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English
Quarter 4 - Module 4
Observing Correct Grammar in
Writing Definitions

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English – Grade 10
Self-Learning Module
Quarter 4 – Module 4: Observing Correct Grammar in Writing Definitions
First Edition, 2021

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 10
English 0
Quarter 4 - Module 4

Observing Correct Grammar in

Writing Definitions

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Introductory Message

For the facilitator:

Welcome to the English – Grade 10 Self-Learning Module on

This module was collaboratively designed, developed, and reviewed by

educators both from public and private institutions to assist you, the
teacher or facilitator in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and economic
constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore,
this also aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while
taking into consideration their needs and circumstances.

Notes to the Teacher: This contains helpful tips or strategies that will
help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use

this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while
allowing them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected
to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the
module.

For the learner: Welcome to the English – Grade 10 Self-Learning Module on

Observing Correct Grammar in Writing Definitions.

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and
time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource
while being an active learner. This module has the following parts and
corresponding icons:

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 This will give you an idea of the skills or
What I Need to Know
competencies you are expected to learn in the
module!
This part includes an activity that aims to check
what you already know about the lesson to take. If
What I Know
you get all the answers correct (100%), you may
decide to skip this module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link the

current lesson with the previous on
In this portion, the new lesson will be introduced to
What’s New you in various ways; a story, a song, a poem, a
problem opener, an activity or a situation.
This section provides a brief discussion of the lesson.
What Is It This aims to help you discover and understand new
concepts and skills.
This comprises activities for independent practice to
solidify your understanding and skills of the topic.
What’s More
You may check the answers to the exercises using
the Answer Key at the end of the module.
This includes questions or blank
What I Have Learned
sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process what
you learned from the lesson.
This section provides an activity which will help you
What I Can Do transfer your new knowledge or skill into real life
situations or concerns.
Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your level of
mastery in achieving the learning competency.
In this portion, another activity will be given to you
Additional Activities
to enrich your knowledge or skill of the lesson
learned.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the module.

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 At the end of this module, you will also find:
References. This is a list of all sources used in developing this
module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any
part of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other
activities included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through
with it.

If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module,

do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind
that you are not alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful
learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can
do it!

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 What I Need to Know

This learning module will provide you with opportunities to enhance

the different competencies in English through a variety of contextualized
and differentiated learning activities.
In this module, you will be guided on how to observe correct grammar
in making definitions (Quarter IV, MELC No. 4).
After going through this module, you are expected to attain the
following competencies:
• identify parts of a definition; and
• use correct sentence patterns in writing definitions.

What I Know

Activity 1
Directions: Study the sentence below and identify the parts of the sentence.

A myth is an ancient story created to explain natural events.

1 2 3 4

1. Which numbered part of the sentence is being defined?

A. 1 B. 2 C.3 D. 4
2. Which numbered part of the sentence is the general class?
A. 1 B. 2 C.3 D. 4
3. Which numbered part of the sentence is the distinguishing characteristic?
A. 1 B. 2 C.3 D. 4

Activity 2
Directions: Examine the sentences below. Write FACT if it is a full
definition and BLUFF if it is not a definition.
________ 1. An oral tradition is the manner in which information is passed
from one generation to the next.

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 ________ 2. Oral tradition is a way to keep the history or culture of the
people alive.
________ 3. Discrimination is the unequal treatment provided to one or more
parties on the basis of mutual accord.
________ 4. Movie adaptation is the transfer of written work, in whole or in
part, to a feature film.
________ 5. The best way to address individual challenges is to have the
willingness to change.
________ 6. Analects are literary extracts from philosophical works.
________ 7. Connotative meaning is very important in persuasive writing.

What’s In

In Lesson 3, you have learned to make expanded definitions. Read the

following paragraphs and answer the questions that follow.

Paragraph A

The Internet is a collection of electronic links that connects every computer

within that collection to every other computer in that collection. Computer
linked to this system of links (that are "on the Internet") can communicate with
every other computer on that same system, send e-mail, make resources
available, and even provide remote facilities.

