Ukraine

June 20, 2024
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№ 5.Ukraine.Kyiv. Ukrainian Names in World Science.

Ukraine

Україна

Flag

Coat of arms

 

Location of  Ukraine  (green)in Europe  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]

Location of  Ukraine  (green)

in Europe  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]

Capital
and largest city

Kiev
50°27′N 30°30′E

Official languages

Ukrainian

Recognised regional languages

18 languages[show]

Ethnic groups(2001)

·                     77.8% Ukrainians

·                     17.3% Russians

·                     4.9% others / unspecified

Government

Unitary semi-presidential republic

Legislature

Verkhovna Rada

Formation

Kievan Rus

882

Kingdom o Galicia–Volhynia

1199

Cossack Hetmanate

August 17, 1649

Ukrainian National Republic

November 7, 1917

West Ukrainia National Republic

November 1, 1918

Ukrainian SSR

March 10, 1919

Carpatho-Ukraine

October 8, 1938

Soviet annexation
of Western Ukraine

November 15, 1939

Declaration of Ukrainian Independence

June 30, 1941

Independence from the Soviet Union

August 24, 1991a

Area

Total

603,628 km2 (46th)
233,090 sq mi

Water (%)

7

Population

2012 estimate

44,854,065 (28th)

Currency

Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH)

Time zone

Eastern European Time(UTC+2[8])

Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. Ukraine borders  the Russian Federation to the east and northeast, Belarus to the northwest, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary to the west,Romania and Moldova to the southwest, and the Black Sea and Sea of Azov to the south and southeast, respectively. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after the Russian Federation.

According to a popular and well established theory, the medieval state of Kievan Rus was established by the Varangians in the 9th century as the first historically recorded East Slavic state. It emerged as a powerful nation in the Middle Ages but disintegrated in the 12th century. By the middle of the 14th century, Ukrainian territories were under the rule of three external powers—the Golden Horde, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Kingdom of Poland.  After the Great Northern War (1700–1721), Ukraine was divided among a number of regional powers. By the 19th century, the largest part of Ukraine was integrated into the Russian Empire with the rest under Austro-Hungarian control.

A chaotic period of incessant warfare ensued, with several internationally recognized attempts to achieve independence from 1917 to 1921 and following World War I and the Russian Civil War. Ukraine emerged from its own civil war and on December 30, 1922Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic became one of the founding republics of the Soviet Union. The Ukrainian SSR’s territory was enlarged westward during the civil war shortly before and after World War II. In 1954 it expanded to the south with the Crimea transfer. In 1945, the Ukrainian SSR became one of the founding members of the United Nations

Ukraine became independent again when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. This dissolution started a period of transition to a market economy in which Ukraine suffered an eight-year recession Since then, however, the economy has experienced a high increase in GDP growth. Ukraine was caught up in the worldwide economic crisis in 2008 and the economy plunged. GDP fell 20% from spring 2008 to spring 2009, then leveled off as analysts compared the magnitude of the downturn to the worst years of economic depression during the early 1990s. The country remains a globally important market and, as of 2011, is the world’s third-largest grain exporter.

Ukraine is a unitary state composed of 24 oblasts (provinces), one autonomous republic (Crimea), and two cities with special status:Kiev, its capital and largest city, and Sevastopol, which houses the Russian Black Sea Fleet under a leasing agreement. Ukraine is a republic under a semi-presidential system with separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Ukraine continues to maintain the second-largest military in Europe, after that of Russia. The country is home to 46 million people, 77.8 percent of whom are ethnic Ukrainians, with sizable minorities of Russians (17%), Belarusians andRomanians. Ukrainian is the official language of Ukraine. Russian is also widely spoken. The dominant religion in the country isEastern Orthodox Christianity, which has strongly nfluenced Ukrainian. architecture, literature and music.

Early history

Human settlement in Ukraine and its vicinity dates back to 32,000 BCE, with evidence of the Gravettian culture in the Crimean Mountains. By 4,500 BCE, the NeolithicCucuteni-Trypillian Culture flourished in a wide area that included parts of modern Ukraine including Trypillia and the entire DnieperDniester region. During the Iron Age, the land was inhabited by Cimmerians, Scythians, and Sarmatians.] Between 700 BC and 200 BC it was part of the Scythian Kingdom, or Scythia.

Later, colonies of Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and the Byzantine Empire, such as Tyras, Olbia, and Hermonassa, were founded, beginning in the 6th century BC, on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea, and thrived well into the 6th century AD. The Goths stayed in the area but came under the sway of the Huns from the 370s AD. In the 7th century AD, the territory of eastern Ukraine was the center of Old Great Bulgaria. At the end of the century, the majority of Bulgar tribes migrated in different directions, and theKhazars took over much of the land.

Golden Age of Kiev

The Baptism of Grand Prince Vladimir, led to the adoption of Christianity in Kievan Rus’

Kievan Rus’ was founded by the Rus’ people, Varangians who first settled around Ladoga and Novgorod, then gradually moved southward eventually reaching Kiev about 880. Kievan Rus’ included the western part of modern Ukraine, Belarus, with larger part of it situated on the territory of modern Russia. According to the Primary Chronicle the Rus’ elite initially consisted of Varangians from Scandinavia.

During the 10th and 11th centuries, it became the largest and most powerful state in Europe.[6] In the following centuries, it laid the foundation for the national identity of Ukrainians and Russians.] Kiev, the capital of modern Ukraine, became the most important city of the Rus’.

Map of the Kievan Rus’ in the 11th century. During the Golden Age of Kiev, the lands of Rus’ covered modern western, central and northern Ukraine, Belarus, and western Russia. Modern eastern and southern Ukraine were inhabited by nomads and had a different history.

The Varangians later assimilated into the local Slavic population and became part of the Rus’ first dynasty, the Rurik Dynasty.[30] Kievan Rus’ was composed of several principalities ruled by the interrelated Rurikid Princes. The seat of Kiev, the most prestigious and influential of all principalities, became the subject of many rivalries among Rurikids as the most valuable prize in their quest for power.

The Golden Age of Kievan Rus’ began with the reign of Vladimir the Great (980–1015), who turned Rus’ toward Byzantine Christianity. During the reign of his son, Yaroslav the Wise (1019–1054), Kievan Rus’ reached the zenith of its cultural development and military power.[30] This was followed by the state’s increasing fragmentation as the relative importance of regional powers rose again. After a final resurgence under the rule of Vladimir Monomakh (1113–1125) and his son Mstislav (1125–1132), Kievan Rus’ finally disintegrated into separate principalities following Mstislav’s death.

In the 11th and 12th centuries, constant incursions by nomadic Turkic tribes, such as the Pechenegs and the Kipchaks, caused a massive migration of Slavic populations to the safer, heavily forested regions of the north.[31] The 13th century Mongol invasion devastated Kievan Rus’. Kiev was totally destroyed in 1240.[32] On today’s Ukrainian territory, the state of Kievan Rus’ was succeeded by the principalities of Halych and Volodymyr-Volynskyi, which were merged into the state of Galicia-Volhynia.

Independence

The first launch of a Ukrainian rocket at the Sea Launch complex

On July 16, 1990, the new parliament adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine.[90] The declaration established the principles of the self-determination of the Ukrainiaation, its democracy, political and economic independence, and the priority of Ukrainian law on the Ukrainian territory over Soviet law. A month earlier, a similar declaration was adopted by the parliament of theRussian SFSR. This started a period of confrontation between the central Soviet, and new republican authorities. In August 1991, a conservative faction among the Communist leaders of the Soviet Union attempted a coup to remove Mikhail Gorbachev and to restore the Communist party’s power. After the attempt failed, on August 24, 1991 the Ukrainian parliament adopted the Act of Independence in which the parliament declared Ukraine as an independent democratic state.[91]

A referendum and the first presidential elections took place on December 1, 1991. That day, more than 90 percent of the Ukrainian people expressed their support for the Act of Independence, and they elected the chairman of the parliament, Leonid Kravchuk to serve as the first President of the country. At the meeting in Brest, Belarus on December 8, followed by Alma Ata meeting on December 21, the leaders of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine, formally dissolved the Soviet Union and formed the Commonwealth of Independent States(CIS).[92]

Protesters at Independence Square on the first day of the Orange Revolution

Although the idea of an independent Ukrainiaation had previously not existed in the 20th century in the minds of international policy makers,[93] Ukraine was initially viewed as a republic with favorable economic conditions in comparison to the other regions of the Soviet Union.[  However, the country experienced deeper economic slowdown than some of the other former Soviet Republics. During the recession, Ukraine lost 60 percent of its GDP from 1991 to 1999,[95][96] and suffered five-digit inflation rates.[97] Dissatisfied with the economic conditions, as well as the amounts of crime and corruption in Ukraine, Ukrainians protested and organised strikes.[98]

The Ukrainian economy stabilized by the end of the 1990s. A new currency, the hryvnia, was introduced in 1996. Since 2000, the country has enjoyed steady real economic growth averaging about seven percent annually.[14][99] A new Constitution of Ukraine was adopted under second President Leonid Kuchma in 1996, which turned Ukraine into a semi-presidential republic and established a stable political system. Kuchma was, however, criticized by opponents for corruption, electoral fraud, discouraging free speech and concentrating too much power in his office.[100] He also repeatedly transferred public property into the hands of loyal oligarchs.

In 2004, Viktor Yanukovych, then Prime Minister, was declared the winner of the presidential elections, which had been largely rigged, as the Supreme Court of Ukraine later ruled.[101] The results caused a public outcry in support of the opposition candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, who challenged the outcome of the elections. This resulted in the peaceful Orange Revolution, bringing Viktor Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko to power, while casting Viktor Yanukovych in opposition.[102] Yanukovych returned to a position of power in 2006, when he became Prime Minister in the Alliance of National Unity,[103] until snap elections in September 2007 made Tymoshenko Prime Minister again.[104] Yanukovych was elected President in 2010.[105]

Disputes with Russia over the price of natural gas briefly stopped all gas supplies to Ukraine in 2006 and again in 2009, leading to gas shortages in several other European countries.

Constitution of Ukraine

With the proclamation of its independence on August 24, 1991, and adoption of a constitution on June 28, 1996, Ukraine became a semi-presidential republic. However, in 2004, deputies introduced changes to the Constitution, which tipped the balance of power in favour parliament. From 2004 to 2010, the legitimacy of the 2004 Constitutional amendments had official sanction, both with the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, and most major political parties. Despite this, on September 30, 2010 the Constitutional Court ruled that the amendments were null and void, forcing a return to the terms of the 1996 Constitution and again making Ukraine’s political system more presidential in character.

