AN ERROR ANALYSIS OF SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT FOUND IN FACEBOOK USERS’ STATUS
1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION
This chapter discusses background of the study, statement of the problems, purposes of the study, significance of the study, scope and limitation, and definition of the key terms.
1.1 Background of the Study
Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks. It is a network system that consists of millions private, public, academic, business, and government networks. The network may range from local to global. Nowadays, internet is easy to be found everywhere because most people use internet in their daily life. About 64% of internet users say that their daily routines and activities would be affected if they could no longer use the internet (Deborah, 2004). Hence, people make internet as their primary need.
The utilization of the technology of internet will connect to the cyber space, in the form of any kinds of data, such as documents, files, photos, or videos. It obviously can be seen that internet has many advantages in this modern era. In this case, some of the most visible positive things from the internet are as the tool of searching information, exchanging data, and communication.
In these recent years, searching for information about any aspect is not difficult. Everyone can browse information from many aspects, such as politics,
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economics, education, cultures, businesses, and other important information. Internet is also ready to be accessed whenever and wherever people need. It can be accessed via mobile phone, wifi, going to internet cafe, or people can settle the internet network in their computer PC at home. They can instantly use internet to browse information that they need to know. Thus, people do not need to search information by directly coming to place which provides the sources of information. That is why internet is known as the source of information.
Another thing about the internet is that internet can be used to exchange data. Moreover, everybody, especially students, teachers, and also employers totally need internet connection to exchange their data. One of ways to exchange data is by using electronic mail because exchanging data by using electronic mail is quick. Then, using electronic mail only needs less than one minute to send and receive data. In addition, itis more practice than exchanging data through post office. Therefore, it is a popular way used by people to exchange data.
The most popular usage of the internet is for communication tools which becomes common thing in this era. Moreover, most of people use internet to communicate each other. They obviously can communicate by using internet to their family, friends, business relation and even to strange people who live in the same area or in different area. As a result, social sites become a main choice used by them.
User’s activities of social media becomea phenomenon which is found in this digital era. According to Mayfield ( 2010), sosial media has become an easiest and very important tool for people who want to give aspiration, because they just need to
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write sentences or upload photos and videos through the social media. Thus, people need social media as a tool of comunication or share their aspiration.
There are many kinds of social networking that must be known by everyone, such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, etc. According to Smith (2013), Facebook is the biggest social site with about 1,16 billion active users . In this case, most people prefer to use Facebook, because Facebook is easier to be used. On the whole, internet becomes requirement to make communication easier through social networking sites, especially Facebook.
Facebook becomes more popular, because it is very easy to be used. In addition, Facebook has complete features, such as updating status, uploding photos and videos, sharing links, giving comment on each status, direct messages, chatting, etc. Facebook also one of media to make a friend, share daily activity and share information about anything in human life. This is most typical characteristics of social networking sites. Facebook can be used for keeping track of friends both old and new. It is free to join and requires only that the member of Facebook is over 13 years old. Hence, by understanding some features had by Facebook, people have reasons to make Facebook become well-known in this era.
In updating status, users usually write some sentences which represent their feeling or opinion. Facebook users sometimes use more than one language in writing their sentences. They might use local language or national language, and even International language. Concerned with that, English is one of languages which facebook users use to express their feeling.
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As a Facebook user, the researcher usually finds many users writing their status by using English. In this case, not all of users write their English correctly. They sometimes make error in writing English. The error can be about spelling, punctuation, grammar, etc.
In English, grammar is obviously believed that it becomes the most common error (Soskey, 2013). Many people make error of grammar because they think that grammar is very difficult. In this case, subject-verb agreement is probably the hardest part of the English and it is said that almost everyone makes error of subject-verb agreement.
In this study, the reseacher only analyzes the grammatical error, especially subject-verb agreement. In line with this, Sterbenz (2013) stated that one of the most common errors of grammar is subject-verb agreement. Moreover, there are some researchers who analyze the error of subject-verb agreement. In this case, the error of subject-verb agreement obviously can be found in students’ writing. In the previous research, Rohmah (2013) did her research which was under the title “The Error Analysis of Subject-Verb Agreement Made by the Fifth Semester Students of English Department University of Muhammadiyah Malang in Their Writing”. The result of her research showed that the fifth semester students of English Department had made four types of error of subject-verb agreement. They were errors of basic subject-verb agreement, using expression of quantity, using there+ be, and making verbs agree after certain words. However, Based on description above, the researcher focuses on the facebook users’ status which use English. Therefore, the reseacher is interested in doing a study about “An Error Analysis of Subject-Verb Agreement Found in Facebook Users’ Status”.
