Introduction to Grammar Marsha Ann Tate Ph D

Introduction to Grammar Marsha Ann Tate, Ph. D. Last updated 13 October 2020

The building blocks of language Topics to be Covered What is grammar and why is it important? Sentences and paragraphs The eight traditional parts of speech

Grammar • “The system and structure of a language” (www. plainenglish. co. uk) • “The rules of grammar help us decide the order we put words and which form of a word to use” (www. plainenglish. co. uk)

Sentence • “A sentence expresses a complete thought” • A simple sentence includes two parts: 1. The subject—the person, place, or ting spoken of, spoken to, or speaking • The subject is always a noun or a pronoun 2. The verb—tells what the subject does or is or what happens to it.

Kinds of Sentences • Declarative • Makes a statement • Ends with a period Joe is going to English class this afternoon. • Interrogative • Asks a question • Ends with a question mark Are you doing anything this afternoon?

Kinds of Sentences • Exclamatory • Expresses surprise, disbelief, or deep feeling • Ends with an exclamation point That was a fantastic ride! • Imperative • Gives a command or requests someone to do something. • Usually ends with a period, but a “strong command” may end with an exclamation point Please don’t pick the sunflowers in the field.

Paragraph • “[C]ollection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. ” • Basic Rule of Writing: “Keep one idea to one paragraph” (Purdue Online Writing Lab).

Parts of Speech: IVAN CAPP

Parts of Speech: IVAN CAPP • Interjection • Word or words used to express strong and sudden feeling— surprise, suspense, anger, love, joy, etc. Wow! Ouch! • Verb • A word or words that tell what the subject does or is or what happens to it. • Verbs can make a statement, ask a question, or give a command. Is, Was, Slipped, Jumped, Sighed

Parts of Speech: IVAN CAPP • Adverb • Word that modifies (describes) a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. • Answers the question when, where, why, how, or to what extent. • Most words ending in ly are adverbs • Exceptions: friendly, lively, lonely, lovely, and ugly (they are adjectives) Slowly, Reluctantly

Parts of Speech: IVAN CAPP • Noun • Names a person, a place, a thing, a concept, a quality, or an activity Dog, Altoona, Liberty • Conjunction • Joins words, phrases (groups of words that do not contain a subject and a verb in combination), and clauses (groups of related words containing a subject and a verb) And, But, Not

Parts of Speech: IVAN CAPP • Adjective • Modifies (describe or limits) a noun or pronoun. • It answers the question how many, what kind, or which one. • Articles (a, and the) are considered adjectives • Articles can be definite (the) or indefinite (a, an) Large, Small, Blue, Purple • Pronoun • Word used as a substitute for a noun. It, Their, He, She

Parts of Speech: IVAN CAPP • Preposition • Shows the relationship of a noun or pronoun to some other part of the sentence. Jason ran through the gate and into the house.

• “Basic Grammar – Parts of Speech – Plain English Campaign” www. plainenglish. co. uk, accessed 13 October 2020. References • Purdue Online Writing Lab. “On Paragraphs. ” https: //owl. purdue. edu/owl/general_writing/ academic_writing/paragraphs_and_paragraph ing/index. html (accessed 13 October 2020). • Williams, Karen Schneiter. Basic English Review. 9 th ed. Mason, OH: SOUTHWESTERN Cengage Learning, 2010.