Determining Sentence Patterns

1. Determining Sentence Patterns By examining the predicate verbs

2. Approaching a Sentence • Find the verb • Ask yourself if it is • a “be” verb, • a linking verb • an intransitiveaction verb • a transitive action verb

3. Be Verbs 1-3 • If a be verb, is it followed by__ • An adverbial of time or place • (NP1 –Be Verb – Adv T/P): then 1 • An adjective that describes the subject • (NP1– Be Verb – Adj): then 2 • An NP that renames the subject • (NP1– Be Verb – NP1): then 3

4. Linking Verbs 4-5 • If a linking verb, is it followed by__ • An adjective that describes the subject • (NP1 – LV – Adj); then 4 • An NP that renames the subject • (NP1 – LV – NP1): then 5

5. Intransitive Action Verbs 6 • If anintransitive action verb, no matter what it is followed by adverbially • Whether an adverb or nothing • (NP1 – V – optional Adv): then 6

6. Transitive Action verbs 7-8 • If transitive, is it followed by__ • A single NP2 not renaming the subject • (NP1 – V – NP2): then 7 • Two NP, (NP2 & NP3), neither renaming the subject nor one another • (NP1 – V – NP2 – NP3): then 8

7. Transitive Action verbs 9-10 • If transitive, is it followed by__ • A single NP2 + and an adjective describing that NP2 • (NP1 – V – NP2 – Adj): then 9 • Two NP with the same referent (NP2 & NP2) • (NP1 – V – NP2 – NP2): then 10