How do we teach?
At Study English Grammar we use 'chunks' of language as a base for sentences, and then to build on from that base.
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These 'chunks' are colour coded as the vocabulary within them are changeable.
Example 1 - Past Simple
Subject + past form verb + noun phrase
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_____ + _____ + _____
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I + went to + the bank
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We + studied + English
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Tommy and Joe + ate + chocolate cake
Using this as our base, we can then add more 'chunks' of grammar to make the sentences more natural.
Base
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Tommy and Joe + ate + chocolate cake
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Location chunk
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Tommy and Joe + ate + chocolate cake + at Bill's cafe
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Time chunk
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Last night + Tommy and Joe + ate + chocolate cake
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Purpose chunk
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Tommy and Joe + ate + chocolate cake + for their birthday
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Using these 'chunks' and understanding grammar helps build natural and flexible sentence structures.
Example 2 - Past Continuous
Subject + verb 'be' + continuous form verb
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_____ + _____ + _____
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I + was + running
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The two girls + were + watching + Netflix
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He + was + enjoying + his dinner
Using this as our base, we can then add more 'chunks' of grammar to make the sentences more natural.
Base
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He + was + enjoying + his dinner
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Location chunk
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He + was + enjoying + his dinner + at home
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Time chunk
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Earlier in the evening + he + was + enjoying + his dinner
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Duration chunk
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He + was + enjoying + his dinner + for too long
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Using these 'chunks' and understanding grammar helps build natural and flexible sentence structures.