Autoplay
Autocomplete
Previous Lesson
Complete and Continue
Core Concepts of English (Full Course)
Welcome to "Core Concepts of English"
Course Introduction (2:48)
"Core Concepts of English" Course Syllabus
[Section 1] Clauses: Basic Units of English Structure
[L1.1] Chapter 1: Every language has its own parameters (2:39)
[L1.1] Chapter 2: What is a clause? (5:10)
[L1.1] Chapter 3: "Linking" and "embedding" clauses to form sentences (3:51)
[L1.1] Chapter 4: Clauses: mini summary (1:53)
Assignment 1.1 & Answers: Clauses: Basic Units of English Structure
[Section 2] The Architecture of Sentences
Section 2: All References + Assignments
[L2.1 "Linking" and "Embedding" Clauses] Chapter 1: Recap (1:32)
[L2.1] Chapter 2: “Linking” and “embedding”: a conceptualization (4:19)
Assignment 2.1: Overview of Linking and Embedding Clauses
[L2.2 Linking Clauses (1): Coordinating Conjunctions] Chapter 1: Recap (2:33)
[L2.2] Chapter 2: Linking: two types of conjunctions (5:30)
[L2.2] Chapter 3: Coordinating conjunctions (5:47)
Assignment 2.2: Linking Clauses (1): Coordinating Conjunctions
[L2.3 Linking Clauses (2): Subordinating Conjunctions] Chapter 1 (7:24)
[L2.3] Chapter 2: Topicalization of "subordinate" clauses (1:57)
[L2.3] Chapter 3: Don’t link two clauses with two subordinating conjunctions (2:39)
[L2.3] Chapter 4: "Subordinate" vs. "coordinate" clauses (4:52)
[L2.3] Chapter 5: A list of subordinating conjunctions (10:52)
Assignment 2.3: Linking Clauses (2): Subordinating Conjunctions
[L2.4 Embedding Clauses (1): “That”-clauses and Embedded Qs] Chapter 1 (2:29)
[L2.4] Chapter 2: The types of embedded clauses (8:54)
[L2.4] Chapter 3: Embedded statements: “that”-clauses (4:50)
[L2.4] Chapter 4: Verbs that trigger “that”-clauses (3:26)
[L2.4] Chapter 5: Embedded questions (4:15)
Assignment 2.4: Embedding Clauses (1): “That”-clauses and Embedded Questions
[L2.5 Embedding Clauses (2): Relative Clauses] Chapter 1: Recap (1:52)
[L2.5] Chapter 2: Relative clauses are adjectives (7:53)
[L2.5] Chapter 3: Relative pronouns (9:28)
[L2.5] Chapter 4: The internal structure of relative clauses (11:15)
[L2.5] Chapter 5: Relative pronouns in modifiers (e.g. “in whom”) (9:19)
Assignment 2.5: Embedding Clauses (2): Relative Clauses
[L2.6 Embedding Clauses (3): Subject Clauses] Chapter 1 (2:13)
[L2.6] Chapter 2: “That”: subject clause marker (2:17)
[L2.6] Chapter 3: Using complete statements as subjects (3:15)
[L2.7 Embedding Clauses (4): Other Noun Clauses] Chapter 1: Recap (1:25)
[L2.7] Chapter 2: What are noun clauses? (4:08)
[L2.7] Chapter 3: Difference from relative clauses (3:06)
[L2.7] Chapter 4: Difference from embedded questions (1:32)
[L2.7] Chapter 5: Nouns in the bigger clause (2:56)
[L2.7] Chapter 6: Singular or plural? (1:25)
[L2.7] Chapter 7: Examples of different roles (3:20)
