Essentials

Objectives for this unit

Here's a bold statement for you. Learning grammar is actually great fun. "Yeah, right" I hear you saying. Apart from being a grammar tutor, I am also a snowboard and ski instructor. I have a certain ability to break the learning process into smaller manageable parts, so that you (the learner) can get a sense of where you are in the learning process.

You will better grasp grammar if you get a clear perspective of the different levels of analysis and the different sub categories that exist. I STRONGLY urge you to study this section with care and establish a solid foundation for yourself

After reading and viewing the Essentials unit, you will be able to:

• identify the 'first divide'
• identify the finite & non-finite verbs in the predicator
• identify the lexical & the auxiliary verbs in the predicator
• identify the HEAD of a subject which agrees with the finite verb
• identify the HEAD of the other clausal elements
• understand why will be using P (predicate) instead of (V) verb at clause level
• identify the clausal pattern and state if the clause is intransitive, transitive, linking, etc
• distinguish between a sentence & a clause
• identify whether the clause is dependent or independent
  
• distinguish between function & form
• begin to draw syntax trees to aid you in your understanding of hierarchical levels

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