HANOI PEDAGOGICAL UNIVERSITY N o 2 FOREIGN LANGUAGE FACULTY NGUYEN THI KIEU MIEN COMMON ERRORS IN THE USE OF TO-INFINITIVES MADE BY THE STUDENTS IN GRADE ELEVEN AT BAC KIEN XUONG HIGH SCHOOL (GRADUATION PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH) Hanoi, 2014 i Acknowledgement I would like to take this chance to express my greatest gratitude to Mrs. Phi Thi Tho, B.A., my supervisor for her invaluable support and careful guidance as well as encouragement, suggestions and advice throughout the process of writing this thesis. Besides, I would like to thank to the librarians of Hanoi Pedagogical University Number 2 who have helped me in the preparation and writing this thesis. I would like to express my thanks to my all beloved lectures who always motivated and suggested me to finish my thesis soon. Furthermore, I would like to thank all my friends who never stop encouraging me to finish my thesis. In addition, I want to express my special thank to students in class 11 at Bac Kien Xuong High School because of their support in the survey. Last but not least, I own a debt of gratitude to my beloved family, for their whole – hearted encouragement and endless support. ii Abstract It is a fact that to-infinitive is one of the essential parts to form a sentence in English grammar. As well known, to-infinitives are diversified in many forms, functions as well as usages. It takes learners quite a long time to understand to-infinitives deeply. As a result, students of English often make errors when they use to- infinitives. Therefore, this research is focused on investigating common errors in the uses of to-infinitives. Actually, the most important purpose is to show how to use the to-infinitives and to suggest some solutions to the problem. Based on material analysis and error analysis, the types of errors and causes have been found. Solutions to the problems have been suggested. iii STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP Title: Common errors in the use of to-infinitives made by the students in grade eleven at Bac Kien Xuong High School (Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts in English) I certify that no part in this thesis has been copied from any other person‟s work without acknowledgement and that the thesis is originally written by me under the instructions from my supervisor. Date submitted: May 2014 Student Nguyen Thi Kieu Mien Supervisor Phi Thi Tho iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgement. i Abstract ii Statement of authorship iii Table of contents iv PART ONE INTRODUCTION I. Rationale 1 II. Research presupposition 1 III. Research objectives 2 IV. Research scope 2 V. Research tasks 2 VI. Research methods 2 VII. Research significance 2 VIII. Research design 3 PART TWO DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER ONE: THEORETICAL BACGROUND I.1. Literature review in brief 4 I.2. To infinitive. I.2.1. Definition 5 I.2.2. Form 5 I.2.3. Characteristics of to infinitive 6 I.2.3.1. Nominal characteristics 6 v I.2.3.2. Adjectival characteristics 7 I.2.3.3. Adverbial characteristics 7 I.2.4. Functions 8 I.2.4.1. As a subject 8 I.2.4.2. As a direct object 8 I.2.4.3. As a subject complement 9 I.2.4.4. As an adverbial modifiers 9 I.2.4.5. As an adjective 9 I.2.4.6. As an adjectival complement 11 I.2.5. Uses of to infinitives 11 I.2.5.1. Cases where to infinitives are needed 11 I.2.5.1.1. After some verbs 11 I.2.5.1.2. After some question words 12 I.2.5.1.3. After verb “be” 13 I.2.5.1.4. After some adjectives 13 I.2.5.2. Misuse of to-infinitives in a place of gerunds 14 I.2.5.2.1. Some verbs can take either to-infinitives or gerunds with almost no difference in meaning 14 I.2.5.2.2. Some verbs can take either to-infinitives or gerunds with difference in meaning 15 CHAPTER TWO COMMON ERRORS IN THE USES OF TO INFINITIVES II.1. Survey 19 II.1.1. Purposes of the survey 19 II.1.2. Population of the survey 20 vi II.1.3.Type of the survey 20 II.1.4. Construction of the test 20 II.1.5. Preparation of the survey 21 II.1.5.1. Test items 21 II.1.5.2. Arrangement of the test items 21 II.1.6. Administration of the try out 22 II.1.6.1. Preparation of the try out 22 II.1.6.2. Try out 22 II.1.7. Method of data analysis 22 II.1.8. Results of the survey 23 II.2. Common errors and causes 25 II.2.1. Errors in the use of to-infinitive as a subject 25 II.2.2. Errors in the use of to-infinitive as a direct object 25 II.2.3. Errors in the use of to infinitive as a subject complement 26 II.2.4. Errors in the use of to infinitive as an adverbial modifiers 27 II.2.5. Errors in the use of to infinitive as an adjective 27 II.2.6. Errors in the use of to infinitive after question words 27 II.2.7. Errors in the use of to-infinitive as an adjectival complement 28 II.3. Suggested solutions and suggested exercises II.3.1. Suggested solutions 28 II.3.2. Suggested exercise 30 PART THREE CONCLUSION CONCLUSION 31 vii REFERENCES 33 APPENDICIES 35 TEST SURVEY 35 SUGGESTED EXERCISES 41 1 PART ONE INTRODUCTION I. Rationale We know that, studying English nowadays has become an essential demand for everyone. However, each language has its own origin, characteristics and values leading to Vietnamese learners have to face many difficulties when they learn this international language. It is proved that English grammar is complex, so it often causes embarrassments to learners. To-infinitive is one of the essential parts to form a sentence in English grammar that students have to learn too much at schools. Therefore, using to-infinitives correctly and effectively is rather complex. Due to its various uses, many students think to infinitives is difficult and complicated to use, it is assumed that there are many errors which may be made. As a student in the Foreign Language Faculty, this thesis is accomplished with the hope of making a contribution to the process of teaching English especially in teaching to-infinitive for students in high schools. For these reasons above, this study is conducted with the aim of focusing on error in using English among the students of English in grade 11 at Bac Kien Xuong High school. II. Research presupposition Some questions are raised: 1. What kinds of errors in the use of to-infinitives are made by the students in grade 11 at Bac Kien Xuong High School? 