What 's Grammar

Oxford dictionary defines, grammar is the way in which word are put together to form proper sentence. In addition, Wikipedia explains, grammar is the set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language. However, if we use the word "rules", we suggest that somebody created the rules first and then spoke the language, like a new game. But languages did not start like that. Languages started by people making sounds which evolved into words, phrases and sentences. No commonly-spoken language is fixed. All languages change over time.

So in simply way we can say, grammar is the system of a language, the collection of principles defining how to put together clause, phrases, and words to form a proper sentence at a particular time.

“Do we need to study grammar to learn a language?”

The short answer is "no". Very many people in the world speak their own, native language without having studied its grammar. Children start to speak before they even know the word "grammar".

But if you are serious about learning a foreign language, the long answer is "yes”, grammar can help you to learn a language more quickly and more efficiently." It's important to think of grammar as something that can help you, like a friend. When you understand the grammar (or system) of a language, you can understand many things yourself, without having to ask a teacher or look in a book.

So think of grammar as something good, something positive, something that you can use to find your way - like a signpost or a map.

Here’s an old children’s rhyme about the eight parts of speech of English grammar. It gives you an idea of what grammar is about. Read and remember it.

Every name is called a noun, as field and fountain, street, and town.

In place of noun the pronoun stands, as he and she can clap their hands.

The adjective describes a thing, as magic wand or bridal ring.

Most verbs mean action, something done, to read and write, to jump and run.

How things are done the adverbs tell, as quickly, slowly, badly, well.

The preposition shows relation, as in the street or at the station.

Conjunctions join, in many ways, sentences, word, or phrase, and phrase.

The interjection cries out, “Heed! An exclamation point must follow me!”

Hope this help you.

Don’t forget to share and leave comment.

See you next time ;)

Polite Way to Ask Someone Name

Today, we’re going to learn how to ask someone’s name in a polite way, also how if we forgot their name after we met them once.

“What’s your name?” was probably one of the first question you learned when you started studying English.

I’ve to tell you, though. That most native speaker of English would never say this. In English, just like in other languages, it is often more polite to be a little indirect. Of course the easiest way to avoid asking the question directly is TO NOT ASK AT ALL. Just introduce yourself and most people will respond by doing the same.

When introducing yourself, simple is nearly always best. Just say,

“Hi, I’m Snehal Quest”

To show that you want to know the other person’s name just add,

“…and you” at the end, so

“Hi, I’m Snehal Quest, and you?”

After you say this, the other person will tell you his or her name.

Okay, now let’s talk about an embarrassing situation that’s happen to everybody. You’ve already met this person once before, but you forgot their name. The most polite thing to do in this situation is to apologize and ask again.

There’s a simple way to do this. That’s also polite.

“I’m sorry, what was your name again?”

This sentence is very similar to “what’s your name?” but it has three important differences,

·         First, we say “I’m sorry” a small apology can go a long way

·         After that, we say “what was your name?”, this is just like “What is your name?”. But instead of “is” we use the past tense “was”. This is really important, as it tells the other person that you remember meeting them. You haven’t forgotten him or her, you have just forgotten their name. this little word makes all the different!

·         Finally, we add “again” to the end. This is another hint that tells the other person that you remember learning his or her name before, but you just can’t recall it right now.

“I’m sorry, what was your name, again?”

That phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal situations.

ADVICE

In the United States, it’s normal to address people by name in conversation more than once, in both formal and informal situations. It’s a way to show respect or interest in other person and can help you make friends. It is also a great way to practice someone’s name, so you don’t forget it.

If you’re talking to someone named Ann, for example, instead of just

“What do you do for fun?”

You could say,

“Ann, what do you do for fun?”

You can also put the name at the end of the sentence

“What do you do for fun, Ann?”

You don’t want to say the person’s name too often, or it will sound a little strange. But if you practice someone’s name like this, you won’t forget it. And people love to hear their own name!

I hope this will be useful for you. Don’t forget to share and leave comments.

See You Next Time

ANGKLUNG

Watch "MANUK DADALI DANCE (ANGKLUNG VERSION) HERE

Angklung is an Indonesian musical instrument consisting of two to four bamboo tubes suspended in a bamboo frame, bound with rattan cords. The tubes are carefully whittled and cut by a master craftsperson to produce certain notes when the bamboo frame is shaken or tapped. Each Angklung produces a single note or chord, so several players must collaborate in order to play melodies.

