Are You Speaking English Like Yoda? Ep 669

How to Perfect Your British English Grammar?

Ever wondered why Yoda's speech sounds so wrong? Are you mangling your British English? Ditch the "Yoda Talk" and start turning heads with crisp, authentic British syntax. Dive into our lesson and watch as English fluency doors swing wide open!

• 🔥 No More Confusion: Crystal clear British English in no time.
• 🎯 From Novice to Native: Sound like you've lived in London all your life.
• 💬 Speak With Confidence: Ditch the hesitations and get the words flowing.

Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.
⭐ Rita Mae Brown

✔Lesson transcript: https://adeptenglish.com/lessons/grammar-english-sentence-construction/

Imagine if, in just one lesson, you could decode the core of English sentence structure! Jump in with us as we unveil the secrets behind constructing perfect English sentences.

And stick around till the end, because we've got a game-changing tip that will skyrocket your confidence and understanding. This is the lesson you've been waiting for; let's master English together!

You can never understand one language until you understand at least two.
⭐ Geoffrey Willans

From Yoda's unique speech patterns to the Passive Voice's allure, we break down sentence construction in bite-sized pieces. Tune in for essential #english grammar ! Become the English speaker everyone listens to. Are you in?

More About This Lesson

Welcome to the world of English fluency! Embracing the English language is not just about learning words and grammar; it's about diving deep into the rhythm and soul of the language. With resources like our podcast, you'll not only learn the language but truly live it.

The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.
⭐ Ludwig Wittgenstein

Things you will learn listening to this English grammar lesson:, you will discover:

1. Understanding the 80/20 Rule:
   • 20% effort can provide 80% of desired results.
2. Subject-Verb-Object Rule:
   • Basic structure for making statements in English.
   • Examples: "She read the book.", "The dog ate his bone."
3. Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs:
   • Transitive verbs take an object: "I drive a blue car."
   • Intransitive verbs don't: "I sleep really well in that bed."
4. Yoda’s Unique Sentence Construction:
   • Breaks English word order rules, making for entertaining examples.
5. Forming Simple Questions:
   • Reverse the subject and verb order; often requires an auxiliary verb.
   • Correct form: "Did she read the book?", not "Read she the book?"
6. Adjectives and Adverbs:
   • Adjectives describe nouns and precede them.
   • Adverbs describe verbs and usually follow them.
7. Prepositions:
   • Small words that precede the nouns they relate to.
   • Examples: "She reads in the park.", "The dog ate his bone under the table."
8. Conjunctions:
   • Link words, phrases, and sentences.
   • Examples: "and", "but", "or", "so", "because", "although".
9. Passive Voice vs. Active Voice:
   • Focuses on the action and not on who performed it.
   • Active: "The dog ate the bone." vs. Passive: "The bone was eaten by the dog."

Benefits of our listen & learn approach to learning

• Engaging with English in a narrative format enhances memory and retention.
• Repeated exposure to structured sentences allows for natural pattern recognition.
• Listening to native speech aids in grasping natural intonation and rhythm, essential for genuine communication.

Grammar is the logic of speech, even as logic is the grammar of reason.
⭐ Richard C. Trench

Struggling to get your English sentences just right? We've got the roadmap to help you #englishfluency. Join us as we simplify the complex:

• Authenticity: Dive into lessons that are more than just vocabulary and grammar. It's about real-world use and genuine communication.
• Active Engagement: Simply listening isn't enough. Active listening, repetition, and structured study lead to mastery.
• Memory Boost: Stories in podcasts improve memory recall. They make the learning experience memorable and effective.
• Natural Rhythms: Podcasts expose learners to the genuine flow of spoken English, essential for spoken fluency.
• Avoid Misconceptions: Passive listening isn't the path to mastery. Engage actively for genuine progress.
• Neuroscience Backs It: Stories are easier to remember than isolated facts. Plus, our brains love recognizing patterns.
• Get The Real Feel: Textbooks lack the rhythm and intonation of real conversations. Get exposed to genuine English conversations.

🎧 Learn English structure effortlessly with engaging stories and native rhythms! 👉 Subscribe now for a fluent tomorrow! 🚀

Questions You Might Have...

Imagine you're about to embark on a thrilling train journey across the diverse landscapes of the English language. This podcast is like that ticket to the most scenic route available. As we chug along, each station is a crucial grammar lesson, helping you construct your sentences seamlessly. Trust me, by the end of this voyage, you won't just be a passenger; you'll be the conductor!