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1.2 Statement of the Problems
After explaining the reason of choosing this study in the background of study, the writer formulates the problems of this study which will be analyzed. The problems are:
1. What kinds of error of subject-verb agreement are found in facebook users’ status?
2. What is the dominant error of subject-verb agreement found in facebook users’ status?
1.3 Purposes of the Study
The main purpose of the study is to provide adequate answers to the questions in the problems of the study, they are:
1. To know the kinds of error of subject-verb agreement found in facebook users’ status
2. To know the most dominant error of subject-verb agreement found in facebook users’ status
1.4Significance of the Study
The result of this study is expected to give some contribution. The first contribution is expected to give more knowledge for Students of University of Muhammadiyah Malang, especially for English Department students. It is also expected that this study may be used by other researchers as a reference and will
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encourage them to carry out similar studies. Practically, this study is expected to users of Facebook. The users can get more information about their English, especially subject-verb agreement. Thus, in updating status, Facebook users can write their sentences correctly.
1.5 Scope and Limitation
To avoid the generalization of the topic, the researcher has scope and limitation in this study. The scope of this study is social network called Facebook. Then, by watching home of Facebook, the researcher focuses on terms included in facebook users’ status which use English. In addition, the objects analyzed are the users from Indonesia. The reseacher limits this study by analysing grammatical error, especially subject-verb agreement which will be analyzed from 1 up to 6 November 2014.
1.6 Definition of Key Terms
Definition of key terms is presented to avoid misunderstanding and misinterpretation. In this study, the researcher also explains several terms, such as:
1. Facebook is a popular free social networking website that allows registered users to create profiles, upload photos and videos, send messages and keep in touch with friends, family, and collagues (Rouse, 2014).
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2. Facebook Status is an update feature which allows users to discuss their thoughts, whereabouts, or important information with their friends (Rouse, 2014).
3. Error is flawed side of learner speech or writing (Dulay et al, 1982: 138). 4. Subject-Verb Agreement is subject and verb should be match. This term
refers to the matching of the number of a present tense verb (or a present tense helping verb if there is more than one verb) with the number of the subject of that verb (Beason and Lester, 2003).
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AN ERROR ANALYSIS OF SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
FOUND IN FACEBOOK USERS’ STATUS
THESIS
By :
DEVI LAILAWATI
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
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AN ERROR ANALYSIS OF SUBJECT-VERB AGREEMENT
FOUND IN FACEBOOK USERS’ STATUS
THESIS
This thesis is submitted to meet one of requirements to achieve Sarjana Degree in English Education
By :
DEVI LAILAWATI 201010100311013
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH MALANG
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This thesis was defended in front of the examiners of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of University of Muhammadiyah Malang
and accepted as one of the requirements to achieve Sarjana Degree in English Education
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ORIGINALITY DECLARATION
The undersigned:
Name : Devi Lailawati
Student ID number : 201010100311013 Program of Study : English Department
Faculty : Faculty of Teacher Training and Education
I declare that the work presented in this thesis was carried out by myself and does not incorporate without acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any university. To the best of my knowledge this thesis does not contain any materials previously publish or written by another person except where due reference is made in text.
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MOTTO AND DEDICATION
"Allah does not look at your figures, nor at your attire but He looks at your hearts
and accomplishments".
(Muslim)
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”
(
Mae West
)
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
(
Albert Einstein
)
I dedicated this thesis to: My father and mother (Supriadi and Risnawati) My beloved step father and step mother (Alm. H. Ishak and Nurmasiah) My sister (Dewi M. Astuti) And all of my friends
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Alhamdulillah, all praises to Allah Swt, the Merciful and Charitable. Because of His blessing and guidance, the writer can perfectly finish this thesis.
The writer would like to express her blissfulness to Dra. Erly Wahyuni, M.Si as her first advisor and Dr. Sudiran, M.Hum as her second advisor, for their invaluable advice, suggestions, and guidance during the consulting period.
Her deepest gratitute to Ayahanda Supriadi, Ibunda Risnawati, her beloved sister Dewi Mulia Astuti, her step Mother Nurmasiah who always give support in every single thing the writer did. Her gratitude is also presented to Abah Haji (alm) who taught her how to be a good Muslim.
Her special gratitude is extended to all of English Department lectures who had given a lot of knowledge, both knowledge related to education and social life. Without their guidance, the writer could not finish this thesis because the knowledge given is very beneficial.
Finally, a special thank goes to her beloved friends Lailatus Sa’adah, Siti Sundari, Chusnul Insani, Nurlaily, Retno Dwi Susanti, Heni Shafitri, Falatehan, Adit, Ferdy, Mas Reza, Helda, Ely, Terra, and Veny for love, care, pray and help in finishing this thesis.
