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English Grammar
In order to speak and write the English language correctly, it
is important that the fundamental principles of English Grammar
be mastered. If we do not know the underlying principles
of the correct formation of sentences and the relation of words
to one another we are liable to make mistakes when speaking the English language.
English Grammar is made up from the following building blocks
including Letters, Vowels and Consonants, Syllables and Words,
the Sentence - Subject and Predicate, the Paragraph and
Divisions of English Grammar which are explained on this site
page via the following links with definitions and examples:
A guide to other
important elements of English Grammar including Punctuation
Marks (Comma, colon, question mark etc.), Parts of Speech
(verbs, nouns etc.) and Figures of Speech ( Simile,
Metaphor, Personification, Allegory etc.) are also contained
via the Examples Help index link at the top of the page. An
ideal free Educational Resource for Teachers, Students,
Colleges and Schools.
Definition of Grammar
The definition of grammar is as follows: Grammar applies rules
for standard use of words and how their component parts combine
to form sentences. A grammar is also a system for classifying
and analyzing the elements of language including inflections,
functions, rules and relations in the sentence.
English Grammar - Letters,
Vowels and Consonants
A letter is a mark or character used to represent an articulate
sound. Letters are divided into vowels and consonants.
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Vowel
Definition: A vowel is a letter which makes a distinct
sound by itself. The vowels are:
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Consonant
Definition: The word consonant is used to refer to a
letter of an alphabet that denotes a consonant sound.
Consonant letters in the English alphabet are B, C, D,
F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z
Consonants cannot be sounded without the aid
of vowels
English Grammar -
Syllables and Words
A syllable is a distinct sound produced by a single effort such
as shall, pig, dog. In every syllable there must be at least one
vowel. A word consists of one syllable or a combination of
syllables. Many rules are given for the dividing of words into
syllables, but the best is to follow as closely as possible the
divisions made by the organs of speech in properly pronouncing
them.
Examples Help -
The Sentence - Subject and Predicate
A sentence is an assemblage of words so arranged as to convey a
determinate sense or meaning, in other words, to express a
complete thought or idea. No matter how short, it must contain
one finite verb and a subject or agent to direct the action of
the verb. Examples: "Birds fly;" "Fish swim;" "Men walk;" are
sentences. A sentence always contains two parts, something
spoken about and something said about it.
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The word or
words indicating what is spoken about form what is
called the subject
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the word or
words indicating what is said about it form what is
called the predicate
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In the
sentences given, birds, fish and men are the subjects,
while fly, swim and walk are the predicates
Examples Help -
Paragraphs
Paragraphs may be defined as a group of sentences that
are closely related in thought and which serve one common
purpose. As in the case of words in sentences, the most
important places in a paragraph are the sentences at the
beginning and the end of a paragraph. The object of the
first sentence is to state a point clearly; the last
sentence should enforce it.
Divisions of English
Grammar
There are four great divisions of English Grammar - Orthography,
Etymology, Syntax, and Prosody:
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Orthography
Definition: Orthography addresses the use of letters and the mode
of combining them into words
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Etymology
Definition: Etymology addresses the use of the various classes of
words and the changes they undergo
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Syntax
Definition: Syntax addresses the use of the connection and
arrangement of words in sentences
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Prosody
Definition: Prosody addresses the use of the manner of speaking and
reading and the different kinds of verse
An ideal free
Educational Resource for Teachers, Students, Colleges and
Schools. |
