Lexis and structure | Jamb Use of English
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Dear student,Language is the bridge between thought and expression, and mastery of Lexis and Structure is the key to
clarity and precision. Just as a sculptor chisels away imperfections to reveal beauty, so must you refine
your understanding of words, their meanings, and their proper arrangement. Prepare diligently, for in the
art of language lies the power to persuade, inform, and inspire.
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๐ข Attention JAMB Candidates! ๐ฏ As you prepare for the UTME English Language exam, don't forget
to practice Lexis and Structure! ๐ This section tests your understanding of grammar, sentence
construction, word meanings, and appropriate word usage in different contexts. To excel, practice
identifying correct tenses, prepositions, synonyms, antonyms, and sentence structures.Consistent practice will sharpen your skills and boost your confidence on exam day! ๐ช๐ Start today and aim for excellence! Blissful learning.
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Comprehensive Note on Lexis and Structure in English Language
Lexis and Structure form a critical part of the English Language, especially in examinations like UTME.
Understanding concepts such as synonyms, antonyms, clauses, sentence patterns, word classes, mood, tense,
aspect, agreement, degrees of comparison, question tags, and figurative language is essential for
mastering English grammar and communication. Below is a detailed breakdown of these key topics.
1. Synonyms
Synonyms are words that have similar meanings but may be used in different contexts.
Examples:
- Happy โ Joyful, cheerful, delighted
- Big โ Large, huge, enormous
- Fast โ Quick, speedy, rapid
Usage in Sentences:
- The teacher was angry with the students. (Synonym: furious, annoyed)
- She gave a generous donation to the orphanage. (Synonym: kind, benevolent)
2. Antonyms
Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings.
Examples:
- Happy โ Sad
- Brave โ Cowardly
- Fast โ Slow
Usage in Sentences:
- The room was bright, but after the power cut, it became dark.
- He is honest, unlike his deceitful friend.
3. Clause and Sentence Patterns
A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. Clauses can be:
- Independent/Main Clause: Can stand alone as a sentence.
- Dependent/Subordinate Clause: Cannot stand alone and depends on the main clause.
Types of Clauses:
- Noun Clause: Functions as a noun in a sentence. (e.g., I believe that she will come.)
- Adjective Clause: Describes a noun. (e.g., The boy who won the race is my friend.)
- Adverbial Clause: Functions as an adverb. (e.g., I stayed home because it was raining.)
Sentence Patterns:
- SVO (Subject-Verb-Object): She (S) eats (V) rice (O).
- SVC (Subject-Verb-Complement): She (S) is (V) happy (C).
- SV (Subject-Verb): He (S) sleeps (V).
- SVA (Subject-Verb-Adverbial): She (S) runs (V) quickly (A).
4. Word Classes and Their Functions
Word classes are categories of words based on their grammatical functions.
Main Word Classes and Their Functions:
- Noun: Names a person, place, thing, or idea. (e.g., book, Nigeria, happiness)
- Pronoun: Replaces a noun. (e.g., he, she, it, they)
- Verb: Expresses an action or state of being. (e.g., run, think, is, were)
- Adjective: Describes a noun. (e.g., beautiful, tall, red)
- Adverb: Modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. (e.g., quickly, very, always)
- Preposition: Shows relationship between words. (e.g., on, in, between, under)
- Conjunction: Connects words, phrases, or clauses. (e.g., and, but, because)
- Interjection: Expresses emotion. (e.g., wow!, oh!, alas!)
5. Mood, Tense, and Aspect
Mood:
Mood in grammar refers to the tone or attitude of a sentence.
- Indicative Mood: States a fact. (e.g., She is singing.)
- Imperative Mood: Gives a command. (e.g., Close the door!)
- Subjunctive Mood: Expresses a wish, doubt, or hypothetical situation. (e.g., If I were you, I would study.)
Tense:
Tense shows the time of an action.
- Present Tense: (e.g., She sings.)
- Past Tense: (e.g., She sang.)
- Future Tense: (e.g., She will sing.)
Aspect:
Aspect describes how an action extends over time.
- Simple: (e.g., I read every day.)
- Progressive/Continuous: (e.g., I am reading now.)
- Perfect: (e.g., I have read the book.)
- Perfect Continuous: (e.g., I have been reading for hours.)
6. Number and Agreement (Concord)
Number:
- Singular: One item (e.g., book, child, man)
- Plural: More than one (e.g., books, children, men)
Agreement/Concord:
- Subject-Verb Agreement:
- Singular subject โ Singular verb (e.g., She is happy.)
- Plural subject โ Plural verb (e.g., They are happy.)
- Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement:
- (e.g., Every student must bring his or her book.)
7. Degree (Positive, Comparative, Superlative)
Degrees of Comparison:
- Positive Degree: (e.g., big, good, fast)
- Comparative Degree: (e.g., bigger, better, faster)
- Superlative Degree: (e.g., biggest, best, fastest)
8. Question Tags
A question tag is a short phrase added to a statement to confirm information.
- Positive statement โ Negative tag: (e.g., She is coming, isnโt she?)
- Negative statement โ Positive tag: (e.g., He isnโt late, is he?)
9. Mechanics of Writing
Mechanics refer to rules of punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.
- Capitalization: First letter of a sentence, proper nouns, โIโ (e.g., Nigeria, Monday, James).
- Punctuation:
- Full Stop (.) โ Ends a statement.
- Comma (,) โ Separates ideas.
- Question Mark (?) โ Ends a question.
- Apostrophe (โ) โ Shows possession or contractions (e.g., Johnโs book, donโt).
10. Ordinary, Idiomatic, and Figurative Usage
Ordinary Usage
Words used in their common meanings. (e.g., The sun is bright today.)
Idiomatic Usage:
Idioms are expressions with meanings different from their literal meanings. (e.g., It's raining cats and dogs = It's raining heavily.)
Figurative Usage:
- Simile: Comparison using like or as (e.g., He is as brave as a lion.)
- Metaphor: Direct comparison (e.g., Time is money.)
- Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human things (e.g., The wind whispered.)
Conclusion
Mastering Lexis and Structure is essential for effective communication and success in examinations like UTME. Understanding synonyms, antonyms, sentence patterns, word functions, agreement, question tags, idiomatic expressions, and figurative language enhances both spoken and written English. Consistent practice will improve accuracy and confidence in using the English language.
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- Jamb Use of English- lesson note on lexis and structure for UTME candidate
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