S entence structure

1. Sentence structure

2. Fundamentals of sentence construction

3. What is a phrase? A phrase consists of a group of related words that functions as a part of speech. A phrase does not express complete meaning on its own as it lacks a subject and/or a predicate.

4. Examples of phrases • Gandalfis a man of great wisdom. • Harry fell asleep holding his book. • The beast slithered into the water. • Who will examine the rude patient? • Adjectival phrase • Adverbial phrase • Prepositional phrase • Noun phrase

5. What is a clause? • A clause contains a subject and a predicate. There are two types of clauses: • Independent clause • Subordinate clause

6. Independent clause Subordinate clause • The dog barked all night. • We did not get the angle wings paint. Observation The independent clause communicates a complete thought. • Because the dog barked all night. • When we asked for angle wings paint. Observation The subordinate (dependent) clause does not communicate a complete thought.

7. A sentence has a subject and a predicate. The subject states whom or what the sentence is about. The predicate describes the action or states the condition of the subject. Example: • The typical hobbitis three feet tall. Sub. Pred.

8. Four categories of sentences • A declarative sentence is used to make a statement. Example: I do not eat spicy food. • An interrogative sentence is used when asking a question. Example: Will you be comfortable here?

9. An imperative sentence is used to either give an order or make a request. Example: 1) Alec, please stop running. 2) Watch out! (When the command or request is strong, an exclamation mark is after the word or phrase.) • An exclamatory sentence expresses strong feelings (and ends with an exclamation point). Example: 1) I passed that test with an A!

10. Simple subjects and simple predicates

11. Simple subjects and simple predicates • The simple subject is the noun or pronoun that states whom or what the sentence is about (without modifiers/descriptive words). Example: 1) I want to live forever. (The subject is I) • The simple predicate is the verb or verb phrase that describes the action or states the condition of the subject. Example: 1) Hobbits love cakes. (The predicate is love.)

12. Compound subjects and predicates

13. Compound subjects • A compound subject is a simple subject that consists of more than one nouns or pronouns. Example: 1) Chocolate, chocolate drinks, and chocolate fondue are Compound subject my favourite snacks.

14. Compound Predicates • A compound predicate is a simple predicate that consists of more than one verbs or verb phrases. Example: The Nazgul hovered, snorted, and peered into the trees. compound predicate

15. Complete subjects and complete predicates

16. Complete subjects • The complete subject is who or whatthe sentence is about plusall the modifiers [descriptive words]. Example: • The big, fiery, angry Balrog lashed out at Gandalf. Complete subject

17. Complete Predicates • The complete predicate consists of the main verb + modifiers of that verb. Example: The Nazgul hid behind a cloud. complete predicate

18. What is the difference between the compound and the complex predicate ? The Nazgul hovered, snorted, and peered into the trees. compound predicate The Nazgul hid behind a cloud. complete predicate • The compound predicate consists of two or more verbs. • The complete predicate consists of the verb and all its modifiers.

19. The simple sentence

20. The simple sentence • The simple sentence contains one independent clause (no subordinate clauses are included). The simple sentence may have • Phrases • Compound subject • Compound predicate

21. Examples of simple sentences • Balrogs, dragons and Nazguls attacked Gandalf. • Gandalf studied the battlefield and then launched an attack. • Compound subject • Compound predicate

22. Compound sentences • A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses joined in one of three ways.

23. How are compound sentences joined? • My neighbours played loud music into the early morning hours; therefore, I did not get enough sleep. • In this example, you can see that independent clauses can be joined by a semi-colon + a conjunctive adverb + a comma.

24. How are compound sentences joined? • John failed the exam last June, and now he has to do the resit during his summer vacation. • Another way to join independent clauses is with a comma + a coordinating conjunction (and, but, nor, or, for, yet)

25. How are compound sentences joined? • I had a great day; I got 50% discount on all my purchases. • Independent clauses can be joined by a semicolon.

26. Complex sentences • A complex sentence consists of an independent clause joined by one or more subordinate clause(s).

27. Examples of complex sentences • While we were speeding to the hospital, Frank died. • The underlined segment is the subordinate clause. • The independent clause is in red.

28. Examples of complex sentences • As my grandmother always said, we cannot achieve our goals unless we are prepared to work hard. • The underlined segments are subordinate clauses. • The segment in red is the independent clause.

29. Examples of complex sentences • The woman who is wearing that red dress is my grandmother. • The subordinate class is the underlined portion. • The independent clause is the segments in red.

30. The compound-complex sentence • A compound-complex sentence consists of two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clause(s).

31. Examples of compound-complex sentences • I will give you a list of prospective candidates who applied for the job, butyou need to identify the suitable one. • The segments in red are independent clauses. • The underlined portion is the subordinate clause. • But is a connector.

32. Examples of compound-complex sentences • Andre, my brother who lives in Canada, is coming for a vacation, even though it is only for a few days. • The segments in red is the independent clause. • The underlined segments are the subordinate clauses.

33. Exercise • Write a paragraph demonstrating the use of more three of the sentence structures discussed in this section.