Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[jonie]

i need help with this...
what is actually word structure, pattern, form, transform and function?

[redset]

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking, can you give us more information?

[jonie]

i'm doing an assignment on grammar..
i'm asked to give definition or examples on:
a) word structure
b) word pattern
c) word form
d) word transform
d) word function
e) word meaning

i'm assigned by my lecturer to do this topic which i really dont understand.

[Suzanne]

I would also like to help you. Did your teacher give you any more information, besides this list?

[jonie]

thanks Suzanne..but unfortunately no...he just kind of blurt it out before leaving the class..
I've done some research myself..which i don't know whether it's correct or not..I've found out that:

a) word form consists of noun,verb,adjective and adverb.
b) word transform includes compounding, acronym, derivation, blending, clipping, novel creation, and creative respelling.

but i do have another question. Does English words have structure? because if so, i can't find anything about it in the library.

[Suzanne]

Wow, that is complicated English! You have really done some research.

English words have structure in that they follow patterns in spelling, and in formation. For example, "q" is always followed by a "u" in English words. And verbs with -ing (gerunds) can be nouns. I'm sure all languages have the structure, too.

Perhaps your instructor will give you a better explanation. In the meantime, don't worry--you seem to be doing well.

[jonie]

well thanks....i do hope that the info that i manage to find is correct..

actually, for my language, we don't have that kind of structure. i think that is my real problem. i don't have any idea that it existed at all..