Tài liệu Common errors in the use of adjectives made by the students in grade eleven at hoang quoc viet high school

Hanoi pedagogical university no.2 Foreign language faculty Duong thi thu cuc Common errors in the use of adjectives made by the students in grade eleven at hoang quoc viet high school (Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of bachelor of arts in English) Supervisor: Phi thi tho, B.A Hanoi, May 2013 PART ONE Acknowledgement I would like to take this chance to express my greatest gratitude to Mrs. Phi Thi Tho, B.A., my supervisor for her invaluable support and careful guidance as well as encouragement, suggestions and advice throughout the process of writing this thesis. Besides, I would like to thank to the librarians of Hanoi Pedagogical University Number 2 who have helped me in the preparation and writing this thesis. I would like to express my thanks to my all beloved lectures who always motivated and suggested me to finish my thesis soon. Furthermore, I would like to thank all my friends who never stop encouraging me to finish my thesis. In addition, I want to express my special thank to students in class 11 at Hoang Quoc Viet High School because of their support in the survey. Last but not least, I own a debt of gratitude to my beloved family, for their whole – hearted encouragement and endless support. 1 Abstract It is a fact that adjective is one of the essential parts to form a sentence in English grammar. Adjective is frequently used in daily life such as describing things, objects, or expressing feeling, emotion. As well known, English adjectives are diversified in many forms, meanings as well as usages. It takes learners quite a long time to understand adjectives deeply. As a result, students of English often make errors when they use adjectives. Therefore, this research work is focused on investigating common errors in the uses of adjectives. Actually, the most important purpose is to show how to use the adjectives and to suggest some solutions to the problem. Based on material analysis and error analysis, the types of errors and causes have been found. Solutions to the problems have been suggested. 2 STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP Title: Common errors in the use of adjectives made by the students in grade eleven at Hoang Quoc Viet High School (Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts in English) I certify that no part in this thesis has been copied from any other person’s work without acknowledgement and that the thesis is originally written by me under the instructions from my supervisor. Date submitted: May 2013 Student Supervisor Duong Thi Thu Cuc Phi Thi Tho 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement. ............................................................................................... i Abstract ................................................................................................................ ii Statement of authorship......................................................................................... iii Table of contents..................................................................................................... iv PART ONE INTRODUCTION I. Rationale ........................................................................................................... 1 II. Research presupposition ................................................................................. 1 III. Research objectives........................................................................................ 2 IV. Research scope ............................................................................................... 2 V. Research tasks ................................................................................................. 2 VI. Research methods .......................................................................................... 2 VII. Significance of the proposed research ......................................................... 3 VIII. Design of the research work ....................................................................... 3 PART TWO DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER ONE: THEORETICAL BACGROUND I.1. Literature review in brief .............................................................................. 4 I.2. Adjectives ....................................................................................................... 5 I.2.1. Definition of adjectives ................................................................................. 5 I.2.2. Classification of adjectives............................................................................ 6 I.2.2.1. Descriptive adjectives ................................................................................ 6 I.2.2.2. Limiting adjectives ..................................................................................... 7 I.2.2.2.1. Demonstrative adjectives ........................................................................ 7 I.2.2.2.2. Possessive adjectives ............................................................................... 8 I.2.2.2.3. Interrogative adjectives ........................................................................... 8 I.2.2.2.4. Quantitative adjectives ............................................................................ 8 I.2.2.2.5. Distributive adjectives ............................................................................. 9 I.2.2.2.6. Proper adjectives ................................................................................... 10 I.2.3. Positions of adjectives ............................................................................... 