How do we teach?
At Study English Grammar we use 'chunks' of language as a base for sentences, and then to build on from that base.
These 'chunks' are colour coded as the vocabulary within them are changeable.
Example 1 - Past Simple
Subject + past form verb + noun phrase
_____ + _____ + _____
I + went to + the bank
We + studied + English
Tommy and Joe + ate + chocolate cake
Using this as our base, we can then add more 'chunks' of grammar to make the sentences more natural.
Base
Tommy and Joe + ate + chocolate cake
Location chunk
Tommy and Joe + ate + chocolate cake + at Bill's cafe
Time chunk
Last night + Tommy and Joe + ate + chocolate cake
Purpose chunk
Tommy and Joe + ate + chocolate cake + for their birthday
Using these 'chunks' and understanding grammar helps build natural and flexible sentence structures.
Example 2 - Past Continuous
Subject + verb 'be' + continuous form verb
_____ + _____ + _____
I + was + running
The two girls + were + watching + Netflix
He + was + enjoying + his dinner
Using this as our base, we can then add more 'chunks' of grammar to make the sentences more natural.
Base
He + was + enjoying + his dinner
Location chunk
He + was + enjoying + his dinner + at home
Time chunk
Earlier in the evening + he + was + enjoying + his dinner
Duration chunk
He + was + enjoying + his dinner + for too long
Using these 'chunks' and understanding grammar helps build natural and flexible sentence structures.