a beginner’s guide to english grammar
TRANSCRIPT
A Beginner’s
Guide To
English
Grammar
Noncredit ESL Glendale Community College
*TEACHER’S EDITION*
ARMENIAN
Created by: Edwin Fallahi, Rocio Fernandez, Glenda Gartman,
Robert Mott, and Deborah Robiglio
Concept by: Deborah Robiglio
Acknowledgements: The authors would like to thank the
Noncredit ESL students who inspired the creation of this guide. In
addition, Jane DiLucchio, Helen Merriman, Dr. Karen Ferkich-
Holden, Mary Stone, Anahit Kusheryan and to all members of the
Continuing and Community Education Division who encouraged and
guided us in countless ways and provided the tools and resources we
needed to get the job done.
Images provided by: JUPITERIMAGES and Microsoft Clip
Art Gallery
Original artwork by: Nola Lunstedt
© 2006 by Glendale Community College
Information to the student: This booklet will greatly help you learn English! It is full of rules
and examples that your English language teachers have carefully
decided are most important to your beginning English success. We
have translated them to aid your understanding. But, it is only a
beginning tool. And like any tool, it must be used repeatedly to
become effective. Also, this booklet will require other tools as your
need to build English competency grows. Learning a second language
is a complex process and as you advance you will find more details
and some exceptions to the rules and guidelines offered in this
guide. Even so, enjoy this wonderful booklet and use its contents
with confidence that you have some important tools to start you well
on your way to your English goals!
Table of Contents
English Alphabet
1
Subject Pronouns
2
Be (am, is, are)
3
Articles
10
Singular Nouns and Plural Nouns
11
There is/There are
12
Demonstratives (this, that, these, those)
13
Possessive Adjectives and Possessive Pronouns
15
Simple Present
17
Present Continuous
21
Prepositions
25
Imperatives
27
Question Words
28
Be (was, were)
29
Parts of Speech
30
English Alphabet
Aa Bb Cc Dd
Ee Ff Gg Hh
Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm
Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr
Ss Tt Uu Vv
Ww Xx Yy Zz
The letters represent more than 40 sounds.
Vowels: a e i o u and sometimes y.
Consonants: b c d f g h j k l m n p q r s t v w x y z
1
Subject Pronouns
Subject pronouns take the place of a noun.
In Armenian, similar forms are used. There are formal and
informal forms for the pronoun you.
English Armenian
I
Ys
You
Tov/Tovk
(yzagi5 hocnagi5ba,donagan)
He
Na
(aragan)
She
Na
(icagan)
It
Sa5Ta
A-arga5 gyntani
([yzok)
We
Mynk
They
Nrank
2
Be (am, is, are) The verb be is used to express identity and place. Please see page 8
for more information. It has three different forms (am, is, are) in
the present tense.
In Armenian, the equivalent of the verb be is also conjugated.
Positive I am
Ys ym
We are
Mynk ynk
You are
Tov ys
You are
Tovk yk (hocnagi)
He is
She is
It is
Na e (aragan)
Na e (icagan)
Sa e , Ta e
They are
Nrank yn
Example: I am happy. They are happy. Ys ovraq ym1 Nrank ovraq yn:
3
Contractions Use an apostrophe (‘) to combine the pronoun and be (am, is are).
In Armenian, contractions do not exist.
I’m Ys ym
We’re
Mynk ynk
You’re Tov ys You’re Tovk yk (hocnagi)
He’s
She’s
It’s
Na e
Na e Sa e , Ta e
They’re Nrank yn
Examples: I’m happy. They’re happy. Ys ovraq ym: Nrank ovraq yn:
4
Negative
Use not after be (am, is, are) to form a negative phrase or
sentence.
In Armenian, the negation prefix ‘[‘ (ch as in ‘chair’) is added to
conjugated form of the equivalent of the be verb.
