Grammatical collocations in English essays written by Czech secondary school students Věra Sládková Masaryk University, Brno Czech Republic Corpus Approaches to Lexicogrammar 22nd June 2019
Content : 1. Specification of collocations 2. Setting the stage 3. Research aim and design 4. CZEMATELC 2017 5. Results 6. Conclusions and implications for teaching
G8E - G8I (Benson et al., 1986) English Grammar Profile A1 A2 B1 • V inf • V n inf • V – ing/V to- • V n to-inf • will, can, • V inf inf could • look forward • V -ing • like to • V to-inf • V to-inf • V to-inf
Setting the stage: 1. Previous research: gerund vs infinitive distinction • errors (Kim & Yo, 2015) • order of acquisition (Shirahata, 1991) • frequency of use (Schwartz & Causarano, 2007) 2. Specific features of L1: • different mother-tongue patterns • one infinitive form marked by a -t ending
Research methods: ▪ frequency analysis of all collocation patterns of the studied verbs in CZEMATELC 2017 ▪ identification accurate and inaccurate patterns ▪ statistical comparison of frequencies of verb patterns in CZEMATELC, CZECH NATIONAL CORPUS (CNC) and BROWN FAMILY (C8 TAGS)
Procedure : • CZECH MATURITA EXAM LEARNER CORPUS • AntConc 3.4.4w (Anthony, 2014) Frequency Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (2008) reference corpus Brown Family (C8 tags) Accuracy • CZECH NATIONAL CORPUS (Křen et al., 2015) • BROWN FAMILY (C8 tags) Comparison
CZEMATELC 2017 CZECH MATURITA EXAM LEARNER CORPUS ▪ 390 essays ▪ 195 students ▪ 0.455% of all essays written in May 2017 ▪ 44, 044 tokens ▪ 2, 765 types ▪ 2 types of essays: 1. a narrative about an unexpected visitor (120 – 150 words) 2. a request written to a friend to lend a bike (60 – 70 words)
Results : 800 700 600 500 Total Correct patterns 400 Errors 300 200 100 0 V to-inf V to-inf V -ing V inf V n to-inf V n inf V -ing
V to-inf (n= 223) want, would like, need, decide, hope, seem, try, afford, manage Frequently occurring patterns: I would like to borrow (n=20) *want go (n=8) I would like to ask (n=19) *Need borrow (n=7) want to ask (n=18) *I need lend (n=6) want to go (n=13) *I want lend (n=5) I need to borrow (n=8) *I want ask if (n=3) hope to hear from you (n=6)
Verb Rel. Freq. V to-inf V inf V past V n V prep V clause V WANT 3,813.6 2,043 771.8 68.1 408.6 227 BF /ČNK 62.5% 57.5% WOULD LIKE 1,793.3 1,452.8 158.9 45.4 22.7 BF /ČNK 72.5% 55% NEED 4,494.6 408.6 340.5 45.4 3,541.2 BF /ČNK 35% 20% 72.5% FORGET 340.5 0 132.6 22.7 68.1 113.5 BF /ČNK 5% 17.5% 57.5% DECIDE 749.1 612.9 22.7 22.7 68.1 BF /ČNK 17.5% 30% HOPE 635.6 136.2 499.4 BF /ČNK 47.5% 0% 82.5% SEEM 22.7 22.7 0 BF /ČNK 57.5% 5% (be) 57.5% LEARN 90.8 0 68.1 22.7 BF /ČNK 15% 20% 25% OFFER 181.6 0 181.6 BF /ČNK 7.5% 0% 45% PLAN 136.2 0 136.2 BF /ČNK 12.5% 20% 57.5% TRY 499.4 317.8 22.7 113.5 22.7 BF/ ČNK 50% 72.5% AFFORD 22.7 22.7 BF/ ČNK 50% 35% AGREE 658.3 0 113.5 544.8 BF /ČNK 17.5% 0% 47.5% 40% EXPECT 612.9 0 567.5 BF /ČNK 40% 0% 60% MANAGE 90.8 68.1 22.7 BF/ ČNK 12.5% 87.5%