10 I.2.3.1. Adjectives are placed before the nouns .................................................... 10 I.2.3.2. Adjectives are placed after the nouns ....................................................... 10 I.2.3.2.1. Adjectives are placed after the nouns of measurement ......................... 10 I.2.3.2.2. Adjectives are placed after the nouns in certain set phrases ................... 11 I.2.3.2.3. More than one adjective is used to modify a noun ................................. 11 I.2.3.3. Adjectives which can come before or after nouns .................................... 11 I.2.3.3.1. Adjectives before or after nouns with no change in meaning ................. 11 I.2.3.3.2. Adjectives before or after nouns with a change in meaning ................... 11 I.2.3.4. Adjectives are placed after to be and linking verbs .................................. 12 4 I.2.3.5. Adjectives are placed after the objects (used as an object complement ..... 12 I.2.3.6. Adjectives are placed after indefinite pronouns ........................................ 12 I.2.3.7. Adjectives are placed after adverbs .......................................................... 13 I.2.4. The uses of adjectives................................................................................ 13 I.2.4.1. Adjectives used attributively and predicatively ........................................ 13 I.2.4.2. Adjectives used only attributively ............................................................ 13 I.2.4.3. Adjectives used only predicatively ........................................................... 13 I.2.4.3.1. Predicative adjectives beginning with “a” ............................................ 14 I.2.4.3.2. Predicative adjectives describing health ................................................ 14 I.2.4.3.3. Predicative adjectives describing fellings .............................................. 14 I.2.4.4. Adjectival participles ending in “-ed” and “-ing ....................................... 14 I.2.4.5. Present participle verbs and past participle verbs used as adjectives......... 15 I.2.4.6. Nouns that behave like adjectives............................................................. 15 I.2.4.7. Adjectives used as nouns.......................................................................... 15 I.2.4.7.1. “The” + adjective .................................................................................. 15 I.2.4.7.2. Adjectives referring to colors ................................................................ 16 I.2.5. The order of adjectives ............................................................................. 16 I.2.5.1. The order of adjectives ............................................................................. 16 I.2.5.2. The use of commas and “and” to separate adjectives................................ 17 I.2.5.2.1. Separating adjectives used attributively................................................. 17 I.2.5.2.2. Separating adjectives used predicatively ............................................... 17 CHAPTER TWO COMMON ERRORS IN THE USES OF ADJECTIVES II.1. Survey ......................................................................................................... 18 II.1.1. Purposes of the survey ............................................................................... 18 II.1.2. Population of the survey ............................................................................ 19 II.1.3.Type of the survey ...................................................................................... 19 II.1.4. Construction of the test .............................................................................. 19 II.1.5. Preparation of the survey ........................................................................... 19 II.1.5.1. Test items ............................................................................................... 19 II.1.5.2. Arrangement of the test items ................................................................. 20 5 II.1.6. Administration of the try out ...................................................................... 21 II.1.6.1. Preparation of the try out ........................................................................ 21 II.1.6.2. Try out .................................................................................................... 21 II.1.7. Method of data analysis ............................................................................. 21 II.1.8. Results of the survey .................................................................................. 21 II.2. Common errors and causes ....................................................................... 25 II.2.1. Errors in ordering adjectives ..................................................................... 25 II.2.2. Errors in placing adjectives before indefinite pronouns ............................. 25 II.2.3. Errors in the use of predicative adjectives beginning with “a” as attributiveadjectives ............................................................................................ 25 II.2.4. Errors in the use of adverbs instead of adjectives after linking verbs ......... 26 II.2.5. Errors in the use of “The” + adjective ....................................................... 26 II.2.6. Errors in the distinction of predicative adjectives and attributive adjectives ............................................................................................................ 27 II.2.7. Errors in the use of adverbs instead of adjectives after the objects (as object complement) .............................................................................................. 27 II.2.8. Errors in the use of adjectival participles ending in “-ed” and “-ing” ......... 