Dumplings

A story about money, meat, and hunger

by Douglas Ye

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The mother’s anxious face twisted into a knot. She quickly dialed nine one one. Soon, sirens could be heard and the red blue lights appeared from afar. Police veteran Peter Pecker squeezed out of his police car and waddled up the front porch like a fat pig. His trotters step on the porch. The poor mother opened the door and tearfully slid onto the ground.

Peter kneeled by the mother while she filed a police report on her son. He had been missing for three days. Peter’s eyebrows furrowed even closer when he saw that her son went missing near the library. This was the tenth report in the past week about kids disappearing near the vicinity of the library.

When Peter got back to the Police Stations, he assembled a squad of his best men and quickly drove like a race car driver to the library.He stepped on the gas pedal with all his power.The car lurched forward. Its wheels spun even faster and the car flew down the street.

It was half past midnight. The library was like a grave.The atmosphere was eerie and quite. And the men scoured the area like hunting dogs. They were sniffing and looking carefully over all the details. Suddenly, Peter saw what seemed like a backpack, similar to the one described by the mother. The men shined their flashlights and started to analyze it. However, no sign of life had been found. Paul, one of the veteran police officers, yawned and declared that it was half past midnight. It was a dead end and he suggested the men go home to get some rest. His wife has been ill for a while and he needed to get back to take care of her. Besides, they could always come back the next morning. The men agreed and retired home.

ref –

• https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/intransitive_verbs.htm
• https://www.scribbr.com/verbs/intransitive-verb/

What Is an Intransitive Verb?

An intransitive verb is a verb that does not take a direct object.

In other words, the action of an intransitive verb is not done to someone or something.

It involves only the subject.

For example:

Sarah laughed.

(“Laughed” is an intransitive verb. The action of the verb only involves Sarah.)

The opposite of an intransitive verb is a transitive verb. A transitive verb can have a direct object.

Sarah ate an apple.

(“Ate” is a transitive verb. The action of the verb was done to something (“an apple”), which is the direct object.)

What Does “Taking a Direct Object” Mean?

An intransitive verb does not take a direct object. Here’s a bit more on what that means:

He laughed.
(Laughed is an intransitive verb. It has no direct object. You cannot laugh something.)

He told a joke.
(Told is a transitive verb. The direct object is a joke. You can tell something. For example, you can tell a story, a lie, a joke, etc.)

You can find the direct object of a verb by reading the verb and then asking “what?” (or “whom?”).

If this question seems inappropriate, then you’re probably dealing with an intransitive verb. For example (verbs shaded):

He caught the bus after the party.
(Q: Caught what? A: the bus. This is a transitive verb. It has a direct object.)

He disappeared after the party.
(Q: Disappeared what? That doesn’t make sense. You can’t disappear something.
This is an intransitive verb. It can’t take a direct object.)

Examples of Intransitive Verbs

Here are some more examples of intransitive verbs. With each example, if you read the verb (shaded) aloud and ask “what?”, there will be no answer. There is no answer because there is no direct object. These verbs are all intransitive.

Every single person voted.
The jackdaws roost in these trees.
The crowd demonstrated outside the theatre.

(In this example, demonstrated is an intransitive verb. However, to demonstrate can be used transitively too, e.g., He demonstrated a karate chop to the class.)

Verbs That Are Transitive and Intransitive

Some verbs can be transitive and intransitive.

For example:

Mel walks for miles.
(As walks is not being done to anything, this verb is intransitive.)

However, compare it to this:

Mel walks the dog for miles
(This time, walks does have a direct object (the dog). Therefore, it is transitive. Some verbs can be both intransitive and transitive, depending on the usage.)

Here is another example:

The apes played in the woods.
(Played what? Nothing, intransitive)

The apes played hide and seek in the woods.
(transitive)
(Q: played what? A: hide and seek.)

Never followed by an Object

While intransitive verbs are never followed by an object,
they can be followed by modifiers such as

• adverbs
• adverbial clauses
• prepositional phrases

that indicate where, when, or how something occurs.

Ravi jumped.
Leonardo is sleeping soundly.
Marie exercises as often as she can.
Lisa will meditate in the garden.

ref – https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/transitive_verbs.htm

What Are Transitive Verbs?

A transitive verb is a verb that takes a direct object.

