English III - Grammar Review

PART I:Categories of WordsEnglishGrammar ReviewWhat is grammar?a: the study of the classes of words, their inflections, and their functions and relations in the sentence b: a study of what is to be preferred and what avoided in inflection and syntax

Part IThe Parts of Speech8 Parts of Speechthe verbthe nounthe pronounthe adjectivethe adverbthe prepositionthe conjunctionthe interjectionVerbsAction verbs

Transitive / Intransitive

Linking (state-of-being)

Verb Phrases: Main verb + auxiliary / helping verbs

Number (plural or singular subject)Tense (time)Voice (active or passive)Mood

NounsProper / Common

Abstract / Concrete

Collective

Compound

The Ladder of Abstraction

The PronounPersonal (I, me, you, etc.)

Relative (that, which, who, whom, whose)

Interrogative (who, whose, what, whom)

Demonstrative (this, that, these, those)

Indefinite (anybody, anyone, someone, such)

Reflexive / Intensive (myself, yourself)AdjectivesComparative /superlative

Describes a noun or pronoun.What kindWhich oneHow many

Articles technically count as adjectives (!).

n.b. Words used as nouns can be turned into adjectives.She goes to SCA.Shes an SCA girl.

AdverbUsed to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb

Comparative / superlative

Answers:How? Quickly happilyWhen? Now earlyWhere? Around .... Here thereTo what extent? Almost very Prepositionsrelates nouns and pronouns to other words in the sentence.

Tons of these!

Dont forget there can be compound prepositions:According to / Along with /Because of / by means of / ETC.ConjunctionsCoordinatingand / but / for / nor / or / so / yet

CorrelativeBoth and / either or / etc.

SubordinatingAfter / although / as / because / since / unless / until etc.InterjectionsWow!

Calooh! Callay!

O!Part 2The Verb Revisited!VERBS AGAINTense

Voice

Mood

Verbs: TENSESIMPLE

PastPresentFuture

I studied last night.I study at SCA.I will study tomorrow.

Verbs: TENSEIMPERFECT / CONTINUOUSis / was / will be INGfor [span of time]

Past imp / contI was studying while the tea boiled.Present imp / contGo away! I m studying!Future imp / contI will be studying tomorrow in the park.

Verbs: TENSEPERFECTHave / had / will have ***-edby [deadline]

Verbs: TENSEPERFECT CONTINUOUS

Have been / had been / will have been ****ingfor [span of time] by [deadline]

Verbs: Active & Passive VOICEActive: My mom baked the cake.Passive:The cake was baked by my mom.

Active:We took the test.Passive:The test was taken by us.

Active:I made a mistake.Passive:A mistake was made.

Why knowing about VOICE matters:It is often more clear and graceful to write in the active voice.The passive voice is the default mode of science. An experiment was performed (vs. A team of grouchy, underpaid graduate students performed the experiment.)Do not confused VOICE with TENSE.An experiment was performed. Passive, pastAn experiment had been performed Passive, past perfThe performed the experiment. Active, pastThey were performing the experiment. Active, past impVerbs: MOODThe form a verb takes to indicate the attitude of the person using the verb.

Indicative fact / opinion / question Imperative direct command / requestSubjunctive suggestion / necessity / condition contrary to fact / wishPresent suggestion / necessityPast wish / condition contrary to fact

Passive voice, future continuous perfect, subjunctive mood.

Can you do it???

passive voice, future continuous perfect tense, subjunctive mood.If you were to show up at 5:00, the game would have been being played for a full hour by then.

Number: subject and verb need to agree in number (plural vs. singular)He walks.They walk.

It talks.They talk.

The man loves spaghetti.The family loves spaghetti.The people love spaghetti.Person: 1st / 2nd / 3rd1st person: I / me / we

2nd person: you

3rd person: he / she / it / they

Avoid the 2nd personin formal and academic contexts!!!It makes you feel annoyed!()

Grammar describes the machinery of the sentence, but doesnt teach us how to make the sentence go anywhere or do anything.