GRAMMAR.
I was once told that with grammar, you either love it or you hate it. I disagree. Grammar is embedded 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: grammar is often misunderstood. A category of the general conceptualization of grammar is comprised of drills that scaffold 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 GERMANIC STRUCTURE (CALLED A LINGUISTIC TYPOLOGY); BUT THE WORDS ARE INFLUENCED BY THE ROMANCE LANGUAGES (LATIN, FRENCH, SPANISH, ITALIAN, ETC.) ANOMALIES DO APPLY.
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PARTS OF SPEECH.
In English courses, instructors will reference both parts of speech and figures of speech. Parts of Speech are the individual roles of words within a sentence (noun, verb, object, ect.). Figures of Speech are literary techniques used within writing. Parts of Speech represent the syntax in a particular language. Figures of Speech represent the semantic component of a given language. Regardless of the difference, they are the foundations of a language and important in a complete understanding of language.
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 its linguistic typology. Most languages follow an S-O-V pattern (subject-object-verb). However, English uses 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. And, while this may seem elementary, you might be surprised by how many people struggle with the parts of speech.
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 its linguistic typology. Most languages follow an S-O-V pattern (subject-object-verb). However, English uses 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. And, while this may seem elementary, you might be surprised by how many people struggle with the parts of speech.
HERE THEY ARE:
1. THE NOUN (AKA SUBJECT) IS THE PERSON, PLACE, OR THING IN A SENTENCE.
2. THE VERB TELLS THE ACTION, STATE, OR OCCURRENCE IN REGARD TO THE SUBJECT.
Type: Linking (Intransitive) or Action (Transitive)
3. THE OBJECT CAN COME IN THREE FORMS. IT IS THE MYSTIQUE OF THE PARTS OF A SENTENCE.
Type: Direct or Indirect or Object of the Preposition
3A. THE DIRECT OBJECT (DO) IS A PERSON OR THING THAT RECEIVES THE ACTION OF THE VERB. (To or for what?)
3B. THE INDIRECT OBJECT (IO) IS A NOUN OR PRONOUN THAT INDICATES WHOM OR FOR WHOM THE ACTION OF THE VERB IS PERFORMED. (For whom?)
3C. THE OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION (OP) THAT INDICATES THE RELATION TO THE PREPOSITION.
4. THE ADJECTIVE (ADJ) DESCRIBES THE NOUN OR THE OBJECT. (What kind? Which one? How many?)
5. THE ADVERB (ADV) DESCRIBES THE VERB. (How? When? Where?)
6. THE PREPOSITION (P) PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFO. AND SHOWS RELATIONSHIPS.
7. THE PRONOUN REPLACES THE NOUN (AND SOMETIMES THE DIRECT OBJECT) IN A SENTENCE.
8. AN ARTICLE IS A, AND, OR THE. SOMETIMES CALLED THE "SPECIFIER."
9. THE GERUND IS A NOUN THAT WAS ONCE A VERB. UNOFFICIAL PART OF SPEECH. HONORABLE MENTION.
10. THE PARTICIPLE IS AN ADJECTIVE OR VERB THAT IS USED TO DESCRIBE THE NOUN. (WORKING WOMEN)
11. THE CONJUNCTION (CON) CONNECTS THINGS.
12. THE INTERJECTION (INT) IS AN EXCLAMATION OF SORTS.
2. THE VERB TELLS THE ACTION, STATE, OR OCCURRENCE IN REGARD TO THE SUBJECT.
Type: Linking (Intransitive) or Action (Transitive)
3. THE OBJECT CAN COME IN THREE FORMS. IT IS THE MYSTIQUE OF THE PARTS OF A SENTENCE.
Type: Direct or Indirect or Object of the Preposition
3A. THE DIRECT OBJECT (DO) IS A PERSON OR THING THAT RECEIVES THE ACTION OF THE VERB. (To or for what?)
