Grammatical change

Question 1

Neatening

Answer 1

over time, irregularities in the language gradually get ironed out. i.e in old English there were many ways of forming a plural - eagen = eyes

Question 2

Neatening of verbs

Answer 2

the structures of many irregular/strong verbs were altered by analogy to make them the same as regular ones i.e to reap = reaped

Question 3

450 - 1150

Answer 3

inflectional grammar and double negatives are acceptable

Question 4

1150 - 1500

Answer 4

-eth/est endings - 2nd/3rd person singular forms.

new verb constructions - modals & auxiliaries

Question 5

1500 - 1700

Answer 5

beginnings of standardised grammar

Question 6

1700 - 1900

Answer 6

‘rules of grammar’ - avoid double negatives, never split infinitives ‘to boldly go’

Question 7

1900 - 2000s

Answer 7

text messaging - elipsis, elision

Question 8

Robert Lowth - Short Introduction to English Grammar 1762

Answer 8

a prescriptivist, Lowth grounded his grammar guide in Latin, and logic was clearly important in the identification of grammatical rules

Question 9

Lowth’s rules

Answer 9

1. the pronoun ‘tho’ should no longer be used
2. there should be a differentiation among ‘who, which,that’
3. the infinitive verb shouldn’t be split
4. multiple negation is illogical

Question 10

Steven Pinker:

Answer 10

‘forcing modern speakers of English… not to split an infinitive because it isn’t done in Latin makes about as much sense as forcing modern residents of England to wear laurels and togas’

Question 11

In the 13th century

Answer 11

thou/thee was linked to those of a lower status, or to express intimacy
ye/you was used as a marker of respect and courtesy