Grammar

• Grammar Is a language level in the same way that lexis, phonology etc.
• A solid grammatical analysis will allow you to reach the higher bands
• Refers to the underlying structure

Linguistic rank scale-
MORPHEME - WORD - PHRASE - CLAUSE - SENTENCE - TEXT


Morphology/morphemes

• The study of the way words are formed
• A morpheme is NOT a syllable
• The smallest unit of language that we can analyse 

Example:
The word 'apple' has two morphemes
apple=noun
s = plurality
apple = free morpheme

• Free morpheme = meaning in its own right, stands out

+s = bound morpheme

• Bound morpheme = cannot stand alone, much be attached 

A root word can stand alone but a suffix or a prefix much be attached. The term affix can be used for both.


Modal auxiliary verbs

• auxiliary verbs are a 'helper' verb that is attached to a main verb, it shows tense
• a modal auxiliary verb indicates obligation, necessity or certainty

Example: Notice how the last modal verb is a slightly different meaning
-Bristol City should beat Man Utd
-Bristol City will beat Man Utd
-Bristol City might beat Man Utd
-Bristol City must beat Man Utd


Epistemic modality
- possibility, probability, certainty
Deontic modality
- necessity, obligation