28 II.2.9. Errors in placing adjectives before adverbs ................................................ 28 II.3. Suggested solutions and suggested exercises ............................................. 28 II.3.1. Suggested solutions ................................................................................... 28 II.3.2. Suggested exercises ................................................................................... 30 PART THREE CONCLUSION COCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 31 REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 33 APPENDICIES .................................................................................................. 35 TEST SURVEY ................................................................................................... 35 SUGGESTED EXERCISES ................................................................................ 40 6 INTRODUCTION I. Rationale English is used as an international language in many countries all over the world. In Vietnam as well as in other countries, there is a greater and greater need to learn English. English is used in politics, business dealings, and everyday life. No one can deny the importance of learning English in Vietnam at present. Therefore, English is being taught at every educational level. We know that, studying English nowadays has become an essential demand for everyone. However, each language has its own origin, characteristics and values leading to Vietnamese learners have to face many difficulties when they learn this international language. It is proved that English grammar is complex, so it often causes embarrassments to learners. Adjective is one of the essential parts to form a sentence in English grammar that students have to learn too much at schools. English adjectives are diversified in many forms, meanings as well as usages. Therefore, using adjectives correctly and effectively is rather complex. Though Vietnamese learners are trying to study English, the result does not come up to our expectation due to both subjective and objective causes. Due to its various uses, it is assumed that there are many errors which may be made. As a student in the Foreign Language Faculty, this thesis is accomplished with the hope of making a contribution to the process of teaching English especially in teaching adjectives for students in high schools. For these reasons above, this study is conducted with the aim of focusing on error in using English among the students of English in grade 11 at Hoang Quoc Viet High school. II. Research presupposition Some questions are raised: 1. What kinds of errors in the use of adjectives are made by the students in grade 11 at Hoang Quoc Viet? 2. What are the causes of the errors in the use of adjectives by the students in grade 11 at Hoang Quoc Viet High School? 7 3. What are the effective ways to minimize the errors made by the students in grade 11 at Hoang Quoc Viet High School? III. Research objectives The study is aimed at the following goals: 1. To find out the main errors in the use of adjectives made by the students in grade 11 at Hoang Quoc Viet High School 2. To find out the causes of the errors in the use of adjectives by the students in grade 11 at Hoang Quoc Viet High School 3. To offer some suggestions to minimize the errors made by the students in grade 11 at Hoang Quoc Viet High School IV. Research scope The general research area of this study is grammar. The phenomenon is focused on the errors in using adjectives made by the students in grade 11 at Hoang Quoc Viet High. The population involved in the study is 92 students. V. Research tasks The study involves the following tasks: 1. Studying the definition, formation, classification and meaning of adjectives in English 2. Studying the grammatical features of adjectives in English 3. Conducting a survey to find out error types and causes of the uses of adjectives in English 4. Suggesting some solutions to minimize the students’ errors VI. Research methods To achieve the objectives of the study, the following methods have been applied: 1. Synthesizing theoretical materials on English grammar and linguistics 2. Conducting test survey and analyzing the results 3. Offering suggestions and solutions to the problems VII. Research significance This study is hoped provide the following: 8 1. Input for learners of English in order to have better understanding about adjectives in English, specially at high school level 2. Input for learners in order to minimize their errors in using adjectives. VIII. Research design The research work has three main parts: Introduction, Development and Conclusion. The part Development has two chapters. Chapter one Theoretical Background consists of two sections. Section one presents literature review in brief and section two deals with adjectives in English in definition, classification, position, usage, and order. Chapter two is Common errors in the use of adjectives. It describes the research method. It is composed of three sections. Section one is devoted to the survey. The second deals with error types and causes. The last one is solutions to the problems and suggested exercises on adjectives 9 PART TWO DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER ONE: THEORETICAL Background I.1. Literature review in brief Adjectives have been described by many grammarians like Sinclair (1990), Thomson and Martinet (1989), Alexander (1988), Kam Chuan Aik and Kam Kai Hui (1999). They each have their own ways to describe adjectives. It is visible that their contributions are so great. Generally, they often focus their attention on the definition, classification and the uses of adjectives. In the