[L2.7] Chapter 8: Noun clause pronouns (5:49)
[L2.8 Embedding Clauses (5): Adverb Clauses] Chapter 1 (1:43)
[L2.8] Chapter 2: Adverb clause pronouns (3:24)
[L2.8] Chapter 3: Recap: linking and embedding clauses (1:16)
Assignment 2.6-8: Subject Clauses, Noun Clauses, and Adverb Clauses
Section 2 Test & Answers : The Architecture of Sentences
[Section 3] The Elements of Clauses: The Subject
Section 3: All References and Assignments
[L3.1 The Subject Requirement] Chapter 1: Overview of a clause (4:23)
[L3.1] Chapter 2: The subject is a requirement (3:55)
[L3.1] Chapter 3: The grammatical role of the subject (4:29)
[L3.1] Chapter 4: Chinese sentences do not require a stated subject (6:11)
Assignment 3.1: The Subject Requirement
[L3.2 Noun Phrase Subjects] Chapter 1: Recap (2:05)
[L3.2] Chapter 2: Subjects are commonly (but not always) noun phrases (3:04)
[L3.2] Chapter 3: Noun markers (22:42)
[L3.2] Chapter 4: The core noun in a noun phrase (4:37)
[L3.2] Chapter 5: Personal pronouns as subjects (6:22)
[L3.2] Chapter 6: Indefinite pronouns as subjects (26:23)
[L3.2] Chapter 7: Gerund subjects: noun phrases derived from verbs (2:29)
Assignment 3.2: Noun Phrase Subjects
[L3.3 Subject Clauses] Chapter 1: Recap (3:07)
[L3.3] Chapter 2: Subject clauses: “that”-clauses or noun clauses (3:19)
[L3.3] Chapter 3: “That”-clauses as subjects (2:06)
[L3.3] Chapter 4: Noun clauses as subjects (3:21)
[L3.3] Chapter 5: Singular or plural? (2:23)
Assignment 3.3: Subject Clauses
[L3.4 Infinitive Phrase Subjects] Chapter 1 (1:59)
[L3.4] Chapter 2: Infinitive marker “to” (NOT preposition “to”!) (3:17)
[L3.4] Chapter 3: Adding objects and modifiers to an infinitive phrase (3:16)
[L3.4] Chapter 4: Mini summary (infinitive phrase subjects) (1:23)
Assignment 3.4: Infinitive Phrase Subjects
[L3.5 Expletive Subjects “It” and “There”] Chapter 1 (4:11)
[L3.5] Chapter 2: Why do we need expletive subjects? (5:56)
[L3.5] Chapter 3: Using “it” to stand in for subject clauses (2:42)
[L3.5] Chapter 4: Using “it” to stand in for subject clause questions (3:55)
[L3.5] Chapter 5: Expletive “there” (4:22)
Assignment 3.5: Expletive Subjects “It” and “There”
Section 3 Test & Answers : The Elements of Clauses—The Subject
[Section 4] The Elements of Clauses: The Finite Verb
Section 4: All References + Assignments
[L4.1 What is a “Finite” Verb?] Chapter 1: What is a Finite Verb? (1:28)
[L4.1] Chapter 2: Tense and aspect: an overview (3:49)
[L4.1] Chapter 3: Voice: an overview (2:06)
[L4.1] Chapter 4: Mood: an overview (5:17)
[L4.1] Chapter 5: Mood: subjunctive (11:55)
[L4.1] Chapter 6: Modal verbs: an overview (2:07)
[L4.1] Chapter 7: Non-finite verbs: participles, infinitives, gerunds (5:10)
[L4.1] Chapter 8: Auxiliary verbs (5:34)
[L4.1] Chapter 9: Subject-verb agreement (again!) (1:23)
Assignment 4.1: What is a “Finite” Verb?
