Group 7 presentation-Trang Phung, Thanh Dao- My native language is not English.

As international students, we chose the topic "My native language is not English" so we can understand and know more about parts of English that we are not good at. In this presentation, we will talk about how to use English words such as a lot, few and less, much and many. Moreover, we will talk about how to place phrases in sentences. I myself, Trang, will talk about the first part, and my groupmate, Thanh, will talk about the second part. 

Most of the time, when I have to do grammar exercise or when I have to write essays, I usually confuse certain words such as a lot, few and less, much and many. Normally, I go to the Write Place so people who work there can help me correct these mistakes. But now, after reading the Leo webpage, I understand how to use those words better. 

First of all, I will talk about the words "A Lot".
_ The words a lot must be written as two words. 
_ According to the Leo webpage (1), a lot has the same meaning as both many and much and can be interchanged with either one. 
_ A lot is followed by of when the meaning is general or by of the when the meaning is specific. 
_ Examples:
          - A lot of students showed up in class today. (general meaning) 
          - A lot of the students in class today disagree with my opinion. (specific meaning).
_ A lot can be used to end a sentence. 
_ Examples:
          - He cheats a lot.
          - I eat a lot.

Secondly, international students like me can easily confuse between few and less, much and many. According to the Leo webpage (2), "few" is used with count nouns while "less" is used with noncount nouns. "Many" is used with count nouns while "much" is used with noncount nouns.
_ Examples:

Few and less:
-Few (count/ plural):
          1) Few teachers are not very nice with students.
          2) Few students are opting to study science-related subjects.
-Less (noncount/ singular):
          1) People want to spend less time in traffic jams.
          2) It is a better job but they pay you less money.

Many and much:
-Many (count/plural):
          1) Many students in SCSU are business major.
          2) Many professors in SCSU are very nice, especially professor Roland Specht Jarvis.
-Much (noncount/singular): 
          1) I don't have that much money.
          2) I spend too much time on Facebook.

Hi, I'm Thanh. Now I will talk about my concern about sentence structure and need to know more about where to place phrases in sentences.
As you know, phrase can never stand on its own as a complete sentence. Here are some of the most common kinds of phrases:


1. NOUN PHRASE

A noun phrase consists of a noun and all of its modifiers.
It can function together in a sentence as a subject, object, or complement.(4)

Exp: All of my international friends love to try the traditional food of my country.

2. APPOSITIVE PHRASE

An appositive phrase consists of the appositive and its modifiers which may themselves be phrases.
It functions as a noun that renames a noun/pronoun preceding it.(5)

Exp: Jenny, a girl who is very poor, was accepted to go to Havard University.

3. VERB PHRASE

A verb phrase includes a main verb and its helping verbs.
It can function as the predicate of a sentence only.(6)

Exp: It is difficult to wake up very early everyday.

4. ABSOLUTE PHRASE

It's a group of words often includes a noun or pronoun, a participle, as well as any related modifiers, objects or complements of the phrase.
Usually set off by commas, it modifies the entire sentence, adding information.(7)

Exp: The birds having flown off, the cat climbed down from the tree.

5. PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

Prepositional phrase is a group of words made up of a preposition, its object, and any of the object's modifiers.
It often functions as an adjective or adverb, but it can function as a noun as well.(8)

Exp: I prepared milk for the kitten.

6. GERUND PHRASE

A gerund phrase includes a gerund and might include other modifiers, objects, or complements.
It always functions as a noun.(9)

Exp: Knowing the truth may hurt you a lot.

7. PARTICIPIAL PHRASE

A participial phrase consists of a present or past participle and its modifiers, objects, or complements.
It always functions as an adjective.(10)

Exp: Walking under the rain, she got a cold.

8. INFINITIVE PHRASE

An infinitive phrase consists of an infinitive and its modifiers, objects, or complements.
It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb.(11)

Exp: He helped to build the roof.

In conclusion, international students who confuse certain words such as a lot, few and less, much and many or concern about sentence structure can visit the Leo webpage at http://leo.stcloudstate.edu. This webpage has a lot of information about English grammars, English structures, organize and develop the writings, not only for international students but for everyone. 

Sources:
(1) http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/grammar/muchfew.html#alot; accessed 9-17-2012
(2) same source as (1)
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(4) Phrase Formula accessed 9-17-2012

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