The ruling on the 2004 Constitutional amendments has become a major topic of political discourse. Much of the concern has been due to the fact that neither the Constitution of 1996 nor the Constitution of 2004 provides the ability to “undo the Constitution”, as the decision of the Constitutional Court would have it, even though the 2004 constitution arguably has an exhaustive list of possible procedures for constitutional amendments (articles 154–159). In any case, the current Constitution can arguably be modified only by a vote in Parliament.

The president, parliament and government of Ukraine

The session chamber of the Verkhovna Rada, the Parliament of Ukraine

The President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term and is the formal head of state. Ukraine’s legislative branch includes the 450-seat unicameral parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.] The parliament is primarily responsible for the formation of the executive branch and the Cabinet of Ministers, which is headed by the Prime Minister. However, the President still retains the authority to nominate the Ministers of the Foreign Affairs and of Defence for parliamentary approval, as well as the power to appoint the Prosecutor General and the head of the Security Service.

Viktor Yanukovych, the president of Ukraine since 2010

Laws, acts of the parliament and the cabinet, presidential decrees, and acts of the Crimean parliament may be abrogated by the Constitutional Court, should they be found to violate the constitution. Other normative acts are subject to judicial review. The Supreme Court is the main body in the system of courts of general jurisdiction. Local self-government is officially guaranteed. Local councils and city mayors are popularly elected and exercise control over local budgets. The heads of regional and district administrations are appointed by the President in accordance with the proposals of the Prime-Minister. This system virtually requires an agreement between the President and the Prime-Minister, and has in the past led to problems, such as when President Yushchenko used a legally controversial ways to evade the law by appointing no actual governors or the local leaders, but so called ‘temporarily acting’ officers, thus evading the need to seek a compromise with the Prime-Minister. This practice was very controversial and required review by the Constitutional Court.

Ukraine has a large number of political parties, many of which have tiny memberships and are unknown to the general public. Small parties often join in multi-party coalitions (electoral blocs) for the purpose of participating in parliamentary elections.

 

Foreign relations

President Yanukovych meets German chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin

In 1999–2001, Ukraine served as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Historically, Soviet Ukraine joined the United Nations in 1945 as one of the original members following a Western compromise with the Soviet Union, which had asked for seats for all 15 of its union republics. Ukraine has consistently supported peaceful, negotiated settlements to disputes. It has participated in the quadripartite talks on the conflict in Moldova and promoted a peaceful resolution to conflict in the post-Soviet state of Georgia. Ukraine also has made a substantial contribution to UN peacekeeping operations since 1992.

Prime minister Mykola Azarov (right) meets with President of Poland Bronisław Komorowski for talks in Warsaw

Ukraine currently considers Euro-Atlantic integration its primary foreign policy objective, but in practice balances its relationship with the European Union and the United States with strong ties to Russia. The European Union’s Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Ukraine went into force on March 1, 1998. The European Union (EU) has encouraged Ukraine to implement the PCA fully before discussions begin on an association agreement. The EU Common Strategy toward Ukraine, issued at the EU Summit in December 1999 in Helsinki, recognizes Ukraine’s long-term aspirations but does not discuss association. On January 31, 1992, Ukraine joined the then-Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (now the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe—OSCE), and on March 10, 1992, it became a member of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. Ukraine also has a close relationship with NATO and had previously declared interest in eventual membership, this however was removed from the government’s foreign policy agenda, upon election of Viktor Yanukovych to the presidency, in 2010. It is the most active member of the Partnership for Peace  (PfP). All major political parties in Ukraine support full eventual integration into the European Union. The Association Agreement with the EU was expected to be signed into effect by the end of 2011, but the process has been suspended as of 2012 due to recent political developments.

Ukraine maintains peaceful and constructive relations with all its neighbours; it has especially close ties with Russia and Poland, although relations with the former are complicated by energy dependence and payment arrears.

Administrative divisions

The system of Ukrainian subdivisions reflects the country’s status as a unitary state (as stated in the country’s constitution) with unified legal and administrative regimes for each unit.

Ukraine is subdivided into twenty-four oblasts (provinces) and one autonomous republic (avtonomna respublika), Crimea. Additionally, the cities of Kiev, the capital, and Sevastopol, both have a special legal status. The 24 oblasts and Crimea are subdivided into 490 raions (districts), or second-level administrative units. The average area of a Ukrainian raion is 1,200 square kilometres (460 sq mi); the average population of a raion is 52,000 people.[135]

Urban areas (cities) can either be subordinated to the state (as in the case of Kiev and Sevastopol), the oblast or raion administrations, depending on their population and socio-economic importance. Lower administrative units include urban-type settlements, which are similar to rural communities, but are more urbanized, including industrial enterprises, educational facilities, and transport connections, and villages.

Tourism

Ukraine occupies 8th place in Europe by the number of tourists visiting, according to the World Tourism Organisation rankings.

Ukraine is a destination on the crossroads between central and eastern Europe, betweeorth and south. It has mountain ranges – theCarpathian Mountains suitable for skiing, hiking, fishing and hunting. The coastline on the Black Sea is a popular summer destination for vacationers. Ukraine has vineyards where they produce native wines, ruins of ancient castles, historical parks, Orthodox and Catholic churches as well as a few mosques and synagogues. Kiev, the country’s capital city has many unique structures such as Saint Sophia Cathedral and broad boulevards. There are other cities well-known to tourists such as the harbour town Odessa and the old city of Lviv in the west. The Crimea, a little “continent” of its own, is a popular vacation destination for tourists for swimming or sun tanning on the Black Sea with its warm climate, rugged mountains, plateaus and ancient ruins. Cities there include: Sevastopol and Yalta – location of thepeace conference at the end of World War II. Visitors can also take cruise tours by ship on Dnieper River from Kiev to the Black Sea coastline. Ukrainian cuisine has a long history and offers a wide variety of original dishes.

The Seven Wonders of Ukraine are the seven historical and cultural monuments of Ukraine; the sites were chosen by the general public through an internet-based vote.

                                                  Demographics

Ethnic composition of Ukraine

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ukrainians

 

77.8%

 

Russians

 

17.3%

 

Belarusians

 

0.6%

 

Moldovans

 

0.5%

 

Crimean Tatars

 

0.5%

 

Bulgarians

 

0.4%

 

Hungarians

 

0.3%

 

Romanians

 

0.3%

 

Poles

 

0.3%

 

Other

 

1.7%

 

Source: Ethnic composition of the population of Ukrain 2001 Census

 

According to the Ukrainian Census of 2001, ethnic Ukrainians make up 77.8% of the population. Other significant ethnic groups are theRussians (17.3%), Belarusians (0.6%), Moldovans (0.5%), Crimean Tatars (0.5%), Bulgarians (0.4%), Hungarians (0.3%), Romanians (0.3%),Poles (0.3%), Jews (0.2%), Armenians (0.2%), Greeks (0.2%) and Tatars (0.2%).[3] The industrial regions in the east and southeast are the most heavily populated, and about 67.2 percent of the population lives in urban areas.[187][188]

Urbanization

In total, Ukraine has 457 cities, 176 of them are labeled oblast-class, 279 smaller raion-class cities, and two special legal status cities. These are followed by 886 urban-type settlements and 28,552 villages.

Religion

The dominant religion in Ukraine is Orthodox Christianity, which is currently split between three Church bodies: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church autonomous church body under thePatriarch of Moscow, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kiev Patriarchate, and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.[206]

“What religious group do you belong to?” Sociology poll by Razumkov Centre about the religious situation in Ukraine (2006)

  Atheist or do not belong to any church

  UOC – Kiev Patriarchate

  UOC – Moscow Patriarchate

  UAOC

  Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

  Roman Catholic Church

A distant second by the number of the followers is the Eastern Rite Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which practices a similar liturgicaland spiritual tradition as Eastern Orthodoxy, but is in communion with the Holy See of the Roman Catholic Church and recognises the primacy of the Pope as head of the Church.[207]

Additionally, there are 863 Latin Rite Catholic communities, and 474 clergy members serving some one million Latin Rite Catholics in Ukraine.[206] The group forms some 2.19 percent of the population and consists mainly of ethnic Poles and Hungarians, who live predominantly in the western regions of the country.

Protestant Christians also form around 2.19 percent of the population. Protestant numbers have grown greatly since Ukrainian independence. The Evangelical Baptist Union of Ukraine is the largest group, with more than 150,000 members and about 3000 clergy. The second largest Protestant church is the Ukrainian Church of Evangelical faith (Pentecostals) with 110000 members and over 1500 local churches and over 2000 clergy, but there also exist other Pentecostal groups and unions and together all Pentecostals are over 300,000, with over 3000 local churches. Also there are many Pentecostal high education schools such as the Lviv Theological Seminary and the Kiev Bible Institute. Other groups include Calvinists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Lutherans, Methodists and Seventh-day Adventists. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) is also present.[206]

There are an estimated 500,000 Muslims in Ukraine, and about 250,000 of them are Crimean Tatars.[209] There are 487 registered Muslim communities, 368 of them on the Crimean peninsula. In addition, some 50,000 Muslims live in Kiev; mostly foreign-born.[210]

The Jewish population is a tiny fraction of what it was before World War II. (In Tsarist times, Ukraine had been part of the Pale of Settlement, to which Jews were largely restricted in the Russian Empire.) The largest Jewish communities in 1926 were in Odessa, 154,000 or 36.5% of the total population; and Kiev, 140,500 or 27.3%.[211] The 2001 census indicated that there are 103,600 Jews in Ukraine, although community leaders claimed that the population could be as large as 300,000. There are no statistics on what share of the Ukrainian Jews are observant, but Orthodox Judaism has the strongest presence in Ukraine. Smaller Reform and Conservative Jewish (Masorti) communities exist as well.[206]

One 2006 survey put the number of non-religious in Ukraine at approximately 62.5% of the population.[212]

Health

Ukraine‘s healthcare system is state subsidised and freely available to all Ukrainian citizens and registered residents. However, it is not compulsory to be treated in a state-run hospital as a number of private medical complexes do exist nationwide.[218] The public sector employs most healthcare professionals, with those working for private medical centres typically also retaining their state employment as they are mandated to provide care at public health facilities on a regular basis.

All the country’s medical service providers and hospitals are subordinate to the Ministry of Health, which provides oversight and scrutiny of general medical practice as well as being responsible for the day to day administration of the healthcare system. Despite this standards of hygiene and patient-care have fallen.[219]

Population pyramid of Ukraine in 2012 from International Futures

Hospitals in Ukraine are organised along the same lines as most Europeaations, according to the regional administrative structure; resultantly most towns have their own hospital (Міська Лікарня) and many also have district hospitals (Районна Лікарня). Larger and more specialised medical complexes tend only to be found in major cities, with some even more specialised units located only in the capital, Kiev. However, all Oblasts have their owetwork of general hospitals which are able to deal with almost all medical problems and are typically equipped with major trauma centres; such hospitals are called ‘regional hospitals’ (Обласна Лікарня).

