GRAMMAR – BEGINNER EMERGING/BEGINNER Teacher Jenel

NOUNS – name of person, place, things, animals, or ideas

1. Proper nouns starts with BIG letter: name of a specific person (Sam, Namo,…), place
(Korea,Bangsaphan,…), or thing – title of the book (Little Red Riding Hood,…), days
of the week (Monday, Tuesday,…),

2. A common noun is a noun referring in general to a person(student, teacher,…), place

(school, room, park,…), or thing (pencil, eraser,…).
3. A concrete noun – can be touched (pencil, student, dog, chair,…)
4. An abstract noun – cannot be touched (love, time, education,…)
5. A collective noun is a noun naming a group of things, animals or persons. For example: a
group of friends, a bunch of bananas, a litter of puppies. (herd of elephants, army of ants,
bunch of grapes)
6. Compound Noun- are two nouns combine together to make it one word

Examples of Compound Nouns: Examples of Nounal Adjectives

(answers the question WHAT KIND)

backbone moonlight glass window

backspace newspaper paper bag
bedroom wallpaper Korean actress
birthday yearbook wooden table
blackberry zookeeper
blackboard trashcan
7. A possessive noun indicates ownership or possession.
a. singular nouns that end in –s, add apostrophe and s (‘s) :
 Cess’s dolls
b. singular nouns that do not end in –s, add apostrophe and s (‘s) :
 friend’s mother, cat’s fur
c. biblical names that end in –s, add apostrophe (‘)
 Jesus’ disciples
d. plural nouns that end in –s, add apostrophe (‘) :
 farmers’ cow, teachers’ student
e. plural nouns that do not end in –s, use apostrophe (‘s)
 children’s pet, oxen’s s
 8. A countable noun – can be counted (chair, student, table, eraser,…)

9. A non-countable noun – cannot be counted (sugar, hair, salt, vinegar,…)

Nouns have four genders:

1. Masculine Gender – The masculine gender is used for all males. boy, man
2. Feminine Gender – The feminine gender is used for all females. girl, woman
3. Common Gender – The common gender is used where the noun can be both male
and female. cousin, friend, person, child, student
4. Neuter Gender – The neuter gender is used for things: table, chair,...

Singular and Plural Nouns

a. to most singular nouns, add –s
bag bags toy toys
table tables marker markers
teacher teachers student students
b. add –es to singular nouns that end in o, s, x, sh, and ch
mango mangoes grass grasses
fox foxes brush brushes
watch watches
c. to singular nouns that end in -f or -fe, change -f or -fe into –ves
knife knives
leaf leaves
d. to singular nouns that end in y, change –y into –ies (remember: the letter before –y is
a consonant letter)
baby babies
city cities
e. to irregular nouns, normally the spelling of the plural nouns is changed
child children man men
ox oxen goose geese

PRONOUNS ADJECTIVES
a. interrogative pronoun – a. interrogative adjective

“wh”+ verb “wh”+ noun

who/whom/which + verb whose/which + noun

who is, whose car
whom did which car

b. demonstrative pronoun b. demonstrative adjective

“th” + verb “th” + noun

this/that/these/those + verb` this/that/these/those +noun

 this is this car
those are those posts

c. possessive pronoun c. possessive adjective

verb + pronoun adjective + noun

verb + mine/yours/ours/his/hers/ my/your/her/his/our/their + noun

theirs my car
is mine their houses
are yours

PRONOUNS
a. personal pronouns
SUBJECTIVE (Sp) – I, you, he, she, it, they, we
a. be + Sp It was she who called you.
b. be, than She is smarter than he.
c. be, as Mother is as pretty as she.
d. Sp + V She is very cute.

OBJECTIVE (Op) – me, you, him, her, it, them, us

a. av/sv + Op They love him.
Sam kicks her.

b. preposition + Op The story is about her.

(prepositions – in, on, at, of, for, from, to after, before, about,
between, among,…)

VERBS
Main Verbs (MV) (there is one (1) verb in the sentence)
The man walks.
(subject) (verb)
She is cute.
1. action verbs (av) - show action or movement (example: write, walk, jump, study)
2. linking verb (LV) – no action
-
tell what someone or something is
-
be verbs (is, are, am, was, were)
-
appear, become, get, keep, look, make, seem, smell, sound, stay,
taste, turn
The soup smells good. (The soup is good.)
The bread looks delicious. (The bread is delicious.)
3. state verb (sv) - 3h:
1st h: mental activity - think, believe, know, understand, forget, remember
 2nd h: shows emotion/feelings; preference/likes - love, like, hate, dislike,
3rd h: ownership - have, own

Helping Verbs (HV) or Auxiliary Verbs (there are two (2) verbs in the sentence)
1. primary auxiliaries – bhd - be (am, is, are), have (has, have, had), do (do, does, did)
I am singing.
HV MV
2. modals – (C2MWS) can/could, must, may/might, will/would, shall/should)
The students should study hard.

modal + verb (base form of the verb)

VERB FORMS

Verb Forms
a. regular verbs just add –d/ed to make the past tense of the verb
present tense past tense
walk walked
play played
climb climbed
b. irregular verbs change the spelling of the past tense of the verb
present tense past tense
write wrote
come came
teach taught
same spelling of the past tense of the verb
present tense past tense
cut cut
read read
put put

TRANSITIVE and INTRANSITIVE verbs

a. transitive verbs – there is object (can be a noun or a pronoun)in the sentence that
receives the action of the verb

Tom reads the book

subject + verb + object

b. intransitive verbs – there is NO object in the sentence.

