This module develops candidates’ command of English to ensure effective communication, comprehension, and accurate report writing. In the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), officers must write clear incident reports, understand instructions, interpret safety manuals, and communicate efficiently during emergencies. Therefore, mastery of grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension is essential.

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UNIT 1: PARTS OF SPEECH

Definition

Parts of speech are categories of words based on their function in a sentence.

The Eight Main Parts of Speech

Part of Speech	Definition	Examples	Example in Sentence
Noun	Name of person, place, thing, or idea	fire, officer, Accra, courage	The officer reported the fire.
Pronoun	Replaces a noun	he, she, it, they	She responded quickly.
Verb	Shows action or state of being	run, burn, is, were	The building is safe.
Adjective	Describes a noun	big, red, dangerous	The dangerous fire spread rapidly.
Adverb	Describes verb, adjective, or adverb	quickly, very, well	He acted quickly.
Preposition	Shows relationship	in, on, at, under	The hose is under the truck.
Conjunction	Joins words or clauses	and, but, because	He arrived early and prepared.
Interjection	Expresses emotion	Oh!, Wow!	Oh! The fire is spreading!

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Types of Nouns

Type	Explanation	Example
Common	General name	city, officer
Proper	Specific name (capitalized)	Ghana, GNFS
Concrete	Can be seen/touched	smoke, ladder
Abstract	Cannot be touched	bravery, discipline
Collective	Group name	team, crew

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Types of Verbs

1. Action Verbs – show physical/mental action
   Example: The firefighter rescued the child.

2. Linking Verbs – connect subject to complement
   Example: The building is stable.

3. Auxiliary (Helping) Verbs – assist main verb
   Example: They have completed the task.

Common Helping Verbs:
am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being, have, has, had, do, does, did, will, shall, may, might, must, can, could

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UNIT 2: SENTENCE STRUCTURE AND TYPES

Definition

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.

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Basic Sentence Formula

Subject + Verb + Object/Complement

Example:
Firefighters extinguished the fire.

Subject = Firefighters
Verb = extinguished
Object = the fire

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Types of Sentences by Structure

Type	Formula	Example
Simple	1 Independent Clause	The officer arrived.
Compound	IC + conjunction + IC	The alarm rang, and the team responded.
Complex	IC + DC	The team responded when the alarm rang.
Compound-Complex	IC + IC + DC	The team responded, and they worked until the fire was out.

IC = Independent Clause
DC = Dependent Clause

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Types of Sentences by Function

Type	Purpose	Example
Declarative	Makes statement	The fire is under control.
Interrogative	Asks question	Is the fire contained?
Imperative	Gives command	Evacuate the building.
Exclamatory	Shows emotion	What a dangerous situation!

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UNIT 3: SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT

Rule:

A singular subject takes a singular verb.
A plural subject takes a plural verb.

Formula:

Singular Subject + Singular Verb
Plural Subject + Plural Verb

Example:
The officer runs.
The officers run.

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Special Rules

1. With “and”

John and Peter are firefighters.

2. With “or / nor”

The officer or the firefighters are ready.
The firefighters or the officer is ready.

(Verb agrees with nearest subject.)

3. Indefinite Pronouns (Always Singular)

everyone, someone, anybody, nobody, each, either, neither

Example:
Everyone is present.

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UNIT 4: TENSES AND CORRECT USAGE

Tense shows time of action.

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Tense Formula Table

Tense	Formula	Example
Present Simple	Subject + base verb (s/es)	He responds quickly.
Present Continuous	am/is/are + verb-ing	They are responding.
Past Simple	Verb + ed / irregular	They responded.
Past Continuous	was/were + verb-ing	They were responding.
Present Perfect	have/has + past participle	They have responded.
Future Simple	will + base verb	They will respond.

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Tense Timeline Concept

Past ——– Present ——– Future

Correct tense must match time reference.

Incorrect:
Yesterday, he responds.

Correct:
Yesterday, he responded.

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UNIT 5: VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT

Meaning

Vocabulary refers to the words a person knows and uses.

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Methods of Building Vocabulary

1. Context clues

2. Word formation (prefix, root, suffix)

3. Reading widely

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Word Formation Table

Prefix	Meaning	Example
un-	not	unsafe
re-	again	rebuild
dis-	not/opposite	disconnect

 

Suffix	Meaning	Example
-er	person	firefighter
-tion	action	prevention
-ment	result	development

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UNIT 6: SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS

Synonym

A word with similar meaning.

Example:
Brave = courageous
Rapid = quick

Antonym

A word with opposite meaning.

Example:
Safe ≠ dangerous
Increase ≠ decrease

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Exam Strategy:

Replace the word in sentence and check if meaning remains correct.

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UNIT 7: READING COMPREHENSION TECHNIQUES

Definition

Reading comprehension tests ability to understand and interpret written text.

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Steps for Effective Comprehension

1. Skim passage (get general idea)

2. Identify main idea

3. Underline keywords

4. Read questions carefully

5. Return to passage for evidence

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Types of Questions

Type	What It Tests
Main Idea	Central theme
Detail	Specific facts
Inference	Reading between lines
Vocabulary	Meaning in context

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Main Idea Formula

Main Idea = Topic + What the writer says about the topic

Example:
Topic: Fire safety
Main Idea: Fire safety requires proper equipment and awareness.

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UNIT 8: MEANING IN CONTEXT

Words may change meaning depending on sentence.

Example:
The fire spread rapidly. (quickly)
He spread the mat. (laid out)

Strategy:

1. Read entire sentence.

2. Replace word with possible meaning.

3. Choose meaning that fits logically.

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UNIT 9: COMMON ERRORS AND CORRECTIONS

1. Tense Errors

Incorrect: He go yesterday.
Correct: He went yesterday.

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2. Subject-Verb Errors

Incorrect: The officers responds quickly.
Correct: The officers respond quickly.

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3. Double Negatives

Incorrect: I don’t know nothing.
Correct: I don’t know anything.

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4. Misuse of Prepositions

Incorrect: He arrived to Accra.
Correct: He arrived in Accra.

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5. Confused Words

Incorrect Use	Correct Use
Their coming	They’re coming
Its raining	It’s raining
Your late	You’re late

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