Structures

1. Structures Modifiers, Phrases, Subjects, Predicates, Objects, Clauses

2. Opening Tip • This category of grammatical terms describes structures, groups of words that help create the organization of sentences • Knowing the parts of speech is essential in understanding these structures.

3. Modifier • A modifier adds information to other words. • This is a “superclass” of forms and structures containing adjectives and adverbs and things that act like adjectives and adverbs.

4. Phrase • A group of words that function together as a unit in a sentence • A phrase lacks a complete (conjugated) verb. It cannot have a subject or a predicate (more on those soon…).

5. Phrase Types • Noun phrase: a phrase that functions as a noun • E.g., The red house is new. • E.g., Going to school is fun. (also called a gerund phrase)

6. Phrase Types (cont.) • Participial phrase: a phrase that contains participle and acts like an adjective. • E.g., Linked by handcuffs, the two convicts were forced to escape together. • [“Linked by handcuffs” describes “two convicts,” a noun phrase. Therefore, “Linked by handcuffs” acts like an adjective.]

7. Phrase Types (cont.) • An appositive phrase is a phrase that adds to the meaning of an adjacent noun. It acts like a noun (noun phrase) or adjective (participial phrase). • E.g., The prosecutor cross-examined the next witness, the victim’s ex-husband. (the noun phrase “renames” or “redefines” the noun “witness”)

8. Phrase Types (cont.) • E.g., The prosecutor, known to his friends as “Bucky,” has become famous because of this trial. • “known to his friends as “Bucky” is a participial phrase--“known” is the past participle of “know”). The phrase acts as an adjective.

9. Subject • A sentence (a complete sentence, that is) has a subject and a predicate. • The subject is that part of the sentence that acts or is acted upon. • Simple subject. A noun or pronoun (one word). • E.g., The new Tom Cruise movie begins in five minutes.

10. Subject (cont.) • Complete subject. The simple subject and any adjectives or determiners associated with it. • E.g., The new Tom Cruise movie begins in five minutes. • Compound subject. A subject that consists of two or more simple subjects joined by a coordinating or correlative conjunction. • E.g., Alfred Hitchcock and Ridley Scott make interesting films.

11. Predicate • The part of the sentence that expresses the action taking place (the verb part of the sentence). • Simple predicate. The main verb. • E.g., The runner stumbles.

12. Predicate (cont.) • Complete predicate. The main verb plus any associated auxiliaries, adverbs, objects (anything other than the subject, in other words) • E.g., The prosecutor cross-examined the next witness, the victim’s ex-husband. • Compound predicate. A predicate with more than one main verb. • E.g., The dog yawned, curled into a ball, and fell asleep.

13. Object • A word or group of words that describes the thing acted upon. • The subject is the actor, the verb is the action, the object is the thing acted on by the verb. • E.g., Mabel wrote the essay. • E.g., Mabel visits Norbert. • E.g., Mabel wrote a noteto her instructor.

14. Object (cont.) • Objects form part of a sentence’s predicate. • Note: Not all sentences have objects. E.g., The dog yawned. • Two types: direct and indirect. • Direct: takes the action directly. Answers the question “what?” or “whom”? • E.g., Mabel wrote what? Mabel wrote the essay. • E.g., Mabel visits whom? Mabel visits Norbert.

15. Object (cont.) • Indirect. The object is a by-product of sorts for the action. • E.g., Marc sold his drums to the highest bidder. • Answers the questions “to whom?” “for whom?”, “for what?”, “to what?” • E.g., Mabel wrote a note to whom? Mabel wrote a note to her instructor.

16. Clause • A group of words that contains a subject and a predicate. • E.g., Marcsold his drums to the highest bidder. • A phrase does not have a predicate: • E.g. known to his friends as “Bucky” = phrase • A clause has a predicate (complete verb). • E.g., He is known to his friends as “Bucky.”

17. Clause Types: Independent and dependent • An independent clause has everything it needs to complete a thought. • E.g., He is known to his friends as “Bucky.” • A dependent clause contains words or ideas that suggest some other piece of information is missing. • E.g., Known to his friends as Bucky, [who?] • Although his friends know him as Bucky, [although what?]

18. Clause Types (cont.) • A sentence must contain an independent clause. A sentence without an independent clause is not a sentence.