I am not
Ys [ym We are not
Mynk [ynk
You are not
Tov [ys
You are not
Tovk [yk
(hocnagi)
He is not
She is not
It is not
Na [e Na [e
Sa [e5Ta [e
They are not
Nrank [yn
Examples: I am not sad. They are not sad. Ys dqovr [ym: Nrank dqovr [yn:
5
Negative Contractions
Combine the pronoun with the verb and add not.
In Armenian, contractions do not exist.
I’m not Ys [ym We’re not Mynk [ynk
You’re not Tov [ys
You’re not Tovk [yk (hocnagi)
He’s not
She’s not
It’s not
Na [e Na [e
Sa [e5Ta [e
They’re not
Nrank [yn
Examples: I’m not sad. They’re not sad. Ys dqovr [ym1 Nrank dqovr [yn1
6
Questions To form questions, place be (am, is, are) at the beginning of the
sentence. Add a question mark (?) at the end of the sentence.
In Armenian, questions are made by rising intonation. Neither an
auxiliary verb nor inversion is necessary for questions. Instead of
“?” the mark “ | ” is used for questions and “ : ” is the period placed
at the end of the sentence.
They are married. They are married.
Are they married?
Are they married?
Yes, they are married. A3o5 nrank amovsnaxa/ yn1
Nrank amovsnaxa|/ yn1 No, they are not married. O[5 nrank amovsnaxa/ [yn1
Am I married?
Ys amovsnaxa|/ ym1
Are we married? Mynk amovsnaxa|/ ynk1
Are you married?
Tov amovsnaxa|/ ys1
Are you married? Tovk amovsnaxa|/ yk1
Is he married?
Is she married?
Is it a book?
Na amovsnaxa|/ e1 Na amovsnaxa|/ e1 Sa ci|rk e1 Ta ci|rk e1
Are they married? Nramk amovsnaxa|/ yn1
7
Uses of the verb be (am, is, are):
The verb be is used for different purposes.
Long Form Short Form
Place of origin ?acovmu
I am from Mexico. Ys Myksigoix ym1
I’m from Mexico. Ys Myksigoix ym1
Age Darik
He is 25 years old. Na 25 darygan e1
He’s 25 years old. Na 25 darygan e1
Weather Y.anag
It is hot. <oc e1
It’s hot. <oc e1
Time +amanag
It is 6:00 o’clock. +amu 6-n e1
It’s 6:00 o’clock. +amu 6-n e1
Description Ngaracrovm
They are tall. Nrank par2rahasag yn1
They’re tall. Nrank par2rahasag yn1
Price Cin
It is $25.00. 25 tolar e1
It’s $25.00. 25 tolar e1
Location Dy.5wa3r
We are in class. Mynk tasaranovm ynk1
We’re in class. Mynk tasaranovm ynk1
Occupation Masnacidov;3ovn
You are a teacher. Tov tasadov ys1
You’re a teacher. Tov tasadov ys1
8
Be (am, is, are)
Positive I am
Ys ym
We are
Mynk ynk
You are
Tov ys
You are
Tovk yk
(hocnagi)
He is
She is
It is
Na e
(aragan)
Na e
(icagan)
Sa e , Ta e
They are
Nrank yn
Negative I am not
Ys [ym We are not
Mynk [ynk
You are not
Tov [ys
You are not
Tovk [yk
(hocnagi)
He is not
She is not
It is not
Na [e
Na [e
Sa [e5Ta [e
They are not
Nrank [yn
Questions Am I married?
Ys amovsnaxa|/ ym1
Are we married? Mynk amovsnaxa|/ ynk1
Are you married?
Tov amovsnaxa|/ ys1
Are you married? Tovk amovsnaxa|/ yk1
Is he married?
Is she married?
Is it a book?
Na amovsnaxa|/ e1 Na amovsnaxa|/ e1 Sa ci|rk e1 Ta ci|rk e1
Are they married? Nramk amovsnaxa|/ yn1
9
Articles – a an The indefinite articles a and an are used before singular, countable,
and non-specific nouns. Use a before a noun that begins with a
consonant sound. Use an before a noun that begins with a vowel
sound.
