A.Grammar
1. The Definition of Grammar
Grammar is generally defined as a set of rules to construct a sentence. Carter and McCarthy (2006:2) defines that grammar is concerned with how sentences and utterances are formed. In Oxford dictionary, grammar is the rules in a language for changing the form of words and combining them into sentences. It shows that grammar allows people to use their language easily by forming and combining words.
According to Sudhakar and Farheen (2015: 122), grammar explains how the language should be structured, using various categories. Another definition comes from Dr.Lowth in Brown who says that grammar as guidance for language learner which not only in the expression of their own thoughts, but also in their apprehension of the thought and their interpretation of the words (Brown, 2004:73). Based on the definitions above, the conclusion can be drawn that grammar is a rule or guidance for people to combine words into a sentence.
2. The Importance of Learning Grammar
produce the language weather in written or spoken form. As we know that grammar belongs to basic aspect of language, if the students do not have good competence in grammar, they will not be able to use language effectively. Their languages will be difficult to understand by others.
Grammar becomes a guide in communication. Ur (1988) in Nunan (1991: 154) argues in favour of explicit teaching in the belief that mastering the individual elements of a language, be they lexical, phonological, or grammatical, is a valuable means toward eventual ability to communicate in the language. The learners cannot ignore grammar in producing language correctly. The learners will be able to deliver and understand English and also master the fourth skills if they master the grammar well. Finally, students will be able to use English appropriately.
B.Auxiliary Verbs
1. The Definition of Auxiliary Verbs
2. Types of Auxiliary Verbs
According to Mas‟ud (1998:45), auxiliary verb or known as helping
verb is used along with the other verb to help in expressing the meaning, or especially have a grammatical function. Auxiliary verbs almost always appear together with a main verb, and though there are only a few of them, they are among most frequently occurring verbs in English language. Here are the types of auxiliary verbs:
a. Auxiliary do
The verb do can be used as an auxiliary verb. As an auxiliary, do can be used in negative sentences and questions for most verbs in Simple Present and Simple Past. This auxiliary do are: do, does, and did.
b. Auxiliary be
The verb be can be used as an auxiliary verb. As an auxiliary, this verb can be used for compound tenses and the passive voice. This type of auxiliary be are: am, is, are, was, were, being, and been.
c. Auxiliary have
The verb have, too, can be used as an auxiliary verb. As an auxiliary, this verb is used to form compound tenses in active and passive voice. Auxiliary have is used in perfect tense both present and past. In present has has and have, and had in past is followed by past participle. d. Modal auxiliary
3. The Use of Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs, also known as helping verbs, add functional or grammatical meaning to the clauses in which they appear. They perform their functions in several different ways. The uses of auxiliary verbs are as follow:
a. Auxiliary do
1) The auxiliary "do" is used in negative sentences. E.g.: Simple Present
- I do not know who she is. - He does not play football. Simple Past
- I did not know who she is. - He did not play football.
2) The auxiliary "do" is used in questions. E.g.: Simple Present
- Do you know about her? Yes, I do. - Does he come here?
Simple Past
- Did he play football?
- Did you see my sister? No, I didn‟t.
3) Auxiliary do is also used to emphasize the truth of an assertion. E.g.: - He does smokes.
b. Auxiliary be
In line with auxiliary do, auxiliary be serves some important functions as follow:
1) They are used with main verbs to make specific tenses. E.g.: Present Progressive:
- I am a teacher.
- He is playing football.
- They are students from Thailand. Past Progressive:
- He was playing football. - We were waiting for you. - I was being angry.
Present Perfect Progressive:
- He has been playing football.
- He has been working here for 2 months. Past Perfect Progressive:
- He had been playing football.
2) The auxiliary verb be + a past participle is also used to make passive forms. E.g.:
Simple Present/Past
c. Auxiliary have
1) This auxiliary is used to form compound tenses in active and passive voice.
Active Voice
- Present Perfect Simple : He has played football. - Past Perfect Simple : He had played football.
- Present Perfect Progressive : They have been playing football. - Past Perfect Progressive : They had been playing football. Passive Voice
- Present Perfect : The house has been built.
- Past Perfect : The whales had beendriven onto the shore. 2) To indicate that the action/event was completed prior to some point of
reference - in the present, the past or the future. E.g.: She has bought a new book.
She has been working here for 2 years.
I have sent a postcard to her.
I have got a car. Have I got a car?