Ukraine currently faces a number of major public health issues, and is considered to be in a demographic crisis due to its high death rate and low birth rate (the current Ukrainian birth rate is 11 births/1,000 population, and the death rate is 16.3 deaths/1,000 population). A factor contributing to the relatively high death is a high mortality rate among working-age males from preventable causes such as alcohol poisoning and smoking. In 2008, the country’s population was one of the fastest declining in the world at −5% growth. The UN warned that Ukraine’s population could fall by as much as 10 million by 2050 if trends did not improve. In addition to this obesity, systemic high blood pressure and the HIV endemic are all major challenges facing the contemporary Ukrainian healthcare system.

As of March 2009 the Ukrainian government to reforming the health care system, by the creation of a national network of family doctors and improvements in the medical emergency services. former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko put forward (in November 2009) an idea to start introducing a public healthcare system based on health insurance in the spring of 2010.

Education

The University of Kiev is one of Ukraine’s most important educational institutions

According to the Ukrainian constitution, access to free education is granted to all citizens. Complete general secondary education is compulsory in the state schools which constitute the overwhelming majority. Free higher education in state and communal educational establishments is provided on a competitive basis. There is also a small number of accredited private secondary and higher education institutions.

Because of the Soviet Union’s emphasis on total access of education for all citizens, which continues today, the literacy rate is an estimated 99.4%. Since 2005, an eleven-year school program has been replaced with a twelve-year one: primary education takes four years to complete (starting at age six), middle education (secondary) takes five years to complete; upper secondary then takes three years.  In the 12th grade, students take Government Tests, which are also referred to as school-leaving exams. These tests are later used for university admissions.

Ukraine produces the fourth largest number of post-secondary graduates in Europe, while being ranked seventh in population

The first higher education institutions (HEIs) emerged in Ukraine during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The first Ukrainian higher education institution was the Ostrozka School, or Ostrozkiy Greek-Slavic-Latin Collegium, similar to Western European higher education institutions of the time. Established in 1576 in the town of Ostrog, the Collegium was the first higher education institution in the Eastern Slavic territories. The oldest university was the Kyiv Mohyla Academy, first established in 1632 and in 1694 officially recognized by the government of Imperial Russia as a higher education institution. Among the oldest is also the Lviv University, founded in 1661. More higher education institutions were set up in the 19th century, beginning with universities in Kharkiv (1805), Kiev (1834), Odessa (1865), andChernivtsi (1875) and a number of professional higher education institutions, e.g.: Nizhyn Historical and Philological Institute (originally established as the Gymnasium of Higher Sciences in 1805), a Veterinary Institute (1873) and a Technological Institute (1885) in Kharkiv, aPolytechnic Institute in Kiev (1898) and a Higher Mining School (1899) in Katerynoslav. Rapid growth followed in the Soviet period. By 1988 a number of higher education institutions increased to 146 with over 850,000 students. Most HEIs established after 1990 are those owned by private organizations.

The National Mining University inDnipropetrovsk, one of Ukraine’s oldest professional technical universities

The Ukrainian higher education system comprises higher educational establishments, scientificand methodological facilities under federal, municipal and self-governing bodies in charge of education.] The organisation of higher education in Ukraine is built up in accordance with the structure of education of the world’s higher developed countries, as is defined byUNESCO and the UN.

Nowadays higher education is either state funded or private. Students that study at state expense receive a standard scholarship if their average marks at the end-of-term exams and differentiated test is at least 4 (see the 5-point grade system below); this rule may be different in some universities. In the case of all grades being the highest (5), the scholarship is increased by 25%. For most students the level of government subsidy is not sufficient to cover their basic living expenses. Most universities provide subsidized housing for out-of-city students. Also, it is common for libraries to supply required books for all registered students. There are two degrees conferred by Ukrainian universities: the Bachelor’s Degree (4 years) and the Master’s Degree (5–6th year). These degrees are introduced in accordance with Bologna process, in which Ukraine is taking part. Historically, Specialist’s Degree (usually 5 years) is still also granted; it was the only degree awarded by universities in the Soviet times.

Culture

St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral inKiev, an example of Ukrainian architecture

Ukrainian customs are heavily influenced by Christianity, which is the dominant religion in the country.] Gender roles also tend to be more traditional, and grandparents play a greater role in raising children than in the West.[229] The culture of Ukraine has been also influenced by its eastern and westereighbours, which is reflected in its architecture, music and art.

A collection of traditional pysanky fromVolyn

The Communist era had quite a strong effect on the art and writing of Ukraine. In 1932, Stalin made socialist realism state policy in the Soviet Union when he promulgated the decree “On the Reconstruction of Literary and Art Organisations”. This greatly stifled creativity. During the 1980s glasnost (openness) was introduced and Soviet artists and writers again became free to express themselves as they wanted.]

The tradition of the Easter egg, known as pysanky, has long roots in Ukraine. These eggs were drawn on with wax to create a pattern; then, the dye was applied to give the eggs their pleasant colours, the dye did not affect the previously wax-coated parts of the egg. After the entire egg was dyed, the wax was removed leaving only the colourful pattern. This tradition is thousands of years old, and precedes the arrival of Christianity to Ukraine. In the city of Kolomya near the foothills of the Carpathian mountains in 2000 was built the museum of Pysanka which won a nomination as the monument of modern Ukraine in 2007, part of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine action.

Literature

The history of Ukrainian literature dates back to the 11th century, following the Christianisation of the Kievan Rus’. The writings of the time were mainly liturgical and were written in Old Church Slavonic. Historical accounts of the time were referred to as chronicles, the most significant of which was the Primary Chronicle. Literary activity faced a sudden decline during the Mongol invasion of Rus’.]

Ukrainian literature again began to develop in the 14th century, and was advanced significantly in the 16th century with the introduction of print and with the beginning of the Cossack era, under both Russian and Polish dominance.] The Cossacks established an independent society and popularized a new kind of epic poems, which marked a high point of Ukrainian oral literature. These advances were then set back in the 17th and early 18th centuries, when publishing in the Ukrainian language was outlawed and prohibited. Nonetheless, by the late 18th century modern literary Ukrainian finally emerged.

Taras Shevchenko
(1814–1861)

Ivan Franko
(1856–1916)

Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky
(1864–1913)

Lesya Ukrainka
(1871–1913)

Taras Shevchenko selfportrait oil 1840-2.jpg

Ivan Franko (1898).png

M-kotsjubynskyj.jpg

Lesya Ukrayinka 1887.jpg

The 19th century initiated a vernacular period in Ukraine, led by Ivan Kotliarevsky’s work Eneyida, the first publication written in modern Ukrainian. By the 1830s, Ukrainianromanticism began to develop, and the nation’s most renowned cultural figure, romanticist poet-painter Taras Shevchenko emerged. Where Ivan Kotliarevsky is considered to be the father of literature in the Ukrainian vernacular; Shevchenko is the father of a national revival.]

Then, in 1863, use of the Ukrainian language in print was effectively prohibited by the Russian Empire.] This severely curtained literary activity in the area, and Ukrainian writers were forced to either publish their works in Russian or release them in Austrian controlled Galicia. The ban was never officially lifted, but it became obsolete after the revolution and the Bolsheviks’ coming to power.]

Ukrainian literature continued to flourish in the early Soviet years, wheearly all literary trends were approved. These policies faced a steep decline in the 1930s, when Stalin implemented his policy of socialist realism. The doctrine did not necessarily repress the Ukrainian language, but it required writers to follow a certain style in their works. Literary activities continued to be somewhat limited under the communist party, and it was not until Ukraine gained its independence in 1991 when writers were free to express themselves as they wished.]

Architecture

The various structures of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra date to different time periods, and through their styles offer an insight into the History of Ukraine and the rich craftsmanship that was developed in its long period

Ukrainian architecture is a term that describes the motifs and styles that are found in structures built in modern Ukraine, and byUkrainians worldwide. These include initial roots which were established in the Eastern Slavic state of Kievan Rus’. After the 12th century, the distinct architectural history continued in the principalities of Galicia-Volhynia. During the epoch of the Zaporozhian Cossacks, a new style unique to Ukraine was developed under the western influences of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. After the union with theTsardom of Russia, architecture in Ukraine began to develop in different directions, with many structures in the larger eastern, Russian-ruled area built in the styles of Russian architecture of that period, whilst the western Galicia was developed under Austro-Hungarian architectural influences, in both cases producing fine examples. Ukrainiaational motifs would finally be used during the period of theSoviet Union and in modern independent Ukraine.

The great churches of the Rus’, built after the adoption of Christianity in 988, were the first examples of monumental architecture in the East Slavic lands. The architectural style of the Kievan state, which quickly established itself, was strongly influenced by the Byzantine. Early Eastern Orthodox churches were mainly made of wood, with the simplest form of church becoming known as a cell church. Major cathedrals often featured scores of small domes, which led some art historians to take this as an indication of the appearance of pre-Christian pagan Slavic temples.

The Lviv Opera and Ballet Theatre; the architecture of Western Ukraine has been greatly influenced by its long history as part of Austria-Hungary and Poland

Several examples of these churches survive to this day; however, during the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, many were externally rebuilt in the Ukrainian Baroque style (see below). Examples include the grand St. Sophia of Kiev – the year 1017 is the earliest record of foundation laid, Church of the Saviour at Berestove – built from 1113 to 1125, and St. Cyril’s Church, circa 12th century. All can still be found in the Ukrainian capital. Several buildings were reconstructed during the late-19th century, including the Assumption Cathedral in Volodymyr-Volynskyi, built in 1160 and reconstructed in 1896–1900, the Paraskevi church in Chernihiv, built in 1201 with reconstruction done in the late 1940s, and the Golden gates in Kiev, built in 1037 and reconstructed in 1982. The latter’s reconstruction was criticized by some art and architecture historians[who?] as a revivalist fantasy. Unfortunately little secular orvernacular architecture of Kievan Rus’ has survived.