In Armenian, the equivalent of a and an ( mi like “me” in English)
is used before singular nouns regardless of the beginning sound.
a an
a student
an eraser
a teacher
an apple
a classroom
an octopus
a pencil
an iguana
a uniform
/Y/
an umbrella
a house
an hour
h
10
Singular Nouns and
Plural Nouns A singular noun represents one noun. A plural noun represents two or
more of the same noun. Add an s to change a singular noun to a
/plural noun.
In Armenian, two different endings (inflections yr /er/,
nyr /ner/) are added to change a singular noun to a plural noun.
Singular Nouns
Plural Nouns
desk
desks
book
books
Irregular Plural Nouns They change their spelling from the singular to plural form.
Singular Nouns
Plural Nouns
woman
women
man
men
child
children
person
people
11
There is/There are There is and there are are used to talk about existing conditions.
Use there is with singular conditions. Use there are with plural
conditions
In Armenian, similar forms exist.
There is
There is a teacher.
Mi tasadov ga1
There is a chalkboard.
Mi cradaqdag ga1
There are
There are two students. Yrgov a,agyrd ga1
There are two computers.
Yrgov had hamagarci[ mykyna ga1
There are desks.
Crasy.annyr gan1
12
Demonstratives (This, That, These, Those)
The demonstratives indicate that a noun is singular or plural and near to or far from the speaker. They can
be pronouns or adjectives followed by nouns.
In Armenian, similar forms exist.
Near
(Modig)
Far
(Hy-ov)
Singular
(Yzagi )
this that
Sa Ta 5 Na
Plural
(Hocnagi)
these those
Srank Nrank 5Trank
13
Examples
Demonstrative Adjectives
This dog is little. A3s ,ovnu ‘okr e1
These dogs are little. A3s ,nyru ‘okr yn1
That dog is big. A3t ,ovnu my/ e1
Those dogs are big. A3t ,nyru my/ yn1
Demonstrative Pronouns
This is a little dog. Sa ‘okr ,ovn e1
These are little dogs. Srank ‘okr ,nyr yn1
That is a big dog. Ta my/ ,ovn e1
Those are big dogs. Trank my/ ,nyr yn1
14
Possessive Adjectives and
Possessive Pronouns Possessive adjectives and possessive pronouns are used to talk about
possession. Possessive adjectives are followed by nouns. Possessive
pronouns are not followed by nouns. Whenever the item of
possession is omitted, a possessive pronoun is used instead.
In Armenian, similar forms exist.
Pronouns
Possessive
Adjectives
Possessive Pronouns
I my house mine
you your house yours
he his house his
she her house hers
it its house --
we our house ours
they their house theirs
Possessive Adjectives Possessive Pronouns My house is new. Im dovnu nor e1
The new house is mine Nor dovnu imn e1
Your pen is blue. Ko cri[u gabov3d e1
The blue pen is yours. Gabov3d cri[u konn e1
His house is old. Nra dovnu hin e1
The old house is his. Hin dovnu nrann e1
Our cat is big. Myr gadovn my/ e1
The big cat is ours. My/ gadovn myrn e1
Their dog is noisy. Nranx ,ovnu a.mgod e1
The noisy dog is theirs. A.mgod ,ovnu nranxn e1
15
Possessive Adjectives in English and Armenian
my
Im
our
Myr
your
Ko 5 @yr (yzagi 6ba,donagan)
your
@yr (hocnagi)
his
her
its
Nra (aragan)
Nra (icagan) Sra5Tra
their
Nranx
Possessive Pronouns in English and Armenian
mine
Imu
ours
Myru
yours
Konu 5 @yru
(yzagi6ba,donagan)
yours
@yru (hocnagi)
his
hers
*its
Nranu (aragan)
Nranu (icagan) Sranu5Tranu
theirs
Nranxu
*Its is not used as a possessive pronoun in English, but it can be used as a possessive pronoun in Armenian.