1. What's the importance of understanding English sentence construction? Your grasp of English sentence construction and word order can drastically improve your fluency in the language. By understanding just 20% of the rules, you might achieve up to 80% proficiency in constructing your sentences, making you sound more natural and confident in your English conversations.
2. How does English typically structure its sentences? English typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure. For instance, in the sentence "She read the book," "She" is the subject, "read" is the verb, and "the book" is the object. While this rule holds true for more complex sentences, be cautious as not all verbs can have an object.
3. How do I form questions in English without sounding like Yoda? Constructing questions in English can be a tad tricky. Instead of merely inverting the subject and verb, which might make you sound like the iconic Star Wars character, Yoda, English usually requires an auxiliary verb. For instance, "She reads the book" becomes "Does she read the book?" Learning this structure is essential to avoid common pitfalls and sounding odd.
4. Where do adjectives and adverbs typically appear in English sentences? Adjectives, which describe nouns, typically precede the noun they modify (e.g., "The red ball"). Adverbs, which modify verbs, generally follow the verb they're describing (e.g., "She reads quickly"). This placement can influence the overall feel of a sentence, and while there's a bit of flexibility with adverbs, following these guidelines will make your statements sound more natural.
5. What is the Passive Voice in English and when should I use it? The Passive Voice focuses on the action rather than the doer. For example, "The dog ate the bone" in Active Voice becomes "The bone was eaten by the dog" in Passive Voice. It's useful when you wish to emphasize the action, not allocate responsibility, or when the doer is unknown. Grasping the Passive Voice can add another layer of sophistication to your English speaking skills.

Most Unusual Words:

• Pareto principle: A principle stating that 80% of outcomes result from 20% of causes. Also known as the 80/20 rule.
• Transitive: Describes a verb that needs an object to make full sense.
• Intransitive: Describes a verb that does not need an object to make full sense.
• Auxiliary: A supporting or helping verb used with the main verb to help express tense, voice, or mood.
• Infinitive: The base form of a verb, often preceded by the word "to" (e.g., "to eat").
• Adjectives: Words that describe nouns (e.g., "red," "quick").
• Adverbs: Words that describe verbs (e.g., "quickly," "slowly").
• Conjunctions: Words that connect words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., "and," "but").
• Subordinate: Refers to something that is of less importance or is secondary.
• Passive Voice: A verb form in which the subject of the sentence receives the action.

Most Frequently Used Words:

Listen To The Audio Lesson Now

Transcript: Are You Speaking English Like Yoda

89% of our listeners like grammar podcasts!

Hi there. We did a poll recently on Spotify and we asked, do you like grammar podcasts?

And your response? A full 89% of you said that you did.

And I get it! Would you prefer to be working your way through a book like this, a traditional grammar book? Or would you rather I gave you some quick tips in under 15 minutes to help you with your grammar?

If you've heard of the Pareto principle or the 80/20 Rule, you'll know what I mean. Sometimes just 20% effort at something will give you 80% of the results that you want.

So today, let's see whether by understanding 20% about English sentence construction and word order, you can gain about 80% of what you need to know. It'll improve your English speaking this, much more quickly than a grammar book! And find out how a character from the Star Wars series of films can help you understand how not to do English sentence construction!

Stay with me till the end of this podcast and I'll talk about a way of using English verbs, that's perfect for those times when you want to be a bit mysterious or you want to avoid placing the blame! Ever wondered how to say something happened without saying who did it? Stick around to the end to start learning about the Passive Voice in English.

Hello, I’m Hilary, and you’re listening to Adept English. We will help you to speak English fluently. All you have to do is listen. So start listening now and find out how it works.

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Oh, and don't forget to respond to our polls if you're on Spotify. Your answers are gold dust to us, it's been really interesting! So the answers are coming in on the back of podcast 668. We asked 'Should the unpaid work in the home be equally shared?' And your responses are really interesting. We'll let you know. But any of this interaction on Spotify is helpful to us. So thank you for supporting Adept English in that way.

Seven tips on English word order and sentence construction

OK. Here goes. Seven tips on English word order and sentence construction.

1. Subject-Verb-Object

1. Subject-Verb-Object. This is the golden rule for making statements, statements of fact. So British English follows Subject-Verb-Object, like many other languages do.

'The subject' means 'the person doing the action'. The verb is the action. And 'the object' is the thing it's done to. The action is done to. And there may or may not be an object. ' Examples?