[L4.2 Tense and Aspect] Chapter 1: Tense and aspect: 12 combinations (3:25)
[L4.2] Chapter 2: Verb forms (2:02)
[L4.2] Chapter 3: A closer look at tense and aspect (1:39)
[L4.2] Chapter 4: Simple aspect: simple x present (2:26)
[L4.2] Chapter 5: Recap: auxiliary verbs (5:46)
[L4.2] Chapter 6: Back to simple x present: negation with “do” (3:25)
[L4.2] Chapter 7: Simple x present: usage (2:04)
[L4.2] Chapter 8: Simple x past (2:25)
[L4.2] Chapter 9: Simple x future (3:11)
[L4.2] Chapter 10: Present x progressive (6:02)
[L4.2] Chapter 11: Past x progressive (1:46)
[L4.2] Chapter 12: Future x progressive (3:10)
[L4.2] Chapter 13: Present x perfect (4:59)
[L4.2] Chapter 14: Past x perfect (5:54)
[L4.2] Chapter 15: Future x perfect (2:32)
[L4.2] Chapter 16: Present x perfect progressive (5:49)
[L4.2] Chapter 17: Past x perfect progressive (1:57)
[L4.2] Chapter 18: Future x perfect progressive (2:37)
[L4.2] Chapter 19: Verb forms first, usage second (1:18)
Assignment 4.2: Tense and Aspect
[L4.3 Voice] Chapter 1: The relationship between sub. and finite verb (8:57)
[L4.3] Chapter 2: Verb forms: active and passive voice (4:58)
[L4.3] Chapter 3: Simple aspect: passive voice (1:45)
[L4.3] Chapter 4: Progressive aspect: passive voice (2:09)
[L4.3] Chapter 5: Perfect aspect: passive voice (1:46)
[L4.3] Chapter 6: Perfect progressive aspect: not used in passive (1:14)
[L4.3] Chapter 7: Summary of all passive verb forms (1:29)
[L4.3] Chapter 8: Only transitive verbs can be in passive voice (5:35)
[L4.3] Chapter 9: Finite verbs show tense, aspect, and voice (1:53)
Assignment 4.3: Voice
[L4.4 Mood] Chapter 1: The fourth “limit” of finite verbs (3:03)
[L4.4] Chapter 2: Indicative mood (1:19)
[L4.4] Chapter 3: Interrogative mood: independent questions (24:30)
[L4.4] Chapter 4: Interrogative mood: embedded questions (7:58)
[L4.4] Chapter 5: Imperative mood (6:58)
[L4.4] Chapter 6: Subjunctive mood: a closer look (6:56)
[L4.4] Chapter 7: “Conditional” meanings (3:56)
[L4.4] Chapter 8: When do we use the subjunctive mood? (2:22)
[L4.4] Chapter 9: Subjunctive verbs in simple aspect (11:13)
[L4.4] Chapter 10: Subjunctive verbs in perfect aspect (7:07)
[L4.4] Chapter 11: Subjunctive verbs in prog. and perf. prog. aspects (4:17)
[L4.4] Chapter 12: Recap: simple subjunctive vs. perfect subjunctive (1:10)
[L4.4] Chapter 13: Subjunctive verbs in passive voice (4:14)
[L4.4] Chapter 14: Auxiliary inversion in subjunctive verbs (3:36)
[L4.4] Chapter 15: The “other” subjunctive mood (5:35)
Assignment 4.4: Mood
[L4.5 Modal Verbs] Chapter 1: Modal verbs are special (4:21)
[L4.5] Chapter 2: Modal verbs: always auxiliary verbs (8:05)
[L4.5] Chapter 3: Modality: an extra layer of meaning (2:10)
[L4.5] Chapter 4: Modal verbs + infinitives without “to” (7:52)
[L4.5] Chapter 5: Modal finite verbs: different aspects x active voice (4:57)
[L4.5] Chapter 6: Modal finite verbs: different aspects x passive (4:30)
[L4.5] Chapter 7: Recap: all modal finite verb forms (1:19)
[L4.5] Chapter 8: Forming questions with modal finite verbs (2:17)
[L4.5] Chapter 9: The modality of “can” (4:51)
[L4.5] Chapter 10: The modality of “could” (7:13)
[L4.5] Chapter 11: The modality of “may” and “might” (5:16)
[L4.5] Chapter 12: The modality of “will” and “would” (12:13)
[L4.5] Chapter 13: The modality of “shall” and “should” (5:45)
[L4.5] Chapter 14: The modality of “must” (3:23)
[L4.5] Chapter 15: “Half-modal” verbs (17:08)
[L4.5] Chapter 16: Modal verbs cannot be in imperative mood (0:54)
[L4.5] Chapter 17: Replacements for modal verbs (when tense is needed) (9:42)
Assignment 4.5: Modal Verbs
Section 4 Test & Answers : The Elements of Clauses—The Finite Verb
[Section 5] The Elements of Clauses: Object(s)
