GRAMMARIST

What Is Syntax in English? – Definition, Rules & Examples

Candace Osmond — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 05:58:54 +0000

Syntax isn’t just some techy term your coder friend tosses around. It’s a set of principles that guides how we construct sentences in any language. Syntax helps us convey meaning, maintain clarity, and manage the musicality of our words to create grammatical sentences. So, sit tight as I explain the meaning of syntax and show you just how important it really is. What Is a Simple Definition of Syntax? Basically, syntax is the branch of linguistics that focuses on arranging ...

Poker Face – Meaning and Definition

Candace Osmond — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 22:39:49 +0000

Poker face is a noun that means a facial expression without emotions. When someone has a poker face, it means their facial expression is blank and hiding their real emotions. It’s also possible that the individual has genuinely neutral emotions. Poker face is an idiom that has been around since the 1870s. It is an idiom because its figurative meaning is widely used over the literal one. Consider this example: Person 1: I can’t tell if you’re angry or not ...

A little and A Few Exercises (with Printable PDF)

Candace Osmond — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 13:32:04 +0000

A little and a few are two phrases that confuse many English writers. Learn the difference between the two quantifiers, then answer the two printable worksheets to check your understanding. A Little vs. A Few Both a little and a few are called quantifiers that mean some. Example: Your lasagna recipe needs a little salt. Example: I have a few extra dollars you can borrow. Remember that a little and a few are different from little and few. Little and ...

Reporting Verbs Exercises (with Printable PDF)

Danielle McLeod — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 12:12:47 +0000

English language learners aren’t the only students who struggle with flow and sophistication in their writing structure. When my students are asked to refer to (or report) the materials they are using to support their claims, they often have a hard time bending information into their own work. Referencing research is an important step in the academic writing process. Without it, you could be accused of plagiarism. But how do you work supportive text into your own? Let’s review what ...

Do and Make Exercises (with Printable PDF)

Danielle McLeod — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 09:37:49 +0000

The English Language has a unique sentence structure and many words that are similar in their use to one another. Because of this, language learners are often confused by actions that are almost identical in definition but different in their use. The words “do” and “make” are the perfect examples. Both indicate the action of performance, but we use them to express different types of activities and their results. Confused? Don’t be. We define their use with examples below and ...

Modal Verbs of Obligation — Examples and Worksheet

Candace Osmond — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 17:11:01 +0000

The four most common modal verbs of obligations are must, have to, should, and ought to. We use these modal verbs in any form for rules, laws, strong advice, and warm invitations. Learn the complete definition and examples of modal verbs of obligations. Then, answer the worksheet I whipped up and provided to test your understanding. What Are the Modal Verbs of Obligation? In English grammar, a modal verb is a type of auxiliary verb that indicates a specific modality. ...

Superlative Exercises (With Printable PDF)

Candace Osmond — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 14:19:32 +0000

One of the three degrees of comparison is the superlative degree. We use it to describe something or someone with the highest degree of characteristics among a group. Review the definition and use of superlatives, then answer the three worksheets I made to check your mastery of the topic. What Is a Superlative? A superlative adjective is the highest degree of comparison in English adjectives. There are three ways to form superlatives: Some 2-syllable adjectives can use rule 1 or ...

Subject and Object Questions — Difference and Examples

Danielle McLeod — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 13:00:08 +0000

In the English language, there are only two ways to form an interrogative or questioning sentence. Each follows a specific format and word choice and is simple to write as long as you understand some very basic rules. To help you understand how to write a basic question, we’ve created a quick guide below with examples to get you started. What Are Subjects and Objects? There are only two forms of questions: Subject questions and object questions. In order to ...

Subject and Object Questions Exercises (with Printable PDF)

Candace Osmond — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 03:49:12 +0000

Do you know how to form subject and object questions? Subject questions do not require auxiliary verbs, but object questions do. These three worksheets will help you practice the topic. Subject and Object Questions Read the sentence below. The subject is Sheila, while the verb is drank (past tense of drink). The object of the sentence is water. If you want to make a question where the subject is the answer, it will be: If you want to make a ...

Infinitive of Purpose — Examples and Worksheet

Candace Osmond — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 15:38:23 +0000

Our actions almost always have intentions behind them. But how do we express these purposes in English? That’s where the infinitive of purpose enters! “I am studying to be a doctor” is an example of a sentence with an infinitive of purpose. Keep reading to learn the definition and examples of the infinitive of purpose of to-infinitive as I go through everything you need to know. The Infinitive of Purpose The to-infinitive is used to express purpose. It is a ...