The Vorontsov Palace, nestled at the foot of the Crimean Mountains, is an example ofgothic revival architecture in Ukraine

As Ukraine became increasingly integrated into the Russian Empire, Russian architects had the opportunity to realize their projects in the picturesque landscape that many Ukrainian cities and regions offered. St. Andrew’s Church of Kiev (1747–1754), built by Bartolomeo Rastrelli, is a notable example of Baroque architecture, and its location on top of the Kievan mountain made it a recognizable monument of the city. An equally notable contribution of Rasetrelli was the Mariyinsky Palace, which was built to be a summer residence to Russian EmpressElizabeth. During the reign of the last Hetman of Ukraine, Kirill Razumovsky, many of the Cossack Hetmanate‘s towns such as Hlukhiv,Baturyn and Koselets had grandiose projects built by the appointed architect of Little Russia, Andrey Kvasov. Russia, winning successive wars over the Ottoman Empire and its vassal Crimean Khanate, eventually annexed the whole south of Ukraine and Crimea. RenamedNew Russia, these lands were to be colonized, and new cities such as the Nikolayev, Odessa, Kherson and Sevastopol were founded. These would contain notable examples of Imperial Russian architecture.

In 1934, the capital of Soviet Ukraine moved from Kharkiv to Kiev. During the preceding years, the city was seen as only a regional centre, and hence received little attention. All of that was to change, but at a great price. By this point, the first examples of Stalinist architecturewere already showing, and, in light of the official policy, a new city was to be built on top of the old one. This meant that much-admired examples such as the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery were destroyed. Even the St. Sophia Cathedral was under threat. Also, the Second World War contributed to the wreckage. After the war, a new project for the reconstruction of central Kiev was unveiled. This transformed the Khreshchatyk avenue into one of the most notable examples of Stalinism in Architecture. However, by 1955, the new politics of architecture once again promptly stopped the project from fully being realised.

Europe mall in Dnipropetrovsk, an example of modern architecture in Ukraine

The task for modern Ukrainian architecture is diverse application of modern aesthetics, the search for an architect’s own artistic style and inclusion of the existing historico-cultural environment. An example of modern Ukrainian architecture is the reconstruction and renewal of the Maidan Nezalezhnosti in central Kiev, despite the limit set by narrow space within the plaza, the engineers were able to blend together the uneven landscape and also use underground space to set a new shopping centre.

A major project, which may take up most of the 21st century, is the construction of the Kiev City-Centre on the Rybalskyi Peninsula which, when finished, will include a dense skyscraper park amid the picturesque landscape of the Dnieper.

KYIV – THE  CAPITAL  OF  UKRAINE

Kyiv,the capital of Ukraine,is one of the oldest cities of Eastern Europe.It was founded  1525 years ago by Prince Kiy and was named after him.

There are many places of  historic  interest  in it.Among them there are the Kyivo-Pechersk Monastery(arose in the 11th century), St.Sophia’s Cathedral(1037),the Golden Gates(the  remains of only one of them has come down to us).The tzar’s  palace and St.Andrew’s  Church  were built after the design of V.Rastrelli in 17-18 centuries. Kyiv is situated  on the hilly right bank and the low left bank of the Dnieper River.

It is one of the most  beautiful  cities of Europe.One half of its territory is occupied  by parks and gardens.It is olso  the largest  city of the country with population of about 3 million.Kyiv is a historic,political,religious,scientific and cultural centre of  Ukraine.It is the seat of the highest body of state power of Ukraine,the Verkhovna (Supreme) Rada. A large part of  Ukraine’s  industrial output is produced by Kyiv’s enterprises:motorcycles, tape-recorders,excavators, industrial machines, electric equipment, furniture,clothing,foodstuffs, ets. Kyiv is a cultural and academic centre of Ukraine.Research institutes, the National Scientific Library,the Central Botanical Garden,and the Main Astronomical Observatory are located there.

There is a great number of secondary schools, universities, institutes, colleges as well as the National Academy of Sciences there. Kyiv’s cultural life is rich and varied.There are many theatres ,museums,exhibitions in it.There are government-funded museums in Kyiv:the Natural History Museum,the Historical Museum,the museums of art:National Art, Ukrainian Decorative Folk Art,Western and Eastern Art;some  literary-memorial museums.

 

There are also museums organised  and run by private individuals.The main professional theatres in Kyiv are:the National Opera,the Ukrainian Drama Theatre,the Puppet Theatre and many others.They  are greatly appreciated by the Kyivites and the guests of the city.Kyiv is famous for its monuments.The monument to Prince Volodymyr in the picturesque park on the Dnieper hills has become a symbol of the ancient city.

Many monuments have been  inerected in Kyiv’s squares,parks and other public places.Kyiv is the Hero-City.In the park of Immortal Glory there is an obelisk in honour of those who died in the Second Word War.

The main street in Kyiv is Khrechatyk Street which looks like a park lane: it is a river of green and gold trees from early spring till late autumn.

During the Great Patriotic War this street was almost completely destroyed and it was rebuilt in the post-war years.There are many fine buildings in Khreshchstyk which form the unique architectural ensemble. Kreshchatyk is very beautiful in spring when chesnut trees are in  blossom. A chesnut tree is the symbol of Kyiv.  Independence Sguare and European one  are considered to be the centres of cultural, political, commercial life.

Kyiv,the old and ever young city, is the pride and glory of the Ukrainian people.

 

 IVAN HORBACHEVSKY 

Born: 15.05.1854 (Zarubyntsi, Ternopil region Ukraine) Died: 24.05.1942 (Prague, Czech Republic)

Doctor of Medicine, Professor, Head of Medical Chemistry Department, Dean of Faculty of Medicine at the Czech University, Prague, Rector of the Czech University, Prague, Member of Sanitary Council of Czech Kingdom, Member of the Highest Health Council of Austro-Hungarian Empire in Vienna, Member of Technical Investigation Council in Vienna, a Life Member of Lords’ House of Austrian Parliament, ls! Minister of Health of Austro-Hungarian Empire, Rector of Free Ukrainian University in Prague, Member of Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Full and Honorary Member of T.Shevchenko Scientific Society, Ukraine.

« Dr. Ivan Horbachevsky (Horbaczewski) was one of the most famous scientists of his time in the field of chemical organic synthesis. His investigations were a revolution in the medical, organic and biological chemistry.

In 1877 a young graduate of the University of Vienna, Doctor of Medical Sciences Ivan Horbachevsky was appointed as an assistant at the Institute of Medicinal Chemistry, the University of Vienna. In 1882 he was the first ever in the world science to synthesize uric acid from’urea and glycine aminoacid. This discovery brought a great glory to the Austrian science and Vienna University. Great attention to the synthesis of uric acid outside the organism is explained by the fact that in that period of time in biology and medicine the so- called vitalistic direction existed, according to which the substances contained in the living organism caot be synthesized artificially outside the organism.

^ In his works Dr.Ivan Horbachevsky explored the causes and pathogenesis of gout, mechanisms of catabolism of mononucleotides, which are constituents of nucleic acids./His hypotheses as to the nature and causes of pellagra were proved by the next generation of scientists and provided the ground for developing a rational humautrition system. His persistent research work in the spheres of organic and biological chemistry enabled him to isolate virtually all amino acids and prove that aminoacids are the building blocks of proteins. One of his achievements is that he determined the origins of uric acid in organism. The significance of his works devoted to the conversion of nucleic acids to end products is highly estimated in the point of view of regulation of synthesis and decomposition of nucleic acids, which has an impact on our ideas about the life on the molecular level. Due to his great managerial and leadership skills Dr. Horbachevsky was offered a position in the Highest Sanitary Council in Vienna, later he became the President of the Council. Being one of the most outstanding scientific and public figures, Dr. Horbachevsky wasappointed as the first Minister of Health in 1918, thus becoming the founder of the Ministry of Health in Austria, the first ministry of health in the world. The development plan and the program of activities, suggested by Dr. Horbachevsky for the Austrian Ministry of Health, were used for organizing equivalent ministries in the United Kingdom, France, and other countries.

For his outstanding achievements in chemical and medical science and public health. Dr. Horbachevsky was elected as a life member of the House of Lords of Austrian Parliament and an advisor to the Austrian royal court.

In 1884 he became the first professor ever in medical chemistry at the Czech University in Prague. Dr. Horbachevsky is recognized as the founder of the teaching subject medical chemistry, which was introduced to the curricula at all the Czech Faculties of Medicine. This was facilitated by one of his most fundamental works – the four-volume Czech university textbook of medical chemistry (in orgorganic, and biological chemistry), which was compiled and published by Dr. Horbachevsky in 1904-1909.

Dr. Horbachevsky founded the Institute of Medical Chemistry at Charles University, and is  regarded a co-founder of Czech biochemistry. In fact, he created a scientific school of biochemistry, developed  scientific  bases  of experimental  biochemistry,  the  work which  is  being  successfully continued by his disciples and followers.

Dr. Horbachevsky was appointed four times as the Dean of the Czech Faculty of Medicine and once as the Rector of the Czech University in Prague (1902-1903). For his outstanding scientific and public service Dr. Horbachevsky was elected as a member of the Royal Czech Scientific Society (later the Czech Academy of Sciences), a member of Czech Sanitary Council. Dr. Horbachevsky made great efforts to improve environmental situation in the country. According to his recommendations the system of sewage decontamination was developed in Prague, which prevented spreading typhoid fever and other infections among the population.

The works of Dr. Horbachevsky became an invaluable contribution into the Czech science.

THE IMPACT OF DR. HORBACHEVSKY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINIAN  SCIENCE AND  CULTURE

Having spent eventually all his adult life outside Ukraine, Dr. Horbachevsky always demonstrated great concern for his home country, its achievements and problems. He made great efforts to support the struggle for Ukrainian independence. In spite of existing totalitarian regime , he promoted Ukrainian science and culture. He contributed greatly to establishing the Ukrainian University in Lviv. Dr. Horbachevsky was elected as a member of T. Shevchenko Scientific Society in Lviv.

The brilliant scientist was one ofrounders and later the first President of Ukrainian Medical Association. In 1926 and 1932 he organized the 1st and the 2ndUkrainian Scientific Congresses. His successful activities promoted Ukrainian science on the world level.

Dr. Horbachevsky made great efforts in order to create a national medical school. His leadership qualities and persistent work contributed greatly to establishing the Ukrainian Free University in Prague. In 1931-34 Dr. Horbachevsky became the Rector of the University, which trained hundreds physicians – Ukrainians, Czechs, Slovaks. Publishing the first Ukrainian university textbook “Organic Chemistry” in Prague was an invaluable contribution into the development of Ukrainian science.Much was done by Dr. Horbachevsky in the sphere of developing Ukrainian scientific chemical terminology.

Dr. Horbachevsky established a charitable foundation to help students from low-income social groups. In Prague he established Ukrainian Liberation Struggle Museum Society and chaired its Board. He participated in the meeting of Ukrainian Parliamentary Representation in. Vienna, which supported Ukrainian liberation movement and proclaimed Western Ukrainian People’s Republic in 1918.

In 1925 Dr. Horbachevsky was elected as the Academician of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences in Kyiv in the field of biochemistry. He trained numerous physicians and biochemistry researchers for Ukraine.