16
Simple Present A verb tense that is used for regular actions and general truths.
In Armenian, verb conjugations change with each pronoun.
Positive I eat.
Ys ovdovm ym1
We eat. Mynk ovdovm ynk1
You eat.
Tov ovdovm ys1
You eat. Tovk ovdovm yk1
He eats.
She eats.
It eats.
Na ovdovm e1
Na ovdovm e1
Sa ovdovm e1
Ta ovdovm e1
They eat. Nrank ovdovm yn1
Example: He eats a sandwich. They eat a sandwich. Na ovdovm e santwi[1 Nrank ovdovm yn santwi[1
17
Negative Do or does is needed as a helping verb in the simple present to form
negative statements. Add not after do or does.
In Armenian, the conjugated form of ‘[ym 4 /chem/ precedes the
verb.
I do not eat.
Ys [ym ovdovm1 We do not eat. Mynk [ynk ovdovm1
You do not eat.
Tov [ys ovdovm1 You do not eat. Tovk [yk ovdovm1
He does not eat.
She does not eat.
It does not eat.
Na [i ovdovm1
Na [i ovdovm1
Sa [i ovdovm1
Ta [i ovdovm1
They do not eat. Nrank [yn ovdovm1
Examples: He does not eat apples. They do not eat apples. Na qn2or [i ovdovm1 Nrak qn2or [yn ovdovm1
18
Questions Do or does is needed as a helping verb in the simple present to form
questions. Place do or does at the beginning of the sentence. Add a
question mark (?) at the end of the sentence.
In Armenian, questions are made by rising intonation. Neither an
auxiliary verb nor inversion is necessary for questions. Instead of “?”
the mark “ | ” is used for questions and “ : ” is the period placed at the
end of the sentence.
He eats a sandwich. ____ he eat a sandwich? Does he eat a sandwich?
Does
Yes, he does. A3o5 na santwi[ e ovdovm1
Does he eat a sandwich? Na santwi[ e ovdov|m1 No, he doesn’t. O[5na santwi[ [i ovdovm1
Do I eat?
Ys ovdov|m ym1 Do we eat? Mynk ovdov|m ynk1
Do you eat?
Tov ovdov|m ys1
Do you eat? Tovk ovdov|m yk1
Does he eat?
Does she eat?
Does it eat?
Na ovdov|m e1
Na ovdov|m e1
Sa ovdov|m e1
Ta ovdov|m e1
Do they eat? Nrank ovdov|m yn1
19
Simple Present
Positive
I eat.
Ys ovdovm ym1 We eat. Mynk ovdovm ynk1
You eat.
Tov ovdovm ys1 You eat. Tovk ovdovm yk1
He eats.
She eats.
It eats.
Na ovdovm e1
Na ovdovm e1
Sa ovdovm e1
Ta ovdovm e1
They eat. Nrank ovdovm yn1
Negative
I do not eat.
Ys [ym ovdovm1 We do not eat. Mynk [ynk ovdovm1
You do not eat.
Tov [ys ovdovm1 You do not eat. Tovk [yk ovdovm1
He does not eat.
She does not eat.
It does not eat.
Na [i ovdovm1
Na [i ovdovm1
Sa [i ovdovm1
Ta [i ovdovm1
They do not eat. Nrank [yn ovdovm1
Questions
Do I eat?
Ys ovdov|m ym1 Do we eat? Mynk ovdov|m ynk1
Do you eat?
Tov ovdov|m ys1 Do you eat? Tovk ovdov|m yk1
Does he eat?
Does she eat?
Does it eat?