In other words, it is a verb that acts on something.

For example:

The dog ate the bone.
The verb “ate” is a transitive verb. It acts on “the bone,” which is the direct object of “ate.”

I am singing a song.
The verb “am singing” is a transitive verb. It acts on “a song,” which is the direct object of “am singing.”

More Examples

Lee eats pies.
(Eats is transitive because you can eat something.)

Lee loves mince pies.
(Loves is transitive because you can love something. Note that direct objects aren’t usually single words. They’re usually noun phrases, i.e., more than one word.)

Lee bought dozens of cakes.
(Bought is transitive because you can buy something.)

All the toys opened their eyes as the clock struck midnight.
(Q: Opened what? A: their eyes)
(Q: Struck what? A: midnight)
(If it answers the question “what?” or “whom?” in relation to a verb, then it’s a direct object. Midnight is a noun, it’s a perfectly good direct object for the verb to strike.)

No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch.

You can’t get eight cats to pull a sled through snow.

I loathe people who keep dogs. They are cowards who haven’t got the guts to bite people themselves.

(Q: Loathe what? A: people who keep dogs)

(Q: Haven’t got what? A: the guts to bite people)

(If you look at just the two direct objects in this example (i.e., the texts in bold),

there’s a transitive verb in each one.

“people who keep dogs”
Q: Keep what? A: dogs

“the guts to bite people”
Q: To bite what? A: people)

What Does “Transitive” Mean?

A transitive verb gets its name from the idea that the action must transition through it to an object in order to complete the meaning.

Lee (subj) caught (verb). X(incomplete)

(When the action does not transition through the verb to an object, the meaning is incomplete.)

Lee (subj) caught (verb) a whelk (obj). √

She gave the waiter a smile.

(Here, a smile is the direct object (it answers “gave what?”), and the waiter is the indirect object (it answers “for whom?”).)

It doesn’t happen too often, but sometimes a transitive verb works with just an indirect object.

He paid her.

(This is a transitive verb without a direct object. The meaning is still complete because the action transitions through the verb to an indirect object.)

ref – https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/noun_phrases.htm

What Is a Noun Phrase?

A noun phrase is a group of two or more words headed by a noun that includes modifiers.

note:
adjectives and adverbs are modifiers
Phrases can also be modifiers

the dog
the = modifier

a cat
a = modifier

a group of them
‘a’ and ‘of them’ = modifiers

The best car safety device
‘The best car safety’ = modifier

the man with her

‘the’ and ‘with her’ = modifiers

Examples of Noun Phrases

*highlighted is the head noun

People: the soldier, my cousin, dopey Alan, the lawyer with the big nose

Animals: that aardvark, one rat, a shark, funny Mickey

Places: the house in the corner, inner London, dirty factory, no shelter

Things: this table, our London Bridge, the sharp chisel, that nitrogen, last month, an inch, her cooking

Ideas: utter confusion, some kindness, your faith, the Theory of Relativity, a joy

The Function of Noun Phrases

Like any noun,

a noun phrase can function as a subject, an object, or a complement

within a sentence.

In each example below, the noun phrase is in bold and the head noun is highlighted.

Singing in the bath relaxes me.
Here, the noun phrase is the subject of the verb “relaxes.”

I know the back streets.

Here, the noun phrase is the direct object of the verb “know.”

She was the devil in disguise.
Here, the noun phrase is a subject complement following the linking verb “was.”

Example

This man has a nice smile,
but
he’s got iron teeth.

“This man” is the subject of the verb “has.”

The phrase “a nice smile” is the direct object of “has.”

The noun phrase “iron teeth” is the direct object of the verb “got.”

Example

I (subj) never learned (verb) from (preposition) a man who agreed with me.

The noun phrase “a man who agreed with me” is the object of the preposition “from.”

Here’s the “pronoun test”: I never learned from him.

him – a man

Example

Every man of courage is (linking verb) a man of his word.

“Every man of courage” is the subject of the verb “is.”
The noun phrase “a man of his word” is a subject complement following the linking verb “is.”

Here’s the “pronoun test”: He is one.
He – Every man
one – a man

Noun Phrases as objects of Prepositions:

• The hikers rested [under the shade of a giant oak tree].
• The concert was held [in the heart of the bustling city].

ref –

• https://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/noun_clauses.htm
• https://www.grammarly.com/blog/noun-clause/
• https://eslgrammar.org/noun-clause/

It is simply a clause that acts like a noun.

