So You Think You Know English?

This book is a brief explanation of the grammar and semantics of English. It attempts to show how speakers and writers can use English to describe what they know, see and feel about the world in general as well as showing how we use English to interact with and manage each other. Grammatical terms are defined based on traditional grammar influenced by some of the concepts of functional grammar. In particular the transitivity of the verb is treated both in terms of how the subject and object relate to the verb as well as to the role of the participants in material processes. This includes a study of the passive voice and the true nature of reflexive verbs. The means by which the present tenses of the verb can express either present or future time and how the past tense can express either the past or hypothetical situations is examined. Numerous illustrations, colour photographs and graphical device are used throughout to help explain mood, tense and how modal verbs enable interpersonal communication. The attributes and physical properties of everyday objects are shown in terms of the use of the article, pronouns and adjectives as well as how meronymy, synonymy, and antonymy enable us to express our perception of things in relation to other objects. We look at how questions are formed and the nature of their answers including the circumstances and manner in which people and things interact. Later chapters deal with cohesion in texts and by means of a detailed study of a newspaper article we look at lexical and cohesive devices in the sentences and clauses of its paragraphs. This book will be helpful to anyone who is studying English for interest or to enhance their awareness of grammar and semantics. Trainee teachers of English will also find this book helpful.

The author has taught English as a foreign language in Spain, Italy, Greece and the Czech Republic as well as in the UK for more than twenty years. He has the Royal Society of Arts Diploma in TEFL and an MA in Applied Linguistics. His other interests include drawing and all things mechanical.