Accessibility statement

Understanding English grammar

Aims

Aims

Grammar is the language we use to talk about language. As speakers of English we use grammar unconsciously all the time as we speak. But if we want to understand how English grammar works and to be able discuss it with others in an informed way, then we need to make our knowledge explicit.

In this module you will learn the basic vocabulary and concepts needed to talk about English grammar. We will start with the smallest meaningful units, morphemes, and investigate how these combine to make words. From here we will explore how words can be formed into larger units called phrases, and then how phrases combine into clauses.

At the end of the module, you should be able to:

  • use the meta-language of grammar to talk about English
  • demonstrate an understanding of the way in which words and sentences are constructed
  • break sentences down into their constituent parts
  • analyse naturally occurring English texts (speech and writing)

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this module.

Information for visiting students: This module is not suitable for visiting students who have learned English as a second language.

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

Two contact hours a week: one lecture hour and one consolidation/activity-based hour. You are expected to attend all lectures and seminars and participate in individual and group formative work. In addition, you will need to spend at least 4 hours a week on preparation and learning outside of class.

Teaching programme

Week Topic
2 Introduction/Word classes
3 Derivational morphology
4 Inflectional morphology 
5 Noun phrases
READING WEEK
7 Verb phrases
8 Functional analysis
9 Coordination and subordination
10 Clause types

Teaching materials

You will need to buy the following book:

  • Eppler, E.D and Ozón, G. (2013). English Words and Sentences: An introduction. Cambridge Introductions to the English Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback

Formative assessment

You are expected to attend all contact hours, to complete all assessments, to prepare for and participate in class discussions, and to contribute to group work.

Summative assessment

  • Bi-weekly tests 
    • Weight: 10%
  • A mid-term exam 
    • Date: Autumn term, Week 6
    • Weight: 20%
  • A 90-minute closed exam
    • Date: Spring term, Week 1
    • Weight: 70%

About this module

  • Module name
    Understanding English grammar
  • Course code
    E01C (LAN00001C)
  • Teacher
    Ann Taylor 
  • Term(s) taught
    Autumn
  • Credits
    20