Malang, February 2015
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROVAL ... i
LEGALIZATION ... ii
ORIGINALITY DECLARATION ... iii
MOTTO AND DEDICATION ... iv
ABSTRACT ... v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ... vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS ... vii
LIST OF TABLES ... x
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ... 1
1.1Background of the Study ... 1
1.2Statement of the Problems ... 5
1.3Purposes of the Study ... 5
1.4Significance of the Study ... 5
1.5 Scope and Limitation ... 6
1.6 Definition of Key Terms ... 6
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ... 7
2.1 Internet ... 7
2.2 Social Media ... 8
2.2.1 Kinds of Social Media ... 9
2.3 E-Mail (Electronic Mail) ... 10
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2.5 Facebook ... 12
2.6 Error ... 13
2.6.1 Error Taxonomy ... 14
2.6.1.1 Omission ... 14
2.6.1.2 Additions ... 15
2.6.1.3 Misformation ... 16
2.6.1.4 Misordering ... 16
2.7 Subject-Verb Agreement ... 17
2.7.1 Basic Subject-Verb Agreement ... 17
2.7.2 Subject-Verb Agreement: Using Expression of Quantity ... 18
2.7.3 Subject-Verb Agreement: Using There + Be ... 20
2.7.4 Subject-Verb Agreement: Some Irregularities ... 20
2.7.5 Making Inverted Verb Agree ... 21
2.7.6 Making Verbs Agree after Certain Words ... 22
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ... 24
3.1 Research Design ... 24
3.2 Research Object ... 25
3.3 Research Instrument ... 25
3.4 Data Collection Procedure ... 26
3.5 Data Analysis ... 26
CHAPTER IV RESEARCH FINDING AND DISCUSSION ... 28
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4.1.1 Kinds of Errors of Subject-Verb Agreement Found in
Facebook Users’ Status ... 28
4.1.1.1 Identification and Classification Errors ... 28
4.1.2 The Dominant Error of subject-Verb Agreement Found In Facebook Users’ Status ... 32
4.2 Discussion ... 33
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS ... 35
5.1 Conclusions ... 35
5.2 Suggestions ... 35 REFERENCES
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1 Basic of Subject-Verb Agreement ... 29
Table 4.2 Subject-Verb Agreement: Using Expression of Quantity ... 30
Table 4.3 Subject-Verb Agreement: Using There+ Be ... 30
Table 4.4 Subject-Verb Agreement: Some Irregularities ... 31
Table 4.5 Subject-Verb Agreement: Making Verbs Agree After Certain Words ... 32
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REFERENCES
Ary, Donald, et al. 2010. Introduction to Research in Education. Eight edition. United States: Thomson Wadsworth
Azar, Betty Schrapfer. 1989. Understanding and Using English Grammar-Second edition. United States of America: Prentice Hall Regents
Beason, L. and Lester, M. 2003. A Common Sense Guide to Grammar and Usage. Boston: New York.
Brown, Douglas. H. 2000. Principle of Learning and Teaching.Fourth Edition. Addison WesleyLongman, Inc.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. 2007. Research Methods in Education. Retrieved November 11st, 2014, from http://en.bookfi.org
Dulay, Burt, and Krashen. 1982. Language Two. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Fitton. 2012. Twitter for Dummies. New jersey: Jhon Wiley and son inc.
Mayfield, Antony. 2008. What is Social Media?. iCrossing
Kingston, Charlene. 2011. Twitter for beginners. New York: media DIY workshop Lemanski, Tom & Overton, Tina. 2011. An Introduction to Qualitative Research.
Retrieved October 16th, 2014, from www.heacademy.ac.uk/physsoi
Lukman, M et al. 2013. Pelatihan Aplikasi Teknologi Informasi. Seventh Edition. Malang: Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang.
Muijs, D. 2004. Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS. Retrieved November 10th, 2014, from http://bookfi.org
Phillips, Deborah. 2000. Longman Preparation Course for TOEFL Test. Second Edition. Jakarta: Prenhallindo.