But noun clauses are a specific type of clause called a subordinate clause.
Also known as dependent clauses, subordinate clauses cannot be used alone and need to join an independent clause.

They start with Relative pronouns

start with “wh”-words such as (what, which, when, where, whether, and why)

Where: “This is [where I lost my keys].”
When: “I remember [when we first met].”
Why: “That is [why I’m here].”
How: “This is [how I do it].”

Core relative pronouns

• who
• whom
• whose
• which
• that

Let’s look at some independent clauses first:

1) I know that.
2) Add a pronoun to another independent clause.

that + [the story is true].

3) I know that the story is true.

Another example…

1) I know who.
2) Add a pronoun to another independent clause.

who + [said that]. (who acts as subject)

3) I know who said that.

Look at more examples.

Compound relative pronouns

• Whoever
• whomever
• Whichever
• whatever

Noun clause as subject

Whoever (s) wins (v) the race [gets] the trophy.

Whichever you (s) pick (v) [is] fine with me.

Noun clause as direct objects

I understand [(what) you mean].
The chef demonstrated [(how) to make perfect eggs].

Noun clause examples: Indirect object

The judge (s)
gave （v）
(whoever) witnessed the crime(indirect object)
a chance to speak (direct object).

She(s)
will send (v)
(whoever) RSVPs (indirect object)
a reminder email (direct object).

Direct Object: a reminder email
Indirect Object: whoever RSVPs (the noun clause)

The teacher (s)
promised (v)
whoever passed the test (indirect object)
a reward (direct object).

Noun clause examples: Prepositional object

Nouns act as objects to prepositions like on, about, or for. Together the preposition and its object form a prepositional phrase.

on is a preposition. What comes after is the prepositional object.

Our suspect depends [on] who (s) owns (v) the murder weapon.

about is a preposition. What comes after is the prepositional object.

The people want to hear [about] why you’re (s) running (v) for congress.

Noun clause examples: Predicate nominative (subject complement)

Predicate nominatives are nouns that follow linking verbs like be or seem. Instead of describing an action like other verbs, linking verbs describe the subject—the action is simply existing.

His reason [was] that his cat (s) got (v) sick.

Keep in mind the relative pronoun that is often optional and can be removed from a sentence. In the next example, it is still assumed but not stated.

His reason for being late [was] his cat (s) got (v) sick.

Definition of “Clause”:

A clause has a subject and a verb and functions as one part of speech.

A noun clause functions as a noun in a sentence.

Example 1:

Subj (noun clause) = [Whatever] you wish
linking verb = is
Object = my command

Our subj is a clause (has subj and verb)

Clause = Whatever you (subj) wish (verb)

Example 2:

subj = I
verb = know
Object (noun clause) = [where] the treasure is

Clause = Where the treasure (subj) is (verb)

The Function of Noun Clauses

Like any noun, a noun clause can be a subject, an object, or a complement.

Whoever smelt it dealt it.
Here, the noun clause is a subject.

noun clause – Whoever (subj) smelt (verb) it

My command is whatever you wish.
Here, the noun clause is a subject complement.

noun clause = Whatever you (subj) wish (verb).

I will give what you said (indirect obj) some thought (direct obj).
Here, the noun clause is an indirect object. That’s pretty rare.

noun clause = what you (subj) said (verb)

In a sentence, a noun clause will be a dependent clause.

example:

My father(s) asks(v) the child (indirect obj) [(what) he wants for dinner] (direct obj).
This noun clause is the direct object of “ask.”

noun clause = what he (subj) wants (verb) for dinner (obj).

example:

He knows all about art, but he doesn’t know [(what) he likes].
This noun clause is the direct object of “know.”

noun clause = what he (subj) likes (verb).

example:

It is even harder for the average ape [to believe (that) he has descended from man].
This noun clause is the direct object of “believe.”

• infinitive phrase = to believe that he has descended from man.
• infinitive phrase’s object = that he has descended from man // noun clause
• noun clause = that he (subj) has (helping verb) descended (verb) from man.

example:

Man is what he eats.