Considering    Dr. Horbachevsky’s invaluable impact on development of world biochemical science, his outstanding   political, educational and public activities in Austria, Czech Republic and Ukraine, his contribution into the cooperation between the nations,   his anniversary deserves to be * commemorated on the international level

 Adjectives

Definition

Adjectives are words that describe or modify another person or thing in the sentence. The Articlesa, an, and the — are adjectives.

  • the tall professor
  • the lugubrious lieutenant
  • a solid commitment
  • a month’s pay
  • a six-year-old child
  • the unhappiest, richest man

If a group of words containing a subject and verb acts as an adjective, it is called an Adjective Clause. My sister, who is much older than I am, is an engineer. If an adjective clause is stripped of its subject and verb, the resulting modifier becomes an Adjective Phrase: He is the man who is keeping my family in the poorhouse.

Before getting into other usage considerations, one general note about the use — or over-use — of adjectives: Adjectives are frail; don’t ask them to do more work than they should. Let your broad-shouldered verbs and nouns do the hard work of description. Be particularly cautious in your use of adjectives that don’t have much to say in the first place: interesting, beautiful, lovely, exciting. It is your job as a writer to create beauty and excitement and interest, and when you simply insist on its presence without showing it to your reader — well, you’re convincing no one.

Consider the uses of modifiers in this adjectivally rich paragraph from Thomas Wolfe’s Look Homeward, Angel. (Charles Scribner’s, 1929, p. 69.) Adjectives are highlighted in this color; participles, verb forms acting as adjectives, are highlighted in this blue. Some people would argue that words that are part of a name — like “East India Tea House — are not really adjectival and that possessive nouns — father’s, farmer’s — are not technically adjectives, but we’ve included them in our analysis of Wolfe’s text.

He remembered yet the East India Tea House at the Fair, the sandalwood, the turbans, and the robes, the cool interior and the smell of India tea; and he had felt now the nostalgic thrill of dew-wet mornings in Spring, the cherry scent, the cool clarion earth, the wet loaminess of the garden, the pungent breakfast smells and the floating snow of blossoms. He knew the inchoate sharp excitement of hot dandelions in young earth; in July, of watermelons bedded in sweet hay, inside a farmer’s covered wagon; of cantaloupe and crated peaches; and the scent of orange rind, bitter-sweet, before a fire of coals. He knew the good male smell of his father’s sitting-room; of the smooth worn leather sofa, with the gaping horse-hair rent; of the blistered varnished wood upon the hearth; of the heated calf-skin bindings; of the flat moist plug of apple tobacco, stuck with a red flag; of wood-smoke and burnt leaves in October; of the brown tired autumn earth; of honey-suckle at night; of warm nasturtiums, of a clean ruddy farmer who comes weekly with printed butter, eggs, and milk; of fat limp underdone bacon and of coffee; of a bakery-oven in the wind; of large deep-hued stringbeans smoking-hot and seasoned well with salt and butter; of a room of old pine boards in which books and carpets have been stored, long closed; of Concord grapes in their long white baskets.

An abundance of adjectives like this would be uncommon in contemporary prose. Whether we have lost something or not is left up to you.

Position of Adjectives

Unlike Adverbs, which often seem capable of popping up almost anywhere in a sentence, adjectives nearly always appear immediately before the noun or noun phrase that they modify. Sometimes they appear in a string of adjectives, and when they do, they appear in a set order according to category. (See Below.) When indefinite pronouns — such as something, someone, anybody — are modified by an adjective, the adjective comes after the pronoun:

Anyone capable of doing something horrible to someone nice should be punished.
Something wicked this way comes.

And there are certain adjectives that, in combination with certain words, are always “postpositive” (coming after the thing they modify):

The president elect, heir apparent to the Glitzy fortune, lives in New York proper.

See, also, the note on a- adjectives, below, for the position of such words as “ablaze, aloof, aghast.”

Degrees of Adjectives

Adjectives can express degrees of modification:

  • Gladys is a rich woman, but Josie is richer than Gladys, and Sadie is the richest woman in town.

 

 

 

Positive

Comparative

Superlative

rich

richer

richest

lovely

lovelier

loveliest

beautiful

more beautiful

most beautiful

Certain adjectives have irregular forms in the comparative and superlative degrees:

Irregular Comparative and Superlative Forms

good

better

best

bad

worse

worst

little

less

least

much
many
some

more

most

far

further

furthest

 

Be careful not to form comparatives or superlatives of adjectives which already express an extreme of comparison — unique, for instance — although it probably is possible to form comparative forms of most adjectives: something can be more perfect, and someone can have a fuller figure. People who argue that one woman cannot be more pregnant than another have never been nine-months pregnant with twins.

Grammar’s Response

According to Bryan Garner, “complete” is one of those adjectives that does not admit of comparative degrees. We could say, however, “more nearly complete.” I am sure that I have not been consistent in my application of this principle in the Guide (I can hear myself, now, saying something like “less adequate” or “more preferable” or “less fatal”). Other adjectives that Garner would include in this list are as follows:

absolute

impossible

principal

adequate

inevitable

stationary

chief

rrevocable

 sufficient

complete

main

unanimous

devoid

manifest

unavoidable

entire

 minor

unbroken

fatal

paramount

unique

final

perpetual

universal

From The Oxford Dictionary of American Usage and Styleby Bryan Garner. Copyright 1995 by Bryan A. Garner. Published by Oxford University Press, Inc., www.oup-usa.org, and used with the gracious consent of Oxford University Press.

Be careful, also, not to use more along with a comparative adjective formed with -er nor to use most along with a superlative adjective formed with -est (e.g., do not write that something is more heavier or most heaviest).

The as — as construction is used to create a comparison expressing equality:

  • He is as foolish as he is large.
  • She is as bright as her mother.

Premodifiers with Degrees of Adjectives

Both adverbs and adjectives in their comparative and superlative forms can be accompanied by premodifiers, single words and phrases, that intensify the degree.

  • We were a lot more careful this time.
  • He works a lot less carefully than the other jeweler in town.
  • We like his work so much better.
  • You’ll get your watch back all the faster.

The same process can be used to downplay the degree:

  • The weather this week has been somewhat better.
  • He approaches his schoolwork a little less industriously than his brother does.

And sometimes a set phrase, usually an informal noun phrase, is used for this purpose:

  • He arrived a whole lot sooner than we expected.
  • That’s a heck of a lot better.

If the intensifier very accompanies the superlative, a determiner is also required:

  • She is wearing her very finest outfit for the interview.
  • They’re doing the very best they can.

Occasionally, the comparative or superlative form appears with a determiner and the thing being modified is understood:

  • Of all the wines produced in Connecticut, I like this one the most.
  • The quicker you finish this project, the better.
  • Of the two brothers, he is by far the faster.

Authority for this section: A University Grammar of English by Randolph Quirk and Sidney Greenbaum. Longman Group: Essex, England. 1993. Used with permission.

Less versus Fewer

When making a comparison between quantities we often have to make a choice between the words fewer and less. Generally, when we’re talking about countable things, we use the word fewer; when we’re talking about measurable quantities that we cannot count, we use the word less. “She had fewer chores, but she also had less energy.” The managers at our local Stop & Shop seem to have mastered this: they’ve changed the signs at the so-called express lanes from “Twelve Items or Less” to “Twelve Items or Fewer.” Whether that’s an actual improvement, we’ll leave up to you.

We do, however, definitely use less when referring to statistical or numerical expressions:

  • It’s less than twenty miles to Dallas.
  • He’s less than six feet tall.
  • Your essay should be a thousand words or less.
  • We spent less than forty dollars on our trip.
  • The town spent less than four percent of its budget on snow removal.

In these situations, it’s possible to regard the quantities as sums of countable measures.

 

Taller than I / me ??

When making a comparison with “than” do we end with a subject form or object form, “taller than I/she” or “taller than me/her.” The correct response is “taller than I/she.” We are looking for the subject form: “He is taller than I am/she is tall.” (Except we leave out the verb in the second clause, “am” or “is.”) Some good writers, however, will argue that the word “than” should be allowed to function as a preposition. If we can say “He is tall like me/her,” then (if “than” could be prepositional like like) we should be able to say, “He is taller than me/her.” It’s an interesting argument, but — for now, anyway — in formal, academic prose, use the subject form in such comparisons.

We also want to be careful in a sentence such as “I like him better than she/her.” The “she” would mean that you like this person better than she likes him; the “her” would mean that you like this male person better than you like that female person. (To avoid ambiguity and the slippery use of than, we could write “I like him better than she does” or “I like him better than I like her.”)

 

More than / over ??

In the United States, we usually use “more than” in countable numerical expressions meaning “in excess of” or “over.” In England, there is no such distinction. For instance, in the U.S., some editors would insist on “more than 40,000 traffic deaths in one year,” whereas in the UK, “over 40,000 traffic deaths” would be acceptable. Even in the U.S., however, you will commonly hear “over” iumerical expressions of age, time, or height: “His sister is over forty; she’s over six feet tall. We’ve been waiting well over two hours for her.”

The Order of Adjectives in a Series

It would take a linguistic philosopher to explain why we say “little brown house” and not “brown little house” or why we say “red Italian sports car” and not “Italian red sports car.” The order in which adjectives in a series sort themselves out is perplexing for people learning English as a second language. Most other languages dictate a similar order, but not necessarily the same order. It takes a lot of practice with a language before this order becomes instinctive, because the order often seems quite arbitrary (if not downright capricious). There is, however, a pattern. You will find many exceptions to the pattern in the table below, but it is definitely important to learn the pattern of adjective order if it is not part of what you naturally bring to the language.

