate precise quantity.

The most common examples:
the most common quantifiers used in English are:

some / any ,  much, many, a lot, a few, several, enough.

There are three types of quantifier;

1. neutral quantifiers,
2. quantifiers of large quantity, and
3. quantifiers of small quantity

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1. Neutral quantifiers:

     Some and any: several, a number of,  etc.

Some and any are both quantifiers and articles. In many contexts, some is the plural indefinite article, the plural of "a" or "an"; but more often, some implies a limited quantity, and for this reason has the value of a quantifier.

Some is used in affirmative statements; it is replaced with any in negative and interrogative contexts. 

 Examples:

      I've got some apples in my basket and some water in my bottle.

     I haven't got any apples in my basket, nor any water in my bottle.

     Have you got any apples in your basket? Have you got any water in

     your   bottle?

     We had some visitors last weekend, but we didn't have any this

      Weekend

     Have you got any rooms free for the night of September 30th ?

     Several and a number of  imply "more than one, but less than a lot". They are not usually used in negative or interrogative structures, only in affirmative statements. For example

     There are several books / a number of books by J.Z.Plummerman in our library.
     Several people / A number of people said that they'd seen the missing child.

Enough 

Enough implies a sufficient quantity; it is used in affirmations, negations and questions.

We can get tickets for the concert, I've got enough money now.
Have you got enough money for the tickets?

NOTE:

 Do not confuse enough as a quantifier preceeding a noun, with enough as an intensifier following an adjective, as in:

    That's good enough for me.

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2. Large quantity quantifiers: 

     much, many, lots of, plenty of, numerous, a large number of, etc.

► Much and many: much is used with non count nouns (always in the singular); many is used with count nouns in the plural. (Click here for the difference between count nouns and non-count nouns).

     IMPORTANT NOTE: Much and many are not often used, in modern spoken English, in affirmative statements; but they are very commonly used in interrogative and negative contexts. 

 Examples:
I have many reasons for thinking that this man is innocent is acceptable, but rather formal; most English speakers would more naturally say:
   I have plenty of / a lot of / a large number of reasons for thinking .....
Much whisky is of very good quality. This sentence is technically acceptable, but not probable in modern English. Most people would say (and write):
   A lot of whisky / A good proportion of whisky / Plenty of whisky ......

Remember this principle: don't use much or many in affirmative statements. 

► Lots of, a lot of, plenty of, a large number of, numerous .
These expressions all mean  more or less exactly the same. In the list above, they are arranged in order of formality, going from the most informal (lots of) to the most formal (numerous). Informal language is more appropriate in dialogue, formal language in written documents.

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3. Small quantity quantifiers: 

 ►    few, a few, little, a little, not many, not much, a small number of, etc.

These quantifiers are normally only used in affirmative statements, to which they give a negative colouring.

► Little, a little, not much are used with non count nouns (always in the singular)
       Few, a few, not many are used with count nouns in the plural.

Examples:
Few people can speak more than three languages
A few (of the) paintings in this gallery are really good.
There's little point in trying to mend it. You'll never succeed!
I've got a little money left; let's go and have a drink.

