The verbal group: tenses

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Basic English Grammar Module: Unit 2B. Independent Learning Resources
© Learning Centre University of Sydney. This Unit may be copied for individual student use.
1
Basic
English
Grammar
Module
Unit 2B
: The Verbal
Group
:
Tenses
Objectives of the Basic English Grammar module
As a student at any level of University study, when you write your assignments or your
thesis, your writing needs to be grammatically well-­‐structured and accurate in order to
be clear. If you are unable to write sentences that are appropriately structured and clear
in meaning, the reader may have difficulty understanding the meanings that you want to
convey. Here are some typical and frequent comments made by markers or supervisors
on students’ written work. Such comments may also appear on marking sheets which
use assessment criteria focussing on your grammar.
•
Be careful of your written expression.
•
At times it is difficult to follow what you are saying.
•
You must be clearer when making statements.
•
Sentence structure and expression poor.
•
This is not a sentence.
•
At times your sentences do not make sense.
In this module we are concerned with helping you to develop knowledge of those
aspects of the grammar of English that will help you deal with the types of grammatical
errors that are frequently made in writing.
Who is this module for?
All students at university who need to improve their knowledge of English grammar in
order to write more clearly and accurately.
What does this module cover?
Unit 1A
Grammatical Units: the structure and constituents of the
clause/sentence
Unit 1B
The Noun Group: the structure and constituents of the noun group
Unit 2A
The Verb Group: Finites and non-­‐Finites
Unit 2B
The Verb Group: Tenses
Unit 3A
Logical Relationships between Clauses
Unit 3B
Interdependency Relationships between Clauses
Unit 4
Grammar and Punctuation

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