Competence

To identify and broadly analyse some elements in sentences, in both spoken and written texts.

Presentation

In this unit, we will explore the concepts of phrase, clause and sentence as an approach to what the grammar of a language involves. Therefore, syntax will also be an important issue to look at, since it is a fundamental component in the set of language rules that grammar comprises.

To be assessed in this unit, you will have to send on due time the portfolio activities, participate in the forum discussions, and include your insights on the unit topic in a short essay.

Introduction

In the previous unit we reviewed some of the most significant aspects regarding words, which are an essential element in a language.

However, in order to communicate, words must be ‘organized’ in a certain way. The order that we choose to give to words is precisely part of the grammar of a language.
Following this grammar, words can be organized to form phrases, clauses, sentences and whole texts, whether spoken or written. Although we can choose the order we give to words, there is a certain set of ‘considerations’ to take into account to produce understandable chains of words. In this unit, we will explore some of the possibilities to produce these chains of words, which are phrases, clauses and sentences, and the overall principle to form them, which is syntax.

Getting started