1. Grammar

Question 1

What is grammar?

Answer 1

Grammar refers to how we combine, organise and change parts of words, words and groups of words to make meaning. We also use it, particularly as teachers, to describe language. We do this by referring to its forms and its uses.

Question 2

What are grammatical forms?

Answer 2

Grammatical forms refer to how words are made up and presented in speech or writing.

Question 3

Give two examples of grammatical forms.

Answer 3

1. The form of the plural of regular nouns is ‘base word + s’.
2. The form of the gerund is ‘infinitive + ing’.

Question 4

What are the nine parts of speech in English?

Answer 4

1. Nouns.
2. Verbs.
3. Adjectives.
4. Adverbs.
5. Determiners.
6. Prepositions.
7. Pronouns.
8. Conjunctions.
9. Exclamations.

Question 5

What are the functions of nouns?

Answer 5

• To name people, places, things, qualities, ideas or activities.
• To act as the subject/object of the verb.

Question 6

What is the function of verbes?

Answer 6

To show an action, state or experience.

Question 7

What is the function of adjectives?

Answer 7

To describe or give informations about a noun, a pronoun or a part of a sentence.

Question 8

What is the function of adverbs?

Answer 8

To say more about how, where, when, etc.

Question 9

What is the function of determiners?

Answer 9

To make clear which noun is referred to.

Question 10

What is the function of prepositions?

Answer 10

To show the relationship between a noun, a noun phrase or a pronoun to another word or phrase.

Question 11

What is the function of pronouns?

Answer 11

To replace or refer to a noun or noun phrase mentioned earlier.

Question 12

What is the function of conjunctions?

Answer 12

To join words, sentences or parts of sentences.

Question 13

What is the function of exclamations?

Answer 13

To show a (strong) feeling.

Question 14

What is a grammatical structure?

Answer 14

Arrangements of words into patterns that have meaning.

Question 15

What is the structure of the Past Continous/Progressive?

Answer 15

subject + past tense of verbe to be + -ing form of verbe

e.g. He was running.

Question 16

What is the structure of the Passive Voice?

Answer 16

subject + to be + past participle (+ by + agent)

e.g. The road was built (by the company).

Question 17

What is the structure of the Comparative of ‘long’ adjective?

Answer 17

more + long adjective (+ than)

e.g. He was more embarrased than his friend.

Question 18

What is the structure of a Prepositional Phrase?

Answer 18

preposition + (article/determiner/…) + noun

e.g. for an hour.

Question 19

What are grammatical uses? Give an example

Answer 19

Grammatical uses refer to how grammatical structures are used to convey meaning.

Example:

She is doing her homework.

Question 20

What are some uses of the structure Present Perfect?

Answer 20

a) To describe past actions that have some connection to the present.
e. g. I’ve seen that film.
b) To describe an event or situation which is part of one’s life experience.

e .g. I have visited most of the countries in Europe.

c) To describe a temporary state or action that started in the past and still continues.
e. g. We’ve been staying in university accomodation all summer.

Question 21

Are grammar books always up-to-date?

Answer 21

No. Grammar rules describe the way that language works, but language changes over time, so grammar rules are not fixed. Teachers need to keep up-to-date with these changes.

Question 22

How teachers can teach grammar?

Answer 22

1. Making students aware of structures and practising them.
2. Teaching students somme rules and somme grammatical terms.

Question 23

It is important that exercices and activities focus on what?

Answer 23

On form and use to give students practice on both.