• She read the book.
• The dog ate his bone.

Obviously, these are very simple sentences, but Subject-Verb-Object still holds for statements where it's more complicated.

• She enjoyed reading no end of books during the summer holidays. Or
• The dog who lived at the pub, ate his bone noisily.

So, bear in mind, not all verbs can have an object. This is not me being religious. It's just an example I know off the top of my head. The shortest sentence in the Bible, if you know that? 'Jesus wept'. So it's two words - still a sentence. Subject-Verb. No Object there! And that's because 'to weep' is a verb that can't take an object. Do you know the word for verbs which take an object and the word for verbs which don't take an object? Give you a moment to think. This is advanced level grammar knowledge, if you have it! ' Transitive verbs' take an object, 'intransitive verbs' can't take an object.

• An example of a transitive verb - 'I drive a blue car.'
• An example of an intransitive verb - 'I sleep really well in that bed.'

So Subject-Verb-Object. I mentioned in my introduction how a character from the Star Wars films can help us learn how not to do English word order, English sentence construction. This character, of course, is Yoda. And Yoda has a unique way of speaking, which all English speakers are aware of. It gives him a strange air.

And this is because Yoda breaks all the rules of sentence construction and word order.

• An example? 'Your path you must decide', he says.

So, he's breaking Subject-Verb-Object and he's going instead with Object-Verb-Subject. That's why it sounds odd to us! So, if you don't want to sound odd like Yoda, stick with Subject-Verb-Object for your statements.

Are You Speaking English Like Yoda? Ep 669 Article Image

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A photograph of English language learning books. English structure effortlessly with engaging stories!

©️ Adept English 2023

2. Word order for simple questions - avoid 'Yodaisms'

2. Simple questions. Uuuhhh! Questions are difficult when it comes to word order. It can be quite confusing. So, for most simple questions, you swap around the order of subject and verb to make a question. But, it usually needs an 'auxiliary verb'. Auxiliary. Perhaps you want to practise pronouncing that because it's difficult even for me! ' Auxiliary' A U X I L I A R Y. It just means 'an extra, an additional little verb' that gets inserted sometimes in the English tenses. You'll know them when you hear them.

So you can't just switch the sentence around to make a question. Taking the previous examples and just reversing the word order, it would sound like this.

• Read she the book?
• Ate the dog his bone?

Again, these sentences take on a 'Yoda-like quality' when you put them like that, because they're not correct! No one but Yoda would ever say it like that.

Another Yoda example? ' Look I so old to young eyes?', he says. So, if you're not Yoda and you don't want to sound bizarre like Yoda, here's how to do it!

• Did she read the book?
• Did the dog eat his bone?

Clearly those are both past tenses and they need the verb 'to do' adding in, in order to make them into questions. Let's, just tackle the three present tenses in English to give you further examples. Questions would sound like this.

• ' She reads the book' becomes 'Does she read the book?'
• 'She is reading the book' becomes 'Is she reading the book?' And...
• 'She does read the book' becomes 'Does she read the book?'

So, it's a bit easier if the tense already uses an auxiliary verb.

3. Word order for negative sentences - avoid 'Yodaisms'

3. Negative sentences. Again, this is a difficult one. So, negative sentences also tend to require auxiliary verbs. Often it's 'to do', ' to be', 'to have', followed by 'not'. So again, if you go with the simple sentence and just add not...

• She reads not the book.

It sounds like an ancient translation of the Bible or something or Shakespeare to us. We just wouldn't say that. Again, another example from Yoda...

• 'Adventure, excitement. A Jedi craves not these things.'

So, if you want to do it properly and not sound bizarre,

• She didn't read the book, or
• She hasn't read the book, or even
• She hasn't been reading the book.
• The dog didn't eat his bone.
• The dog hasn't eaten his bone, or
• The dog hasn't been eating his bone.

That's how to do it!

Just to combine points 2. and 3. if you wanted to make negative questions out of those sentences...

• Didn't she read the book? Or
• Didn't the dog eat his bone? Or
• Hasn't the dog eaten his bone? Or
• Hasn't the dog been eating his bone even?

4. Adjective and adverb positioning - easy!

4. Adjectives and adverbs. These give more detail and they make your sentences much more interesting. And in terms of word order, they're quite easy. So, adjectives, A D J E C T I V E S. These are 'describing words for nouns'. And adverbs are 'describing words for verbs'. A D V E R B S, 'adverbs'.

Adjectives always go before the noun.