book Collins Cobuild English Grammar, Sinclair (1990) studied the classification as well as the uses and the order of adjectives. Thomson and Martinet (1989) in the book A Practical English Grammar paid much attention to the position of adjectives. They also focused on the kinds of adjectives and the orders of adjectives. In the book Longman English Grammar, Alexander (1988) gave a quite full picture about adjective. He introduced the definition of adjectives, the classification and the uses of adjectives. Moreover, the order of adjectives was also given in this book. Kam Chuan Aik and Kam Kai Hui (1999) in the book Longman Dictionary of Grammar and Usage discussed the definition as well as the classification of adjectives. He focused on the positions, the uses and the order of adjectives. Besides, they pointed out some errors in the use of adjectives that are errors in placing adjectives before adverbs, and the use of adverbs instead of adjectives after linking verbs. Susan, Douglas and Geoffrey (2002) in the book Longman Student Grammar of Spoken and Written English introduced the classification of adjectives. They pay much attention to the syntactic roles of adjectives. Besides, the uses of adjective were focused as well. 10 In short, much research has been done on the adjectives but some of them pointed out errors in the uses of adjectives. In fact, there are far more errors that learners of English often make when they use the adjectives. Therefore, it is essential to have a comprehensive study of common errors in the use of adjectives. I.2. Adjectives I.2.1. Definition of adjectives According to Alexander (1988) in the book Longman English Grammar, an adjective describes the person, thing, idea which a noun refers to. We use adjectives to say what the person, thing, idea is like or seems like. For example, adjectives can give us information about: Quality: a beautiful dress; a nice day (Alexander, 1988) Size: a big car; a tall man (Alexander, 1988) Age: a young man; a new handbag (Alexander, 1988) Temperature: a cool evening; a hot day (Alexander, 1988) Shape: a round table; a square box (Alexander, 1988) Colour: blue eyes; a white horse (Alexander, 1988) Origin: a Japanese camera, a Swiss watch (Alexander, 1988) An adjective can also describe the idea(s) contained in a whole group of words, as in: Professor Roberts’ lecture on magnetism is fascinating. (Alexander, 1988) To maintain that we can survive a nuclear war is absurd. (Alexander, 1988) 11 Many adjectives can answer the question “what…like?” and, depending on context, can give general or precise information: What is Tom like (to look at)? -He is dark/ short/ tall. (Alexander, 1988) What is Pam like (as a person)? -She is clever/ kind/ witty. (Alexander, 1988) What is the car like? -It is new/ old/ red. (Alexander, 1988) What is the car like to drive? - It is difficult/ fast/ slow. (Alexander, 1988) I.2.2. Classification of adjectives I.2.2.1. Descriptive adjectives Descriptive adjective describes a quality of the person, thing or idea it describes. It tells us what kind of person, thing or idea is referred to. For examples: An angry person (what kind of person? Angry person) (Aik and Hui, 1999) A silly argument (what kind of argument? Silly argument) (Aik and Hui, 1999) A rusty handle (what kind of handle? Rusty handle) (Aik and Hui, 1999) Many descriptive adjectives have no special ending, for examples, old, young, large, short, long, safe, white, hard, soft, dad, rich, hot, cold. However, other descriptive adjectives have endings that show that the words are adjectives. Here are the main endings: -able : changeable, comparable -ible : visible, possible -ful : plentiful, eventful -less : endless, helpless -ly : friendly, yearly 12 -al : mental, national -ary : legendary, elementary -ic : automatic, magnetic -ous : dangerous, poisonous -some : gruesome, bothersome -ish : yellowish, bluish -ive : interactive, passive -y : sunny, smoky -en : golden, wooden I.2.2.2. Limiting adjectives I.2.2.2.1. Demonstrative adjectives Demonstrative adjectives point out the things, persons or ideas they are referred to. It answer the question “Which?” Definite Demonstrative Adjectives I want this car, not that car. (Aik and Hui, 1999) These books are mine, and those books are yousr (Aik and Hui, 1999) You should not say such things. (Aik and Hui, 1999) On yonder hill was an old fort. (Aik and Hui, 1999) Indefinite Demonstrative Adjectives Some man told me that story. (Aik and Hui, 1999) Any student can answer this question. (Aik and Hui, 1999) 13 I.2.2.2.2. Possessive adjectives My, his, her, your, its, and these are called possessive adjectives because they are used to show ownership or possession. Your book… (Which book? Your book) (Aik and Hui, 1999) His pen… (which pen? His pen) (Aik and Hui, 1999) I.2.2.2.3. Interrogative adjectives Whose, which and what are call interrogative adjectives when they are used with nouns to ask questions: Whose project is this? (Aik and Hui, 1999) Which metal has the highest density? (Aik and Hui, 1999) What size do you want? (Aik and Hui, 1999) I.2.2.2.4. Quantitative adjectives Quantitative Adjectives Cardinal numbers: two books, five hats, fourteen people Ordinal numbers: the first reason, the second thing, the fourth 1 3 1 3 Fraction: one third ( ), one fifth ( ) Indefinite Quantitative Adjectives All - whole Have you done all your exercises? (Murphy, 2000) Tell me the whole story. (Murphy, 2000) Half I invited 2o, but only half showed up (Murphy, 2000) 14 Much - many He has much money. (Murphy, 2000) I have many friends. Serveral I have read it several times. (Murphy, 2000) Some – any There are some apples on the table. (Murphy, 2000) Are there any eggs? (Murphy, 