Traditional Angklungs use the pentatonic scale, but in 1938 musician Daeng Soetigna introduced Angklungs using the diatonic scale; these are known as angklung padaeng

The Angklung is closely related to traditional customs, arts and cultural identity in Indonesia, played during ceremonies such as rice planting, harvest and circumcision.

 The special black bamboo for the Angklung is harvested during the two weeks a year when the cicadas sing, and is cut at least three segments above the ground, to ensure the root continues to propagate.

Angklung education is transmitted orally from generation to generation, and increasingly in educational institutions. Because of the collaborative nature of Angklung music, playing promotes cooperation and mutual respect among the players, along with discipline, responsibility, concentration, development of imagination and memory, as well as artistic and musical feelings.

WINNING COVER LETTER (AN EXAMPLE)

LITTLE DEDE, S.Pd.

Jln. Basuki Rahmad Gg.2 No. 16 RT. 05 / RW. 03

SAWAHAN – LAMONGAN

Phone: 081230000055 ● E-mail: lil.d3d301@gmail.com

April 2, 2014

Principal

METTA SCHOOL

Puncak Permai Utara 45 – 47

Surabaya

Dear Sir,

Your advertisement at JobsDB.com for the position of English Teacher sparked my interest. Please accept this letter and the enclosed resume as my application for the position. Let me briefly explain how I can contribute to METTA SCHOOL.

With over 4 years of experience in teaching English (In elementary school and English course – also 4 months teaching Mathematics), I believe my qualifications will match your requirements. I have had the opportunity to function in a variety of educational settings making it easy to adapt to new situations and faculty concept.

As an English teacher of elementary school, I have good command in both English written and oral, also able to teach English for children well. Besides, I can operate computer well as I have had one year degree of Information technology (IT).

If you are interested in a dedicated teaching professional with the required credentials, patience, positive attitude, and willing to be placed in Surabaya, please give me a call. Thank you so much for taking the time to review my resume, and I look forward to a favorable reply.

Yours faithfully,

Little Dede, S. Pd.

Apple of Someone's Eye

Meaning :

• Something or someone very precious or dear.

• A favorite, a particular preference, or a loved one

• The object of somebody's affection

• If someone is the apple of your eye, you think he/she is very important to you, and you love him/her very much.

• This idiom is used especially when someone is loved by an older member of his/her family.

Example:

•  Erika is Mark's only granddaughter, and she's the apple of his eye.

• Sarah's only son was the apple of her eye.

• His new baby girl was the apple of his eye. 

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WAYS OF SAYING "HOW ARE YOU?"

In this lesson, we are going to learn new more common ways to ask and answer the question: “How are you?” in English.

You’ve probably learned, “How are you?” and “I’m Fine” in the text books before when you start to learn English. Now, let’s review:

• When someone ask you “HOW ARE YOU?”, you can answer it, “I’M FINE”

• We also have “NOT BAD”, You can use this if you are feeling just okay or so so

“How are you?” is the most well-known way of asking how someone is. You could use this when you want to be polite. But now, let’s look at some different ways to ask how someone is. These ways are more casual and much more common.

“HEY, HOW IS IT GOING?”

You can answer this question in many ways.

Ø If you feeling good, you can say : GOOD, PRETTY GOOD, NOT BAD.

Even though these answer mean the same thing as “I’M FINE”, you can’t answer  “HOW IS IT GOING?” with “I’M FINE”. It will sound a bit strange.

Ø  If you’re not feeling good, you can say: NOT SO GOOD, NOT GREAT, NOT SO WELL.

Be careful, if you say one of these, the other person will usually ask, “WHY, WHAT’S WRONG?” to be polite, the you will have to explain!

“WHAT’S UP?”

Ø  To reply this, use a cheerful voice as you say: NOT MUCH or NOTHIG MUCH.

This means, you’re free enough and able to chat with that person

Ø  Since “WHAT’S UP?” is just another way of saying HELLO, you can also reply with HI or HEY

Note : a lot of time, when we ask question that mean “HOW ARE YOU?” in English, we’re not actually asking about the other person health. We’re only asking to be polite. You should think of these question as another way of saying “HELLO”, a way for the conversation to get started instead of actual literal questions. In fact, when someone ask you “What’s Up?”, you don’t even have to answer. Just say “WHAT’S UP?”, in reply.