ESL Grammar & Linguistics for Teachers Flashcards
6 cards from real ESL practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ESL Grammar & Linguistics for Teachers flashcards as text
Which linguistic term refers to the smallest unit of meaning in a language?
Answer: Morpheme
A morpheme is the smallest meaningful unit; for example, 'un-' and 'happy' are two morphemes in 'unhappy.'
What is the difference between a free morpheme and a bound morpheme?
Answer: Free morphemes can stand alone as words; bound morphemes cannot
Free morphemes like 'book' function independently, while bound morphemes like '-ing' must attach to a base.
Which type of verb tense expresses an action that was completed before another past action?
Answer: Past perfect
The past perfect (had + past participle) shows that one past event was completed prior to another past event.
The term 'syntax' in linguistics refers to which aspect of language?
Answer: The rules governing sentence structure
Syntax studies how words combine into phrases and sentences according to grammatical rules.
What is a modal auxiliary verb?
Answer: A verb like 'can,' 'must,' or 'should' that expresses modality such as ability or obligation
Modal auxiliaries modify the main verb to express ability, necessity, permission, or possibility.
Which term describes the study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning in language?
Answer: Pragmatics
Pragmatics examines how speakers use language in context and how listeners interpret intended meaning beyond literal words.
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