SENTENCE SENSE

Master the essentials of the sentence as an aid to clear thinking

With sentence sense, you can recognize the grammatical essentials of the written sentence Below are three simple sentences In each, the line separates the two basic grammatical parts of the sentence
Humanity will survive

Many dangers
We

threaten the human race

are intelligent

Humanity
Many dangers We

will survive
threaten the human race are intelligent

The first part of each sentence above functions as the subject; the second part functions as the predicate. Most simple sentences follow this pattern: Subject + Predicate. Speakers and writers combine sentences and in the process rearrange, add, delete, and substitute words:

The saying is old.

It has a new meaning

VARIOUS COMBINATIONS:
The saying is old, but it has a new meaning. Although it has a new meaning, the saying is old. The saying, which is old, has a new meaning. The old saying has a new meaning. It is an old saying with a new meaning.

Sentences, which are grammatically independent units of expression, may be classified as simple, compound, -complex, or compound-complex.

1.

A simple sentence has only one subject and one predicate ( either or both of which may be compound): Dick started a coin collection. ( SUBJECT-VERB-OBJECT).
A compound sentence consists of at least two main clauses: Dick started a coin collection, and his wife bought a set of antique china. ( MAIN CLAUSE, and MAIN CLAUSE..) A complex sentence has one main clause and at least one subordinate clause: As soon as Dick started a coin Collection, his wife bought a set pf antique china. ( ADVERB CLAUSE, MAIN CLAUSE). A compound-complex sentence consists of least two main clauses and at least one subordinate clause: As soon as Dick started a coin collection, his wife bought a set of antique china; on Christmas morning they exchanged coins and dishes. ( ADVERB CLAUSE, MAIN CLAUSE; MAIN CLAUSE

2.

3.

4.

Sentences may also be classified as statements, commands or requests, question, or exclamations in the punctuation of the following examples:
STATEMENT COMMAND OR REQUEST QUESTION He refused the offer. Refuse the offer Did he refuse the offer? He refused, didnt he? He refused it? What an offer He refused it! Refuse it!

EXCLAMATIONS

SUBJECTThey The youngest boy SUBJECTMice Many fans SUBJECT-VERB-

VERBdisappeared did not smile very often. VERBfrighten were hanging OBJECT elephants placards in the stadium.

INDIRECT OBJECT-DIRECT OBJECT a cake. a small refund.

Mary baked Timothy The company will probably send you

Remember. however, that subjects and objects of verbs do not always take the position indicated by these basic patterns: There were no objections (Verb precedes subject. They are used as an introductory word or filler is an expletive. Which is never the subject.) Over the door were sprigs of mistletoe. (Verb precedes subject. Compare Sprigs of mistletoe were over the door.) His last question, I did not answer. Object precedes subject. Compare I did not answer his last question.)

The following sentences show a basic pattern and several variations:

STATEMENT Her secretary typed the letters ( SUBJECT-VERB-OBJECT)

COMMAND OR REQUEST Type the letters. (VERB-OBJECT.) EXCLAMATION What letters her secretary typed! (OBJECT-SUBJECT-VERB)

QUESTIONS

Has her secretary typed the letter? (AUXILIARY-SUBJECT-VERBOBJECT?)

A. LEARN TO RECOGNIZE VERBS.

You can learn to recognize a verb by observing its function in a sentence, its meaning, and its form. Function A verb may function as the predicate of a sentence or as a parts of the predicate. SUBJECT William William William + PREDICATE drives drives carefully in heavy traffic. always drives his car to work.