Section 5: All References + Assignments
[L5.1 An Overview of Objects] Chapter 1: Grammatical role of objects (3:28)
[L5.1] Chapter 2: Both finite and non-finite verbs can have objects (9:39)
[L5.1] Chapter 3: Objects of the finite verb: independent objects (4:08)
[L5.1] Chapter 4: One direct object, one indirect object (2:00)
[L5.1] Chapter 5: Direct object: an overview (9:36)
[L5.1] Chapter 6: Only transitive verbs have direct objects (4:17)
[L5.1] Chapter 7: Indirect object: an overview (2:56)
[L5.1] Chapter 8: Only one direct and one indirect object per verb (3:21)
[L5.1] Chapter 9: More on passive versions of clauses with objects (1:19)
[L5.1] Chapter 10: Objects depend on the verb (3:31)
Assignment 5.1: An Overview of Objects
[L5.2 The Direct Object] Chapter 1: Recap (5:59)
[L5.2] Chapter 2: Number and type of objects depend on the verb (4:24)
[L5.2] Chapter 3: Transitive verbs never have prepositions after them (2:51)
[L5.2] Chapter 4: Direct object: word order (6:12)
[L5.2] Chapter 5: Direct objects: noun phrases, pronouns, noun clauses (5:45)
[L5.2] Chapter 6: Recap: objects of finite vs non-finite verbs (2:05)
(EXTRA) [L5.2] Chapter 7: "Phrasal" verbs: transitive or intransitive? (12:10)
Assignment 5.2: The Direct Object
[L5.3 The Indirect Object] Chapter 1: Indirect object: a closer look (2:44)
[L5.3] Chapter 2: Indirect object of the finite verb (2:15)
[L5.3] Chapter 3: Indirect object: role and word order (2:40)
[L5.3] Chapter 4: Using “to” and “for” for indirect relationships (7:01)
[L5.3] Chapter 5: Indirect objects: noun phrases (4:40)
Assignment 5.3: The Indirect Object
Section 5 Test & Answers : The Elements of Clauses—The Object(s)
[Section 6] The Elements of Clauses: Modifiers
Section 6: All References + Assignments
[L6.1 An Overview of Modifiers] Chapter 1: What are modifiers? (4:28)
[L6.1] Chapter 2: A clause can have any number of modifiers (4:28)
[L6.1] Chapter 3: Modifiers: adjectives and adverbs (6:48)
[L6.1] Chapter 4: Modifiers: word order and “topicalization" (16:02)
[L6.1] Chapter 5: Modifiers within modifiers (6:29)
[L6.1] Chapter 6: Modifiers: not just single words (2:14)
[L6.1] Chapter 7: Types of modifiers: an overview (14:48)
Assignment 6.1: An Overview of Modifiers
[L6.2 Single-word Modifiers + Special Time Adverbs] Chapter 1: Recap (2:52)
[L6.2] Chapter 2: Single-word adjectives and adverbs from the dict. (2:25)
[L6.2] Chapter 3: Single-word predicate adjectives (4:20)
[L6.2] Chapter 4: Single-word attributive adjectives (4:06)
[L6.2] Chapter 5: Topicalization of single-word adjectives (rare) (3:43)
[L6.2] Chapter 6: Topicalization of single-word adjectives of pronouns (2:49)
[L6.2] Chapter 7: Single-word adverbs: two broad types (4:53)
[L6.2] Chapter 8: Core sentence adverbs (4:32)
[L6.2] Chapter 9: Adverbs from adjectives (6:05)
[L6.2] Chapter 10: Adverbs modifying other modifiers (3:42)
[L6.2] Chapter 11: Comparative and superlative forms (7:56)
[L6.2] Chapter 12: Things to note when expressing comparative meanings (5:07)
[L6.2] Chapter 13: Special time adverbs (5:22)
[L6.2] Chapter 14: "Phrasal" verbs with specific single-word adverbs (11:59)
Assignment 6.2: Single-word Modifiers + Special Time Adverbs
[L6.3 Prepositional Phrases] Chapter 1 (5:45)
[L6.3] Chapter 2: Internal structure of prepositional phrases (6:26)
[L6.3] Chapter 3: Noun phrases after prepositions (12:29)
[L6.3] Chapter 4: Independent adverbs + topicalization (3:55)
[L6.3] Chapter 5: Prepositional phrases as adjectives (4:07)
[L6.3] Chapter 6: Topicalization of prep. adjectives of the subject (2:08)
[L6.3] Chapter 7: Prepositional phrases within other modifiers (1:22)