2. What are the causes of the errors in the use of to-infinitives by the students in grade 11 at Bac Kien Xuong High School? 3. What are the effective ways to minimize the errors made by the students in grade 11 at Bac Kien Xuong High School? 2 III. Research objectives The study is aimed at the following goals: 1. To find out the main errors in the use of to-infinitives made by the students in grade 11 at Bac Kien Xuong High School 2. To find out the causes of the errors in the use of to-infinitives by the students in grade 11 at Bac Kien Xuong High School 3. To offer some suggestions to minimize the errors made by the students in grade 11 at Bac Kien Xuong High School IV. Research scope The general research area of this study is grammar. The phenomenon is focused on the errors in using to-infinitives made by the students in grade 11 at Bac Kien Xuong High School. The population involved in the study is 90 students. V. Research tasks The study involves the following tasks: 1. Studying the definition, formation, characteristics and usage of to- infinitives in English 2. Studying the grammatical features of to-infinitives in English 3. Conducting a survey to find out error types and causes of the uses of to-infinitives in English 4. Suggesting some solutions to minimize the students‟ errors VI. Research methods To achieve the objectives of the study, the following methods have been applied: 1. Synthesizing theoretical materials on English grammar and linguistics 2. Conducting test survey and analyzing the results [...]... order is in the table 2 Table 2 Common errors in the use of to- infinitives made by the students in grade eleven at Bac Kien Xuong High School Error Errors in the use of to- infinitives % 1 Errors in the use of to infinitive as a subject complement 68.52 2 Errors in the use of to- infinitive as a subject 62.36 3 Errors in the use of to infinitive as an adjective 52.00 4 Errors in the use of to- infinitive... Xuong High School were pointed out in the table 1 Table 1: Common errors in the use of to- infinitives made by the students in grade eleven at Bac Kien Xuong High School Error Errors in the use of to- infinitives % 1 Errors in the use of to- infinitive as a subject 62.36 2 Errors in the use of to- infinitive as a direct object 38.15 3 Errors in the use of to infinitive as a subject complement 68.52 4 Errors. .. providing students with knowledge of to- infinitives, the thesis has identified common errors made by Vietnamese students Making errors in the use of to- infinitives is unavoidable However, due to the framework of the study, it is impossible to map out errors made by learners of English at all educational levels Therefore, the thesis only focuses on common errors in the use of to- infinitives made by the students. .. 7 The bar chart shows common errors in the uses of to- infinitives made by the students in grade eleven at Bac Kien Xuong High School 24 As can be seen from the bar chart, the highest percentage errors are in the use of to- infinitive as a subject complement, which account for 68.52% It is followed by the errors in the use of to- infinitive as a subject which stand at 62.15% The errors in the use of to- infinitive... to- infinitives, which a survey cannot cover Therefore, it is necessary to predict possible errors and include them in the survey In this survey, possible errors were classified into the following categories 1 Errors in the use of to- infinitive as a subject 2 Errors in the use of to- infinitive as a direct object 3 Errors in the use of to infinitive as a subject complement 4 Errors in the use of to infinitive... and so on, the students must base themselves on the meanings of the sentences to decide to use either the gerund or the to- infinitive II.2.3 Errors in the use of to infinitive as a subject complement The errors in using to- infinitive as a subject complement among the eleventh -grade students at Bac Kien Xuong High School are the most common which account for 68.52 % Most of the students used the gerund... Errors in the use of to infinitive as an adverbial modifiers 26.95 5 Errors in the use of to infinitive as an adjective 52.00 6 Errors in the use of to infinitive after question words 21.15 7 Errors in the use of to- infinitive as an adjectival complement 36.05 23 From the data in the table 1, it can be identified which error level of the use of to- infinitives is highest and which is the lowest The order... of infinitives Moreover, they pointed out the functions of the toinfinitive which are as a subject, a direct object, a predicate after a linking verb, an appositive They dealed with modifiers of to- infinitive in to- infinitive phrases In short, much research has been done on the to- infinitives but none of them pointed out errors in the uses of to- infinitives In fact, there are far more errors that learners... the students at grade 11 in Bac Kien Xuong High School A survey was conducted to serve the purpose II.1.1 Purpose of the survey The survey questionnaire was designed to test the students understanding of the use of to- infinitives and to find out common errors made by the students 19 at grade 11 in Bac Kien Xuong High School Then, it will be background for introducing possible solutions to these mistakes... learners of English often make when they use the to- infinitives Therefore, it is essential to have a comprehensive study of common errors in the use of to- infinitives I.2 To- infinitive I.2.1 Definition of to- infinitive To- infinitive is an infinitive with to Kam Chuan Aik and Kam Kai Hui (1992) define an infinitive is the base form of a verb used as a noun, an adjective or an adverb For example: To help . kinds of errors in the use of to-infinitives are made by the students in grade 11 at Bac Kien Xuong High School? 2. What are the causes of the errors in the use of to-infinitives by the students. causes of the errors in the use of to-infinitives by the students in grade 11 at Bac Kien Xuong High School 3. To offer some suggestions to minimize the errors made by the students in grade 11 at. The study is aimed at the following goals: 1. To find out the main errors in the use of to-infinitives made by the students in grade 11 at Bac Kien Xuong High School 2. To find out the causes