Grammar- The Basics

What you need to know in order to teach!

This is the sort of English up with which I will not put.

quote attributed to Winston Churchill

Part 1-Grammar Workshop OBJECTIVES

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to. identify common grammatical errors that Spanish speakers often make explain how to correct these common errors apply your knowledge and demonstrate how you would explain these concepts to your students

Whats Wrong?

1) Breakfast is an important meal. Im always eating breakfast.

Answer? Always is a frequency adverb- Most of the time*, you use this in the simple present only:

I always eat breakfast.

Other frequency adverbs? usually, often, sometimes, seldom, rarely, never

*always can be used in the progressive when complaining: Hes always leaving his socks on the floor

2) What means windy?

Answer? There is no auxiliary which is what we need for a Wh-question:

What does windy mean**?

**Note: the verb does not have s in the question form- only the auxiliary

3) She has twenty years old.

Answer? We use the verb be with adjectives

She is twenty years old. OR She is beautiful. We use have to show possession: I have a new car.

4) I am agree with you.

Answer? Agree is a verb. It doesnt need the auxiliary am Also, agree is a stative verb meaning it describes a state and is only used in the progressive form as an exception:

Tom is tasting the sauce.

The doctor is seeing a patient.

5) I must to leave at 5:00.

Answer? Must is a Modal* Auxiliary Modal Auxiliaries express peoples attitudes and moods:

I must leave at 5:00. Other modals are may, might, can, could, shall, should, will, would, ought to *True modals never take infinitives (to +verb)

6) He said me hello.
Answer? He said, Hello. OR He said hello to me. The object of the verb SAY is what is said: He said hello not the person it is said to.

Compare with: He told me a story

7) I havent a pen.
Answer? I dont have* a pen. In the simple present, all verbs in the negative use dont or doesnt + verb, depending on person. * In British English, they say, I havent a pen.

8) Wheres my pencil? Have you seen him?

Answer: Wheres my pencil? Have you seen it? In the simple present, verbs in the negative use dont or doesnt + verb, depending on person.

9) Is important to have a car in this city.

Answer: Its important to have a car in this city? In English, you can never omit the subject pronouns like you can in Spanish: I, you, he, she, it, we, you, they.

10) The people is very angry at the tax increase.

(2 errors) Answer : People are very angry at the tax increase.
1 Theres no definite article the because you are making a generalization. Compare: The people in Chicago are very angry at their tax increase. 2) People is a plural noun, so the verb is plural; compare with Person.

Game Time: What is it called? 1. He is fast. 2. My book is new. Answer: Its an adjective Answer: Its a possessive adjective

3. on, at, in
4. Im 5. They ate fast. 6. Bob likes me.

Answer: Theyre prepositions

Answer: Its a contraction of I am Answer: Its an adverb Answer: Its an object pronoun Answer: Its an article (indefinite) Answer: Its a possessive noun Answer: Its a non-count noun Answer: Its an adverb clause or sometimes called a time clause

7. Juan lives in a nice house.

8. The wives dresses are new. 9. Gold is expensive. 10. I will leave before he comes.

Game Time: What verb tense is this? 1. He is running fast. Answer: Its present continuous or present progressive 2. He slept late.

Answer: Its the simple past

Answer: Its the present perfect

3. She has taught for 30 years. 4. Tom was studying when they came.

Answer: Its the past progressive or past continuous Answer: Its the simple future

5. It is going to rain tomorrow.

6. It smells nice.

Answer: Its the simple present Answer: Its the past perfect

7. By 6:00, he had finished eating.

Think-Pair-Share Activity A. Look at the following sentences and find the error(s). B. How would you explain them to your students?

1. Abe is wanting a snack. Hes being hungry.

2. I am more tall than my brother.

3. Where are my keys? I lay them here on the desk five minutes ago. 4. Since I came to this country, I am learning a lot about the way of life here. 5. I have been in New York City two weeks ago. 6. I will intend to go back home when I will finish my education. 7. A film director must has control of the set.

8. May you please help me with this?

9. Can you borrow me some money? 10. He go in the market in Saturdays.

So what will you take away from this?

thanks!

"The greater part of the world's troubles are due to questions and grammar." Michel de Montaigne