This noun clause is a subject complement.

noun clause = what he (subj) eats (verb).

example:

My one regret in life is that I am not someone else.
This noun clause is a subject complement.

noun clause = that I (subj) am (verb) not someone else

Additional Examples

that

• I know [that it happened].
• We know [that I don’t have money.]
• I know [that we’re poor].
• This is the mail [that arrived this morning].
• [That he finished the marathon] is an amazing accomplishment.
• [That he arrived late] surprised everyone.

who

• [Who you choose as your partner] is a very important decision.
• [Whoever said that money can’t buy happiness] was wrong.
• My brother, [who became sick], wanted to come over. (non-restrictive, extra info)

whom vs who

As relative (adjective)

• As relative (adjective) clause because it describes the woman:
  1) [The woman ___________ won the competition] is very talented.
  2) [She] won the competition.
  3) The woman who won the competition is very talented.
• As relative (adjective) clause because it describes the applicant:
  1) The applicant, with ___________ we were very impressed, had an excellent portfolio.
  2) We were very impressed with [him].
  3) The applicant, with whom we were very impressed, had an excellent portfolio.
• As relative (adjective) clause because it describes the plumber:
  1) The plumber, [___________ you said was coming this morning], didn’t show up.
  2) You said [he] was coming this morning.
  3) The plumber, who you said was coming this morning, didn’t show up.
• As relative (adjective) clause because it describes ‘She’:
  1) She is someone [__________ you can trust].
  2) You can trust him/her.
  3) She is someone whom you can trust.
• As relative (adjective) clause because it describes the managers:
  1) [The response of the managers ________ I have consulted] has been great.
  2) I have consulted with [the managers].
  3) The response of the managers whom I have consulted has been great.

‘whom’ used as part of the noun clause

• I know [whom to ask for help].
  (Noun clause as object of the verb “know”)

  I ask (him) for help. ==> whom

• She couldn’t decide [whom to invite to the party].
  (Noun clause as object of the verb “decide”)

  She invites (him) to the part ==> whom

• The prize will be given to [whom the judges choose]. (Noun clause as object of the preposition “to”)
• He was curious about [whom she had spoken to on the phone]. (Noun clause as object of the preposition “about”)
• They were debating [whom to nominate for the award]. (Noun clause as object of the verb “debating”)

Whose – possession

(‘whose’ used in noun clause at the subject position)
[Whose responsibility it was] remains a mystery.

(‘whose’ used in noun clause at the subject position)
[Whose artwork will be chosen for the exhibition] will be announced tomorrow.

(Used as Adjective ‘Relative’ Clauses to modify the student)
The teacher (s)
praised (v)
[the student whose essay demonstrated original thought].

(Used as Adjective ‘Relative’ Clauses to modify the town)
We (s)
visited (v)
[the town whose history dates back to the 16th century].

(Used as Adjective ‘Relative’ Clauses to modify the witness)
The detective
questioned
[the witness whose testimony seemed unreliable].

Daniel’s
My explanation
Correction

Three Little Pigs

The three little pig lives in the forest, but

three means plural, we must use pigs, not pig.
since pigs is plural, we use standard form for ‘live’.

The three little pig(s) live in the forest.
subj = three little pigs
verb = live
obj = forest.

their mom kicks them out, so they need to build houses.

Their mom kicks them out, so they need to build their own houses.
Subj = their mom
verb = kick
object = them

subj = they
verb = need
object = to build
object complement = own houses.

The youngest pig builds a house with grasses.

Grass is an uncountable noun, so we just use ‘grass’.

The youngest pig builds a house with grass.

Subj = youngest pig
verb = build
object = house

The middle pig builds a house with sticks. √

The oldest pig builds a house with bricks. √

The wolf arrives in front of the youngest pig’s house, and sneezes.

We arrive ‘at’ starbucks.
I will meet you ‘at’ the park.

We use ‘at’ to describe meeting or arriving at some place:

The wolf arrives at the youngest pig’s house
Subj = the wolf
verb = arrives
obj = youngest pig’s house

Why did it sneeze? Try to connect the storyline with more details.

The wolf sneezes.

The house collapse, so

Please be more descriptive. Use more adjectives.
Remember 3rd singular, verb + s.

The grass house collapses.

Subj = the grass house
verb = collapses

the pig runs to the middle house.

