Grammar for Thought
I was once told that with grammar, you either love it or you hate it. I disagree. Grammar is ingrained into our consciousness. It is just a part of our language. Sure, some people love it. Sure, some people hate it. Yet, some people just deal with it or feel indifferent. These are all acceptable. The problem though is that grammar is often misunderstood. A part of grammar is comprised of grammar drills that teach you the proper usage of commas, etc. However, grammar, from a linguistic perspective (linguistics=study of language) is this massive compendium/lexicon of a language. It is both syntactic (structured with words and order) and semantic (filled with meaning).
Why do we have standard grammar? Isn't that kind of ridiculous? You say that Shakespeare makes up words and diction is culturally important, but we rely on rules made by people who tell us what is correct or incorrect? Yes… that's exactly right. The sooner we accept this and move forward, the easier it will be to study grammar. There are problems with anything that is standardized, because there will always be anomalies. What I am asking you to do is understand the entire bell curve of grammar- that includes a large part of Standard English grammar rules.
Why do we have standard grammar? Isn't that kind of ridiculous? You say that Shakespeare makes up words and diction is culturally important, but we rely on rules made by people who tell us what is correct or incorrect? Yes… that's exactly right. The sooner we accept this and move forward, the easier it will be to study grammar. There are problems with anything that is standardized, because there will always be anomalies. What I am asking you to do is understand the entire bell curve of grammar- that includes a large part of Standard English grammar rules.
Cool Fact: English follows a German Structure; but the words are influenced by the Romance Languages (French, Spanish, Italian, etc.) for the most part. anomalies do apply.
The English Language
If grammar is the lexicon of languages, then it is important that we understand that the "English" language is a compilation of many different influences and vernaculars. As you listen to the video, you should take notes on the major influences- events, people, religions, time frames, and such on the English language as we know it today.
grammar_nahs.pptx | |
File Size: | 394 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
SyntaxSyntax in a language is the word order or structure of the language. It deals with how the parts of speech line up in a conversation. When artists play with syntax, they move words around and break from the usual pattern of subject, verb, then object.
Syntactically Correct:
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SemanticsSemantics in a language is the meaning that is assigned to each word or to parts of a word. It deals with our understanding of the word or words. When artists play with semantics, they create seemingly nonsensical words to challenge our interpretations of a literacy.
Semantically Correct:
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Types of Sentences
& Verbal Moods
sentence_types___verbal_moods.pdf | |
File Size: | 111 kb |
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Find Your Favorite
In school, I was always asked what my grammar pet peeves were. I am not going to ask you that question. However, I am going to ask you to find something that you are going to excel in this grammar unit. My favorite grammar-esque element is the Oxford comma. I love the Oxford comma. So, let's start here. The Oxford comma is that last comma that comes before "and" in a sequence of at least three words.
Everyone was bored, including the cat, the unicorn, and the man.
Everyone was bored, including the cat, the unicorn, and the man.
The Parts of Speech
Sentence Sequence: S-v-o
Let's delve into the parts of speech. We all know them… even if we cannot initially label them in a sentence diagraming exercise. They are inherent in our everyday speech. We see them in the text messages we send. We hear them in the grocery store. They pervade our very existence. They are also really easy to learn. English, as a language, is cool in the way that it is divergent from the majority of languages in the world when looking at it syntactically. Most languages follow an S-O-V pattern (subject-object-verb). However, English is like "Hold Up." We are going to go S-V-O (subject-verb-object). Our subject is the noun. Our verb is what is happening or existing. Our object is in relation to the verb. Then, we have all of these other fancy inclusions to vary language. We have the adjectives so that the nouns aren't lonely. We have the adverbs, so the verbs have friends. We have articles… a, an, the (which can make all the difference). We have prepositions (and objects of the preposition). We have connecting conjunctions and interrupting interjections. We have pronouns to play the part of the noun… so that the noun can take a break every now and then. We have the perfect community of members.
1. The Noun (aka subject) is the person, place, or Thing in a sentence.
2. The Verb tells the action, the state, or an occurrence in regards to the Subject.
Types: Linking or Action | Transitive or Intransitive
3. The Object can come in two forms. It is the Mystique of the parts of a sentence. It can be Indirect or direct.
3a. The Direct Obejct is a person or thing that receives the action of the Verb.
Answers: To or for what?
3b. the indirect object is a noun or pronoun that indicates whom or for whom the action of the verb is performed.
Answers: For whom?
4. the Adjective describes the Noun.
Answers the following questions: What kind? Which one? How many?
5. the Adverb describes the Verb.
Answers the following questions: How? When? Where?
6. The Preposition provides additional info. and shows relationships.
7. the Pronoun replaces the Noun in a sentence.
8. an article is a, and, or the.
9. The Gerund is a noun that was once a verb. Unofficial part of speech. Deserves honorable mention.
10. the Conjunction connects things.
11. the Interjection is an exclamation of sorts.
GrammarBytes.com
This website is an amazing resource to reference if you need visual examples to understand a part of speech or a component of grammar. Check it out at: http://www.chompchomp.com.
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Adjective or Adverb?
On the notecard provided, number a list one through six. Now, identify which of the following are adverbs and which of the following are adjectives. Remember an adjective describes a noun and an adverb describes a verb.
(1) Fall will be here soon. (2) I would like to listen to that LP by James Taylor.
(3) It is a sarcastic, Eastern screech owl. (4) I made the dress very carefully. (5) I am going there.
(6) There were several people in the way.
(1) Fall will be here soon. (2) I would like to listen to that LP by James Taylor.
(3) It is a sarcastic, Eastern screech owl. (4) I made the dress very carefully. (5) I am going there.
(6) There were several people in the way.
Direct Versus Indirect
(Objects)
Transitive versus Intransitive
Active versus passive voice
active_versus_passive_voice.pdf | |
File Size: | 65 kb |
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Photo Credits: tumblr.com / Google images public domain