Paragraph B

The internet began as a Defense Department project to link military sites

for security purposes. Because the internet has no main controlling center, a
nuclear strike cannot wipe all of it out at once. With time, the Internet came to
be used more by defense research and by university-related concerns.
Eventually, the military shed its role in the Internet, and the Internet developed
increasingly toward the general-use vehicle we know today.
Source:
https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/phil/english/sections/linguist/independent/kursmaterialien/TechComm/acchtml/defq.html

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Processing Questions:
1. What terms are being defined in the two paragraphs?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. Which of the two paragraphs give an expanded definition? Why?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

What’s New
Directions: Study these definitions of the term paragraph. Answer the
questions by writing the letter of your choice on the space provided.
.

A. A paragraph is composed of related sentences that speak of the

main idea.
B. A paragraph is composed of related sentences speaking of the main
idea.

1. Which do you think uses a participial phrase? ______________

2. Which do you think uses a relative phrase? ______________
3. Which is the shortened form? ______________

In the past lesson, you have studied ways on how to expand a definition.
It can be expanded by providing additional sentences about one or more of
the following:

• the description of the term;

• the historical background or word origin of the term, etc.

This time, you will learn how to observe correct grammar in writing
definitions ― an important skill you have to master in writing a research
report.

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 What is It?

Parts of a Definition
Defining a term is extremely essential for it makes something definite,
distinct, or clear. It explains through clarification and further explanation of
what we are trying to say with one or a few short words. Definition provides
the essence of the term.
A definition has two parts:
• First, it contains the class to which the word belongs. We say a
knife is tool; a Camia is a flower; an epic is a poem.
• The second part is the distinguishing characteristics which
make it different from any other object in the same class.

A knife is a tool, but so is a hammer or a saw. So, it is important to

give the features of a knife that makes it different from other tools. Thus, we
say that a knife is a cutting tool which has a sharp-edged blade set in a
handle.

Now, let us try this. Define the term in the first column. The first one
is done for you.

TERM Linking CLASS RELATIVE DISTINGUISHING

Verb PRONOUN CHARACTERISTICS
A polyglot is a man who speaks several languages.
A vegetarian
A detective
A chemist
An incubator

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Observing Correct Grammar in Writing Definitions
Using relative pronouns as well as participial and prepositional
phrases in stating the distinguishing characteristic of the term defined is an
important skill to develop to make grammatically correct definitions.
We use defining relative clauses to give essential information about
someone or something – information that we need to understand what or
who is being referred to. A defining relative clause usually comes
immediately after the noun it describes.
We usually use a relative pronoun (e.g. who, that, which,
whose and whom) to introduce a defining relative clause.

(Read and analyze the sentences below. The relative clause is in bold,
and the person or thing being referred to is underlined).

Relative Clause

A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides

active acquired immunity to a particular infectious
disease.
Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine

Here are some cells which are considered the

basic structures of all living organisms.

Retrieved from https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-a-cel

Dr. Jose Rizal is the national hero who opposed

Spanish colonial tyranny and aspired to attain
democratic rights.
Retrieved from https://www.biography.com/political-figure/jos%C3%A9-
rizal

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 Study these examples:
A. Writing is the process that uses symbols to communicate
thoughts and ideas in a readable form.
B. Writing is the process of using symbols to communicate
thoughts and ideas in a readable form.

In the examples above, the distinguishing characteristics are

underlined. In Example A, the distinguishing characteristic is a relative
clause because it begins with the word that (a relative pronoun).

These are the relative pronouns which you can use.

✓ that
✓ which
✓ who
✓ when
✓ where
✓ wherein
✓ whereby
✓ by which

More examples:
1. Paradise is a place where we find exceptional happiness and
delight.
2. Summertime is a season when the earliest sunrise and the
latest sunset occurs.

Participial and Prepositional Phrase

On the other hand, the distinguishing characteristic of the term
defined in Example B is a participial phrase beginning with using (a present
participle).

Here are the types of phrases which you can use:

✓ Present participial phrase (beginning with +ing form of the verb)

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 ✓ Past participial phrase (beginning with the +ed/d/en form of the
verb
✓ Prepositional phrase (beginning with a preposition such as for,
to, etc.)

In addition, full definitions can be shortened by changing the relative

clause into a participial phrase. Shorten full definitions by removing the
relative pronoun (which, that, who) and by changing the verb into its -ing or
–ed (-en) form or by removing which/that/who is.