The categories in the following table can be described as follows:

       I.            Determiners — articles and other limiters. See Determiners

    II.            Observation — postdeterminers and limiter adjectives (e.g., a real hero, a perfect idiot) and adjectives subject to subjective measure (e.g., beautiful, interesting)

 III.            Size and Shape — adjectives subject to objective measure (e.g., wealthy, large, round)

IV.            Age — adjectives denoting age (e.g., young, old, new, ancient)

   V.            Color — adjectives denoting color (e.g., red, black, pale)

VI.            Origin — denominal adjectives denoting source of noun (e.g., French, American, Canadian)

VII.            Material — denominal adjectives denoting what something is made of (e.g., woolen, metallic, wooden)

VIII.            Qualifier — final limiter, often regarded as part of the noun (e.g., rocking chair, hunting cabin, passenger car, book cover)

#THE ROYAL ORDER OF ADJECTIVES #

Determiner

Observation

Physical Description

Origin

Material

Qualifier

Noun

 

Size

Shape

Age

Color

 

a

beautiful

 

 

old

 

Italian

 

touring

car

an

expensive

 

 

antique

 

 

silver

 

mirror

four

gorgeous

 

long-
stemmed

 

red

 

silk

 

roses

her

 

 

short

 

black

 

 

 

hair

our

 

big

 

old

 

English

 

 

sheepdog

those

 

 

square

 

 

 

wooden

hat

boxes

that

dilapidated

little

 

 

 

 

 

hunting

cabin

several

 

enormous

 

young

 

American

 

basketball

players

some

delicious

 

 

 

 

Thai

 

 

food

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It would be folly, of course, to run more than two or three (at the most) adjectives together. Furthermore, when adjectives belong to the same class, they become what we call coordinated adjectives, and you will want to put a comma between them: the inexpensive, comfortable shoes. The rule for inserting the comma works this way: if you could have inserted a conjunction — and or but — between the two adjectives, use a comma. We could say these are “inexpensive but comfortable shoes,” so we would use a comma between them (when the “but” isn’t there). When you have three coordinated adjectives, separate them all with commas, but don’t insert a comma between the last adjective and the noun (in spite of the temptation to do so because you often pause there):

a popular, respected, and good looking student

Capitalizing Proper Adjectives

When an adjective owes its origins to a proper noun, it should probably be capitalized. Thus we write about Christian music, French fries, the English Parliament, the Ming Dynasty, a Faulknerian style, Jeffersonian democracy. Some periods of time have taken on the status of proper adjectives: the Nixon era, a Renaissance/Romantic/Victorian poet (but a contemporary novelist and medieval writer). Directional and seasonal adjectives are not capitalized unless they’re part of a title:

We took the northwest route during the spring thaw. We stayed there until the town’s annual Fall Festival of Small Appliances.

Collective Adjectives

When the definite article, the, is combined with an adjective describing a class or group of people, the resulting phrase can act as a noun: the poor, the rich, the oppressed, the homeless, the lonely, the unlettered, the unwashed, the gathered, the dear departed. The difference between a Collective Noun (which is usually regarded as singular but which can be plural in certain contexts) and a collective adjective is that the latter is always plural and requires a plural verb:

  • The rural poor have been ignored by the media.
  • The rich of Connecticut are responsible.
  • The elderly are beginning to demand their rights.
  • The young at heart are always a joy to be around.

 

 

Adjectival Opposites

The opposite or the negative aspect of an adjective can be formed in a number of ways. One way, of course, is to find an adjective to mean the opposite — an antonym. The opposite of beautiful is ugly, the opposite of tall is short. A thesaurus can help you find an appropriate opposite. Another way to form the opposite of an adjective is with a number of prefixes. The opposite of fortunate is unfortunate, the opposite of prudent is imprudent, the opposite of considerate is inconsiderate, the opposite of honorable is dishonorable, the opposite of alcoholic is nonalcoholic, the opposite of being properly filed is misfiled. If you are not sure of the spelling of adjectives modified in this way by prefixes (or which is the appropriate prefix), you will have to consult a dictionary, as the rules for the selection of a prefix are complex and too shifty to be trusted. The meaning itself can be tricky; for instance, flammable and inflammable mean the same thing.

A third means for creating the opposite of an adjective is to combine it with less or least to create a comparison which points in the opposite direction. Interesting shades of meaning and tone become available with this usage. It is kinder to say that “This is the least beautiful city in the state.” than it is to say that “This is the ugliest city in the state.” (It also has a slightly different meaning.) A candidate for a job can still be worthy and yet be “less worthy of consideration” than another candidate. It’s probably not a good idea to use this construction with an adjective that is already a negative: “He is less unlucky than his brother,” although that is not the same thing as saying he is luckier than his brother. Use the comparative less when the comparison is between two things or people; use the superlative least when the comparison is among many things or people.

  • My mother is less patient than my father.
  • Of all the new sitcoms, this is my least favorite show.

Some Adjectival Problem Children

Good versus Well

In both casual speech and formal writing, we frequently have to choose between the adjective good and the adverb well. With most verbs, there is no contest: when modifying a verb, use the adverb.

He swims well.

He knows only too well who the murderer is.

However, when using a linking verb or a verb that has to do with the five human senses, you want to use the adjective instead.

How are you? I’m feeling good, thank you.

After a bath, the baby smells so good.

Even after my careful paint job, this room doesn’t look good.

Many careful writers, however, will use well after linking verbs relating to health, and this is perfectly all right. In fact, to say that you are good or that you feel good usually implies not only that you’re OK physically but also that your spirits are high.

“How are you?”

“I am well, thank you.”

Bad versus Badly

When your cat died (assuming you loved your cat), did you feel bad or badly? Applying the same rule that applies to good versus well, use the adjective form after verbs that have to do with human feelings. You felt bad. If you said you felt badly, it would mean that something was wrong with your faculties for feeling.

 

 

Other Adjectival Considerations

Review the section on Compound Nouns and Modifiers for the formation of modifiers created when words are connected: a four-year-old child, a nineteenth-century novel, an empty-headed fool.

Review the section on Possessives for a distinction between possessive forms and “adjectival labels.” (Do you belong to a Writers Club or a Writers’ Club?)

Adjectives that are really Participles, verb forms with -ing and -ed endings, can be troublesome for some students. It is one thing to be a frightened child; it is an altogether different matter to be a frightening child. Do you want to go up to your professor after class and say that you are confused or that you are confusing? Generally, the -ed ending means that the noun so described (“you”) has a passive relationship with something — something (the subject matter, the presentation) has bewildered you and you are confused. The -ing ending means that the noun described has a more active role — you are not making any sense so you are confusing (to others, including your professor).

The -ed ending modifiers are often accompanied by prepositions (these are not the only choices):

  • We were amazed at all the circus animals.
  • We were amused by the clowns.
  • We were annoyed by the elephants.
  • We were bored by the ringmaster.
  • We were confused by the noise.
  • We were disappointed by the motorcycle daredevils.
  • We were disappointed in their performance.
  • We were embarrassed by my brother.
  • We were exhausted from all the excitement.
  • We were excited by the lion-tamer.
  • We were excited about the high-wire act, too.
  • We were frightened by the lions.
  • We were introduced to the ringmaster.
  • We were interested in the tent.
  • We were irritated by the heat.
  • We were opposed to leaving early.
  • We were satisfied with the circus.
  • We were shocked at the level of noise under the big tent.
  • We were surprised by the fans’ response.
  • We were surprised at their indifference.
  • We were tired of all the lights after a while.
  • We were worried about the traffic leaving the parking lot.

A-Adjectives

The most common of the so-called a- adjectives are ablaze, afloat, afraid, aghast, alert, alike, alive, alone, aloof, ashamed, asleep, averse, awake, aware. These adjectives will primarily show up as predicate adjectives (i.e., they come after a linking verb).

  • The children were ashamed.
  • The professor remained aloof.
  • The trees were ablaze.

Occasionally, however, you will find a- adjectives before the word they modify: the alert patient, the aloof physician. Most of them, when found before the word they modify, are themselves modified: the nearly awake student, the terribly alone scholar. And a- adjectives are sometimes modified by “very much”: very much afraid, very much alone, very much ashamed, etc.

Adverbs

Definition

Adverbs are words that modify

  • a verb (He drove slowly. — How did he drive?)
  • an adjective (He drove a very fast car. — How fast was his car?)
  • another adverb (She moved quite slowly down the aisle. — How slowly did she move?)

As we will see, adverbs often tell when, where, why, or under what conditions something happens or happened. Adverbs frequently end in -ly; however, many words and phrases not ending in -ly serve an adverbial function and an -ly ending is not a guarantee that a word is an adverb. The words lovely, lonely, motherly, friendly, neighborly, for instance, are adjectives:

  • That lovely woman lives in a friendly neighborhood.

If a group of words containing a subject and verb acts as an adverb (modifying the verb of a sentence), it is called an Adverb Clause:

  • When this class is over, we’re going to the movies.

When a group of words not containing a subject and verb acts as an adverb, it is called an adverbial phrase. Prepositional phrases frequently have adverbial functions (telling place and time, modifying the verb):

  • He went to the movies.
  • She works on holidays.
  • They lived in Canada during the war.

And Infinitive phrases can act as adverbs (usually telling why):

  • She hurried to the mainland to see her brother.
  • The senator ran to catch the bus.

But there are other kinds of adverbial phrases:

  • He calls his mother as often as possible.

The as — as construction can be used to create adverbs that express sameness or equality: “He can’t run as fast as his sister.”

A handful of adverbs have two forms, one that ends in -ly and one that doesn’t. In certain cases, the two forms have different meanings:

  • He arrived late.
  • Lately, he couldn’t seem to be on time for anything.

In most cases, however, the form without the -ly ending should be reserved for casual situations:

  • She certainly drives slow in that old Buick of hers.
  • He did wrong by her.
  • He spoke sharp, quick, and to the point.

Adverbs often function as intensifiers, conveying a greater or lesser emphasis to something. Intensifiers are said to have three different functions: they can emphasize, amplify, or downtone. Here are some examples:

  • Emphasizers:
    • I really don’t believe him.
    • He literally wrecked his mother’s car.
    • She simply ignored me.
    • They’re going to be late, for sure.
  • Amplifiers:
    • The teacher completely rejected her proposal.
    • I absolutely refuse to attend any more faculty meetings.
    • They heartily endorsed the new restaurant.
    • I so wanted to go with them.
    • We know this city well.
  • Downtoners:
    • I kind of like this college.
    • Joe sort of felt betrayed by his sister.
    • His mother mildly disapproved his actions.
    • We can improve on this to some extent.
    • The boss almost quit after that.
    • The school was all but ruined by the storm.

Adverbs (as well as adjectives) in their various degrees can be accompanied by premodifiers:

  • She runs very fast.
  • We’re going to run out of material all the faster

This issue is addressed in the section on degrees in adjectives.

For this section on intensifiers, we are indebted to A Grammar of Contemporary English by Randolph Quirk, Sidney Greenbaum, Geoffrey Leech, and Jan Svartvik. Longman Group: London. 1978. pages 438 to 457. Examples our own.

Using Adverbs in a Numbered List

Within the normal flow of text, it’s nearly always a bad idea to number items beyond three or four, at the most. Anything beyond that, you’re better off with a vertical list that uses numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.). Also, in such a list, don’t use adverbs (with an -ly ending); use instead the uninflected ordinal number (first, second, third, fourth, fifth, etc.). First (not firstly), it’s unclear what the adverb is modifying. Second (not secondly), it’s unnecessary. Third (not thirdly), after you get beyond “secondly,” it starts to sound silly. Adverbs that number in this manner are treated as disjuncts (see below.)

Adverbs We Can Do Without

Review the section on Being Concise for some advice on adverbs that we can eliminate to the benefit of our prose: intensifiers such as very, extremely, and really that don’t intensify anything and expletive constructions (“There are several books that address this issue.”)