Rohmah, Zunaida M. 2013. The Error Analysis of Subject-Verb Agreement made by the fifth semester Students of English Department University of
Muhammadiyah Malang in their writing. Malang: University of
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Rouse, Margareth. 2014. What is Facebook? Retrieved July 24th, 2014, from
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Facebook
Rouse, Margareth. 2014. What is the Internet?. Retrieved August 25th, 2014, from http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/i/f/What-is -the-internet.html
Smith, Cooper. 2013. The Biggest Social Media. Retrieved September 27th, 2014, from http://www.a-global-social-media-cencus-2013-10?IR=T&
Sterbenz, Christina. 2013. Common Grammatical Error. Retrieved Juny 10th, 2014. from http://www.businessinsider.com/11-common-grammatical-error-and-how-to-avoid-them-2013-9
Sudijono, Anas. 2008. Pengantar Statistik Pendidikan. Jakarta:PT Raja Grafindo Persada.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPROVAL ... i
LEGALIZATION ... ii
ORIGINALITY DECLARATION ... iii
MOTTO AND DEDICATION ... iv
ABSTRACT ... v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ... vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS ... vii
LIST OF TABLES ... x
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ... 1
1.1Background of the Study ... 1
1.2Statement of the Problems ... 5
1.3Purposes of the Study ... 5
1.4Significance of the Study ... 5
1.5 Scope and Limitation ... 6
1.6 Definition of Key Terms ... 6
CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ... 7
2.1 Internet ... 7
2.2 Social Media ... 8
2.2.1 Kinds of Social Media ... 9
2.3 E-Mail (Electronic Mail) ... 10
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2.5 Facebook ... 12
2.6 Error ... 13
2.6.1 Error Taxonomy ... 14
2.6.1.1 Omission ... 14
2.6.1.2 Additions ... 15
2.6.1.3 Misformation ... 16
2.6.1.4 Misordering ... 16
2.7 Subject-Verb Agreement ... 17
2.7.1 Basic Subject-Verb Agreement ... 17
2.7.2 Subject-Verb Agreement: Using Expression of Quantity ... 18
2.7.3 Subject-Verb Agreement: Using There + Be ... 20
2.7.4 Subject-Verb Agreement: Some Irregularities ... 20
2.7.5 Making Inverted Verb Agree ... 21
2.7.6 Making Verbs Agree after Certain Words ... 22
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ... 24
3.1 Research Design ... 24
3.2 Research Object ... 25
3.3 Research Instrument ... 25
3.4 Data Collection Procedure ... 26
3.5 Data Analysis ... 26
CHAPTER IV RESEARCH FINDING AND DISCUSSION ... 28
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4.1.1 Kinds of Errors of Subject-Verb Agreement Found in
Facebook Users’ Status ... 28
4.1.1.1 Identification and Classification Errors ... 28
4.1.2 The Dominant Error of subject-Verb Agreement Found In Facebook Users’ Status ... 32
4.2 Discussion ... 33
CHAPTER V CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS ... 35
5.1 Conclusions ... 35
5.2 Suggestions ... 35 REFERENCES
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.1 Basic of Subject-Verb Agreement ... 29
Table 4.2 Subject-Verb Agreement: Using Expression of Quantity ... 30
Table 4.3 Subject-Verb Agreement: Using There+ Be ... 30
Table 4.4 Subject-Verb Agreement: Some Irregularities ... 31
Table 4.5 Subject-Verb Agreement: Making Verbs Agree After Certain Words ... 32
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REFERENCES
Ary, Donald, et al. 2010. Introduction to Research in Education. Eight edition. United States: Thomson Wadsworth
Azar, Betty Schrapfer. 1989. Understanding and Using English Grammar-Second edition. United States of America: Prentice Hall Regents
Beason, L. and Lester, M. 2003. A Common Sense Guide to Grammar and Usage. Boston: New York.
Brown, Douglas. H. 2000. Principle of Learning and Teaching.Fourth Edition. Addison WesleyLongman, Inc.
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. 2007. Research Methods in Education. Retrieved November 11st, 2014, from http://en.bookfi.org
Dulay, Burt, and Krashen. 1982. Language Two. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Fitton. 2012. Twitter for Dummies. New jersey: Jhon Wiley and son inc.
Mayfield, Antony. 2008. What is Social Media?. iCrossing
Kingston, Charlene. 2011. Twitter for beginners. New York: media DIY workshop Lemanski, Tom & Overton, Tina. 2011. An Introduction to Qualitative Research.
Retrieved October 16th, 2014, from www.heacademy.ac.uk/physsoi
Lukman, M et al. 2013. Pelatihan Aplikasi Teknologi Informasi. Seventh Edition. Malang: Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang.
Muijs, D. 2004. Doing Quantitative Research in Education with SPSS. Retrieved November 10th, 2014, from http://bookfi.org
Phillips, Deborah. 2000. Longman Preparation Course for TOEFL Test. Second Edition. Jakarta: Prenhallindo.
Rohmah, Zunaida M. 2013. The Error Analysis of Subject-Verb Agreement made by the fifth semester Students of English Department University of Muhammadiyah Malang in their writing. Malang: University of Muhammadiyah Malang. Unpublished
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Rouse, Margareth. 2014. What is Facebook? Retrieved July 24th, 2014, from http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Facebook
Rouse, Margareth. 2014. What is the Internet?. Retrieved August 25th, 2014, from http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/i/f/What-is -the-internet.html
Smith, Cooper. 2013. The Biggest Social Media. Retrieved September 27th, 2014, from http://www.a-global-social-media-cencus-2013-10?IR=T&
Sterbenz, Christina. 2013. Common Grammatical Error. Retrieved Juny 10th, 2014. from http://www.businessinsider.com/11-common-grammatical-error-and-how-to-avoid-them-2013-9
Sudijono, Anas. 2008. Pengantar Statistik Pendidikan. Jakarta:PT Raja Grafindo Persada.