Talk:Basic English/Temp

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Rules[edit]

Basic English includes a simple grammar for modifying or combining its 850 words to talk about additional meanings (morphological derivation or inflection). The grammar is based on English, but is much simpler.[1]

  • Plural nouns are formed by adding -s or related forms, as in drinks, boxes, or countries.
  • Nouns are formed with the endings -er (as in prisoner) or -ing (building). Adjectives are formed with the endings -ing (boiling) or -ed (mixed).
  • Adverbs can be formed by adding -ly (for example tightly) to words that Basic English calls "qualities" (adjectives that describe objects).
  • The words more and most are used for comparison (for example more complex), but -er and -est may appear in common use (cheaper).
  • Negatives can be formed with un- (unwise).
  • The word do is used in questions, as it is in English (Do you have some?).
  • Both pronouns and what Basic English calls "operators" (a set of ten verbs) use the different forms they have in English (for example I go to him, He goes to me).
  • Compound words can be formed by combining two nouns (e.g. soapbox) or a noun and a preposition, which Basic English calls "directives" (sunup).
  • International words, words that are the same or similar English and other European languages (e.g. radio), use the English form. English forms are also used for numbers, dates, money, or measurements.
  • Any technical terms or special vocabulary needed for a task should be written in inverted commas and then be explained in the text using words from the Basic English vocabulary (for example the 'vocabulary' is the list of words).
  1. ^ "Rules of Grammar". Ogden's Basic English. January 1, 1996. Retrieved 2018-11-01.