Important Synonyms and Antonyms

Important Synonyms and Antonyms

Give the synonyms of the following words

1. Renounce : abdicate

2. Conviction : confidence, creed

3. Negate : abate

4. Beneath : below

5. Froth : foam, bubble

6. Intellectual : ideal, studious

7. Chronic :abiding

8. Err : boot, foul

9. Evacuate : empty, void, drain

10. Thatch :crop, board, glass

11. Pedagogue : educationist, guide, guru

12. Chivalry : virtue, courtesy

13. Exploit : abuse, coup

Give the antonyms of the following words

1. Vulnerable : invulnerable 

2. Eliminate : include, keep, welcome

3. Altruistic : selfish

4. Eradicate : aid, assist, create

5. Negate : allow, permit

6. Sparingly : effort fully, heavily

7. Monopoly : distribution, sharing

8. Amenable =:intractable, unwilling

9. Renounce =:allow, approve

10. Elevate : decrease, lower

11. Orthodox : unorthodox

12. Repel : attract, draw

13. Mitigate : aggravate, worsen

14. Altruistic : selfish

15. Praise : blame

16. Vulnerable : closed, safe

17. Disruption : build up

18. Truce : war, fight

19. Tenacity : indifference

Trail Blazers (NON-DETAILED TEXT) -- GD NAIDU

Trail Blazers (NON-DETAILED TEXT) -- GD NAIDU

1. Give ANTONYMS of the following words:

     significant X insignificant
     dislike  X  like, liking
     passion X calm, calmness
     luxury   X need, essential, penury
     understatement   X  exaggeration 

2. Give ANTONYMS of the following words:

     Frequently = again and again, often, regularly
     comprehensive = absolute, whole
     comfort    =   amenity, quiet, plenty
     purchase = acquire, buy, again
     prosper = benefit, arrive, bloom, blossom
   
3. Give the meaning of the following phrases and use them in sentences of your own:

     a. Over time=working hours in addition to those of a regular schedule.
          ex: He did five hours over time this week.
      b. long sought after= in great demand , need
          ex: An Olympic gold medal is the long sought after prize in spots.
      c.  expand one's horizons = to experience and learn new things,
           ex: Read more! Go our! and expand your horizons.
      d. try one's hand at something = to try doing something for the first time .
          ex: I might try my hand at a bit of North Indian cooking .
      f. With regard to = concerning, about
          ex: A change in the laws with regard to food safety.

Gopalaswamy Doraiswamy Naidu was born on 23^rd March, 1893 in Kalangal, India. He was an Indian engineer and inventor. He was commonly referred to as the “Edison of India” for his significant contributions to the field of technology, industry and development. He was recognized for he built the first electric motor in India. He had attended only primary school, but gained technical knowledge out of his innovative ideas in scientific applications.

                  When Naidu was a youngster, he saw a foreigner riding a motor cycle through his village. He was excited and inspired with the sight of the motor cycle. Many of the children watched it in surprise, but he wished to ride the motor cycle himself and wanted to learn its mechanism. He worked at a hotel in Coimbatore as a waiter and earned about 400 rupees. Fortunately, he met the person who rode the motor cycle in his village and explained his passion for motor cycle. The foreigner gave the motor cycle to Naidu, as he was astonished by the determination of Naidu. He gradually understood the mechanism of the motor cycle. Soon, he procured a job as a mechanic.

                   In 1920, he established not only his own transport business but also dabbled in the cotton business. Overtime, his transport business expanded and owned the most efficient fleet of public transport vehicles

( UMS) in the country. His passion for technology enlarged to cameras and films, and in 1935 he filmed the funeral of King George in London. A year later, he met Adolf Hitler, and was able to secure manufacturing contract. When he returned to India he entered to politics but lost the 1936 provincial general elections.

                    In his mid-forties, he collaborated with D.Balasundaram to create India’s first indigenous motor. It was a huge success in India. He invented an electric razor, a tamper-proof note - recording machine, a kerosene run fan. He began focusing on camera equipment and was fascinated by the ability to take photographs. He created a distance adjuster for film cameras. His inventiveness was not restricted to technology alone. He had piqued his interest in agriculture and identified new varieties of cotton, maize and papaya. Sir C.V.Raman and Mokshagundam Visvesvaraiah visited Naidu’s farm several times and were impressed by his grit and determination for invention.

                      In 1944, he retired from his automobile company. He established several charitable and philanthropic foundations. Though he did not attend school in childhood properly, he firmly believed in the importance of education and made it his mission to setup the first polytechnic in India. He became the principal of the college in 1945. He passed away on 4 th, January 1974. Sir C.V. Raman said, “Mr. Naidu is truly a man in a million - perhaps this is an understatement!” 

