UNIT 7: TEACHING GRAMMAR
1.Introduction:
This unit is divided into four parts:
• Grammar Basics.
• The Tenses.
• Further Grammar.
• Teaching Grammar.
2.Grammar Basics:
2.1 Back to Basics:
Parts of speech
2.2 Determiners:
2.2.1 What are Determiners?:
Determiners are small words that go before nouns and, as a rule, they specify
exactly which thing you’re talking about. In some ways they are like special
adjectives.
2.2.2 Types of Determiners:
There are 5 different types of determiners:
• Articles (like ‘a’ or ‘the’)
• Numerals (like ‘two’ or ‘ten’)
• Quantifiers (like ‘some’ or ‘many’)
• Possessives (like ‘our’ or ‘my’)
• Demonstratives (like ‘this’ or ‘that’)
1
,Rule : You must use a determiner before a singular countable noun (like ‘teacher’).
You can use determiners before plural nouns and countable nouns.
2.3 Different Types of Verbs:
2.3.1 Auxiliary Verbs:
Auxiliary verbs or ‘helping verbs’ form the tenses, moods and voices of other verbs.
The common auxiliary verbs are do, be and have.
2.3.2 Modal Verbs:
Modal verbs are special verbs which behave differently to regular and ‘conventional’
irregular verbs. They are used to express likelihood, ability, permission and
obligation. Examples : Can, should, could, would, might, may, shall, ought to, will.
A few rules:
• Modal verbs don’t take the ‘s’ in the third person.
• We use ‘not’ to make modal verbs negative, even in the present simple and
past simple.
• Many modal verbs can’t be used in the Past or Future tenses.
• They make questions by ‘inversion’.
• They are followed directly by the infinitive of another verb.
Probability:
They can be used when we want to say how sure we are that something happened /
is happening / will happen. We call these modals of speculation, deduction, certainty
or probability.
Probability in the present:
Must, might, could, can’t, will / wont, should / shouldn’t, can.
Probability in the past:
• Must + have + past participle
• Might + have + past participle
• Could + have + past participle
• May + have + past participle
• Can’t + have + past participle
• Will / won’t + have + past participle
• Should + have + past participle
Ability
• Can or could
• Obligation and Advice
2
, Permission
• Can, could and may.
• Habits
• Will, would, did (past).
2.3.3 Transitive Verbs:
A transitive verb takes a direct object; that is, the verb transmits an action to an
object.
2.3.4 Intransitive verbs:
An intransitive verb does not take an object. It is worth noting that many verbs can
be either transitive or intransitive, depending on the sentence.
2.4 Articles:
The 3 main articles:
• ‘A’ and ‘an’ : ‘A’ is used before words starting with a consonant sound. ‘An’ is
used before words started with a vowel sound.
• You use ‘a’ or ‘an; the first time you mention something.
• You use ‘the’ each time you mention it after that.
Some textbooks state ‘a’ is for new information, and ‘the’ is for known information –
that is, you already know the person or thing the speaker is referring to.
When you don’t have to use ‘a’ or ‘the’ at all:
• When you mean all.
• With another determiner.
• With people’s names.
• For meals.
• Some place names.
• Most companies and magazines.
2.5 Section summary:
Key points to remember:
• Determiners are small words that come before the noun in sentences to
specify exactly which thing you are talking about.
• Articles and Quantifiers are two types of determiners and both have sets of
rules and exceptions that you need to make your learners aware of, but not all
at once.
• It’s common for learners to make errors with determiners but these errors will
often ben easy to identify and correct for you as a native-level speaker.
3.Building Phrases:
In this section, we will be looking at the following element in more details:
• How to put nouns together.
• Putting adjectives and nouns together.
• Using prepositions with nouns, adjectives and verbs.
• Identifying typical learner errors and how to address them.
3.1 Combining Nouns:
To connect people with another noun you just add –‘s to the name followed by the
other noun.
3
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller robynnedanielleedwards. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $2.86. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.