Welcome to "Core Concepts of English"

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• Course Introduction (2:48) Preview
• "Core Concepts of English" Course Syllabus Preview

  [Section 1] Clauses: Basic Units of English Structure

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• [L1.1] Chapter 1: Every language has its own parameters (2:39) Preview
• [L1.1] Chapter 2: What is a clause? (5:10) Preview
• [L1.1] Chapter 3: "Linking" and "embedding" clauses to form sentences (3:51) Preview
• [L1.1] Chapter 4: Clauses: mini summary (1:53) Preview
• Assignment 1.1 & Answers: Clauses: Basic Units of English Structure Start

  [Section 2] The Architecture of Sentences

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• Section 2: All References + Assignments Start
• [L2.1 "Linking" and "Embedding" Clauses] Chapter 1: Recap (1:32) Preview
• [L2.1] Chapter 2: “Linking” and “embedding”: a conceptualization (4:19) Preview
• Assignment 2.1: Overview of Linking and Embedding Clauses Preview
• [L2.2 Linking Clauses (1): Coordinating Conjunctions] Chapter 1: Recap (2:33) Start
• [L2.2] Chapter 2: Linking: two types of conjunctions (5:30) Start
• [L2.2] Chapter 3: Coordinating conjunctions (5:47) Start
• Assignment 2.2: Linking Clauses (1): Coordinating Conjunctions Start
• [L2.3 Linking Clauses (2): Subordinating Conjunctions] Chapter 1 (7:24) Start
• [L2.3] Chapter 2: Topicalization of "subordinate" clauses (1:57) Preview
• [L2.3] Chapter 3: Don’t link two clauses with two subordinating conjunctions (2:39) Start
• [L2.3] Chapter 4: "Subordinate" vs. "coordinate" clauses (4:52) Start
• [L2.3] Chapter 5: A list of subordinating conjunctions (10:52) Start
• Assignment 2.3: Linking Clauses (2): Subordinating Conjunctions Start
• [L2.4 Embedding Clauses (1): “That”-clauses and Embedded Qs] Chapter 1 (2:29) Preview
• [L2.4] Chapter 2: The types of embedded clauses (8:54) Start
• [L2.4] Chapter 3: Embedded statements: “that”-clauses (4:50) Start
• [L2.4] Chapter 4: Verbs that trigger “that”-clauses (3:26) Start
• [L2.4] Chapter 5: Embedded questions (4:15) Start
• Assignment 2.4: Embedding Clauses (1): “That”-clauses and Embedded Questions Start
• [L2.5 Embedding Clauses (2): Relative Clauses] Chapter 1: Recap (1:52) Start
• [L2.5] Chapter 2: Relative clauses are adjectives (7:53) Preview
• [L2.5] Chapter 3: Relative pronouns (9:28) Start
• [L2.5] Chapter 4: The internal structure of relative clauses (11:15) Start
• [L2.5] Chapter 5: Relative pronouns in modifiers (e.g. “in whom”) (9:19) Start
• Assignment 2.5: Embedding Clauses (2): Relative Clauses Start
• [L2.6 Embedding Clauses (3): Subject Clauses] Chapter 1 (2:13) Start
• [L2.6] Chapter 2: “That”: subject clause marker (2:17) Start
• [L2.6] Chapter 3: Using complete statements as subjects (3:15) Start
• [L2.7 Embedding Clauses (4): Other Noun Clauses] Chapter 1: Recap (1:25) Start
• [L2.7] Chapter 2: What are noun clauses? (4:08) Start
• [L2.7] Chapter 3: Difference from relative clauses (3:06) Start
• [L2.7] Chapter 4: Difference from embedded questions (1:32) Start
• [L2.7] Chapter 5: Nouns in the bigger clause (2:56) Start
• [L2.7] Chapter 6: Singular or plural? (1:25) Start
• [L2.7] Chapter 7: Examples of different roles (3:20) Start
• [L2.7] Chapter 8: Noun clause pronouns (5:49) Start
• [L2.8 Embedding Clauses (5): Adverb Clauses] Chapter 1 (1:43) Start
• [L2.8] Chapter 2: Adverb clause pronouns (3:24) Start
• [L2.8] Chapter 3: Recap: linking and embedding clauses (1:16) Start
• Assignment 2.6-8: Subject Clauses, Noun Clauses, and Adverb Clauses Start
• Section 2 Test & Answers : The Architecture of Sentences Start