Example:
Full definition
Pragmatics is the branch of linguistics that deals with the study of
language rather than structure.
Shortened
Pragmatics is the branch of linguistics dealing with the study of
language rather than structure.

What’s More

A. Here I Am!
Directions: Complete the sentences by matching Column A with column B.
A B
1. A hermit is a person a. who goes before and prepares
the way for others.
2. A cynic is a person b. who denies the sincerity of
people’s motives and actions.
3. A pioneer is one c. who specializes in crop production,
soil control, and soil management
4. A scorner is one d. who lives by himself in a lonely
and secluded spot.
5. An agronomist is a scientist e. Who rejects or refuses other
people with contempt.

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B. Combining Sentences.
Directions: Combine each pair of sentences by using a relative pronoun to
have a complete definition.

1. A mother is a female parent.

A mother conceives, gives birth to, raises, and nurtures a child.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Friendship is a relationship of people.
Friendship is not based on utility or pleasure, but rather mutual
respect, admiration, and gratitude to one another.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Literature is a body of written works.
Literature includes poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and in some
instances, journalism, and song.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
4. William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor.
William Shakespeare is often called England's national poet and the
"Bard of Avon."
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5. Pygmalion is a legendary figure of Cyprus in Greek mythology.
Pygmalion fell in love with one of his sculptures, Galatea.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

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 What I Have Learned
Directions: To sum up what you have learned in this module, complete the
sentences.

From this module, I have learned that . . .

A definition has two parts, namely:

________________________________________________________________________
Full definitions can be shortened by
________________________________________________________________________
The distinguishing characteristics in shortened definitions begin with
________________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

Directions: Read the given full definitions below. Shorten them by removing
the relative pronoun (which, that, who) and by changing the verb into its -ing
or –ed (-en) form or by removing which/that/who is.

Example:

A direct speech is a sentence that gives a statement or thought in its

original form according to how the original speaker said it.

Shortened:

A direct speech is a sentence giving a statement or thought in its original

form according to how the original speaker said it.

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 1. Herbivores are animals that eat plants.
_____________________________________________________________________
2. A portrait is a picture that shows the image of a person.
_____________________________________________________________________
3. A novelist is a person who writes novels.
_____________________________________________________________________
4. A formal essay is a piece of writing which informs its audience.
_____________________________________________________________________
5. A shoemaker is a person who makes shoes and other footwear as a
profession.
_____________________________________________________________________

Assessment

Directions: Supply the missing expression to complete each sentence.

Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Conclusion is the last paragraph of the essay __________ a restatement

of the main idea of the essay and a summary of the main points.
A. contains C. that contains
B. contained D. which contained
2. Weblog is a personal online journal ___________ for the internet users.
A. which is updated C. updating
B. which updates D. updated
3. An entrepreneur is an individual _________ a new business, bearing
most of the risks and enjoying most of the rewards.
A. creates C. who created
B. who creates D. created
4. Imagery is an element of a poem ___________ words that appeal to the
senses.

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 A. uses C. used
B. which use D. using
5. Bullying is an act ____________ damage to a victim’s psyche and/or
emotional well-being.
A. that causes C. causing
B. which causes D. caused
6. A police officer is a warranted law employee _________ could help
identify the robber.
A. whom C. whose
B. that D. who
7. 2. A sonnet is a ____ which has 14 lines and is written in iambic
pentameter.
A. song C. poem
B. dance D. narrative
8. Physics is the branch of science that studies matter, its motion and
behavior through space and time and the related entities of energy
and force. What part of the definition is considered as its
distinguishing characteristics?
A. is
B. a branch of science
C. that
D. studies matter, its motion and behavior through space and time
and the related entities of energy and force
9. Myth is a folklore genre which explains the early history of a group of
people, mysteries of nature and existence. The underlined words is
called _________________.
A. linking verb B. term C. class D. relative pronoun
10. Which of the following is NOT a definition?
A. The policeman needed details that could help identify the robber.
B. Mathematics is a subject that gives headache to many students.
C. A true friend is someone whom you can rely on and never leads
you purposely down the wrong road.
D. An antique is a relic or object of ancient times.

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 Additional Activities

Directions: Arrange and rewrite the definition by putting the parts in their
proper places.