• The red ball
• The quick fox.
• The good-looking man.

Even adjectival phrases usually go before the noun.

• The never-to-be-believed hero.
• She is reading a fascinating book.
• The dog is eating a juicy bone.

Adverbs, on the other hand, usually go after the verb.

• She reads quickly.
• I eat slowly.
• He drives badly.

After the verb is the safest place for them. Even adverbial phrases usually go after the verb.

• She drove incredibly badly the next morning.
• The dog ate his bone with a lot of slurping noises.

There's a little bit of flexibility with adverbs. In that podcast on 'The grammar rules you can break', I talked about how you can split an infinitive with an adverb. That's not wrong.

What you can't do is split the verb and its object. You can't put the adverb in the middle.

• The dog ate noisily his bone.

Again, that sounds Yoda-like that sentence - because the word order's incorrect.

If you really wanted to emphasise the 'noisily', you could put it at the start of the sentence.

• Noisily, the dog ate his bone.

But it's more usual after the verb and the object if there is one.

• The dog ate his bone noisily.

5. Preposition positioning - easy!

5. Prepositions. This one's nice and easy. Prepositions are those tiny little words that show the relationship between other words. Common ones - in, at, on, with, by, under, through, behind.

Word order and sentence structure here? They always go before the noun that they relate to.

• She reads in the park.
• The dog ate his bone under the table.

Nice and simple that one.

Listening Lessons

6. Conjunctions - some useful observations about word order

6. Conjunctions. C O N J U N C T I O N. ' Conjunctions' link words, phrases, and sentences together. So, you can join two sentences and make one sentence with a conjunction.

Basic conjunctions are words like and, but, or, so, because, although. You'll have heard me talk about conjunctions in Podcast 662, 'The grammar rules you can safely ignore'. It's fine to start a sentence with a conjunction. We do it all the time.

So, conjunctions are useful for relating ideas, and sometimes when they're used, the two parts of the sentence that are joined are equal. They can both stand alone.

The dog ate his bone under the table and then he got up and had a wander around.

So, the conjunction here? You're right, it's 'and'. And each part of that joined sentence can stand alone.

• The dog ate his bone under the table. (Full stop). Then he got up and had a wander around. (Full stop).

But sometimes conjunctions create a main clause and a subordinate clause.

So they create a part of a sentence that could stand alone. And another part of a sentence which can't. ' Subordinate' just means 'lesser than'.

'Although' is an example of a conjunction that creates a main clause and a subordinate clause.

• Although the dog was old, he still enjoyed a juicy bone.

And the word order doesn't matter here. You could say, The dog enjoyed a juicy bone although he was old. That's fine too.

So which part of that sentence is stand alone and which part can not stand alone? You're right. 'The dog enjoyed a juicy bone' can stand alone. But if you just said, 'Although he was old.... People would be waiting for the rest of the sentence. It can't stand alone, so it's a subordinate clause, that one. Last one....

7. Passive Voice - still Subject-Verb and possibly Object

7. Passive Voice. This is a way of using verbs where the focus is on the action rather than on who did it. So, this demands a different word order, or at least it sounds like that. The opposite of Passive Voice is Active Voice, so that's the one that we're using most of the time.

So, active voice would be

• The dog ate the bone.
• Passive voice would be
• The bone was eaten by the dog.

So here, although the dog is really doing the action, the bone is the subject of the sentence. That's the way that passive voice works. So 'the bone' comes first in the word order.

• The bone was eaten by the dog.

That's a Subject-Verb-(Indirect) Object. So we're still doing Subject-Verb-Object there.

It doesn't always have an object. So you could just say,

• The bone was eaten.

Subject-Verb. Then you've no idea whether the dog ate it or someone else did. So, the passive voice is great where you don't want to allocate responsibility or you want to remain a bit mysterious around who did it.

• 'All the cakes have been eaten!' someone might complain.

They're not saying who by, even though they may have their suspicions. The Passive Voice is a whole complex area, so let me know if you'd like me to do a whole podcast just on the Passive Voice.

Download The Podcast Audio & Transcript

Work on your word order and you'll improve your speaking

OK, so if you get a firm grasp on these fundamental rules for English word order and English sentence construction, it'll really help you when you come to speak English. These basics will serve you well in everyday situations.

Goodbye

Let us know what you think of this podcast. And if you've got any specific grammar questions, then please ask!

Enough for now. Have a lovely day. Speak to you again soon. Goodbye.

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