Question

According to the Principle of Natural Order, which grammatical structure is typically learned before the third-person -s?

• A. Past tense
• B. Present continuous
• C. Future tense
• D. Plural nouns

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Present continuous

English Literature and Teaching - Grammar Acquisition

• Principle of Natural Order in Language Acquisition: This principle suggests that languages are learned in a predictable sequence, regardless of the specific language being acquired. Certain grammatical structures tend to appear before others in the developmental progression of learners.
• Early Grammatical Development: Children and novice language learners often acquire basic verb forms and sentence structures before more complex ones. This typically involves a focus on present actions and immediate experiences.
• Present Continuous Tense: The present continuous tense (e.g., "I am running," "She is reading") is a fundamental structure used to describe ongoing actions happening at the moment of speaking. Its simplicity and direct connection to immediate reality make it an early acquisition.
• Third-Person Singular -s: The third-person singular present simple tense marker (e.g., "he runs," "she reads") is often acquired later. This is because it requires understanding subject-verb agreement in a specific third-person context, which can be more abstract than the continuous aspect.
• Comparative Acquisition: Studies in second language acquisition (SLA) and child language development consistently show that learners are more likely to use and correctly form the present continuous before mastering the third-person -s ending in the present simple. This order is observed across various languages and learning contexts.
• Implications for Teaching: Understanding this natural order can inform pedagogical approaches. Educators might prioritize teaching the present continuous before introducing the nuances of the third-person singular present simple to facilitate more effective and intuitive learning.