V to-inf * For example we visited Prag castle because they want to saw seat of Prezident … 1G -17-9.txt (n=34) * He tried to found him , but he lost his own way. 1L-17-11.txt (n=1)
V to-inf (n=21) V -ing (n=30) like (n=1) start (n=28) start (n=20) like (n=1) stop (n=1) Frequently occurring patterns: • started ringing (n=6) started to ring (n=3) • started talking (n=3) started *talk (n=5) started to be (n=3)
Verb Rel. V to-inf V inf V past V-ing V to-ing V n V clause V V adv V prep V 3 rd person Freq. 635.3 22.7 22.7 45.4 22.7 499.4 LIKE BF /ČNK 26% ? 5% ? 90.8 0 90.8 BOTHER BF /ČNK 30% 15% 7.5% 62.5% 68.1 0 45.4 22.7 BEGIN BF /ČNK 22.5% 72.5% 7.5% 1,770.6 454 272.4 45.4 635.6 68.1 68.1 22.7 22.7 113.5 START 22.7 BF /ČNK 5% 72.5% 15% 22.7 0 22.7 CONTINUE BF /ČNK 50% 0% 1% 25% STOP 385.9 0 68.1 22.7 68.1 45.4 BF /ČNK 2.5% 85% 2.5% 295.1 0 113.5 45.4 90.8 45.4 REMEMBER BF /ČNK 5% 0% 10% 62.5%
V to-inf V -ing * After that everybody stoped do anything. 1H-17-10.txt (n=21) * We were sitting on sofa and he started to kissing me. 1N-17-16.txt (n=3)
V -ing (n=13) love, miss, mind, keep, look forward to Frequently occurring patterns: If you don’t mind (n=6) I am looking forward to hearing from you (n=3) *Would you mind landing (n=2)
Verb Rel. Freq. V -ing V inf V n V prep V V clause HATE 68.1 0 68.1 0 BF /ČNK 2.5% 2.5% 90% 2.5% LOVE 885.3 45.4 839.9 0 BF /ČNK 1% 75% 5% ENJOY 385.9 0 363.2 BF /ČNK 2.5% 60% MISS 204.3 22.7 136.2 BF /ČNK 1% 95% MIND 295.1 68.1 0 227 0 BF /ČNK 35% 7.5% 20% RISK 22.7 0 22.7 0 BF /ČNK 27% 32.5% 25% FINISH 136.2 0 0 90.8 45.4 BF /ČNK 10% 5% 85% KEEP 136.2 22.7 68.1 BF 2.5% ? SUGGEST 90.8 0 22.7 22.7 45.4 BF /ČNK 2.5% 52.5% 25% PRACTISE 22.1 0 0 22.7 BF /ČNK 16% 5% 80% LOOK FORWARD TO 340.5 136.2 68.1 136.2 0 BF /ČNK 32.5% 78% 21%
V – ing * I looking forward to him seeing . 1G-17-11.txt (n=3) * I’m looking forward to meet you . 2Q-17-1.txt (n=3)
V inf (n=722) will, would, can, could, may, should, must Frequently occurring patterns: will be (n=58) will be happy (n=8) would be (n=14) would be grateful (n=5) Could you lend me (n = 26) Can you lend me (n=32) Can I borrow (n=32) Could I borrow (n=11) *Could you borrow me (n=16) *Can you borrow me (n=21)
Verb Rel. Freq. V inf V to-inf V past V -ing V WILL 6,083.6 5,289.1 45.4 158.9 181.6 363.2 WOULD 1,679.8 1,589 CAN 5,992.8 5,448 227 22.7 22.7 COULD 3,427.7 3,268.8 45.4 22.7 MAY 90.8 90.8 MIGHT 0 0 SHALL 0 0 SHOULD 385.9 317.8 22.7 22.7 MUST 499.4 385.9 22.7 68.1 22.7
