1. Grammar Flashcards
What is grammar?
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.
What are grammatical forms?
Grammatical forms refer to how words are made up and presented in speech or writing.
Give two examples of grammatical forms.
- The form of the plural of regular nouns is ‘base word + s’.
- The form of the gerund is ‘infinitive + ing’.
What are the nine parts of speech in English?
- Nouns.
- Verbs.
- Adjectives.
- Adverbs.
- Determiners.
- Prepositions.
- Pronouns.
- Conjunctions.
- Exclamations.
What are the functions of nouns?
- To name people, places, things, qualities, ideas or activities.
- To act as the subject/object of the verb.
What is the function of verbes?
To show an action, state or experience.
What is the function of adjectives?
To describe or give informations about a noun, a pronoun or a part of a sentence.
What is the function of adverbs?
To say more about how, where, when, etc.
What is the function of determiners?
To make clear which noun is referred to.
What is the function of prepositions?
To show the relationship between a noun, a noun phrase or a pronoun to another word or phrase.
What is the function of pronouns?
To replace or refer to a noun or noun phrase mentioned earlier.
What is the function of conjunctions?
To join words, sentences or parts of sentences.
What is the function of exclamations?
To show a (strong) feeling.
What is a grammatical structure?
Arrangements of words into patterns that have meaning.
What is the structure of the Past Continous/Progressive?
subject + past tense of verbe to be + -ing form of verbe
e.g. He was running.
What is the structure of the Passive Voice?
subject + to be + past participle (+ by + agent)
e.g. The road was built (by the company).
What is the structure of the Comparative of ‘long’ adjective?
more + long adjective (+ than)
e.g. He was more embarrased than his friend.
What is the structure of a Prepositional Phrase?
preposition + (article/determiner/…) + noun
e.g. for an hour.
What are grammatical uses? Give an example
Grammatical uses refer to how grammatical structures are used to convey meaning.
Example:
She is doing her homework.
What are some uses of the structure Present Perfect?
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.
Are grammar books always up-to-date?
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.
How teachers can teach grammar?
- Making students aware of structures and practising them.
- Teaching students somme rules and somme grammatical terms.
It is important that exercices and activities focus on what?
On form and use to give students practice on both.