B Tech I SEM : Trailblazers: G R Gopinath

B Tech I SEM : Trailblazers: G R Gopinath

Gorur Ramaswamy Gopinath is an entrepreneur and founder of the Indian airlines ‘Air Deccan’. He is a retired captain of the Indian army, an author, a politician and a pioneer for low cost air travel within India.  
                G.R.Gopinath was born on 13^th, November 1951 in the village of Gorur in Karnataka. His father was a school teacher and farmer. When he was in fifth standard his school head master informed all the students that an admission test was going to be held in their school for those who wish to join Defence Forces. Unfortunately, Gopinath could not get through the exam as it was in English.
              The headmaster wrote a stern letter to the Ministry of Defence and pointed out how an all India test could only be conducted in English. After few days, Gopinath took the examination in Kannada and passed with flying colours. He learnt an important lesson from his headmaster that a person must be proactive to steer things one’s way, which he would remember for the rest of his life.
             Later, when he was commissioned as a captain in the Indian army, he took part in Bangladesh liberation war in 1971. He left the Indian army and purchased ten acres of barren land. He received the Rolex Laureate award for establishing an ecologically sustained sericulture farm. It was a good example of his grit and confidence. He started Malnad Mobikes, which supplied Enfield motor cycles. He opened a hotel in Hasan. He contributed articles in Kannada for magazines. With his experience in agriculture and farming, he established Water Resource Management Consultancy and started supplying irrigation systems.
             After securing solid reputation, he decided to tackle the world of politics. G.R. Gopinath, A.J.Sam, and Colonel Jayanth Poovaiah together started Deccan Aviation, the low-cost airline carrier in India. His business expanded and under the banner of LCC ,developed into a major player in the air industry. He received the “Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur”, the highest civilian award conferred by the French government.
            In 2007, Air Deccan was merged with Vijay Malaya’s Kingfisher Airlines. Then he started Deccan Charters and Deccan 360, which focus on cargo and the express logistics business. The future lies wide open for G.R. Gopinath.

THE KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY  -- A P J Abdul Kalam

          The “Knowledge society” is an extract taken from Abdul Kalam’s popular and famous book “Ignited Minds”. He tells that poverty can be rooted out by striking a balance between the past heritage and present day knowledge. He believes  in that India can reach the pinnacles and glory by following certain principles and applying modern technology.

          Knowledge has always been the prime mover of prosperity and power. India is a land of knowledge and it must rediscover itself. The foreign invasions and the colonial rule weakened India considerably. Knowledge has many forms and it is available at many places. It is acquired through education, information, intelligence and experience. It is manifested in artists, craftsmen, hakims, philosophers and saints. It plays a vital role.    

          India has been a country of great ancient heritage and culture. Knowledge acquisition has been thrust throughout the world. In addition, in Indian culture there has been the guru-shishya tradition and sharing of its knowledge even with the foreign travellers and students.

         During the last century the world has been changed from being an agriculture society to an industrial society. The technology played a crucial role. In 21^st century knowledge has become the primary production resource instead of capital and labour. The qualification of a nation as knowledge society goes concomitant with its creation and deployment of knowledge.

          The knowledge society has two very important components driven by societal transformation and wealth generation. The societal transformation is in respect of education, health-care, agriculture and governance.

          In order to emerge as a knowledge super power by 2010 we should have tri-dimensional objects of societal transformation, wealth generation and knowledge protection. For this we have to protect our network and information generators from electronic attacks through surveillance and monitoring. Further we should protect one ancient knowledge and culture and focus attention on intellectual rights and related issues.

Note: Untitled note

Rational thinking = intellectual thinking

Heavens = celestial sphere                        

Consequences = results

Impartial = being neutral; treating all equally                                                        

Segregate = separate

Goddess = a female deity

Savage = wild; uncivilized; rude             

Miraculous = wonderful; great

Cure = heal