English Syntax and Grammar
Syntax is the study of the rules that govern the ways in which words combine and assemble to form phrases, clauses, and meaningful grammatical sentences. Syntax is one of the major components of grammar.
•Study of structure of language
•Refers to the way words are arranged together, and the relationship between them.
•Relate surface form (what we perceive when someone says something) to semantics (what that utterance means).
Example: Students protested vehemently.
Each of the three words in the sentence belongs to a specific grammatical category (students being a plural noun, protested a past tense verb, and vehemently an adverb) and that each serves a specific grammatical function (protested being a predicate, students being its sole argument and functioning as the subject of protested, and yesterday being an adjunct – i.e. an expression which provides additional information about the time, place or manner of an event).
Each of the three words in the sentence belongs to a specific grammatical category (students being a plural noun, protested a past tense verb, and vehemently an adverb) and that each serves a specific grammatical function (protested being a predicate, students being its sole argument and functioning as the subject of protested, and yesterday being an adjunct – i.e. an expression which provides additional information about the time, place or manner of an event).
Examples of Part of Speech
Verb He is ill. She left early. We want to help.
Noun The dog barked. Sue won easily. I love you.
Adjective He's very young. I've got a sore knee. It looks easy.
Adverb She spoke clearly. You're extremely fit. He works very hard
Determinative The dog barked. I've got a sore knee. We need some milk.
Preposition He's in the garden. It's from your uncle. We went to Paris.
Coordinator We saw Kim and Pat. Hurry or we'll be late. It's cheap but good.
Subordinator I know that it's true. Ask whether it's true. I wonder if it's true.
Examples of Phrases
Verb phrase She [wrote some letters].
Noun phrase [The new lodger] is here.
Adjective phrase It's getting [rather late].
Adverb phrase I spoke [too soon].
Determinative phrase I saw [almost every] card.
Preposition phrase They're [in the garden].
Verb He is ill. She left early. We want to help.
Noun The dog barked. Sue won easily. I love you.
Adjective He's very young. I've got a sore knee. It looks easy.
Adverb She spoke clearly. You're extremely fit. He works very hard
Determinative The dog barked. I've got a sore knee. We need some milk.
Preposition He's in the garden. It's from your uncle. We went to Paris.
Coordinator We saw Kim and Pat. Hurry or we'll be late. It's cheap but good.
Subordinator I know that it's true. Ask whether it's true. I wonder if it's true.
Examples of Phrases
Verb phrase She [wrote some letters].
Noun phrase [The new lodger] is here.
Adjective phrase It's getting [rather late].
Adverb phrase I spoke [too soon].
Determinative phrase I saw [almost every] card.
Preposition phrase They're [in the garden].
English Prepositions List
There are about 150 prepositions in English. Yet this is a very small number when you think of the thousands of other words (nouns, verbs etc). Prepositions are important words. We use individual prepositions more frequently than other individual words. In fact, the prepositions of, to and in are among the ten most frequent words in English. Here is a short list of the more common prepositions. Many of these prepositions have more than one meaning. Please refer to a dictionary for precise meaning and usage.
Prepositions list
English prepositions are a problem for ELLs because different languages use different prepositions to express the same ideas. It will help your students if you do not teach too many prepositions at one time. Also, it will help if you are sure to put the prepositions in context (in a situation where the use is natural).
There are about 150 prepositions in English. Yet this is a very small number when you think of the thousands of other words (nouns, verbs etc). Prepositions are important words. We use individual prepositions more frequently than other individual words. In fact, the prepositions of, to and in are among the ten most frequent words in English. Here is a short list of the more common prepositions. Many of these prepositions have more than one meaning. Please refer to a dictionary for precise meaning and usage.
Prepositions list
English prepositions are a problem for ELLs because different languages use different prepositions to express the same ideas. It will help your students if you do not teach too many prepositions at one time. Also, it will help if you are sure to put the prepositions in context (in a situation where the use is natural).
Syntax and ELLs:
«When we teach ELLs, they need explicit instruction of grammar and syntax of the English language.
«It is true that syntax can take some time to master, but, once the students understand its principles and can apply it without too much effort, then it really is worth the effort, since it will greatly improve their English.
«Explicit teaching of grammar is more formal, focusing on written language studies, while implicit teaching of grammar is more informal and practiced in social situations through conversation. Either approach is important to evaluate and use when teaching ESL students, also taking into account how each ESL student is going to learn differently. Once a teacher decides the best way to teach an ESL student, the way to appropriate assess an ESL student also needs to be decided. Appropriate assessment of speaking skills will tell a teacher whether the lesson has been effective and if any other supports are needed for an ESL student to succeed.
«Grammar should be taught in context of student writing, during the editing stage. Instruction applies directly to student writing. Students should have many opportunities for meaningful writing. Mini lessons on grammar should be given, such as subject-verb agreement, using examples from student papers. As students acquire English, they naturally acquire the syntactic structure of sentences.
Grammar rants is recommended strategy to teach grammar.
Here is quick Guide to English Grammar;
And Grammar Lessons
«When we teach ELLs, they need explicit instruction of grammar and syntax of the English language.
«It is true that syntax can take some time to master, but, once the students understand its principles and can apply it without too much effort, then it really is worth the effort, since it will greatly improve their English.
«Explicit teaching of grammar is more formal, focusing on written language studies, while implicit teaching of grammar is more informal and practiced in social situations through conversation. Either approach is important to evaluate and use when teaching ESL students, also taking into account how each ESL student is going to learn differently. Once a teacher decides the best way to teach an ESL student, the way to appropriate assess an ESL student also needs to be decided. Appropriate assessment of speaking skills will tell a teacher whether the lesson has been effective and if any other supports are needed for an ESL student to succeed.
«Grammar should be taught in context of student writing, during the editing stage. Instruction applies directly to student writing. Students should have many opportunities for meaningful writing. Mini lessons on grammar should be given, such as subject-verb agreement, using examples from student papers. As students acquire English, they naturally acquire the syntactic structure of sentences.
Grammar rants is recommended strategy to teach grammar.
Here is quick Guide to English Grammar;
And Grammar Lessons