2000) Little – few A little – a few We have very little hope of catching that train (Murphy, 2000). There is a little meat in the fridge. (Murphy, 2000) Very few people understood what he said. (Murphy, 2000) My brother has a few friends. (Murphy, 2000) I.2.3.2.5. Distributive adjectives You have every chance of success. (Murphy, 2000) Each motorcycle has two wheels. (Murphy, 2000) You can park on either side of the street. (Murphy, 2000) Neither answer is correct. (Murphy, 2000) 15 I.2.3.2.6. Proper adjectives Proper adjective is formed from a proper noun; it identifies a noun as a part of an official place or group and begins with a capital letter. We attended the Shakespearean Drama Festival. (Alexander, 1988) The Victorian Era in England lasted from 1837 to 1991. (Alexander, 1988) I.2.3. Position of adjectives I.2.3.1. Adjectives before the nouns Adjectives are placed before the nouns they modify: An old ticket (Alexander, 1988) A young shop-assistant (Alexander, 1988) He is an old man (Alexander, 1988) As the above examples show the adjectives are normally placed immediately before the relevant noun. I.2.3.2. Adjectives after the nouns I.2.3.2.1. Adjectives after the nouns of measurement When adjectives are used to show measurements, they may be put after the noun of measurements: Twenty kilometers deep (Aik and Hui, 1999) Fifty kilometers long (Aik and Hui, 1999) Five years old (Aik and Hui, 1999) 16 I.2.3.2.2. Adjectivs are placed after the nouns in certain set phrases In certain set phrases, the adjectives is always placed after the noun: Heir Apparent, Time Immemorial, God Almighty, Body Politic, Governor General, President Elect, Asia Minor, Poet Laureate (Aik and Hui, 1999) I.2.3.2.3. More than one adjective is used to modify a noun More than one adjective is used to modify a noun; the adjectives are sometimes placed after the nouns to emphasize the qualities described: The boys, hungry, tired and dirty, were glad to be back at the camp (hungry, tired and dirty modify boys) (Aik and Hui, 1999) The prince, ambitious and cunning, seized the throne when the king was away (ambitious and cunning modify prince). (Aik and Hui, 1999) I.2.3.3. Adjectives can come before or after nouns I.2.3.3.1. Adjectives before or after nouns with no change in meaning A limit number of adjectives, mostly ending in –able and –ible can come before or after nouns, usually with no change in meaning. Some of these are available, taxable, eligible, and imaginable. For example: I doubt whether we can complete our contract in the time available/ in the available time. (Alexander, 1988) I.2.3.3.2. Adjectives before or after nouns with a change in meaning A few adjectives change in meaning depending on whether they are used before or after a noun. Some of these are concerned, elect, involved, present, proper, and responsible. For example: It is a proper (= correct) question. (Aik and Hui, 1999) The question proper (itself) has not been answered (Aik and Hui, 1999) 17 I.2.3.4. Adjectives are placed after to be and linking verbs Linking verbs are a type of intransitive verb. Their function is to link a subject to a complement. In grammar, the word “complement” is often used to mean subject complement. A subject complement is a word or group of words which is used after linking verbs (such as is, was, were, become, seem, sound, taste, look, smell, fell, keep).Adjectives may be used as subject complements. In other word, they are placed after linking verbs to describe the subject of the sentence. For example: John is handsome. (handsome modifies John) (Aik and Hui, 1999) Mai looks healthy. ( healthy modifies Mai) (Aik and Hui, 1999) I.2.3.5. Adjectives are placed after the objects (used as object complement) An object adjective complement completes the meaning of a sentence by telling us something about the object of its transitive verb. Adjectives may be used as object complements. In other words, they are used to complete the meaning of a sentence by revealing something about the object. Such adjectives are placed after the For example: They made me happy. (Aik and Hui, 1999) We painted the wall red. (Aik and Hui, 1999) I.2.3.6. Adjectives are placed after indefinite pronouns Adjectives used with someone, something, everyone, everything, anyone, anything, no one, and nothing are placed after these words. For example: I want something good. (Aik and Hui, 1999) There is nothing new under the sun. 18 (Aik and Hui, 1999) I.2.3.7. Adjectives are placed after adverbs All adverbs are placed before the adjectives they modify. For examples: The show was very exciting. (Aik and Hui, 1999) The test was rather difficult. (Aik and Hui, 1999) I.2.4. The uses of adjectives I.2.4.1. Adjectives used attributively and predicatively The term attributive and predicative refer to the position of an adjective in a phrase or sentence. We say that an adjective is used attributively when it comes before a noun. For example: She is a good student/ A young shop-assistant/ he is an old man (Alexander, 1988) We say that an adjective is used predicatively when comes after to be or linking verbs. For example: This ticket is old/ your mother seems angry.(Aik and Hui, 1999) Most adjective can be used either attributively or predicatively; some of them change their meaning when move from one position to an other. For example: A small farmer (is a man who has a small farm) and the farmer is small (he is a small man physical) (Aik and Hui, 1999) I.2.4.2. Adjectives used only attributively Some adjectives that are always used attributively. These adjectives are main, former, latter, utter, lone, outdoor, eventual, outer, and inner. For example: The main road…(correct) / The road is main…(wrong). (Aik and Hui, 1999) 19