You had sung the blues.
d. Modal auxiliary
Modals are so called because they express the mood, such as the opinion or attitude of the speaker towards what is being said. Eastwood (2008:96) said modal verbs are can, could, may, might, must, ought to, shall, should, will, would. The various opinions or attitudes of the
speaker that they express are shown below: 1) Can
a) Ability or potentiality Example:
I can speak English.
You can drive a car.
The business can be reorganized.
b) Asking and Giving or Refusing permission Example:
Can I borrow your book?
You can use my mobile if you like.
You cannot have Saturday off. I am sorry.
c) Possibility Example:
She can be at home at noon.
2) Could
a) Past form from can or general ability in the past Example:
She could not come here yesterday because she was ill Mary could sing a song when she was young.
b) Making request politely Example:
Could you help me now?
Could you take that book for me?
c) Possibility Example:
She could be at home now, but she usually plays volleyball. He could be very busy at that time.
We could go for a walk this afternoon.
3) May
a) Possibility Example:
This old picture may be valuable. The shop may not be open.
b) Asking permission Example:
May I borrow your car? Yes, you may.
May I go home now? No, you may not.
c) Uncertain prediction Example:
She may be late. It may rain tomorrow.
We may have a party.
d) Wish or hope Example:
May God bless you.
May you both the happy.
4) Might
a) Uncertain prediction or intention Example:
Please take an umbrella with you, it might rain.
She might be late.
b) Asking specific request for permission Example:
Might I leave the room now? No, you might not.
c) Make a suggestion or to express criticism that something is not
done
You might listen when I am talking.
5) Must
a) Necessity (What is necessary now or in the near future) Example:
We must go now!
I must do my homework soon.
I am really sweaty. I must have a shower.
b) Express certainty
You saw the film last week, so you must know what it‟s about.
c) It used “need not/needn‟t” in negative form and answering question.
Example:
Must I go now? Yes, you must or yes, you need.
Must she pay it? No, she needn‟t.
She need not come here again.
d) Must not (mustn‟t) means prohibition Example:
You must not smoke in the class!
He mustn’t go there alone!
Example:
You must wait in the queue. (I am telling you)
You have to wait in the queue (That is the rule)
I must go on diet. I want to lose weight. I have to go on a diet. Doctor‟s orders.
6) Ought to
a) To say what is the right thing to do Example:
We ought to recycle as much as possible.
You ought to see the film. You will love it.
You ought to revise before the exam.
b) A helping verb which means properly or prefer (more elastic) Example:
She ought to be here now.
Ought she to come here again?
c) Explain unfinished work Example:
The work ought to have been finished last week.
You ought not (oughtn‟t) to have crossed the road when the
lights were red.
7) Shall
a) Shall means “will” in future form. Shall is a little formal. Example:
I shall go to London tomorrow.
We shall buy a new motorcycle next week.
b) Offering help Example:
Shall I open the window?
Shall I make a cup of coffee for you?
What shall we do this weekend?
c) Promise or deal Example:
You shall have a motorcycle.
I shall meet her tomorrow.
8) Should
a) To say that something is probable (should implies „if all goes well‟) Example:
They should have my letter by now.
There is only a short queue, so we should not have to wait
long.
b) Giving advice Example:
You are ill; you should go to the doctor soon. She is tired, she should take a rest.
c) Something which should be done Example:
You should do your homework every day. He should study hard.
She should be here soon.
d) In past form, it shows an activity which should be done but actually not.
Example:
You should have studied hard before take an exam. John should have gone to dentist yesterday.
9) Will
a) Will for the future Example:
I will go to Jakarta next week.
The South will stay dry at the weekend. I will be 25 next year.
b) Request or offering something politely Example:
Will you carry that bag for me?
c) An instant decision Example:
It is raining. I will take an umbrella.
d) Express willingness and unwillingness Example:
My Polish friend will translate it for you.
I will sit on the floor.
The minister will not agree to the plan. I will not listen to this nonsense.
10) Would
a) Past form from “will” Example:
He would be punished before he escaped.
She knows that it would be pleasant in Bali.
We are thinking of having barbecue. ~Oh, that would be nice.
(a possible situation) b) Offers/invitations
Example:
Would anyone like a drink?
Would you like to join us for lunch?
c) Desire Example:
I would like to eat an apple.
Fiona would like to work in television.
d) Preference Example:
I would rather be a doctor than a president.
Joe would rather to go to school instead of working. Would you rather eat now or later?