1. is a leavening agent -- baking soda – used in baked goods

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
2. that grows in warm climates -- is a flowering tropical vine -- passion
fruit
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
3. that involves inserting thin needles through a person's skin-- is a
form of treatment – acupuncture
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
4. condensation -- where water vapor turns back into liquid-- is a
process
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
5. that have backbones – mammals -- are called vertebrates
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

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 19
What I Know What’s New What It Is It What’s More
1. A 6. FACT 1. C Answers may vary A. 1. D
2. C 7. FACT 2. B 2. B
3. D 8. BLUFF 3. A 3. A
4. FACT 9. FACT 4. B 4. E
5. BLUFF 10. BLUFF 5. C
What’s More
B.
1. A mother is a female parent who conceives, gives birth to, raises and nurtures a child
2. Friendship is a relationship of people that/which is not based on utility or pleasure, but
rather respect, admiration and gratitude to one another.
3. Literature is a body of written works which/ that includes poetry, drama, fiction, non-
fiction and in some instances, journalism and song.
4. William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet and actor who is often called
England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon."
5. Pygmalion is a legendary figure of Cyprus in Greek mythology who fell in love with one of
his sculptures, Galatea.
What I Can Do
1. Herbivores are animals eating plants.
2. A portrait is a picture showing the image of a person.
3. A novelist is a person writing novels.
4. A formal essay is a piece of writing informing its audience.
5. A shoemaker is a person making shoes and other footwear as a profession.
Assessment
1. C
2. A
3. B
4. B
5. A
6. D
7. C
8. D
9. C
10. A
Additional Activities
1. Baking soda is a leavening agent used in baked goods.
2. Passion fruit is a flowering tropical vine that grows in warm climates.
3. Acupuncture is a form of treatment that involves inserting thin needles through a person's
skin.
4. Condensation is a process where water vapor turns back into liquid.
5. Mammals that have backbones are called vertebrates.
Answer Key
REFERENCES:

Almonte, L. R., Flandez. L. L., Hermosa, A. A., Lagustan, N.,Mangaluz, L. A.,

Miranda. E. R., Mendoza. P. B., Palomar, L. A., Soriano, G. B., & Villanueva,
K. B. (2015). Celebrating diversity through world literature [Learner’s
Material]. Department of Education.
Requillo, J. A. (2020). Defining a term (Module). Department of Education.
Baking soda. Accessed on April 14, 2021 retrieved from
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/baking-soda
Biography, Jose Rizal. Accessed on April 15, 2021 from
https://www.biography.com/political-figure/jos%C3%A9-rizal
Condensation and the Water Cycle. Accessed on April 14, 2021 retrieved
from https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-
school/science/condensation-and-water-cycle?qt-
science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects
Defining Relative Clauses. Accessed on April 14, 2021 from
https://esl.fis.edu/grammar/rules/relative.htm
ENGLISHBYTES WITH Sir Ibon. English 10 Quarter 1 Module 1 Lesson 2 The
Grammar of Definitions [Video]. Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gxh674NHoA
ENGLISHBYTES WITH Sir Ibon. English 10 Quarter 2 Module 1 Lesson 1
Parts and Patterns of Definitions [Video]. Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE7F92moE0A
Entrepreneur and Entrepreneurship Definition. Accessed on April 14, 2021
from
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/entrepreneur.asp#:~:text=An%20e
ntrepreneur%20is%20an%20individual,%2C%20and%20business%2For%20
procedures
How does acupuncture work? Accessed on April 14, 2021 retrieved from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156488#:~:text=Acupuncture
%20is%20a%20form%20of,wide%20range%20of%20other%20complaints
Online Technical Writing: Chapter Quiz--Definitions. Accessed on April 14,
2021 retrieved from https://www.tu-
chemnitz.de/phil/english/sections/linguist/independent/kursmaterialien/
TechComm/acchtml/defq.html

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Relative Clause: Defining and Non-Defining. Accessed on April 14, 2021
from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/grammar/british-
grammar/relative-clauses-defining-and-non-defining
Vaccine. Accessed on April 14, 2021 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine
Dictionary.com Accessed on April 15, 2021 from
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/mother
What is a Cell. Accessed on April 15, 2021 from
https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-a-cell
What are the health benefits of passion fruit? Accessed on April 14, 2021
retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324383
What is writing? Accessed on April 14, 2021 retrieved from
https://www.englishclub.com/writing/what.htm

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