In this study the inadequacies of rules governing the present perfect in isolated sentences are discussed and then two contextual factors thought to be connected with current relevance and the use of the present perfect are described. These factors are experimentally shown to influence use of the present perfect significantly. (CHK)

A brief analysis of the complex English non-past tense contrasted with the simple Moroccan-Arab non-past. In English the non-past is represented by many forms; in Moroccan-Arabic it is represented by few forms. This fact is the cause of confusion to the Moroccan learner of English. (AMH)

Spontaneous speech samples of 15 children were analyzed for appropriate and inappropriate use and nonuse of the past tense verbal inflection. It was found that: (1) two types of overgeneralization errors have acquisitional relevance; and (2) partial regularity blocks overgeneralization errors. Two hypotheses were not supported. (CHK)

In Beginning English classes for adults, to develop auditory and reading understanding, frequently occurring grammatical problems should be emphasized, such as simple present and simple past tenses of verbs (5 teaching units are presented). At first, less frequent grammatical problems should only be identified by name. (IFS/WGA)

The English habitual progressive is analyzed and its pedagogical implications discussed. Oral drills and blank-filling, illustrated here, may be used to teach the construction. (CHK)

Describes rules for the use and interpretation of "verbally determinate ellipsis" involving the English verb group. Discussion covers: verbal determinacy and indeterminacy; verb group vs. verb phrase; the verb group as a five-part system; verb group echoing vs. auxiliary contrasting ellipsis; passive auxiliary; interpretation rules;…

Discusses H. Zobl's paper, "Configurationality and the Subset Principle: The Acquisition of V' by Japanese Learners of English," and asserts that the subset principle, with certain adaptations, can apply to second language learning. In the context of Universal Grammar theory, first and second language acquisition are clearly different.…

In a large-scale field experiment aimed at improving spelling instruction in Dutch schools, the effectiveness of a newly developed algorithmic teaching method was compared with the conventionally and commonly used analogy approach. The analogy group showed comparatively little progress in learning results. (Seventy-five test items are appended).…

Applies general pragmatic principles to interpretations of noun phrase gaps. Argues that this approach reduces or eliminates the need for a grammatical explanation for anaphora, such as the one provided by Government and Binding theory. Examples are given from Guugu Yimidhirr, an Australian aboriginal language, and English. (Author/LMO)

Three- and four-year-old children were asked to perform a judgement task in which they chose between incorrect English transitives and intransitives and their correct adult equivalents. Purely semantic or syntactic models fail to explain the findings as well as does a model based on semantic/syntactic transitivity. (SED)

Proposes a system of classifying and forming words in French based on several major word "families" grouped according to their grammatical bases and the types of derivations emerging from them as an effective approach to vocabulary development. (MSE)

Discusses acquisition of phrasal verbs by learners of English as a second language, and examines problems of selection, semantics, and usage restrictions of these verbs. Because even advanced learners have difficulties with these verbs, two groups of verb phrases are suggested: one for active use and the other for passive. (SED)

This book presents a grammatical documentation of Kham, a previously undescribed language from west-central Nepal which belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family. Its verb morphology has implications for understanding the history of the entire Tibeto-Burman family. The book, based on extensive fieldwork, deals with all major aspects of the…

This paper examines problems with description of the canonical passive construction, noting how new terminology facilitates consideration of a particular approach to frequency asymmetry. It compares the canonical passive construction in Arabic and English as examples of genetically unrelated languages, referring to other languages where…

This discussion of English participles is intended to aid teachers of English as a second language in both understanding and teaching their use. The forms, functions (as verbs and adjectives), and meanings of participles are first outlined, and an approach for presenting this information to students is detailed. It begins with establishing a…