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Form Meaning Use

How is the vocabularyunit, functional

expression, or grammarstructure formed?

What meaning does thevocabulary, functionalexpression or grammarstructure have in the(specific) context?

When or why is thevocabulary, functionalexpression or grammar

structure used?

How is a unit of languageformed?

What does the unit oflanguage mean?

When and why is the unitof language used?

Form refers to thevisible and audibleparts of vocabulary,functional expressionsand grammar units:the spelling,

phonemes, words in aphrase, prefixes orsuffixes, syntax (wordorder), choice of nounor verb, etc for aparticular place in asentence, and/orpunctuation.

For example: thepresent perfect isformed with have

been plus thepastparticiple of the main

There are two aspects ofmeaning. First, what isliteral or essentialmeaning of the word,phrase, functionalexpression or grammar

structure? Second, whatdoes it mean in thecontext its being used in?

For example: Sheswearing a red skirt. Theliteral or essentialmeaning of the word hasto do with naming aparticular color.

Shes red from sitting in

the sun. Her skin hasturned a particular shadeof pink indicating

The words, functionalexpressions, grammarstructures we choose touse are determined by thesituation we are in and/orwhat we want to

communicate to ourlistener(s). Use isinterconnected withmeaning.

For example: Pleasenote:Mail will not bedelivered on Thursdaysuntil further notice. Thepassive voice is usedappropriately herebecause it is more formal

and objective; becauselisteners know generally

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verb; tired ofisfollowed byVing/gerund not an toV/infinitive, in myopinion and not on myopinion; the word isspelled c-o-n-t-e-n-tand the secondsyllable is stressed

sunburn.

He was a well-known red.Redindicates thepersons political beliefsand affiliation.

that postmen deliver themail and that this decisionwas made by a namelessgovernment or postalofficial; and because thewhat is crucial tocommunicate is the factthat there will be nopostal delivery on thespecified day for theforeseeable future.

For example: Goodmorning! is a greeting weuse with friends, family,our boss, etc. when wesee them before noon. Ifwe say Good morning! to afamily morning as s/hegets up in the afternoon(because they were outlate the night before), weare being ironic andperhaps indicatingdisapproval. We wouldprobably not say this toour boss when s/he camein late.

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