Classification is a subcategory of Language in Context in which respondents categorize words/phrases that are found within a text according to their knowledge of grammatical features using charts.


ACTIVITIES:

1. Work with a partner. List the common nouns in this story in the correct column below. Report to the class.

PASTA

Pasta is a popular kind of food in North America. It comes in many sizes and

shapes. Most people know about spaghetti. This is long, thin noodles. Spaghetti with tomato sauce

is a popular dish. There are many other kinds of noodles and different sauces. Long, flat noodles

are called fettuccine. People sometimes serve these with a sauce or with vegetables.

Lasagne is another tasty pasta dish. People use very wide noodles, cheese, and

tomato sauce to make this dish. They bake lasagne in the oven. Some other pasta dishes are

ravioli and rigatoni. They are also delicious. Pasta is popular nutritious, easy to prepare, and not

very expensive to buy.

COUNTABLE NOUNS

UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS

 

McKay, I. (1996). Grammar Strand 1.

Return to Top


2. Identify the verb phrases and the adverbials for each of the numbered sentences in this passage. Write them in the appropriate column in the grid. The first two sentences have been done for you. Are there any sentences in which the adverbials do not follow the basic order listed above? Which sentences? What is the order?

Biff Bicep and Gladstone Gulp are close friends. (1) They're always trying to

change the way they look because neither one is very pleased with his appearance, (2) but they go

about it differently. Biff Bicep is a serious bodybuilder. (3) He tries to increase the size of his

inuscles by lifting weights at a gym near his house. (4) He usually goes there at the same time every

day. (5) He drinks special vitamin supplements to gain weight, and (6) works out vigorously twice

a day--in the morning and in the afternoon. (7) He usually starts out on an exercise bike to warm

up his muscles. Then he moves on to his exercises. (8) He exercises his upper body on Mondays,

Wednesdays, and Fridays. (9) On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, he does exercises to

develop the muscles of his lower body. (10) He never works out on Sundays, so his muscles can

have a chance to rest.Gladstone Gulp is a serious dieter, (11) He always seems to be trying to lose

weight by going on special weight-reducing diets whenever he feels too heavy. (12) He usually

drinks a special diet drink at breakfast and lunch. (13) Sometimes he doesn't eat anything after

breakfast in order to save a few calories. (14) He also tries not to snack between meals. (15) As a

result, he is usually really hungry when he gets home, and (16) so he often goes directly to the

kitchen to find something to eat. Although he is a serious dieter, he's not a terribly successful one.

(17) He has never permanently lost more than a few pounds. (18) He's always looking for a magic

way to lose weight without having to diet or exercise.

How often (Frequency) Verb Phrase How (Manner) Where (Place) When (Time) Why (Cause and Effect)
1.always are trying to change the way they look       because neither one is very pleased with his appearance
2. go about it differently      
3.          
4.          
5.          
6.          
7.          
8.          
9.          
10.          

Thewlis, S. (1993). Grammar Dimensions, Book Three.

Return to Top


3. Answer the following questions for each of the underlined adverbial forms in these news articles.

1. Which wh-question word would you use to ask a question about this information?

2. Decide on the grammatical form (adverb, adverbial phrase, or adverbial clause) and category of meaning (place, time, manner, degree, or cause and effect).

3. Put the number of the structure in the appropriate square on the blank adverb grid on the page. The first three have been done for you as examples.

CHRISTMAS COUP IN SURINAM
Elections Promise
Paramaribo, Surinam

An army-led coup (1) on Christmas Eve toppled the two-year-old civilian

government of Surinam. The coup was carried off (2) without a single shot being fired, and (3) by

today normal holiday activity had resumed in the capital, Paramaribo.

Ivan Graanoogst, leader of the country's military police, announced that elections

would be held (4) within 100 days. Graanoogst acknowledged being the leader of the coup, and

served as the "official voice" (5) to announce the coup (6) on national television, but the real leader

is widely believed to be Army Chieff Desi Bouterse. Bouterse was the dictator of the former

Dutch colony (7) from 1980 to 1988 and commander of the Armed Forces (8) since then.

Bouterse announced his own resignation from the Army (9) earlier in the day, but is reportedly still

in charge of the troops.

Both the United States and Dutch governments (10) vigorously condemned the

takeover. Bouterse carried out a similar coup (11) in 1980, which toppled a previously-elected

government.

 

AIDS ACTIVIST SUCCUMBS
Oakland, CA

Roosevelt Williams, a well-known educator and AIDS activist in Alameda

County, died (12) peacefully on August 27 (13) from complications caused by AIDS. He was one

of the world's longest surviving AIDS patients. (14) From when he was first diagnosed in 1980,

Williams successfully combatted the disease (15) for nearly ten years. (16) Whenever he had the

opportunity, he appeared in schools, churches, and (17) on radio and television (18) to argue (19)

as persuasively as he could for more education, support, and understanding for people with AIDS.

His efforts were (20) so successful that a number of private organizations set up free treatment

programs for the public. Memorial services will be held (21) in number of area churches (22) on

Sunday.

Meaning

Adverbs

Adverbial Phrases

Adverbial Clauses

Where (Place)      
When (Time)   1,3  
How long (Duration)      
How often (Frequency)      
How (Manner)   2  
How much (Degree)      
Why (Purpose/Reason)      
Why (Cause/Effect)      

Thewlis, S. (1993). Grammar Dimensions, Book Three.

Return to Top


Return to Table of Contents for the Grammar Activities Inventory