English Grammar Lecture 1

These flashcards cover key concepts introduced in the first lecture on English grammar, including definitions of essential terms and distinctions between different grammatical elements.

What is language according to the lecture?

Knowledge of sounds (phonetics and phonology), word structure (morphology), sentence structure (syntax), meaning (semantics), and real-world usage (pragmatics).

What is the difference between prescriptive and descriptive grammar?

Prescriptive grammar sets rules on how language should be used, while descriptive grammar studies how language is actually used in various contexts.

What is grammaticality?

Grammaticality refers to whether a sentence conforms to the grammatical rules of a language.

What are the four main components of grammar discussed in the lecture?

Phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics.

What is a common noun?

Common nouns refer to general items (e.g. dog, book) and are not capitalized.

What distinguishes proper nouns from common nouns?

Proper nouns are specific names for individuals or places and are capitalized (e.g. Canada, John).

What are count nouns?

Count nouns can be counted and have both singular and plural forms (e.g., one apple, two apples).

What are non-count nouns?

Non-count nouns cannot be counted and do not have a plural form (e.g., water, information).

What is the role of reflexive pronouns?

Reflexive pronouns refer back to the subject of the sentence (e.g., himself, herself) and indicate that the action is performed by the subject onto itself.

What are linking verbs?

Linking verbs connect the subject to a subject complement, often explaining or describing the subject.

Define pragmatics in relation to language.

Pragmatics is the study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning in language.

What is the role of adverbs in a sentence?

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs and often indicate when, where, how, or to what degree an action is performed.

What is an example of a grammatical ambiguity?

The sentence 'John ate the ice cream on the table' can mean that John ate the ice cream that was on the table, or it can mean that he ate while he was on the table.

What is a declarative clause?

A declarative clause is a statement used to provide information.

What is an interrogative clause?

An interrogative clause is a question that requests information.

What is an imperative clause?

An imperative clause gives commands or requests.

What is an exclamative clause?

An exclamative clause expresses strong emotion or emphasis.