  [Section 3] The Elements of Clauses: The Subject

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• Section 3: All References and Assignments Start
• [L3.1 The Subject Requirement] Chapter 1: Overview of a clause (4:23) Preview
• [L3.1] Chapter 2: The subject is a requirement (3:55) Preview
• [L3.1] Chapter 3: The grammatical role of the subject (4:29) Start
• [L3.1] Chapter 4: Chinese sentences do not require a stated subject (6:11) Start
• Assignment 3.1: The Subject Requirement Preview
• [L3.2 Noun Phrase Subjects] Chapter 1: Recap (2:05) Start
• [L3.2] Chapter 2: Subjects are commonly (but not always) noun phrases (3:04) Start
• [L3.2] Chapter 3: Noun markers (22:42) Start
• [L3.2] Chapter 4: The core noun in a noun phrase (4:37) Preview
• [L3.2] Chapter 5: Personal pronouns as subjects (6:22) Start
• [L3.2] Chapter 6: Indefinite pronouns as subjects (26:23) Start
• [L3.2] Chapter 7: Gerund subjects: noun phrases derived from verbs (2:29) Start
• Assignment 3.2: Noun Phrase Subjects Start
• [L3.3 Subject Clauses] Chapter 1: Recap (3:07) Start
• [L3.3] Chapter 2: Subject clauses: “that”-clauses or noun clauses (3:19) Start
• [L3.3] Chapter 3: “That”-clauses as subjects (2:06) Start
• [L3.3] Chapter 4: Noun clauses as subjects (3:21) Start
• [L3.3] Chapter 5: Singular or plural? (2:23) Start
• Assignment 3.3: Subject Clauses Start
• [L3.4 Infinitive Phrase Subjects] Chapter 1 (1:59) Start
• [L3.4] Chapter 2: Infinitive marker “to” (NOT preposition “to”!) (3:17) Start
• [L3.4] Chapter 3: Adding objects and modifiers to an infinitive phrase (3:16) Start
• [L3.4] Chapter 4: Mini summary (infinitive phrase subjects) (1:23) Start
• Assignment 3.4: Infinitive Phrase Subjects Start
• [L3.5 Expletive Subjects “It” and “There”] Chapter 1 (4:11) Start
• [L3.5] Chapter 2: Why do we need expletive subjects? (5:56) Start
• [L3.5] Chapter 3: Using “it” to stand in for subject clauses (2:42) Start
• [L3.5] Chapter 4: Using “it” to stand in for subject clause questions (3:55) Start
• [L3.5] Chapter 5: Expletive “there” (4:22) Start
• Assignment 3.5: Expletive Subjects “It” and “There” Start
• Section 3 Test & Answers : The Elements of Clauses—The Subject Start

