GRAMMAR I

Introduction
About Grammar…

Grammar NOUN British English pronunciation: grammar /ˈɡræmə(r)/

1[U] the set of rules that describe the structure of a language

and control the way that sentences are formed
This is the British English definition of grammar from the Macmillan Dictionary

According to the ‘Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English’ by Longman,

grammar is the system which organizes and controls form-

meaning relationships in a language
Video: What is grammar?

Activity: Say True or False

 1) Grammar defines the different parts of speech such as words and sentences.
 2) The word Grammar has a Latin root.
 3) ‘Graphein’ means to write or to draw.
 4) Prescriptive Grammar is based on observation of real-world usage.
 5) Descriptive Grammar sets down specific rules.
 6) Prescriptive grammar corrects the use of AIN’T
 7) The fact that grammar should be descriptive or prescriptive is under debate.
 8) Grammar is a simple way to understand how to communicate more clearly.
Grammar: prescription vs description

Prescriptive Grammar Descriptive Grammar

 dictates how people  focuses on describing the

should use the language. actual patterns of use and
the possible reasons for
those patterns.
 Language Variation

REGISTER
 associated with different
circumstances and purposes.
DIALECT
 associated with
the speaker’s identity
 Geographic area
 Gender
 Socio-economic class
 Etc.
Video watching: Varieties of English
A) Answer

1. What are the three dialect distinctions mentioned in the

video?

2. What are the three main differences among them?

B) Complete the piece of advice the woman gives us

There’s no …………… or wrong ………… of English. One is not

……………… than any other. Use the standard …………… you prefer.
Just remember to be ……………………, stick to ………… type and
don’t …………… them up.
BrE, AmE or AusE? Complete the three versions
 Sidewalk
 Pavement
 If you walk down the  Footpath

………………, pass
 Gas station
the
 Petrol station
……………………..,  Server
my …………………..
is on the left.  Apartment
 Flat
 Unit
 Sorry
and Thank you