 Cindy slept.

subject + verb
- sometimes there is preposition
Cindy slept on the bed.

subject + verb + preposition

Simple Tenses
a. Simple Present – used for the actions that happen every day, often, always,
sometimes, and regularly (example: The students always study.
The boys play every day.)
b. Simple Past – used for actions that happened already at a particular time in the
past (yesterday, last night, two days ago).
(example: Jack got sore eyes last week.)
- consider the past tense of the regular and irregular verbs

c. Simple Future – used for actions that will or may happen in the future time.

will + verb may or may night happen in the future

(example: The students will pass the vocabulary test.)

going to + verb planned already

(example: The students are going to take level test this October 2010.)

Continuous Tenses

present participle – verb + ing

- reading, writing, teaching, studying

continuous tense –

be + present participle

- is/are/am/was/were + verb + ing

a. Present Continuous Tenses I am dancing.

is/are/am + verb+ing She is writing. They are writing.
b. Past Continuous Tenses She was dancing when we arrived.
was/were + verb+ing The students are playing when the bell rung.

Perfect Tenses
Past participle –

a. regular verbs just add –d/ed to make the past tense of the verb
present tense past tense / past participle
walk walked
play played
climb climbed

b. irregular verbs change the spelling of the past tense of the verb; last letter is t/n/e
present tense past tense past participle
write wrote written
come came come
teach taughttaught

Perfect tense – have + past participle (the SUBJECT can do the action)

a. Present perfect tense – has/have/had + past participle

She has written the poem.

b. Past Perfect Tense – had + past participle

She had passed it yesterday.
The 17 Rules of Subject Verb Agreement in Standard English
SUBJECT – Noun or Pronoun
1. Singular Subject + Singular Verb (S + Vs)
The dog growls when he is angry.
2. Plural Subject + Plural Verb (S + V)
The dogs growl when they are angry.
3. The intervening group does not affect the verb used in the sentence.
The dog, who is chewing on my jeans, is usually very good.
subject + intervening group + verb
4. When sentences start with “there” or “here,” the subject will always be placed
after the verb, so care needs to be taken to identify it correctly.
HERE/THERE + V + S
There is a tiger inside the cage.
Here are the papers you requested.
5. Subjects don't always come before verbs in questions. Make sure you accurately
identify the subject before deciding on the proper verb form to use.
Does Lefty usually eat grass? Where are the pieces of this puzzle.
6. If two subjects are joined by and, they typically require a plural verb form.
The cow and the pig are jumping over the moon.
7. If the words each, every, or no come before the subject, the verb is singular.
No smoking or drinking is allowed.
Every man and woman is required to check in.
8. If the subjects are both singular and are connected by the words or, nor,
neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but also the verb is singular.
Jessica or Christian is to blame for the accident.
9. The singular verb form is usually used for units of measurement.
MEASUREMENT + V + S
Four quarts of oil was required to get the car running.
Ten tons is heavy.
10. If the subjects are both plural and are connected by the words or, nor,
neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but also, the verb is plural.
Dogs and cats are both available at the pound.
11. If one subject is singular and one plural and the words are connected by the
words or, nor, neither/nor, either/or, and not only/but also, you use the verb
form of the subject that is nearest the verb.
Your sisters or your girlfriend wants pizza.
12. Indefinite pronouns typically take singular verbs (sena,e,e,n)
indefinite pronoun + Vs
Everybody wants to be loved.
13. * Except for the pronouns (few, many, several, both) that always take the
plural form.
 Few were left alive after the flood.
14. Collective nouns like herd, senate, class, crowd, etc. usually take a singular verb
form. collective noun + Vs
The herd is stampeding.
15. Titles of books, movies, novels, , subjects, etc. are treated as singular and take a singular
verb. title/subject + Vs
The Burbs is a movie starring Tom Hanks.
16. Uncountable nouns use singular verbs.
uncountable noun + Vs
Juice is delicious.
17. Final Rule – Remember, only the subject affects the verb!

