Systems in English Grammar addresses this gap. Written specifically for language teachers—both pre‑service and in‑service—it re‑imagines grammar not as a set of arbitrary rules but as an . The book draws on systemic functional linguistics (SFL) and cognitive grammar, but it avoids unnecessary jargon. Its goal is practical: to help teachers understand how grammar creates meaning and to equip them with classroom‑ready explanations and activities.
Whether you are a future educator or a seasoned tutor, having a systematic foundation allows you to answer spontaneous classroom questions with precision. It transforms grammar from a "dreaded subject" into a fascinating machine that your students can finally learn to operate.
Systems in English Grammar is versatile enough to serve multiple professional purposes:
Isolated sentences strip grammar of its systemic context. Use authentic texts (news articles, emails, dialogues) to show how grammatical systems work together to create tone, flow, and emphasis. Ask students to identify why an author chose a passive verb or a specific modal in a paragraph. 5. Conclusion Systems in English Grammar addresses this gap
Students do not learn grammar to pass structural tests; they learn it to communicate. Showing how a shift in a grammatical system changes meaning (e.g., the difference in tone between "You must finish this" and "You might want to finish this" ) directly builds sociolinguistic competence. 4. Classroom Application: From Theory to Practice
Weaknesses
Expresses degrees of obligation, permission, or necessity ( "You must leave," "You can stay" ). Its goal is practical: to help teachers understand
: It "spells out" the systems native speakers use instinctively—like the nuances of modals , causative verbs (let, make, have), and the notoriously tricky preposition and particle system .
This leads to a responsive teaching approach: rather than having a preconceived idea of what grammar points her students need, the teacher watches for evidence of that need in classroom work—a reading assignment, a composition, an oral presentation. As soon as the need is perceived, the teacher must provide just the right amount of explanation or practice.
A quick but thorough review of English syntax, focusing on the rank scale : Systems in English Grammar is versatile enough to
Systems in English Grammar: An Introduction for Language Teachers
The book is held in numerous university and college libraries worldwide. Search WorldCat (worldcat.org) for "Systems in English grammar : an introduction for language teachers" to find a library near you that holds a physical copy.