3B. THE INDIRECT OBJECT (IO) IS A NOUN OR PRONOUN THAT INDICATES WHOM OR FOR WHOM THE ACTION OF THE VERB IS PERFORMED. (For whom?)
3C. THE OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION (OP) THAT INDICATES THE RELATION TO THE PREPOSITION.
4. THE ADJECTIVE (ADJ) DESCRIBES THE NOUN OR THE OBJECT. (What kind? Which one? How many?)
5. THE ADVERB (ADV) DESCRIBES THE VERB. (How? When? Where?)
6. THE PREPOSITION (P) PROVIDES ADDITIONAL INFO. AND SHOWS RELATIONSHIPS.
7. THE PRONOUN REPLACES THE NOUN (AND SOMETIMES THE DIRECT OBJECT) IN A SENTENCE.
8. AN ARTICLE IS A, AND, OR THE. SOMETIMES CALLED THE "SPECIFIER."
9. THE GERUND IS A NOUN THAT WAS ONCE A VERB. UNOFFICIAL PART OF SPEECH. HONORABLE MENTION.
10. THE PARTICIPLE IS AN ADJECTIVE OR VERB THAT IS USED TO DESCRIBE THE NOUN. (WORKING WOMEN)
11. THE CONJUNCTION (CON) CONNECTS THINGS.
12. THE INTERJECTION (INT) IS AN EXCLAMATION OF SORTS.
SENTENCE CLAUSES.
There are two types of clauses: (1) independent clauses (they can stand alone) and (2) dependent clauses (these are considered fragments if they are not tied together with an independent clause). There are also different types of sentences: (1) simple sentences (one independent clause) and (2) complex sentences (more than one clause- of which one must be an independent clause).
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (IC) = SUBJECT + VERB
DEPENDENT CLAUSE (DC) = CONJUNCTION + SUBJECT + VERB (OR) CONJUNCTION + SUBJECT
FRAGMENT (F) = SUBJECT MISSING A VERB
SIMPLE SENTENCE (SS) = INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
COMPLEX SENTENCE (CS) = (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + (X) CLAUSE
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (IC) = SUBJECT + VERB
DEPENDENT CLAUSE (DC) = CONJUNCTION + SUBJECT + VERB (OR) CONJUNCTION + SUBJECT
FRAGMENT (F) = SUBJECT MISSING A VERB
SIMPLE SENTENCE (SS) = INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
COMPLEX SENTENCE (CS) = (INDEPENDENT CLAUSE) + (X) CLAUSE
VERBS & STUFF.
The part of the sentence (or clause) with a verbal expression regarding the subject is known as the predicate. There are two types of verb categories: (1) Linking Verbs and (2) Action Verbs. Linking verbs are also called intransitive verbs. Action verbs are called transitive verbs. To identify which is which, you need to know how to recognize direct objects. If the sentence has a direct object that receives the action of the verb, then the verb is transitive (because it can transfer the action). If the sentence is missing a direct object and the verb cannot pass on any action, it is an intransitive verb (because it has an inability to transfer action). Remember to differentiate between linking verbs and auxiliary/helping verbs. [Example: He is tall. ("is" = Linking Verb). VERSUS It is raining. ("is" = Helping Verb).]
TRANSITIVE VERB = ACTION VERB + DIRECT OBJECT
INTRANSITIVE VERB = LINKING VERB
TRANSITIVE VERB = ACTION VERB + DIRECT OBJECT
INTRANSITIVE VERB = LINKING VERB
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OBJECTS & ALL THAT JAZZ.
As mentioned above, there are three types of objects in a sentence. There is the direct object (receives the action of a transitive verb). There is the indirect object (which only exists if there is a direct object). Then, there is an object of the preposition locked in a prepositional phrase.