Na ovdov|m e1
Na ovdov|m e1
Sa ovdov|m e1
Ta ovdov|m e1
Do they eat? Nrank ovdov|m yn1
20
Present Continuous A verb tense that shows action is happening now. The verb be (am,
is, are) is needed as a helping verb to form statements and
questions.
In Armenian, there is no distinction between the simple present and the
present continuous unless the present continuous time expression is used.
Positive I am working.
Ys hima a,qadovm ym1
We are working.
Mynk hima a,qadovm ynk1
You are working.
Tov hima a,qadovm ys1
You are working.
Tovk hima a,qadovm yk1
He is working.
She is working.
It is working.
Na hima a,qadovm e1 Na hima a,qadovm e1 Sa hima a,qadovm e1 Ta hima a,qadovm e|1
They are working. Nrank hima ,qadovm yn1
Examples: She is working right now. They are working right now. Na hynx hima a,qadovm e1 Nrak hynx hima a,qadovm yn1
21
Negative Use the verb be (am, is, are) followed by not to form negative
statements.
In Armenian, the conjugated form of [ym /chem/ precedes the
verb.
I am not working.
Ys hima [ym a,qadovm1
We are not working. Mynk hima [ynk a,qadovm1
You are not working.
Tov hima [ys a,qadovm1
You are not working. Tovk hima [yk a,qadovm1
He is not working.
She is not working.
It is not working.
Na hima [i a,qadovm1
Na hima [i a,qadovm1 Sa hima [i a,qadovm1 Ta hima [i a,qadovm1
They are not working. Nrank hima [yn a,qadovm1
Examples: She is not working right now. They are not working right now. Na hynx hima [i a,qadovm1 Nrak hynx hima [yn a,qadovm1
22
Questions To form questions, place be (am, is, are) at the beginning of the
sentence. Add a question mark (?) at the end of the sentence.
In Armenian, questions are made by the rising intonation. Neither
an auxiliary verb nor inversion is necessary for questions. Instead of
“?” the mark “ | ” is used for questions and “ : ” is the period placed
at the end of the sentence.
She is working now. She is working now. Is she working now?
Yes, she is. A3o5 na hynx hima a,qadovm e1
Is she working right now? Na hynx hima a,qadov|m e1
No, she is not. O[5 na hynx hima [i a,qadovm1
Am I working?
Ys hima a,qadov|m ym1
Are we working? Mynk hima a,qadov|m ynk1
Are you working?
Tov hima a,qadov|m ys1
Are you working? Tovk hima a,qadov|m yk1
Is he working?
Is she working?
Is it working?
Na hima a,qadov|m e1 Na hima a,qadov|m e1 Sa hima a,qadov|m e1
Are they working? Nrank hima a,qadov|m yn1
23
Present Continuous Positive
I am working.
Ys hima a,qadovm ym1
We are working.
Mynk hima a,qadovm ynk1
You are working.
Tov hima a,qadovm ys1
You are working.
Tovk hima a,qadovm yk1
He is working.
She is working.
It is working.
Na hima a,qadovm e1 Na hima a,qadovm e1 Sa hima a,qadovm e1 Ta hima a,qadovm e1
They are working. Nrank hima a,qadovm yn1
Negative I am not working.
Ys hima [ym a,qadovm1
We are not working. Mynk hima [ynk a,qadovm1
You are not working.
Tov hima [ys a,qadovm1
You are not working. Tovk hima [yk a,qadovm1
He is not working.
She is not working.
It is not working.
Na hima [i a,qadovm1
Na hima [i a,qadovm1 Sa hima [i a,qadovm1 Ta hima [i a,qadovm1
They are not working. Nrank hima [yn a,qadovm1
Questions Am I working?
Ys hima a,qadov|m ym1
Are we working? Mynk hima a,qadov|m ynk1
Are you working?
Tov hima a,qadov|m ys1
Are you working? Tovk hima a,qadov|m yk1
Is he working?
Is she working?
Is it working?