  [Section 4] The Elements of Clauses: The Finite Verb

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• Section 4: All References + Assignments Start
• [L4.1 What is a “Finite” Verb?] Chapter 1: What is a Finite Verb? (1:28) Preview
• [L4.1] Chapter 2: Tense and aspect: an overview (3:49) Preview
• [L4.1] Chapter 3: Voice: an overview (2:06) Start
• [L4.1] Chapter 4: Mood: an overview (5:17) Start
• [L4.1] Chapter 5: Mood: subjunctive (11:55) Start
• [L4.1] Chapter 6: Modal verbs: an overview (2:07) Start
• [L4.1] Chapter 7: Non-finite verbs: participles, infinitives, gerunds (5:10) Start
• [L4.1] Chapter 8: Auxiliary verbs (5:34) Preview
• [L4.1] Chapter 9: Subject-verb agreement (again!) (1:23) Start
• Assignment 4.1: What is a “Finite” Verb? Preview
• [L4.2 Tense and Aspect] Chapter 1: Tense and aspect: 12 combinations (3:25) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 2: Verb forms (2:02) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 3: A closer look at tense and aspect (1:39) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 4: Simple aspect: simple x present (2:26) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 5: Recap: auxiliary verbs (5:46) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 6: Back to simple x present: negation with “do” (3:25) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 7: Simple x present: usage (2:04) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 8: Simple x past (2:25) Preview
• [L4.2] Chapter 9: Simple x future (3:11) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 10: Present x progressive (6:02) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 11: Past x progressive (1:46) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 12: Future x progressive (3:10) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 13: Present x perfect (4:59) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 14: Past x perfect (5:54) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 15: Future x perfect (2:32) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 16: Present x perfect progressive (5:49) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 17: Past x perfect progressive (1:57) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 18: Future x perfect progressive (2:37) Start
• [L4.2] Chapter 19: Verb forms first, usage second (1:18) Start
• Assignment 4.2: Tense and Aspect Start
• [L4.3 Voice] Chapter 1: The relationship between sub. and finite verb (8:57) Preview
• [L4.3] Chapter 2: Verb forms: active and passive voice (4:58) Start
• [L4.3] Chapter 3: Simple aspect: passive voice (1:45) Start
• [L4.3] Chapter 4: Progressive aspect: passive voice (2:09) Start
• [L4.3] Chapter 5: Perfect aspect: passive voice (1:46) Start
• [L4.3] Chapter 6: Perfect progressive aspect: not used in passive (1:14) Start
• [L4.3] Chapter 7: Summary of all passive verb forms (1:29) Start
• [L4.3] Chapter 8: Only transitive verbs can be in passive voice (5:35) Start
• [L4.3] Chapter 9: Finite verbs show tense, aspect, and voice (1:53) Start
• Assignment 4.3: Voice Start
• [L4.4 Mood] Chapter 1: The fourth “limit” of finite verbs (3:03) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 2: Indicative mood (1:19) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 3: Interrogative mood: independent questions (24:30) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 4: Interrogative mood: embedded questions (7:58) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 5: Imperative mood (6:58) Preview
• [L4.4] Chapter 6: Subjunctive mood: a closer look (6:56) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 7: “Conditional” meanings (3:56) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 8: When do we use the subjunctive mood? (2:22) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 9: Subjunctive verbs in simple aspect (11:13) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 10: Subjunctive verbs in perfect aspect (7:07) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 11: Subjunctive verbs in prog. and perf. prog. aspects (4:17) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 12: Recap: simple subjunctive vs. perfect subjunctive (1:10) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 13: Subjunctive verbs in passive voice (4:14) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 14: Auxiliary inversion in subjunctive verbs (3:36) Start
• [L4.4] Chapter 15: The “other” subjunctive mood (5:35) Start
• Assignment 4.4: Mood Start
• [L4.5 Modal Verbs] Chapter 1: Modal verbs are special (4:21) Preview
• [L4.5] Chapter 2: Modal verbs: always auxiliary verbs (8:05) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 3: Modality: an extra layer of meaning (2:10) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 4: Modal verbs + infinitives without “to” (7:52) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 5: Modal finite verbs: different aspects x active voice (4:57) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 6: Modal finite verbs: different aspects x passive (4:30) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 7: Recap: all modal finite verb forms (1:19) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 8: Forming questions with modal finite verbs (2:17) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 9: The modality of “can” (4:51) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 10: The modality of “could” (7:13) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 11: The modality of “may” and “might” (5:16) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 12: The modality of “will” and “would” (12:13) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 13: The modality of “shall” and “should” (5:45) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 14: The modality of “must” (3:23) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 15: “Half-modal” verbs (17:08) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 16: Modal verbs cannot be in imperative mood (0:54) Start
• [L4.5] Chapter 17: Replacements for modal verbs (when tense is needed) (9:42) Preview
• Assignment 4.5: Modal Verbs Start
• Section 4 Test & Answers : The Elements of Clauses—The Finite Verb Start

  [Section 5] The Elements of Clauses: Object(s)

