Topic 1 Nouns and Pronouns

7/28/2019 Topic 1 Nouns and Pronouns

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X INTRODUCTION

This topic introduces the two major word classes of English grammar: nouns andpronouns. These two word classes belong to the noun group. You can use a noungroup to refer to someone or something by naming them. You do this by using aname, called a noun. You may decide not to name the person or thing and use apronoun. This module will take you through a series of language awarenessactivities and some language proficiency exercises on nouns and pronouns. The

language awareness activities will sensitise you to the characteristics and thegrammar rules related to the forms and functions of nouns and pronouns, whilethe language proficiency exercises provide practice on the use of these two wordclasses in meaningful contexts.

TTooppiicc11XNounsandPronouns

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

1. Differentiate between nouns and pronouns;

2. Identify nouns and pronouns used in prose;

3. Explain the grammar rules related to nouns and pronouns;

4. Categorise different types of nouns and pronouns;

5. Use a dictionary to look for grammatical information about nouns andpronouns; and

6. Use different types of nouns and pronouns in appropriate contexts.


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TOPIC 1 NOUNS AND PRONOUNS W 9

1. This sheep has grown fatter.There are three sheep in the field.

2. He is a Japanese.Japanese are hardworking people.

There are some nouns for which only a singular form is used because theyrefer to certain things in the world that are unique. These nouns are referredto as singular nouns.

Examples:

Moon, sun, atmosphere, air, etc.

1. The moon is so beautiful tonight.

2. The sun was shining brightly.

1.1.3 Collective Nouns

Collective nouns refer to groups of people, animals, or things. They can becommon nouns (e.g. army, audience, bunch, committee, family, team, etc.) orproper nouns (e.g. the BBC, the Senate, the UN, etc).

When a collective noun is singular in form, you can use it in the singular orplural, depending on the meaning you wish to convey.

Examples:

1. My family is small.

Family is used in the singular because it is considered a single unit.

2. My family are cleaning the house.Family is used in the plural because it is thought of as a number ofindividuals, i.e. the family members.

A collective noun can have both singular and plural forms (e.g. family families),but some collective nouns do not have plural forms. Nevertheless, you can stilluse them in the singular or plural.

ACTIVITY 1.7

Check how your dictionary indicates the types of nouns mentionedabove.


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X TOPIC 1 NOUNS AND PRONOUNS10

Examples:

1. The public is supportive of the new action plan. (Singular)

2. The public are divided in their opinion. (Plural)

PRONOUNS1.2

ACTIVITY 1.9

Read the two texts below and decide which text is better. Provide arationale for your choice.

ACTIVITY 1.8

Can you identify the words which can be used as collective nouns?Find out how your dictionary indicates this type of noun.


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X TOPIC 1 NOUNS AND PRONOUNS18

x This module provides grammatical information about nouns and pronouns.

x Nouns may be classified as proper or common nouns.

x A common noun can be countable, uncountable or both. In terms of number,nouns can be singular or plural in form.

x Some nouns, when singular in form, may be used in the singular or plural.

x Likewise, when they are plural in form, they may be used in the singular orplural.

x A collective noun which is singular in form may be used in the singular orplural.

x Pronouns are words that can replace expressions functioning as nouns.

x The nine types of pronouns covered in this module are personal, possessive,demonstrative, reflexive, indefinite, reciprocal, relative, interrogative andquantifying pronouns.

Proper noun Plural noun

Common noun Singular noun

Countable noun Collective noun

Uncountable noun Pronoun


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Topic 1 Nouns and Pronouns

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