Na hima a,qadov|m e1 Na hima a,qadov|m e1 Sa hima a,qadov|m e1
Are they working? Nrank hima a,qadov|m yn1
24
Prepositions Prepositions are usually used to show where something is located or
when something happens. Prepositions link nouns and pronouns to
another element in the sentence.
In Armenian, similar forms exist, however, some of them are
added to the targeted word as a suffix.
from
I am from Armenia. Ys Ha3asdanix ym1
to
I go to work. Ys cnovm ym a,qadanki1
at
I go to school at 6:00 p.m. Ys =amu ^6in cnovm ym tbrox1
from…to
I go to school from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Ys yrygo3an =amu ^6ix min[6 (1#) tbroxovm ym1
25
in The ball is in the box. Cntagu dov’i my] e1
on
The ball is on the box. Cntagu dov’i wra e1
next to
The ball is next to the box. Cntagu dov’i go.kin e1
between
The ball is between the boxes. Cntagu dov’yri mi]6 e1
under
The ball is under the box. Cntagu dov’i dagn e1
26
Imperatives Imperatives are commands.The pronoun you is implied in the
command.
In Armenian, similar forms are used.
Listen. Lsi4r1
Point. N,i4r1
Read. Garta41
Open your
book. Cirkt paxi4r1
Write. Cri4r1
Repeat. Grgni4r1
No talking. Mi4 qosir1
Practice with
your partner. Tast= .or2i4r
tasaranagixit hyd1
Raise your
hand. @y-kt
par2raxrov41
No cheating. Mi4 ardacrir1
Test
27
Question Words Question words are used to ask questions.
In Armenian, similar forms exist.
Who refers to a person.
Who is he?
He is my teacher.
O|w
What refers to a thing.
What is it?
It is a book.
I|n[
When refers to time.
When is your English class?
It is at 6:00 p.m.
Y|rp
Where refers to location.
Where do you live?
I live in Glendale.
Ordy|. Ov|r
How much refers to non-count nouns.
How much rice do you want?
I want a bowl of rice.
Orka|n In[ka|n
How many refers to count nouns.
How many eggs do you want?
I want three eggs.
Orka|n In[ka|n
Kani| had
28
Be (was, were) Was and were are the simple past form of the verb be. It is used to
to give a description in the past.
In Armenian, the simple past form of the verb be exists.
Yesterday Today
Simple Past- Yesterday Simple Present - Today
Was Am
Was Is
Were Are
Examples:
Simple Past
Simple Present
I was sick yesterday. Ys yryg hiwant ei1
I am sick today. Ys a3s0r hiwant ym1
It was hot yesterday. Yryg ,oc er1
It is hot today. A3s0r ,oc e1
We were in class yesterday. Yryg tasaranovm eink1
We are in class today. A3s0r tasaranovm ynk1
You were a student last year. Tov anx3al dari a,agyrd eir1
You are a student this year. Tov a3s dari a,agyrd ys1
29
Parts of Speech Parts of speech are the words that form a sentence. Parts of speech have a grammatical purpose.
In Armenian, similar forms exist.
I eat green grapes.
pronoun verb adjective noun (tyranovn) (pa3) (a/agan) (co3agan)
1. Noun (Co3agan): a noun is a word that names a person, place,
thing, or idea.
Examples: People (an2yr) -brother, teacher, man, Susan Places (dy.6 wa3r) - bank, city, classroom, store
Things (ir6a-arga6pan) - book, pencil, shirt, door
Ideas (wyraxagan co3agannyr) - love, health, religion, freedom
2. Pronoun (Tyranovn): a pronoun is a word that takes the place of
a noun.
Examples: Susan lives in Glendale. She is American.
3. Adjective (A/agan): an adjective is a word that modifies (gives
more information about) a noun or a
pronoun.
Examples: He is a good teacher.
4. Verb (Pa3): a verb is a word that shows action or links another
word to the subject.
Example: I eat lunch. The teacher is hungry. 30