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• Section 5: All References + Assignments Start
• [L5.1 An Overview of Objects] Chapter 1: Grammatical role of objects (3:28) Preview
• [L5.1] Chapter 2: Both finite and non-finite verbs can have objects (9:39) Start
• [L5.1] Chapter 3: Objects of the finite verb: independent objects (4:08) Start
• [L5.1] Chapter 4: One direct object, one indirect object (2:00) Start
• [L5.1] Chapter 5: Direct object: an overview (9:36) Preview
• [L5.1] Chapter 6: Only transitive verbs have direct objects (4:17) Start
• [L5.1] Chapter 7: Indirect object: an overview (2:56) Start
• [L5.1] Chapter 8: Only one direct and one indirect object per verb (3:21) Start
• [L5.1] Chapter 9: More on passive versions of clauses with objects (1:19) Start
• [L5.1] Chapter 10: Objects depend on the verb (3:31) Start
• Assignment 5.1: An Overview of Objects Start
• [L5.2 The Direct Object] Chapter 1: Recap (5:59) Start
• [L5.2] Chapter 2: Number and type of objects depend on the verb (4:24) Start
• [L5.2] Chapter 3: Transitive verbs never have prepositions after them (2:51) Start
• [L5.2] Chapter 4: Direct object: word order (6:12) Start
• [L5.2] Chapter 5: Direct objects: noun phrases, pronouns, noun clauses (5:45) Start
• [L5.2] Chapter 6: Recap: objects of finite vs non-finite verbs (2:05) Start
• (EXTRA) [L5.2] Chapter 7: "Phrasal" verbs: transitive or intransitive? (12:10) Start
• Assignment 5.2: The Direct Object Start
• [L5.3 The Indirect Object] Chapter 1: Indirect object: a closer look (2:44) Start
• [L5.3] Chapter 2: Indirect object of the finite verb (2:15) Start
• [L5.3] Chapter 3: Indirect object: role and word order (2:40) Start
• [L5.3] Chapter 4: Using “to” and “for” for indirect relationships (7:01) Start
• [L5.3] Chapter 5: Indirect objects: noun phrases (4:40) Start
• Assignment 5.3: The Indirect Object Start
• Section 5 Test & Answers : The Elements of Clauses—The Object(s) Start

