Spelling Lists for Semester 2 Week 3

Tip of the Week - 'Mother' or 'mother'?

Flowers for mummies

I received a query from a parent. She asked if we should write 'mother' as 'Mother' or 'mother'.


Remember what I said about Proper Nouns previously? The same rule applies. If we use the word as a Proper Noun, then it should be 'Mother'. However, if we use it as a Common Noun, we should write the word as 'mother'. So I guess the critical question is then how to tell when we are using the word as a Proper Noun or otherwise.


The key to that is the use of pronouns (my, your, his, her, our, their, etc.) or possessive forms of nouns (Peter's, Ahmad's, etc.) directly before the word. If we use pronouns or other possessive forms of nouns before the word, then it is a Common Noun and should not begin with a capital letter.


But if there are no pronouns or possessive forms of nouns in front of the word, then the word is a Proper Noun and should begin with a capital letter.


Examples of 'mother' being used as a Common Noun:

• My mother is not going to the market tomorrow. (pronoun in front)
• The woman standing next to the principal is Peter's mother. (possessive noun in front)
• Nurin and Surin did not dare to defy their mother. (pronoun in front)

Examples of 'mother' being used as a Proper Noun:

• I greeted Mother when I entered the house.
• Alice rushed to Mother with the umbrella.
• John answered Mother's questions curtly.

~.      ~.      ~.

Advanced Composition

1. monotonous
2. incongruous sight
3. complacency
4. The distant rumbling of the approaching train roused me from my reverie.
5. The MRT staff urged the commuters to evacuate the station in an orderly manner.
6. Suppressing their fear, the commuters nervously co-operated with the authorities and left the station quietly and quickly.
7. bomb disposal squad
8. imperative

You have seen armed security personnel like this gentleman
at MRT stations before, haven't you?

Intermediate Composition

1. Suddenly, a shrill scream pierced the air.
2. wooden chest
3. jewellery
4. thief
5. in a dilemma
6. The tears rolled down Grandmother's wrinkled cheeks desolately.
7. sentimental value
8. lo and behold

The mystery:
What happened to Grandmother's jewellery?