A Simpler Approach to Grammar: (Re)engineering Parts-of-Speech Instruction to Assist EFL/ESP Students

We introduce an approach to grammar distinct from traditional approaches: instead of the eight parts of speech, we propose a four-part grammar system based on the functional components of sentences: <specifier>, {modifier}, (complement), and head. Unlike traditional parts of speech, these functional components have consistent and reliable identification tests. Our simplified approach better meets the standards of testability and usability, which our IEEE audience expects in other areas. We illustrate the utility of this simplified grammar with analyses of traditionally troublesome areas of EFL/ESP grammar instruction.