  [Section 6] The Elements of Clauses: Modifiers

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• Section 6: All References + Assignments Start
• [L6.1 An Overview of Modifiers] Chapter 1: What are modifiers? (4:28) Preview
• [L6.1] Chapter 2: A clause can have any number of modifiers (4:28) Start
• [L6.1] Chapter 3: Modifiers: adjectives and adverbs (6:48) Start
• [L6.1] Chapter 4: Modifiers: word order and “topicalization" (16:02) Preview
• [L6.1] Chapter 5: Modifiers within modifiers (6:29) Start
• [L6.1] Chapter 6: Modifiers: not just single words (2:14) Start
• [L6.1] Chapter 7: Types of modifiers: an overview (14:48) Start
• Assignment 6.1: An Overview of Modifiers Start
• [L6.2 Single-word Modifiers + Special Time Adverbs] Chapter 1: Recap (2:52) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 2: Single-word adjectives and adverbs from the dict. (2:25) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 3: Single-word predicate adjectives (4:20) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 4: Single-word attributive adjectives (4:06) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 5: Topicalization of single-word adjectives (rare) (3:43) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 6: Topicalization of single-word adjectives of pronouns (2:49) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 7: Single-word adverbs: two broad types (4:53) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 8: Core sentence adverbs (4:32) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 9: Adverbs from adjectives (6:05) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 10: Adverbs modifying other modifiers (3:42) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 11: Comparative and superlative forms (7:56) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 12: Things to note when expressing comparative meanings (5:07) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 13: Special time adverbs (5:22) Start
• [L6.2] Chapter 14: "Phrasal" verbs with specific single-word adverbs (11:59) Start
• Assignment 6.2: Single-word Modifiers + Special Time Adverbs Start
• [L6.3 Prepositional Phrases] Chapter 1 (5:45) Start
• [L6.3] Chapter 2: Internal structure of prepositional phrases (6:26) Preview
• [L6.3] Chapter 3: Noun phrases after prepositions (12:29) Start
• [L6.3] Chapter 4: Independent adverbs + topicalization (3:55) Start
• [L6.3] Chapter 5: Prepositional phrases as adjectives (4:07) Start
• [L6.3] Chapter 6: Topicalization of prep. adjectives of the subject (2:08) Start
• [L6.3] Chapter 7: Prepositional phrases within other modifiers (1:22) Start
• [L6.3] Chapter 8: Overview of all prepositions (24:46) Start
• [L6.3] Chapter 9: Intransitive verbs with prepositions (14:40) Start
• [L6.3] Chapter 10: Transitive verbs with prepositions (2:51) Start
• [L6.3] Chapter 11: Certain prepositions vs. conjunctions (6:38) Start
• [L6.3] Chapter 12: “To”: preposition vs. infinitive marker (3:46) Start
• [L6.3] Chapter 13: "Phrasal" verbs with specific prepositional phrases (10:30) Start
• Assignment 6.3: Prepositional Phrases (+ extra assignment on "phrasal" verbs) Start
• Extra Assignment (L6.2 Ch. 14, L6.3 Ch. 13) Start
• [L6.4 Participial Phrases] Chapter 1: Participles (non-finite verbs) (8:15) Preview
• [L6.4] Chapter 2: Present vs. past participles: forms (2:42) Start
• [L6.4] Ch. 3: Participial phrases as adjectives (last edited Jul26,19) (20:23) Start
• [L6.4] Chapter 4: Participial phrases as adverbs (11:06) Start
• [L6.4] Chapter 5: Present participial phrases (8:27) Start
• [L6.4] Chapter 6: Past participial phrases (5:31) Start
• [L6.4] Chapter 7: Present vs. past participle phrases (10:56) Start
• [L6.4] Chapter 8: Verbs complemented by participial phrases (1:26) Start
• [L6.4] Chapter 9: Topicalization: why do we do it? (7:59) Start
• [L6.4] Chapter 10: “If found, call this number” (7:01) Start
• [L6.4] Chapter 11: Other aspects and voices (7:46) Start
• Assignment 6.4: Participial Phrases Start
• [L6.5 Infinitive Phrases] Chapter 1: Infinitive marker “to” (6:16) Preview
• [L6.5] Chapter 2: Objects inside infinitive phrases (2:35) Start
• [L6.5] Chapter 3: Modal + infinitive vs. infinitive phrase (6:37) Start
• [L6.5] Chapter 4: Verbs complemented by infinitive phrases (6:13) Start
• [L6.5] Chapter 5: Intrans. verbs complemented by infinitive phrases (4:31) Start
• [L6.5] Chapter 6: Transitive verbs complemented by infinitive phrases (4:23) Start
• [L6.5] Chapter 7: Other verbs complemented by infinitive phrases (2:45) Start
• [L6.5] Chapter 8: Using infinitive phrases to express purpose (4:32) Start
• [L6.5] Chapter 9: Infinitives phrases as adverbs (6:24) Start
• [L6.5] Chapter 10: Infinitive phrases as adjectives (2:41) Start
• [L6.5] Chapter 11: Confusing point: infinitive phrases can be subjects (1:11) Start
• [L6.5] Chapter 12: Infinitive phrases vs. “that”-clauses (7:11) Start
• [L6.5] Chapter 13: Other aspects and voices (infinitive phrases) (4:15) Start
• [L6.5] Chapter 14 (added June 2019): special infinitives without "to" (18:13) Start
• Assignment 6.5: Infinitive Phrases Start
• [L6.6 Relative Clauses (Extension)] Chapter 1 (4:24) Start
• [L6.6] Chapter 2: Relative clauses vs. other adjectives (3:08) Preview
• [L6.6] Chapter 3: Recap: what is “relative”? (5:38) Start
• [L6.6] Chapter 4: The relative pronoun plays (8:48) Start
• [L6.6] Chapter 5: Recap: what are the relative pronouns? (4:13) Start
• [L6.6] Chapter 6: Recap: different roles of relative pronouns (12:55) Start
• [L6.6] Chapter 7: Relative adverbs (5:21) Start
• [L6.6] Chapter 8: Restrictive vs. non-restrictive relative clauses (5:54) Start
• Assignment 6.6: Relative Clauses (Extension) Start
• Extra Lecture—Clarification of concepts in Section 2: Clauses "linked" by subordinating conjunctions (L2.3) are actually embedded modifier clauses (33:39) Preview
• Extra Reference and Assignment: Clauses linked by subordinating conjunctions (L2.3) are actually embedded modifier clauses Preview
• Section 6 Test & Answers: The Elements of Clauses—Modifiers Start

  [Section 7] Putting It All Together

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• Section 7: All References + Assignments + Final Test Start
• [L7.1 Putting It All Together] Chapter 1: Recap: linking and embedding (3:17) Start
• [L7.1] Chapter 2: Recap: the elements of a clause (5:04) Start
• [L7.1] Chapter 3: Breaking down sentences with this framework (6:30) Start
• [L7.1] Chapter 4: A harder example (13:35) Preview
• [L7.1] Chapter 5: Building sentences (9:04) Start
• Assignment 7.1: Putting It All Together Start
• Final Test & Answers Start

  Course Completion Test

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• Test Link and Instructions Start