Robert Krohn’s English Sentence Structure is a classic intensive textbook used worldwide to help English learners master grammar through practical patterns and drills. Originally developed for the English Language Institute at the University of Michigan, it focuses on oral production and "over-learning" basic structures. Where to Find the PDF
While many educational platforms host the book, the most reliable and legal way to access it is through digital libraries. You can find "English Sentence Structure" by Robert Krohn at the following link:
Internet Archive - English Sentence Structure: This site allows you to "borrow" a digital copy for free after creating a basic account. Key Features of the Book
The textbook is designed for students who want to move beyond just knowing grammar rules to actually using them automatically. It includes:
Pattern Drills: Repetitive exercises that help "wire" correct sentence structures into your memory.
Integration of Lessons: Each lesson builds on the previous one, starting from basic "to be" verbs and moving into complex conditional clauses. englishsentencestructurerobertkrohnpdf link
Focus on Usage: Instead of lengthy linguistic explanations, the book emphasizes how sentences are actually built in speech.
Vocabulary Control: Lessons use a limited set of common words so students can focus entirely on the sentence structure without getting stuck on difficult vocabulary. Why It’s Still Popular
Despite being published decades ago, it remains a favorite for self-study and classroom use because of its logical progression. It is particularly effective for learners who feel they know the "rules" of English but still struggle to form correct sentences quickly during a conversation.
Robert Krohn's "English Sentence Structure" is a highly-regarded, copyrighted workbook in the Michigan Teacher Training series that teaches English grammar through structured, repetitive drills. While the book is often sought as a digital PDF, authorized access is available through borrowing platforms or purchase from academic publishers. For the full text, explore options on the Internet Archive or the University of Michigan Press website.
Introducing the pattern: Modal + Base Verb. Robert Krohn’s English Sentence Structure is a classic
Robert Krohn is a renowned linguist and educator who specialized in teaching English to non-native speakers. His methodologies shifted away from abstract grammatical jargon and toward pattern practice. In the 1970s and 1980s, he authored several key textbooks for the University of Michigan Press and other academic publishers.
His most famous contribution is his systematic breakdown of English Sentence Structure, often used in conjunction with English Sentence Structure: A Programmed Introduction and the Krohn Grammar Series. These books were revolutionary because they used a self-paced, programmed learning approach—readers would read a rule, answer a question, and immediately check their answer.
Understanding action happening now: Subject + am/is/are + Verb-ing.
Robert Krohn's work on English sentence structure is a significant contribution to the field of linguistics, particularly in the area of English syntax. While I don't have the specific content of the paper you're referring to, I can offer a general outline of what a comprehensive analysis of English sentence structure might entail:
Introduction to English Syntax: Basic concepts of syntax, including the definition of syntax, the importance of sentence structure in communication, and an overview of the components of English sentences. The man is walking to the store
Parts of Speech: A detailed explanation of the parts of speech in English, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and articles. This section might also discuss the characteristics and functions of each part of speech.
Phrases: The formation of phrases from parts of speech, including noun phrases, verb phrases, adjective phrases, adverb phrases, and prepositional phrases. This section would likely cover the structure and functions of phrases within sentences.
Clauses: The discussion would move on to clauses, both independent and dependent, explaining how clauses can be combined to form complex sentences. This might include information on relative clauses, subordinate clauses, and coordinate clauses.
Sentence Types: An analysis of the different types of sentences in English, including simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. This section could provide examples and explanations of how each type is constructed.
Transformation and Generative Grammar: Although this might be more advanced, Krohn's work could touch on aspects of transformational generative grammar, which was influential in the study of sentence structure during the 20th century. This involves the rules and processes that generate the grammatical sentences of a language.
Conclusion: A summary of key points and perhaps discussions on the importance of understanding English sentence structure for language teaching, learning, and communication.