Remember to capitalize the first letter of every first word in a sentence.
Also, use better vocabulary. runs –> escapes

The youngest pig escapes to the middle pig’s house.

The wolf follows the pig, and
comes to the middle house

The wolf follows the pig to the second house.

This is an example of a direct/indirect object.
subject = wolf
verb = follows
direct object = pig
indirect object = second house

The wolf sneezed, and the house collapses.

Remember to keep it present simple. Be more descriptive with adjectives.

The wolf sneezes, and the stick house collapses.

The wolf follows the pigs again, and
comes to the oldest house.

The wolf follows the pigs again.
They arrive at the brick house

The wolf sneezed, but the house did not collapse.

Everything in present tense please.
Remember to keep it present simple. And be more descriptive about nouns. ex: use ‘brick’ in front of house.

The wolf sneezes, but the brick house does not collapse.

The wolf gives up and leaves. √

Just focus on the following two things to find out the difference between a gerund and a present participle:

If an ‘ing‘ form of a verb (V1+ing) acts as a noun, call it a gerund.

If an ‘ing‘ form of a verb (V1+ing) acts as a verb or an adjective, call it a present participle.

A group of people goes to the beach.

They see a massive, gorgeous tree.

They want to climb the tree.

They climb on the tree.

One person hits the other people with a leaf.

Other people are furious.

They hit him and throw him down the tree.

He is dull.

He sits down under the tree.

He write a story about what things can people do when they are bored.

After he finish, he hides the book behind the tree.

The people on the tree climb down.

They find the book.

They bring the book to him.

He ask(s) them how did they know [he wrote this book]?

They said his name was written on the cover.

They put the book near him.

He quickly get the book and throws it away.

The book hits a cat.

The cat’s cry is deafening.

They give the cat a fish.

The cat take the fish away.

The cat brings a group of cats.

They also want some fish.

But the people are very destitute.

They only have one fish.

Someone said he has an idea.

His idea is [that] they go into the sea and catch fish for the cats.

Everybody says he is innovative, and then throws him into the sea.

grant (v) 授予

I grant him to get food.
We always say {grant sb. something}.
You can use {grant sb. permission to do something}.
I grant him permission to get some food.

They grant me to buy snack.
{Snack} is a countable noun. Use plural form here.
They grant me permission to buy extra snacks.

He grant me to help other people.
{He} is the third person singular, so add an -s at the end of the verb.
He grants me permission to help other people.

{Grant} is always used for some noble things.
The genie granted me my wishes.
I grant you permission to marry my daughter.

Present Tense

0:00 The Rabbit and the Turtle

0:05 – A turtle (subj) lives (verb) in a [huge (adj) forest (noun)] (obj).

0:09 – His name (subj) is (linking verb) [Ted (obj)] (obj).

0:012 – Ted (subj) has (verb) [a small head (noun) and a long neck (noun)] (obj).

0:18 – [A big heavy shell] (subj) sits (verb) on his back (obj).

0:23 – The shell (subj) has (verb) square patterns (obj).
0:26 – He (subj) supports (verb) all that weight (obj) on four short legs.
0:31 – His green skin shines healthily under the bright sunlight.
0:37 – He has eaten bugs since he was a young turtle.

0:43 – Ted’s best friend Randi lives in the same forest.
0:47 – Randi is a cute rabbit with long ears.
0:52 – She has thick white fur, and a fluffy round tail.
0:58 – Her big bright eyes blink adorably.
1:02 – Randi has eaten carrots since she was born.
1:07 – The carrots give her energy to run fast.

1:13 – Randi is brash. She thinks she is the fastest.
1:19 – So she dares Ted to a race. Ted accepts.

1:25 – All the animals gather to watch the race.
1:29 – The race starts.
1:33 0 Randi sprints ahead.
1:35 – Ted slowly crawls forward.
1:38 – Time passes.
1:41 – Randi has ran a long distance.
1:44 – She does not see Ted, so she decides to take a nap.

1:51 – While Randi is sleeping, Ted catches up to her.
1:56 – Soon, he passes the finish line.
2:00 – The other animals cheer loudly.
2:04 – This wakes Randi.
2:07 – She jumps up and sprints to the finish line.
2:10 – She sees Ted celebrating. Randi loses the race and becomes humbled.
2:19 – She learns that slow and steady wins the race.