ADJECTIVES - words that describe or modify nouns

Comparison of Adjectives
positive comparative superlative
a. one-syllable adjectives + er +est
small smaller smallest
tall taller tallest
b. adjectives ending in –y change –y into ier change –y into iest
early earlier earliest
pretty prettier prettiest
c. two or more syllable + more + most
adjectives
careful more careful than the most careful
interesting more interesting than the most interesting
d. to some adjectives
(irregular adjectives) change the spelling change the spelling
good better best
far farther farthest

ORDER OF ADJECTIVES - NOSSC + noun

N number one, two, three,…
O opinion cute, handsome,…
S size small, big, tall,…
S shape round, square,…
A age new, young, old, modern, ancient,…
C color white, red, blue,…
M material paper, metal, glass, wooden, cotton,…
Kinds of adjectives
1. Limiting Adjectives
a. articles – a, an, the
b. pronominals – demonstrative: this, that, these, those + noun
- possessive: my/his/her/your/their/our/its + noun
- indefinite/quantitative: some, few, … + noun
- interrogative Adjectives – “wh” + noun
 c. numerals –
- ordinals: 1st, 2nd, …
- cardinals: one, two, …

2. descriptive adjectives – OSSACM

ADJECTIVE
a. demonstrative adjective (“th” + noun)
(this/that/those/these + noun)
This book is very expensive.

b. interrogative adjective (“wh” + noun)

(which/what/whose + noun)
Which book is the most interesting?

c. possessive adjective (possessive adj + n)

(my, her, his, your, their, our + noun))
Her car is expensive.

e. demonstrative adjective
- NOSSACM

ADVERBS - words that describe or modify verbs

a. adverb of manner – answers the question how
The old man walks slowly.
(How does the man walk? Slowly)
b. adverb of time – answers the question when
The students ate ice cream yesterday.
(When do the students ate ice cream? Yesterday)
c. adverb of place – answers the question where
Please throw this outside.
(Where to throw? Outside)
d. adverb of frequency – answers the question how many times or how often
She sometimes brings snacks.
(How often does she bring snacks? Sometimes)
e. degree – answers the question how intent
- so, very, too She is very pretty.
f. negation – indicates negative ideas: no, not
Comparison of Adverbs
positive comparative superlative
a. one-syllable adverb + er +est
long longer longest
b. adverbs ending in –y + more + most
 slowly more slowly than the most slowly
gracefully more gracefully than the most gracefully
c. to some adjectives change the spelling change the spelling
well better best
PREPOSITIONS

a. preposition of time
in year, month
in 2010, in August
on specific date, specific day of the week
on August 26,2010; on Sunday
at specific time
at 9:00 a.m., at night
b. preposition of place
in city, country, continent
In Seoul, in Korea, in Africa
on road, avenue, street
on Cannon Road, on Taft Avenue, on Rizal Street
at specific address; with numberic figure
at 113 Street, Cannon Road, Newton City

CONJUNCTIONS
Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)``and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet'' are used to join
individual words, phrases, and independent clauses. The conjunctions ``but'' and ``for'' can also
function as prepositions.

A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause and indicates the nature of the
relationship between the independent clause(s) and the dependent clause(s). The most common
subordinating conjunctions: "after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that,
though, till, until, when, where, whether and while".

Correlative conjunctions always appear in pairs -- you use them to link equivalent sentence
elements. The most common correlative conjunctions: "both... and, either...or, neither...nor, not
only.., but also, so...as, and whether...or." Usually correlative conjunctions consist of a
coordinating conjunction linked to an adjective or adverb.

CONJUNCTIONS+S + V
Coordinating conjunctions(FANBOYS)``and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet'' are used to join individual words,
phrases, and independent clauses. The conjunctions ``but'' and ``for'' can also function as prepositions.

COORDINATING conjunction USES

for (because) (sentences) The student is absent for he is sick.

and (words and sentences) Ally and Sally are best friends.
(positive/good ideas) James sings and Sam dances.
nor (words) (negative ideas) I will not call James nor Sam.

but (words and sentences) Sally is small but smart.

(positive and negative ideas) Sally can’t swim but she can run fast.

or (2 or more choices/options) Which do you prefer to eat, spaghetti or cake?

yet (sentences ONLY) Tom can play basketball yet he doesn’t like to join the
(positive and negative ideas) team.

so (so that) (result/purpose) The students study hard so they can get good scores.

A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause and indicates the nature of the relationship between
the independent clause(s) and the dependent clause(s). The most common subordinating conjunctions: " after,
although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether and while".

Correlative conjunctions always appear in pairs -- you use them to link equivalent sentence elements.

CORRELATIVE conjunction USES

either-or positive ideas (choices/options)
Either Tony or her friends bring the books.

neither-nor negative ideas (choices/options)

Neither Tony nor Ben brings the gifts.

whether-or positive and negative (choice/option)

Whether you like it or not, you should study hard.

not only-but also (and) additional information; both

She is not only the president of the class but also the
leader of the organization.
MEANING: She is the president of the class AND the
leader of the organization.

both-and (and) Both Ben and Ted are my friends.

INTERJECTIONS
Interjections are used in speech to indicate emotion or transition. Interjections such as "yuk, ouch,
eh" are used as exclamations in conversation. (example: Eeek! I saw a rat.)