Kinds of Adverbs

Adverbs of Manner
   She moved slowly and spoke quietly.

Adverbs of Place
   She has lived on the island all her life.
   She still lives there now.

Adverbs of Frequency
   She takes the boat to the mainland every day.
   She often goes by herself.

Adverbs of Time
   She tries to get back before dark.
   It’s starting to get dark now.
   She finished her tea first.
   She left early.

Adverbs of Purpose
   She drives her boat slowly to avoid hitting the rocks.
   She shops in several stores to get the best buys.

Positions of Adverbs

One of the hallmarks of adverbs is their ability to move around in a sentence. Adverbs of manner are particularly flexible in this regard.

  • Solemnly the minister addressed her congregation.
  • The minister solemnly addressed her congregation.
  • The minister addressed her congregation solemnly.

The following adverbs of frequency appear in various points in these sentences:

  • Before the main verb: I never get up before nine o’clock.
  • Between the auxiliary verb and the main verb: I have rarely written to my brother without a good reason.
  • Before the verb used to: I always used to see him at his summer home.

Indefinite adverbs of time can appear either before the verb or between the auxiliary and the main verb:

  • He finally showed up for batting practice.
  • She has recently retired.

Frank and Ernest

 

 

Order of Adverbs

There is a basic order in which adverbs will appear when there is more than one. It is similar to The Royal Order of Adjectives, but it is even more flexible.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/images/curlyq7.gifTHE ROYAL ORDER OF ADVERBS http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/images/curlyq7.gif

Verb

Manner

Place

Frequency

Time

Purpose

Beth swims

enthusiastically

in the pool

every morning

before dawn

to keep in shape.

Dad walks

impatiently

into town

every afternoon

before supper

to get a newspaper.

Tashonda naps

 

in her room

every morning

before lunch.

 

 

In actual practice, of course, it would be highly unusual to have a string of adverbial modifiers beyond two or three (at the most). Because the placement of adverbs is so flexible, one or two of the modifiers would probably move to the beginning of the sentence: “Every afternoon before supper, Dad impatiently walks into town to get a newspaper.” When that happens, the introductory adverbial modifiers are usually set off with a comma.

More Notes on Adverb Order

As a general principle, shorter adverbial phrases precede longer adverbial phrases, regardless of content. In the following sentence, an adverb of time precedes an adverb of frequency because it is shorter (and simpler):

  • Dad takes a brisk walk before breakfast every day of his life.

A second principle: among similar adverbial phrases of kind (manner, place, frequency, etc.), the more specific adverbial phrase comes first:

  • My grandmother was born in a sod house on the plains of northern Nebraska.
  • She promised to meet him for lunch next Tuesday.

Bringing an adverbial modifier to the beginning of the sentence can place special emphasis on that modifier. This is particularly useful with adverbs of manner:

  • Slowly, ever so carefully, Jesse filled the coffee cup up to the brim, even above the brim.
  • Occasionally, but only occasionally, one of these lemons will get by the inspectors.

 

Inappropriate Adverb Order

Review the section on Misplaced Modifiers for some additional ideas on placement. Modifiers can sometimes attach themselves to and thus modify words that they ought not to modify.

  • They reported that Giuseppe Balle, a European rock star, had died on the six o’clock news.

Clearly, it would be better to move the underlined modifier to a position immediately after “they reported” or even to the beginning of the sentence — so the poor man doesn’t die on television.

Misplacement can also occur with very simple modifiers, such as only and barely:

  • She only grew to be four feet tall.

It would be better if “She grew to be only four feet tall.”

Adjuncts, Disjuncts, and Conjuncts

Regardless of its position, an adverb is ofteeatly integrated into the flow of a sentence. When this is true, as it almost always is, the adverb is called an adjunct. (Notice the underlined adjuncts or adjunctive adverbs in the first two sentences of this paragraph.) When the adverb does not fit into the flow of the clause, it is called a disjunct or a conjunct and is often set off by a comma or set of commas. A disjunct frequently acts as a kind of evaluation of the rest of the sentence. Although it usually modifies the verb, we could say that it modifies the entire clause, too. Notice how “too” is a disjunct in the sentence immediately before this one; that same word can also serve as an adjunct adverbial modifier: It’s too hot to play outside. Here are two more disjunctive adverbs:

  • Frankly, Martha, I don’t give a hoot.
  • Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Conjuncts, on the other hand, serve a connector function within the flow of the text, signaling a transition between ideas.

  • If they start smoking those awful cigars, then I’m not staying.
  • We’ve told the landlord about this ceiling again and again, and yet he’s done nothing to fix it.

At the extreme edge of this category, we have the purely conjunctive device known as the conjunctive adverb (often called the adverbial conjunction):

  • Jose has spent years preparing for this event; nevertheless, he’s the most nervous person here.
  • I love this school; however, I don’t think I can afford the tuition.

 

Authority for this section: A University Grammar of English by Randolph Quirk and Sidney Greenbaum. Longman Group: Essex, England. 1993. 126. Used with permission. Examples our own.

Some Special Cases

The adverbs enough and not enough usually take a postmodifier position:

  • Is that music loud enough?
  • These shoes are not big enough.
  • In a roomful of elderly people, you must remember to speak loudly enough.

(Notice, though, that when enough functions as an adjective, it can come before the noun:

  • Did she give us enough time?

The adverb enough is often followed by an infinitive:

  • She didn’t run fast enough to win.

The adverb too comes before adjectives and other adverbs:

  • She ran too fast.
  • She works too quickly.

If too comes after the adverb it is probably a disjunct (meaning also) and is usually set off with a comma:

  • Yasmin works hard. She works quickly, too.

The adverb too is often followed by an infinitive:

  • She runs too slowly to enter this race.

Another common construction with the adverb too is too followed by a prepositional phrase — for + the object of the preposition — followed by an infinitive:

  • This milk is too hot for a baby to drink.

Relative Adverbs

Adjectival clauses are sometimes introduced by what are called the relative adverbs: where, when, and why. Although the entire clause is adjectival and will modify a noun, the relative word itself fulfills an adverbial function (modifying a verb within its own clause).

The relative adverb where will begin a clause that modifies a noun of place:

My entire family now worships in the church where my great grandfather used to be minister.

The relative pronoun “where” modifies the verb “used to be” (which makes it adverbial), but the entire clause (“where my great grandfather used to be minister”) modifies the word “church.”

A when clause will modify nouns of time:

My favorite month is always February, when we celebrate Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day.

And a why clause will modify the noun reason:

Do you know the reason why Isabel isn’t in class today?

We sometimes leave out the relative adverb in such clauses, and many writers prefer “that” to “why” in a clause referring to “reason”:

  • Do you know the reason why Isabel isn’t in class today?
  • I always look forward to the day when we begin our summer vacation.
  • I know the reason that men like motorcycles.

Authority for this section: Understanding English Grammar by Martha Kolln. 4rth Edition. MacMillan Publishing Company: New York. 1994.

Viewpoint, Focus, and Negative Adverbs

A viewpoint adverb generally comes after a noun and is related to an adjective that precedes that noun:

  • A successful athletic team is often a good team scholastically.
  • Investing all our money in snowmobiles was probably not a sound idea financially.

You will sometimes hear a phrase like “scholastically speaking” or “financially speaking” in these circumstances, but the word “speaking” is seldom necessary.

A focus adverb indicates that what is being communicated is limited to the part that is focused; a focus adverb will tend either to limit the sense of the sentence (“He got an A just for attending the class.”) or to act as an additive (“He got an A in addition to being published.”

Although negative constructions like the words “not” and “never” are usually found embedded within a verb string — “He has never been much help to his mother.” — they are technically not part of the verb; they are, indeed, adverbs. However, a so-called negative adverb creates a negative meaning in a sentence without the use of the usual no/not/neither/nor/never constructions:

  • He seldom visits.
  • She hardly eats anything since the accident.
  • After her long and tedious lectures, rarely was anyone awake.

Present Perfect

has/have + past participle]

Examples:

  • You have seen that movie many times.
  • Have you seen that movie many times?
  • You have not seen that movie many times.

USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

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We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

Examples:

  • I have seen that movie twenty times.
  • I think I have met him once before.
  • There have been many earthquakes in California.
  • People have traveled to the Moon.
  • People have not traveled to Mars.
  • Have you read the book yet?
  • Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
  • A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?
    B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.

How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?

The concept of “unspecified time” can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to associate Present Perfect with the following topics:

TOPIC 1 Experience

You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, “I have the experience of…” You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.

Examples:

  • I have been to France.
    This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France.
    Maybe you have been there once, or several times.
  • I have been to France three times.
    You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.
  • I have never been to France.
    This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.
  • I think I have seen that movie before.
  • He has never traveled by train.
  • Joan has studied two foreign languages.
  • A: Have you ever met him?
    B: No, I have not met him.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.

Examples:

  • You have grown since the last time I saw you.
  • The government has become more interested in arts education.
  • Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies program was established.
  • My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

TOPIC 3 Accomplishments

We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.

Examples:

  • Man has walked on the Moon.
  • Our son has learned how to read.
  • Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
  • Scientists have split the atom.

TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.

Examples:

  • James has not finished his homework yet.
  • Susan hasn’t mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
  • Bill has still not arrived.
  • The rain hasn’t stopped.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.

Examples:

  • The army has attacked that city five times.
  • I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
  • We have had many major problems while working on this project.
  • She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.

Time Expressions with Present Perfect

When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important.

http://www.englishpage.com/images/verbs/presentperfect.gif

Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc.

http://www.englishpage.com/images/verbs/presentperfectlimit.gif

Examples:

  • Have you been to Mexico in the last year?
  • I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
  • They have had three tests in the last week.
  • She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three different companies so far.
  • My car has broken down three times this week.

NOTICE

“Last year” and “in the last year” are very different in meaning. “Last year” means the year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. “In the last year” means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect.

Examples:

  • I went to Mexico last year.
    I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.
  • I have been to Mexico in the last year.
    I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now.

USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

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With Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Present Perfect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. “For five minutes,” “for two weeks,” and “since Tuesday” are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect.

Examples:

  • I have had a cold for two weeks.
  • She has been in England for six months.
  • Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

Although the above use of Present Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words “live,” “work,” “teach,” and “study” are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

  • You have only seen that movie one time.
  • Have you only seen that movie one time?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

  • Many tourists have visited that castle. Active
  • That castle has been visited by many tourists. Passive

The present perfect is formed from the present tense of the verb have and the past participle of a verb:

The present perfect continuous is formed with have/has been and the -ing form of the verb:

Use

We use the present perfect tense:

  • for something that started in the past and continues in the present:

They’ve been married for nearly fifty years.
She has lived in Liverpool all her life.