[L6.3] Chapter 8: Overview of all prepositions (24:46)
[L6.3] Chapter 9: Intransitive verbs with prepositions (14:40)
[L6.3] Chapter 10: Transitive verbs with prepositions (2:51)
[L6.3] Chapter 11: Certain prepositions vs. conjunctions (6:38)
[L6.3] Chapter 12: “To”: preposition vs. infinitive marker (3:46)
[L6.3] Chapter 13: "Phrasal" verbs with specific prepositional phrases (10:30)
Assignment 6.3: Prepositional Phrases (+ extra assignment on "phrasal" verbs)
Extra Assignment (L6.2 Ch. 14, L6.3 Ch. 13)
[L6.4 Participial Phrases] Chapter 1: Participles (non-finite verbs) (8:15)
[L6.4] Chapter 2: Present vs. past participles: forms (2:42)
[L6.4] Ch. 3: Participial phrases as adjectives (last edited Jul26,19) (20:23)
[L6.4] Chapter 4: Participial phrases as adverbs (11:06)
[L6.4] Chapter 5: Present participial phrases (8:27)
[L6.4] Chapter 6: Past participial phrases (5:31)
[L6.4] Chapter 7: Present vs. past participle phrases (10:56)
[L6.4] Chapter 8: Verbs complemented by participial phrases (1:26)
[L6.4] Chapter 9: Topicalization: why do we do it? (7:59)
[L6.4] Chapter 10: “If found, call this number” (7:01)
[L6.4] Chapter 11: Other aspects and voices (7:46)
Assignment 6.4: Participial Phrases
[L6.5 Infinitive Phrases] Chapter 1: Infinitive marker “to” (6:16)
[L6.5] Chapter 2: Objects inside infinitive phrases (2:35)
[L6.5] Chapter 3: Modal + infinitive vs. infinitive phrase (6:37)
[L6.5] Chapter 4: Verbs complemented by infinitive phrases (6:13)
[L6.5] Chapter 5: Intrans. verbs complemented by infinitive phrases (4:31)
[L6.5] Chapter 6: Transitive verbs complemented by infinitive phrases (4:23)
[L6.5] Chapter 7: Other verbs complemented by infinitive phrases (2:45)
[L6.5] Chapter 8: Using infinitive phrases to express purpose (4:32)
[L6.5] Chapter 9: Infinitives phrases as adverbs (6:24)
[L6.5] Chapter 10: Infinitive phrases as adjectives (2:41)
[L6.5] Chapter 11: Confusing point: infinitive phrases can be subjects (1:11)
[L6.5] Chapter 12: Infinitive phrases vs. “that”-clauses (7:11)
[L6.5] Chapter 13: Other aspects and voices (infinitive phrases) (4:15)
[L6.5] Chapter 14 (added June 2019): special infinitives without "to" (18:13)
Assignment 6.5: Infinitive Phrases
[L6.6 Relative Clauses (Extension)] Chapter 1 (4:24)
[L6.6] Chapter 2: Relative clauses vs. other adjectives (3:08)
[L6.6] Chapter 3: Recap: what is “relative”? (5:38)
[L6.6] Chapter 4: The relative pronoun plays (8:48)
[L6.6] Chapter 5: Recap: what are the relative pronouns? (4:13)
[L6.6] Chapter 6: Recap: different roles of relative pronouns (12:55)
[L6.6] Chapter 7: Relative adverbs (5:21)
[L6.6] Chapter 8: Restrictive vs. non-restrictive relative clauses (5:54)
Assignment 6.6: Relative Clauses (Extension)
Extra Lecture—Clarification of concepts in Section 2: Clauses "linked" by subordinating conjunctions (L2.3) are actually embedded modifier clauses (33:39)
Extra Reference and Assignment: Clauses linked by subordinating conjunctions (L2.3) are actually embedded modifier clauses
Section 6 Test & Answers: The Elements of Clauses—Modifiers
[Section 7] Putting It All Together
Section 7: All References + Assignments + Final Test
[L7.1 Putting It All Together] Chapter 1: Recap: linking and embedding (3:17)
[L7.1] Chapter 2: Recap: the elements of a clause (5:04)
[L7.1] Chapter 3: Breaking down sentences with this framework (6:30)
[L7.1] Chapter 4: A harder example (13:35)
[L7.1] Chapter 5: Building sentences (9:04)
Assignment 7.1: Putting It All Together
Final Test & Answers
Course Completion Test
Test Link and Instructions
"Core Concepts of English" Course Syllabus
course syllabus (updated August 12, 2020).pdf
Download
course syllabus (updated August 12, 2020).pdf
Complete and Continue