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Friday, October 9, 2015

Learn English Grammar Concepts

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Learn English Grammar Online | Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs join independent clauses into one sentence and facilitate creating a shorter sentence. When using a conjunctive adverb, put a semicolon (;) before and a comma (,) after it.

Some examples of conjunctive adverbs are: accordingly, besides, consequently, finally, however, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, still, therefore, then, etc.

·         The due date for submission has passed; therefore, I could not make mine on time.
·         It rained hard; moreover, lightening flashed and thunder boomed.
·         We have different methods of implementation; however, all result in the same output.

A conjunctive adverb is also used in a single main clause. In this case, a comma (,) is used to separate the conjunctive adverb from the sentence.

·         I woke up very late this morning. Nevertheless, I wasn’t late to office.
·         She didn’t take the cab to work today. Instead, she drove her car.
·         They returned home. Likewise, I went home.

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Thursday, October 8, 2015

Learn English Grammar Online | Gerunds

Gerunds

A Gerund (verb+ing) acts like a noun in a sentence.

·         Seeing is believing.
·         Working is always fun.
·         My hobby is reading.
·         I like watching plays.
·         I am afraid of presenting on a stage.

Often, a possessive noun or pronoun comes before a gerund.
·         I hope that you don’t mind her using your system.
·         Don’t be angry about him leaving early.
·         You will be amazed by my writing.

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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Learn English Grammar | Possessive Nouns

Possessive Nouns

Possessive nouns are used to indicate ownership. They are generally formed by adding an apostrophe () and s.

Singular noun – Add an apostrophe (’) and s.

Kate’s e-mail
Paula’s workstation

Plural noun – just add an apostrophe (’)

My parents house
The senior citizens lounge

Two people own one thing – add the apostrophe (’) and s to the second person only

Tom and Jane’s report
Justin and Lindsay’s house

Two people own separate thingsadd the apostrophe (’) and s for each person

Tim’s and Frank’s laptops
Ben’s and Lock’s offices

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Sunday, October 4, 2015

Banking Terminology Made Easy-1

Santa: I have heard recently that Mr. Rajan has reduced Repo Rate by 50 basis points and everyone is saying that this is good for the market. Loan EMI may also come down. What is this rate cut means actually? I want to understand this.
Banta: To understand this you first need to know, how does a bank function.
Santa: Why?
Banta: Because all these are inter-related. Tell me – what does a bank do?
Santa: Bank takes money from depositors and gives loan to earn interest. That way they keep everyone happy and make a profit also.
Banta: Correct, but there are more to it. Let me explain this in a very simplistic way. Bank needs money. Bank can get money from depositors like you and me and also from RBI. But bank also needs to pay certain interest to us and also to RBI.
Santa: Ok.
Banta: Let us try to understand first – what happens when we deposit, say, Rs. 100 with a bank.
Santa: I know that. Bank gives that Rs. 100 to someone who needs a loan.
Banta: No, it is not that simple. Remember, though bank can earn interest by giving away loans, but it is also very risky. There are many cases of loan defaults. This way banks can put all our money into high risk areas. It has to be protected.
Santa: How?
Banta: Ok, RBI has made it mandatory that upon receiving, say, Rs. 100 – banks first have to deposit Rs. 4 with RBI. RBI keeps this Rs. 4 in its current a/c and hence banks do not receive any interest on this money. This is known as Cash Reserve Ratio or CRR, which is currently at 4%.
Santa: Hmmm, then?
Banta: RBI has also made it mandatory that upon receiving, say, Rs. 100 – banks need to compulsorily buy central and state govt. securities of Rs. 21.50. Of course banks will earn some interest income here. This is known as Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR), which is currently at 21.50%.
Santa: Ok, so you mean to say that upon receiving Rs. 100, banks can spend only Rs. 74.50 at its own will.
Banta: Correct. 100 – (4 + 21.50) = 100 – 25.50 = 74.50
Santa: But you were saying that banks can also borrow from RBI. What interest banks pay to RBI?
Banta: Before 30th September, banks were paying 8.25% interest to RBI when it borrows money from RBI. Now this rate has been reduced by 50 basis points. So banks now need to pay interest to RBI, if it borrows from RBI, at the rate of 7.75%. This is known as Repo Rate.
Santa: Can fixed deposit rate be affected by reduction of Repo Rate?
Banta: Of course. If banks get money from RBI @7.75%, why will banks pay higher interest to you and me? One year FD rate is already revised by many banks and it is equal to or very close to 7.75%.
Santa: But as now banks are getting money at a cheaper rate, then they should reduce the loan interest rate i.e. passing on the benefits it receives.
Banta: Correct. They should. And on that hope market is cheering. If companies get loan at a cheaper rate, they will likely to expand their businesses. That will create more jobs, more income and boost the economy.
Santa: How is inflation linked to this?
Banta: See, when loan becomes cheaper, people tends to borrow more. That means people will have more money to spend. This will increase the demand for goods, and if supply does not increase to match this demand, then prices will increase.
Santa: So there is a chance, that inflation may rise also?
Banta: Well, yes. But inflation depends on many other factors as well, like production (industrial and agricultural), manufacturing, export – import, foreign currency movement etc. So inflation may increase or may not.
Santa: One last question. Like we deposit our money with banks, can banks also deposit their money with someone?
Banta: Yes, they can deposit with RBI and earn interest too. This interest is typically 1% less than the repo rate. This rate is known as Reverse Repo Rate.
Santa: Great! So now I understand CRR, SLR, Repo Rate, Reverse Repo Rate and their impact on deposit rate, loan interest rate and on inflation. Thanks.
Banta: Welcome!
................ Santa Banta can be very informative as well. ðŸ˜Š

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Thursday, October 1, 2015

Learn English Online | Articles

Articles

The words a, an, and the are special adjectives called articles.

Indefinite Articles (A and An) -- Refers to any noun from a group of nouns.

·         Used before singular nouns that are unspecified :: a pencil, an orange
·         Used before number collectives and some numbers :: a dozen, a gallon
·         Used before a singular noun followed by a restrictive modifier :: a girl who was wearing a yellow hat
·         Used with nouns to form adverbial phrases of quantity, amount, or degree :: I felt a bit moved with all this

An - used before singular count nouns beginning with a vowel (a, e, i, o, u) or vowel sound :: an apple,  an issue, an office, an hour

A - used before singular count nouns beginning with consonants (except a, e, i, o, u) :: a stamp, a desk, a printer, a document

Definite Article (The) -- Refers directly to a specific noun or groups on nouns. It is used to:

·      Indicate a noun that is definite or has been previously specified in the context :: Please share the information
·      Indicate a noun that is unique :: The India Gate is nearby
·      Designate a natural phenomenon :: The nights get shorter during summer
·      Refer to a time period :: This song was very popular in the 1980s
Indicate all the members of a family :: The Smiths have been invited for dinner

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