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Chapter 1- INTRODUCTION
1.1 Outlines
 What is Language
 Define grammar
 Understand what is a tense in grammar?
 Types of tenses & Classification of tenses
 Describe the term of voice in grammar
 Explain active voice and its advantages

1.2 What is language?

Definition of language: Language is the means by which a person shares his
thoughts and feelings to another person.

Figure 1 focused on communication between persons.

1.3 “What is grammar?”

Definition of grammar: grammar is the study of rules about how words change
their form and combine with other words to make sentences.

1.3.1 Other Definitions

a) Grammar is a set of conventions and rules that govern language.
b) Grammar is set of rules that determine how sentences are properly
constructed.
c) Grammar is the measurement of the language.
d) Grammar is the study of classes of words, their inflections, and their
functions, and relations in the sentence.
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The person who is an expert in the study of grammar and writes books about it
is called grammarian.

Why do I need to learn

English grammar?

Figure 2 importance of grammar and its advantage

1.3.2 Advantages of Grammar

 Learning English grammar is important for your writing skills.
 You studied grammar, that means you know how to put words together in
a sensible order and add the right endings.
 Grammar rules help you to make your communication to appear coherent
and more logic.
 It can tell you whether the language is correctly spoken or written.

1.4 Tense = “time + aspect”

Definition of tense: Tense is any of the forms of a verb which shows
us the time of an action or event such as present, past, or future
therefore the tense is the indicator of the time of any event or act.
There are three main types of tenses:
1) Present tense
2) Past tense
3) Future tense
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Each of these three tenses is further divided into four classes on the
basis of state of an action.

Figure 3: three main types of tenses and their four sub classes

1.5 What is voice?

Voice is the related form of the subject of a verb to the action that the
verb denotes. There are two types of voices: active voice & passive
voices.

Figure 4: Kinds of voices in English

When the subject is the agent or doer of the action, the verb is in
the active voice. When the subject is the patient, target or undergoer
of the action, the verb is said to be in the passive voice. The voice of a
verb tells whether the subject of the sentence performs or receives the
action.
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1.5.1 What is the active voice?

Definition: Active voice is the form which indicates that the subject
of the verb is performing/causing the action of the verb.

For example:

The cat ate the mouse. The verb "ate" is in the active voice.
1.5.2 Advantages of active voice
 Active sentences are shorter.
 Active sentences are more direct. (This ensures the subject takes
responsibility for the action.)
 Active sentences are more engaging for the reader.
 Active sentences are often less confusing and less ambiguous.
 Active sentences allow you to express an authoritative tone.
 Professional writers encourage to use active voice rather than passive
voice.

1.5.3 What is passive voice?

Definition: passive voice is the form of a verb used when the subject
is the person or thing which experiences the effect of an action, rather
than the person or thing which causes the effect.

For example:

He was bitten by the cat. The verb “bitten” is in the passive voice.

1.5.4 Uses of passive voice

Although active voice is usually better, passive voice makes good sense in
the following situations:

 when the doer of the action is unknown

 The lights were left on.
[You don’t know who left them on.]
 when the doer of the action is less important than the receiver
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 The package was delivered this morning.

[It doesn’t matter who brought it.]
 when the doer of the action is someone you don’t want to name
 I was given the wrong directions.
[You don’t want to lay blame.]

1.5.3 REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What is language?
2. Define grammar.
3. What is tense?
4. Tell the difference between tense and aspect.
5. List all of twelve English tenses in order.
6. What are three basic main types of tenses?
7. Explain the term voice and its types.
8. Describe active voice and tell three of its uses.
9. Tell the difference between grammar and tense.
10. What is passive voice? And tell some of its uses.

Easy English Riddles

Riddle 1
An electric train is traveling north. There is a strong wind blowing from the southeast.
What direction is the smoke from the train blowing?

Riddle 2
It always stays hot even when put it refrigerator! What is that?