Descriptive Grammar of the English Language- Syntax, Semantics

obligatory courses

The course aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge of morphology, syntax and semantics of English as well as to identify the similarities and differences between the grammatical systems of English and Polish.

The main aim of this course is to familiarize students with the foundations of the descriptive grammar of English. The main part of the course involves an overview of the fundamental features of the English grammar system. The course is also intended to draw students' attention to the grammar phenomena discussed in their assigned readings and facilitate their comprehension.

General Academic Profile

Full-time programme

Obligatory course (M_5)

The humanisties, linguistics.

Year 1, Semesters 1 and 2

Prerequisites: The student should understand the basics of English grammar description and know its basic terms.

Number of hours: 45 h, lecture

Teaching methods: lecture

4 ECTS points

Students' workload balance

Participation in the practical class: 45 h

Preparation for the class and Revision for the test: 30 h

Consultations with the teacher: 10 h

Revision for the the tests and attending them: 32 h

Numerical indicators:

Students' workload connected with classes which require the teacher's participation: 55 h

Students' workload connected with classes of practical nature: 45 h

1. L. Bauer: English Word-Formation, CUP 1983

2. A. Carstairs-McCarthy: An Introduction to English Morphology, Edinburgh University Press 2002

3. S. Chalker: A Student’s English Grammar, Longman 1992

4. J.R. Hurford: Semantics 2nd ed., CUP 2007

5. R. Huddleston, G.K. Pullum: The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language, CUP 2002

6. V. Fromkin, R. Rodman: An Introduction to Language 5th ed., Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 1993

7. Language Files: Materials for an Introduction to Language and Linguistics 6th ed., Ohio State University Press 1994

8. J. Miller: An Introduction to English Syntax, Edinburgh University Press 2008

9. B. Szymanek: Introduction to Morphological Analysis, PWN 1998

10. G. Yule: The Study of Language, 2nd ed. CUP 1996

11. Pawłowska, K. Word, Phrase, Clause. The Basics of Descriptive Grammar. Białystok 2012

- K_W01, K_W02, K_W03

- K_U01, K_U02

- K_U01, K_U02

- K_K06

The mark for this course is awarded on the basis of an exam. There will be three tests thoughout the year, each covering a different section of the course (morphology, syntax and semantics). The mark fot the first semester will be awarded on the basis of the tests in morphology and syntax. The mark for the second semester will be awarded on the basis of the test in semantics.

The grading policy is as follows:

60-69=3.0, 70-75=3.5, 76-81=4.0, 82-87=4.5, 88-100=5.0

Students who score below the 60% threshold may take a test covering the content discussed in the semester.

The exam takes place in the summer. To be able to take it, the student needs to pass every test. The grading policy for the exam is the same as for all the individual tests.

Students may earn extra points for their active participation.