Understanding Language: Concepts, Grammar, and Lexical Items
Conceptualization: Defining Core Concepts
Conceptualization is the process of developing and clarifying concepts. In other words, it involves articulating one’s concepts with clear words and illustrative examples, ultimately leading to precise verbal definitions.
Dimensions & Measurement in Research
Understanding Dimensions
We classify different meanings into distinct groups, and such groups are referred to as dimensions. When a dimension is not directly observable, we rely on indicators to represent it.
Measurements
Measurement is the assignment of numbers or labels to units of analysis to represent variable categories.
Types of Measurements
- Nominal Measurements: Categorical data without order.
- Ordinal Measurements: Categorical data with a meaningful order.
- Interval Measurements: Ordered data with consistent intervals but no true zero.
- Ratio Measurements: Ordered data with consistent intervals and a true zero point.
Mastering Grammar Structure
Independent Clauses
An independent clause is a clause that can stand on its own as a complete sentence. It does not need to be joined to any other clauses because it contains all the necessary information to express a complete thought.
Key characteristics of an independent clause:
- It has a subject.
- It has an action or predicate verb.
- It expresses a complete thought.
Independent Clause Examples
- Gabriel is playing with toys in his room.
- Nate will be late for the concert.
- He should be home soon.
Dependent Clauses
A dependent clause contains a subject and a predicate but does not express a complete thought. It relies on an independent clause to form a complete sentence.
A clause can be dependent due to the presence of a:
- Subordinating Conjunction (Marker Word): Words like before, after, because, since, in order to, although, though, whenever, wherever, when, whether, while, even though, even if.
- Relative Pronoun: Words like who, whom, whose, which, that.
Dependent Clause Example
The girl ran to her room when the boy called her.
Relative Clauses
We use relative clauses to post-modify a noun, making it clear which person or thing we are talking about. These clauses are introduced by relative pronouns such as who, whom, whose, which, or that.
Relative Clause Example
The student who aced the exam received a scholarship.
Understanding Sentence Types
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence is composed of two or more independent clauses joined together. These clauses are typically connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).
The seven coordinating conjunctions are:
- For
- And
- Nor
- But
- Or
- Yet
- So
Compound Sentence Example
The computer crashed, so I lost all of my work.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Complex Sentence Example
When I read a novel, I look for careful attention to detail.
Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence is a sentence with two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Compound-Complex Sentence Examples
- We can watch the presidential debate, which will be broadcast at nine o’clock, or we can view the documentary about the greatest innovations of the twenty-first century.
- Molly is a competitive horseback rider, and she will be competing in the next World Equestrian Games, which are held every four years.
Conditional Sentences: Expressing Possibilities
Conditional sentences (also known as conditional clauses or if clauses) describe real or unreal situations. They are typically made up of two clauses: a main clause and an ‘if’ clause.
First Conditional
The First Conditional is used to talk about things that might happen in the future (real or very likely situations).
First Conditional Example
If I run very fast, I’ll fall down.
Second Conditional
The Second Conditional is used to talk about ‘impossible’ or hypothetical situations in the present or future.
Second Conditional Example
If I had won the lottery, I would be rich.
Lexical Items: Building Blocks of Language
Linguistic study examines how language works, and lexical items are the fundamental building blocks of a language’s vocabulary. They represent a crucial connection between meaning and form.
The meaning of a lexical item differs from its reference. The form of a lexical item is concrete and physical, consisting of sound waves produced and modulated by various speech and psychological aspects that shape the word’s sound.