View source for Talk:Grammar Symbols

Some of the advanced grammar symbols are introduced earlier than the intermediate levels (Grades 4-6).

The concept of the proper noun comes as early as in the 2nd year (grade 2 - age 7/8) of elementary, if not earlier. The symbol, a noun symbol with a white capstone, must therefore be introduced then.

The attachments (small, white triangle; small, white circle; small, gold circle; medium-sized, light blue triangle) come as separate symbols - they are lose when you order this material from the manufacturers.

They are added on to the basic noun, verb and infinitive symbols as needed.

Note: there are no gold triangles available anymore so the white triangle (the same one used for the linking verb) is used as the capstone of the proper noun symbol, instead.

The concept of abstract nouns comes at around ages 8-9 so the symbol (noun symbol with the small, light blue circle in the center) must be introduced.

The idea of non-descriptive adjectives is given at the 7-9 ages so the children recognize numbers (e.g. eight children, some children) and possessive pronouns (e.g. my friend, your friend) as adjectives.

A light blue triangle, same size as the dark blue triangle, is used as the symbol for these types of adjectives.

The 3 verbals: infinitive, participle and gerund all use the silver circle, which is the same size as the verb symbol.
They are originally verbs and are therefore easily recognized as such. Logically, they retain that basic aspect, hence the circle for their symbol.
However, they function in new ways, the addition of the new symbols signal this.

The participle can function as an adjective. This is why a light blue triangle is enclosed within the grey circle.

The gerund functions as a noun so a small, black triangle is enclosed within the grey circle. A gerund is more importantly a verb form first, rather than a noun form, and then we qualify that it functions as a noun.
By the way, as of now, we must have to cut our own small, black triangles for this purpose as none of the manufacturers have, as yet, provided this.

The infinitive (to go, to visit, to migrate, etc.) can be used as a noun, an adjective or an adverb. Its symbol is a simple, grey circle with no attachments because it has varied functions. This lesson on verbals is for the later elementary levels.

== Non-descriptive Adjective Symbol ==

Non-descriptive adjectives are given a light blue triangle that is the same size as the dark blue descriptive adjective symbol.  Possessives are non-descriptive adjectives (her, your, my, our, their, club's, Lucy's, etc.)  Numerical adjectives, definite (1000, 325, all, every, each, etc) and indefinite (some, few, several) are non-descriptive.

== Linking Verbs ==

Linking verbs are followed by adjectives or nouns.