DIRECT OBJECT = PERSON, PLACE, OR THING THAT RECEIVES THE ACTION OF THE VERB (FOR OR TO WHAT)
INDIRECT OBJECT = PERSON THAT ACCOMPANIES THE DIRECT OBJECT
OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION = (PREPOSITION + __________________)
DIRECT OBJECT = PERSON, PLACE, OR THING THAT RECEIVES THE ACTION OF THE VERB (FOR OR TO WHAT)
INDIRECT OBJECT = PERSON THAT ACCOMPANIES THE DIRECT OBJECT
OBJECT OF THE PREPOSITION = (PREPOSITION + __________________)
VOICE IN SENTENCES.
Let's take it a step further. Each sentence has its own voice: (1) Active Voice or (2) Passive Voice. This is my grammatical weakness. I always tend to gravitate toward passive voice in my writing. Active voice occurs when there is a transitive verb... This should be easy to remember: ACTION VERB = ACTIVE VOICE (which means the verb is transitive and the sentence has a direct object). If it is not an active verb, then it is passive voice. Standard English Grammar: Always write in active voice (unless you are creating a piece of creative writing and passive voice underscores a greater purpose that you are implicitly incurring).
ACTIVE VOICE = ACTION/TRANSITIVE VERB
PASSIVE VOICE = LINKING/INTRANSITIVE VERB
ACTIVE VOICE = ACTION/TRANSITIVE VERB
PASSIVE VOICE = LINKING/INTRANSITIVE VERB
OKAY, NOW, PREPOSITIONS.
The most challenging component in deciphering the voice in a given sentence is accurately differentiating between direct objects and objects of the preposition. A lot of students mistake a sentence as transitive, because they overlook the preposition. SO... knowing the preposition chart would prove immensely helpful.
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TYPES OF SENTENCES.
I said earlier that there are two types of sentences: simple and complex. That's true when our point of analysis is the number of clauses in a sentence. However, if we are looking at punctuation, there are four different types of sentences (regardless of whether they are simple or complex). (1) There are declarative statements (most common sentence type) ending with a period (or full stop). (2) There are imperative sentences used as commands that also end in a period (or full stop). (3) There are exclamatory sentences, which end in exclamation marks. (4) And, lastly, there are interrogative sentences, which ask questions (and therefore) conclude with a question mark.
DECLARATIVE SENTENCES = STATEMENTS. (PERIOD/FULL STOP) Example: This is a statement.
IMPERATIVE SENTENCES = COMMANDS. (PERIOD/FULL STOP) Example: Go clean your room.
EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES = EXCLAMATIONS! (EXCLAMATION MARK) Example: I hate this!
INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES = QUESTIONS? (QUESTION MARK) Example: Did you catch that?
DECLARATIVE SENTENCES = STATEMENTS. (PERIOD/FULL STOP) Example: This is a statement.
IMPERATIVE SENTENCES = COMMANDS. (PERIOD/FULL STOP) Example: Go clean your room.
EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES = EXCLAMATIONS! (EXCLAMATION MARK) Example: I hate this!
INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES = QUESTIONS? (QUESTION MARK) Example: Did you catch that?
VERBAL MOODS.
So, sentences have voices, and verbs have moods. There are three different verbal moods in the English language. This actually changes in other languages. For example, Korean and Vietnamese language does not have a subjunctive verbal mood. The three types of verbal moods in English are: (1) indicative, (2) subjunctive, and (3) imperative. An indicative verbal mood is present when the verb under analysis is real and factual. A subjunctive verbal mood is present when the verb under analysis suggests that it could be theoretical/hypothetical instead of real or factual. An imperative verbal mood is inherent in command sentences.
INDICATIVE = THIS IS HOW IT IS.
SUBJUNCTIVE = WOULD/COULD/SHOULD/MIGHT
IMPERATIVE = YOU MUST BREATHE.
INDICATIVE = THIS IS HOW IT IS.
SUBJUNCTIVE = WOULD/COULD/SHOULD/MIGHT
IMPERATIVE = YOU MUST BREATHE.