V past-tense form * My old friend Marek told me that he must came because I’m his best friend. 1Q-17-1.txt (n=8) * I could not believed that was him. 1P-17-5.txt (n=8) * I need it only for that one day. I will not broke it . I promise. 2I-17- 4.txt (n=15)
Possible L1 influence: * I will in Germany on Championschip. 2M-17-12.txt (n=16) *…and I will be always remember to her visit. 1H-17-9.txt (n=5) * I hope he will change and I could him take back . 1P-17- 10.txt (n=6)
V n to-inf (n= 11) want, would like, expect, recommend * When Mom came home I started to try her to keep him. 1F-17- 3.txt (n=1) * I want you to ask you , If you could lend me … 2P-17-11.txt (n=1)
Verb Rel. Freq. V n to-inf V n inf V n clause V n WANT 3,813.6 158.9 22.7 0 408.6 BF /ČNK 5% 12.5% 10% WOULD LIKE 1,793.3 45.4 0 5% 25% 1% BF /ČNK EXPECT 612.9 22.7 22.7 567.5 25% 0% 35% 60% BF /ČNK PERSUADE 22.7 0 22.7 62.5% 0% 55% BF /ČNK TEACH 22.7 0 0 22.7 10% 7.5% 1% BF /ČNK MOTIVATE 45.4 0 0 45.4 37.5% 0% 1% 25% BF /ČNK RECOMMEND 22.7 22.7 0 0 0% 2.5% 15% 37.5% BF /ČNK
V n inf (n=31) let (n=26), make (n=1), help (n=1), hear (n=3) Frequently occurring patterns: Let me know Let me know (n= 11) Make me happy (n=5) * I heard some noise and it made me to go to the kitchen 1I-17-7.txt (n=1)
Verb Rel. V n inf V n V n V n n V n V adj V n -ing V V Freq. to inf adj clause prep LET 635.6 590.2 45.4 0 0 BF /ČNK 77.5% 65% MAKE 590.2 22.7 22.7 227 90.8 227 22.7 BF /ČNK 5% 30% 15% HELP 385.9 22.7 0 317.8 22.7 BF/ ČNK 10% 5% 60% HEAR 1,362 68.1 (113.5) 839.9 113.5 45.4 227 BF/ ČNK 2.5% 2.5% 55% 20%
100 90 80 70 60 CNC 50 Brown Family CZEMATELC 40 30 20 10 0 let make help hear
V n inf (n=3) → C1 - hear I was holding my breath, but then I heard the person say „Pat?“ 1N- 17-5.txt attempts (n=2) * When I cooked I hear rang the bell at the door. 1J-17-5.txt * I heard someone entry and go upstairs, where … 1P-17-8.txt
V n – ing (n=11) → B2 - hear, see * Just when I started to falling asleep, I heard my doorbell ringing. 1P-17-6.txt When I opened the door, I saw three people smiling at me. 1I-17-3.txt
Conclusion : ▪ low frequency of verbs and patterns that should be mastered at B1 CEFR level. Most typical errors: ▪ bare infinitive (n=79) vs. full infinitive (n=7) ▪ past-tense form complementation (n=49) ▪ gerund (n=9) vs. bare infinitive(n=3)
Conclusion : ▪ 26 verbs - CZEMATELC 2017 + CNC + Brown Family ▪ 9 verbs - CZEMATELC 2017 + CNC ▪ 3 verbs - CZEMATELC 2017 + Brown Family ▪ 14 verbs are most frequently used in the studied patterns ▪ V to-inf (n=6), V inf (n=7), V n inf (n=1) ▪ 14 verbs V n in all 3 corpora ▪ well-rehearsed phrases
These verbs need special attention: V to-inf V inf hope, expect, seem, afford may, should, will V to-inf, V – ing V n to-inf like, begin, stop expect, persuade, teach V – ing V n inf mind, finish make
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