Note: We normally use the present perfect continuous for this:

She has been living in Liverpool all her life.
It’s been raining for hours.

  •  for something we have done several times in the past and continue to do:

I’ve played the guitar ever since I was a teenager.
He has written three books and he is working on another one.
I’ve been watching that programme every week.

We often use a clause with since to show when something started in the past:

They’ve been staying with us since last week.
I have worked here since I left school.
I’ve been watching that programme every week since it started.

  • when we are talking about our experience up to the present:


Note: We often use the adverb ever to talk about experience up to the present:

My last birthday was the worst day I have ever had.

Note: and we use never for the negative form:

Have you ever met George?
Yes, but I’ve never met his wife.

  • for something that happened in the past but is important at the time of speaking:

I can’t get in the house. I’ve lost my keys.
Teresa isn’t at home. I think she has gone shopping.
I’m tired out. I’ve been working all day.

 

 We use the present perfect of be when someone has gone to a place and returned:

A: Where have you been?
B: I’ve just been out to the supermarket.

A: Have you ever been to San Francisco?
B: No, but I’ve been to Los Angeles.

But when someone has not returned we use have/has gone:

A: Where is Maria? I haven’t seen her for weeks.
B: She’s gone to Paris for a week. She’ll be back tomorrow.

We often use the present perfect with time adverbials which refer to the recent past:

just; only just; recently;

Scientists have recently discovered a new breed of monkey.
We have just got back from our holidays.

or adverbials which include the present:

ever (in questions); so far; until now; up to now; yet (in questions and negatives)

Have you ever seen a ghost?
Where have you been up to now?
Have you finished your homework yet?
No, so far I’ve only done my history.

WARNING:

We do not use the present perfect with an adverbial which refers to past time which is finished:

I have seen that film yesterday.
We have just bought a new car last week.
When we were children we have been to California.

But we can use it to refer to a time which is not yet finished:

Have you seen Helen today?
We have bought a new car this week.

Past Perfect

 [had + past participle]

Examples:

  • You had studied English before you moved to New York.
  • Had you studied English before you moved to New York?
  • You had not studied English before you moved to New York.

USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in the Past

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The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

Examples:

  • I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai.
  • I did not have any money because I had lost my wallet.
  • Tony knew Istanbul so well because he had visited the city several times.
  • Had Susan ever studied Thai before she moved to Thailand?
  • She only understood the movie because she had read the book.
  • Kristine had never been to an opera before last night.
  • We were not able to get a hotel room because we had not booked in advance.
  • A: Had you ever visited the U.S. before your trip in 2006?
    B: Yes, I had been to the U.S. once before.

USE 2 Duration Before Something in the Past (Non-Continuous Verbs)

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With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Past Perfect to show that something started in the past and continued up until another action in the past.

Examples:

  • We had had that car for ten years before it broke down.
  • By the time Alex finished his studies, he had been in London for over eight years.
  • They felt bad about selling the house because they had owned it for more than forty years.

Although the above use of Past Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words “live,” “work,” “teach,” and “study” are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

IMPORTANT Specific Times with the Past Perfect

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Unlike with the Present Perfect, it is possible to use specific time words or phrases with the Past Perfect. Although this is possible, it is usually not necessary.

Example:

  • She had visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.

MOREOVER

If the Past Perfect action did occur at a specific time, the Simple Past can be used instead of the Past Perfect when “before” or “after” is used in the sentence. The words “before” and “after” actually tell you what happens first, so the Past Perfect is optional. For this reason, both sentences below are correct.

Examples:

  • She had visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.
  • She visited her Japanese relatives once in 1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.

HOWEVER

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If the Past Perfect is not referring to an action at a specific time, Past Perfect is not optional. Compare the examples below. Here Past Perfect is referring to a lack of experience rather than an action at a specific time. For this reason, Simple Past cannot be used.

Examples:

  • She never saw a bear before she moved to Alaska. Not Correct
  • She had never seen a bear before she moved to Alaska. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

  • You had previously studied English before you moved to New York.
  • Had you previously studied English before you moved to New York?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

  • George had repaired many cars before he received his mechanic’s license. Active
  • Many cars had been repaired by George before he received his mechanic’s license. Passive

Future Perfect

Future Perfect has two different forms: “will have done” and “be going to have done.” Unlike Simple Future forms, Future Perfect forms are usually interchangeable.

FORM Future Perfect with “Will”

[will have + past participle]

Examples:

  • You will have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
  • Will you have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.?
  • You will not have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.

FORM Future Perfect with “Be Going To”

[am/is/are + going to have + past participle]

Examples:

  • You are going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.
  • Are you going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.?
  • You are not going to have perfected your English by the time you come back from the U.S.

NOTE: It is possible to use either “will” or “be going to” to create the Future Perfect with little or no difference in meaning.

USE 1 Completed Action Before Something in the Future

http://www.englishpage.com/images/verbs/futureperfect.gif

The Future Perfect expresses the idea that something will occur before another action in the future. It can also show that something will happen before a specific time in the future.

Examples:

  • By next November, I will have received my promotion.
  • By the time he gets home, she is going to have cleaned the entire house.
  • I am not going to have finished this test by 3 o’clock.
  • Will she have learned enough Chinese to communicate before she moves to Beijing?
  • Sam is probably going to have completed the proposal by the time he leaves this afternoon.
  • By the time I finish this course, I will have taken ten tests.
  • How many countries are you going to have visited by the time you turn 50?

Notice in the examples above that the reference points (marked in italics) are in Simple Present rather than Simple Future. This is because the interruptions are in time clauses, and you cannot use future tenses in time clauses.

USE 2 Duration Before Something in the Future (Non-Continuous Verbs)

http://www.englishpage.com/images/verbs/futureperfectcontinuous.gif

With Non-Continuous Verbs and some non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Future Perfect to show that something will continue up until another action in the future.

Examples:

  • I will have been in London for six months by the time I leave.
  • By Monday, Susan is going to have had my book for a week.

Although the above use of Future Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words “live,” “work,” “teach,” and “study” are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

REMEMBER No Future in Time Clauses

Like all future forms, the Future Perfect cannot be used in clauses beginning with time expressions such as: when, while, before, after, by the time, as soon as, if, unless, etc. Instead of Future Perfect, Present Perfect is used.

Examples:

  • I am going to see a movie when I will have finished my homework. Not Correct
  • I am going to see a movie when I have finished my homework. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

  • You will only have learned a few words.
  • Will you only have learned a few words?
  • You are only going to have learned a few words.
  • Are you only going to have learned a few words?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

  • They will have completed the project before the deadline. Active
  • The project will have been completed before the deadline. Passive
  • They are going to have completed the project before the deadline. Active
  • The project is going to have been completed before the deadline. Passive

Future Perfect Tense

I will have sung

The future perfect tense is quite an easy tense to understand and use. The future perfect tense talks about the past in the future.

How do we make the Future Perfect Tense?

The structure of the future perfect tense is:

subject

+

auxiliary verb WILL

+

auxiliary verb HAVE

+

main verb

 

invariable

 

invariable

 

past participle

will

have

V3

Look at these example sentences in the future perfect tense:

 

subject

auxiliary verb

 

auxiliary verb

main verb

 

+

I

will

 

have

finished

by 10am.

+

You

will

 

have

forgotten

me by then.

She

will

not

have

gone

to school.

We

will

not

have

left.

 

?

Will

you

 

have

arrived?

 

?

Will

they

 

have

received

it?

In speaking with the future perfect tense, we often contract the subject and will. Sometimes, we contract the subject, will and have all together:

I will have

I’ll have

I’ll’ve

you will have

you’ll have

you’ll’ve

he will have
she will have
it will have

he’ll have
she’ll have
it’ll have

he’ll’ve
she’ll’ve
it’ll’ve

we will have

we’ll have

we’ll’ve

they will have

they’ll have

they’ll’ve

 

We sometimes use shall instead of will, especially for I and we.

How do we use the Future Perfect Tense?

The future perfect tense expresses action in the future before another action in the future. This is the past in the future. For example:

  • The train will leave the station at 9am. You will arrive at the station at 9.15am. When you arrive, the train will have left.

The train will have left when you arrive.

past

present

future

 

 

Train leaves in future at 9am.

9

 

9.15


 


 

 

You arrive in future at 9.15am.

Look at some more examples:

  • You can call me at work at 8am. I will have arrived at the office by 8.
  • They will be tired when they arrive. They will not have slept for a long time.
  • “Mary won’t be at home when you arrive.”
    “Really? Where will she have gone?”

You can sometimes think of the future perfect tense like the present perfect tense, but instead of your viewpoint being in the present, it is in the future:

present perfect tense

 

future perfect tense

 


have
done
>

 

 

 

 

will
have
done
>


 


past

now

future

 

past

now

future

 

The functions of Participle II

Participle II has but one form which can express both an action simultaneous with the action expressed by the finite form, and prior to it, but it more often expresses a prior action.

The editorial office of all newspaper published in London are in Fleet street.

I have read all the novels written by Jack London.

So Participle II has no tense distinctions but it has voice distinctions – it is usually passive in its meaning.

However there are cases where we can hardly speak of a passive meaning: a drunk man, a retied officer (отставной офицер), a drowned man (утопленник), a faded leaf (увядший лист), etc.

The functions of Participle II are the same as those of Participle I – the attribute and the adverbial modifier.

·         Participle II as an attribute

She collected all the pictures taken during their honey-moon and put them in an album.

Participle II in this function can be preceded by the preposition as.

This substance as described by the American scientists has a very complicated structure.

·         Participle II in the function of an adverbial modifier.

o    Participle II can be used as an adverbial modifier of time.

It is often preceded by the conjunction when here.

When questioned she would not answer.

The conjunction until also occurs here.

The letter will stay here until called for.

o    Participle II can be used as an adverbial modifier of comparison with the conjunctions as if, as though.

The trees were silent as if cut of marble.

o    Participle II can be used as an adverbial modifier of condition often with the conjunction if.

If treated carefully this substance is not dangerous for the experimenter.
Если с этим веществом обращаться осторожно, оно не опасно для экспериментатора.

The conjunction unless also occurs here (in the meaning of если не, разве что).

I’ll tell them nothing unless asked.

o    Participle II can be used as an adverbial modifier of concession with the conjunctions though, although.

Though crushed she was no broken.
Хотя ей был нанесен тяжелый удар, она не была сломлена.

·         Participle II can be used as a predicative.

I was very surprised hearing this.

He was determined to win this contest.

·         Participle II can is used in the Objective Participial construction.

When used in Objective Participial construction Participle II performs the function of part of a complex object.

I saw him admitted into the room.

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