Predict the future by creating it
Here is a list of Grade 12 English Grammar Concepts that are typically covered in the curriculum:
Grade 12 English Grammar Curriculum Concepts:
Advanced Parts of Speech
Nouns: Common, proper, abstract, collective, compound nouns, possessive forms, and advanced uses of nouns.
Pronouns: Personal, possessive, reflexive, relative, demonstrative, indefinite, reciprocal, and interrogative pronouns.
Verbs: Action verbs, linking verbs, modal verbs (advanced usage), auxiliary verbs, and phrasal verbs.
Adjectives: Comparative, superlative, descriptive, limiting, possessive adjectives, and using adjectives for emphasis.
Adverbs: Adverbs of frequency, manner, time, place, degree, and adverbs in comparative and superlative forms.
Prepositions: Advanced prepositional phrases, prepositions of time, place, direction, and cause.
Conjunctions: Coordinating, subordinating, and correlative conjunctions used in complex sentence structures.
Interjections: Words expressing strong emotion or surprise in written and spoken communication.
Advanced Sentence Structure
Simple Sentences: Advanced use of subject-predicate combinations.
Compound Sentences: Combining two independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
Complex Sentences: Using subordinating conjunctions (although, because, if, unless) to combine clauses and create meaningful relationships.
Compound-Complex Sentences: Combining both compound and complex sentence structures for clarity and depth.
Types of Sentences: Declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences, and using them in different contexts.
Sentence Fragments & Run-ons: Correcting fragments and run-on sentences by understanding clauses and punctuation.
Subject-Verb Agreement
Agreement between subject and verb in number (singular/plural) and person (first, second, third).
Agreement with compound subjects, collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and special cases (e.g., there is/are, or, neither/nor).
Verb Tenses
Present Tenses: Simple present, present continuous, present perfect, and present perfect continuous.
Past Tenses: Simple past, past continuous, past perfect, and past perfect continuous.
Future Tenses: Simple future, future continuous, future perfect, and future perfect continuous.
Mixed Tenses: Combining different tenses for different contexts (e.g., past perfect and simple present).
Perfect Tenses: Using the present, past, and future perfect tenses effectively.
Time Clauses: Understanding the use of time clauses in different tenses.
Active and Passive Voice
Changing from active voice to passive voice in various tenses.
Understanding when to use passive voice for emphasis or when the doer is unknown or irrelevant.
Passive constructions with modals (e.g., must be done, should be seen).
Direct and Indirect Speech
Converting direct speech into indirect speech and vice versa.
Using correct punctuation, pronouns, and tense changes in indirect speech.
Reporting verbs and transformations in speech.
Conditional Sentences
Zero Conditional: General truths (if + present simple, present simple).
First Conditional: Real future possibilities (if + present simple, will + base verb).
Second Conditional: Hypothetical or unreal present/future situations (if + past simple, would + base verb).
Third Conditional: Hypothetical situations in the past (if + past perfect, would have + past participle).
Mixed Conditionals: Combining past, present, and future conditionals for more complex meaning.
Modals
Advanced use of modal verbs (can, could, will, would, may, might, must, shall, should, ought to) for expressing ability, permission, obligation, advice, speculation, and politeness.
Modals in the past tense (could have, should have, would have) and their implications.
Expressing hypothetical situations using modals.
Pronouns and Antecedents
Pronoun-antecedent agreement in complex sentences.
Use of reflexive and reciprocal pronouns.
Ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity with pronouns in longer sentences.
Prepositional Phrases
Advanced usage of prepositional phrases to indicate relationships of place, time, and direction.
Using prepositional phrases to convey nuanced meaning (e.g., in comparison with, on behalf of).
Gerunds and Infinitives
Differentiating between gerunds (verb + -ing) and infinitives (to + base verb).
Correct use of gerunds and infinitives after certain verbs (e.g., enjoy + gerund, want + infinitive).
Verbs that are followed by either gerunds or infinitives, depending on meaning (e.g., stop + infinitive/gerund).
Relative Clauses
Defining and non-defining relative clauses.
Using relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) in sentences.
Punctuation rules for non-defining relative clauses and their functions.
Adjective Clauses
Modifying nouns with adjective clauses.
Using relative pronouns in adjective clauses for more detailed descriptions.
Correct placement and punctuation of adjective clauses.
Adverbial Clauses
Modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs using adverbial clauses.
Using adverbial conjunctions to form complex sentences (e.g., because, since, although).
Identifying and using adverbial clauses of time, place, condition, and reason.
Collocations
Using common word combinations in English (e.g., take a decision, make progress, break the news).
Expanding vocabulary through word collocations for more natural-sounding language.
Word Formation
Using prefixes, suffixes, and roots to form new words.
Expanding vocabulary through the study of word families (e.g., create → creative → creativity).
Understanding and applying word formation rules in writing.
Parallel Structure
Using parallel structure for consistency in lists, comparisons, and paired elements.
Correct usage of parallelism in sentences and writing for clarity (e.g., She likes dancing, singing, and reading).
Punctuation
Mastering advanced punctuation (colons, semicolons, hyphens, dashes, quotation marks, parentheses).
Correct punctuation in complex and compound sentences.
Using punctuation to clarify meaning and ensure sentence structure is clear.
Subjunctive Mood
Using the subjunctive mood to express wishes, suggestions, hypothetical situations, and demands (e.g., If I were you, I would…).
Subjunctive constructions in various contexts (e.g., I wish that he be here).
Rhetorical Devices and Stylistic Choices
Understanding rhetorical devices (e.g., metaphors, similes, alliteration, asyndeton, anaphora).
Using stylistic choices to enhance writing and communication.
Summary:
Grade 12 English Grammar focuses on advanced grammar concepts that prepare students for high-level writing and communication. The curriculum emphasizes complex sentence structures, advanced use of tenses, modal verbs, conditionals, and subjunctive mood. It also covers the use of relative and adverbial clauses, gerunds and infinitives, as well as punctuation. Students explore the finer points of sentence structure and word formation, along with applying rhetorical devices to elevate their writing style. These concepts are essential for mastering academic and formal English writing, preparing students for higher education and professional writing tasks.