Syntax - Introduction and Terminology

What is the most common definition of grammar?

• The organization of speech sounds in the mind and used to convey meaning.

• All the words used in a particular 

  language or 

  subject, or a dictionary.

• The description of meanings in a language.

• A set of rules that describes the structure of sentences or parts of them.

For Celce-Murcia & Larsen-Freeman, "grammar is interconnected with the lexicon (or vocabulary) of a language". That's why they use the term "lexicogrammar".

• True

• False

All of the options below are examples of constructions, EXCEPT:

• the phrase the + noun

• /ˈθɔːt.fəl/

• walk + -ed = walked

•  It is cold. ➔ Is it cold? 

The three dimensions of grammar are _______________.

Which of these processes language development is NOT attributed to?

• We might hypothesize that associative memory plays a role in the acquisition of formulaic language (convencional units such as "How are you?" and "I see what you mean").

• Pattern detection is a plausible way to describe, although not necessarily explain, the acquisition of generalizations or principles that operate in the language, such as where to place not in an English sentence in arder to express a negative message.

• It's a single process of memorization of terms and rules.

• Habit formation or rule formation, although it is not the only factor.

Grammar teaching can be less direct, more implicit, in the sense that it can include asking students to engage in particular activities in which they are likely to encounter many instances of a particular construction. It is also possible for teachers to "enhance the input" by, for example, giving students a written document in which certain constructions are highlighted. Both of these techniques might become "consciousness-raising" activities-if students' attention is directed explicitly to the targeted constructions.

• True

• False

Students' learning challenges will depend not only on what knowledge they bring of their native language or dialect, but also upon what they already know about English. Since the most effective instruction builds on what students already know, ESL/EFL teachers should continually informally assess what their students know about English and know how to do in English. 

• True

• False

The process of language acquisition is a matter of simply aggregating one construction after another in linear fashion. It is not a gradual process, so it does not make sense to recycle various aspects of the target constructions over a period of time.

• True

• False

The PPP methodology to teach grammar consists in:

• Predicates, prefixes and prepositions.

• Purpose, procedure and performance.

• Presentation, practice and production.

• Phrases, parts of discourse and paragraphs.

What's a morpheme?

• It's the smallest meaningful linguistic unit.

• It's the name of a person, place, or thing, usually preceeded by an adjective or a determiner.

• It is a word that denotes an action or state of being, and has tense and aspect.

• It describes or denotes the qualities of someone or something, and occurs usually between a determiner and a noun.