MEANING Verbs are words that express action, occurrence, or existence ( a state of being). Play ball! They rain stopped. They exist Am I right? FORM When converted from the presents to the past tense, nearly all verbs change form (eat-ate). In the presents tense, all verbs change form to indicate a singular I the third person ( I eat hr eats). PRESENT I ski. He skies. WE win. He wins. BUT I quit. He quits. PAST Shirley skied. They won He quit early. In addition, certain suffixes, such as ize and ify, often indicate that a work is a verb ( legalize, classify)

B. LEARN TO RECOGNIZE ALL THE PARTS OF SPEECH

Two methods of classifying words in a sentence are shown below: Waitresses usually offer us free coffee at Joes caf. 1. SUBJECT-MODIFIER-VERB-INDIRECT OBJECTMODIFIER-DIRECT OBJECT-PREPOSITIONMODIFIER-OBJECT OF PREPOSITION.

2. NOUN-ADVERB-VERB-PRONOUN-ADJECTIVENOUN-PREPOSITION-NOUN-NOUN.

VERB

notify, notifies, notifying, notified write, writes, is writing, wrote, has written

A Verb can function as the predicate of a sentence or as a part of the predicate: Herman writes. Herman has written five poems. He is no longer writing those dull stories.
One frequently used verb-forming suffix is ize. terror, idol (nouns)- terrorize, idolize (verbs) Note : Verb forms classified as participles, gerunds, or infinitives (verbal) cannot

Function as the predicate of a sentence: PARTICIPLES The man writing the note is Bill. ( Modifier) She gave him written instructions. (Modifier) His writing all night long disturbed his whole family. (Subject) Herman wants to write. (Direct object) The urge to write left him. ( Modifier)

GERUND INFINITIVES

NOUNS

man, men; kindness, kindnesses; nation, nations; nations, nations; Carthage, United States, William, HEW prudence, the money, an understanding

In sentences, nouns function as subjects, object, complements, appositives, modifiers, and in direct address and in absolute constructions. Noun name persons, places, things, ideals, animals, and so on: Marilyn drives a truck for the rescue team. Endings such as-action, -ism, -ity, -meant,-ness, and so on are called noun-forming suffixes: relax, starve (verbs) relaxation, starvation (nouns) kind, happy (adjectives) kindness, happiness (nouns)

Compound nouns Words such as father-in-law, rescue team., swimming poll, dropout, and breakthrough.

C. LEARN TO RECOGNIZE PHRASES AND SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

PHRASES
A Phrase is often defined as a group of related words without a subject and a predicate. Phrases are generally classified as follow: VERBS PHRASES The rose has wilted. Did you see it? Mr. Kelly may run up the bill. The roof used to leak. The severe drought struck many Midwestern states.

NOUN PHRASES

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES A special program on the growth of flowers fascinated audiences everywhere. PARTICIPAL PHRASES A person seeing an accident should stay on the scene. Seen by three men. the accident was reported at once. Riding a horse takes skill. I prefer riding a bicycle. Does James like to swim in the ocean? That is the problem to be solved now.

GERUND PHRASES INFINITIVE PHRASES

SENTENCES Dr. Ford explained the process. He drew simple illustration. PHRASES IN SENTENCES Explaining the process, Dr. Ford drew simple illustrations. OR Simple illustrations drawn by Dr. Ford explained the process. (Participial Phrases) Dr. Ford explained the process by drawing simple illustrations. (Gerund Phrase) Dr. Ford drew simple illustrations to explain the process. ( Infinitive phrase)

(1) Phrases used as nouns Gerund phrases are always used as nouns. Infinitive phrases are often used as nouns (although they may also function as modifiers). Occasionally a prepositional phrase functions as a noun.
NOUNS PHRASES USED AS NOUNS The decision is important. Choosing a major is important. (Gerund phrase-subject) She likes the job. His action prompted the change. She likes to do the work. (Infinitive phrase- direct object) His leaving the farm prompted her. to seek a job in town. ( Gerund Phrase- subject; infinitive phrase- direct object)

(2) Phrases used as modifiers Preposition phrases nearly always function as adjectives or adverbs. Infinitive phrase are also used as adjectives or adverbs. Participial phrase are used as adjectives. ADJECTIVES It is a significant idea PHRASES USED AS ADJECTIVES. It is an idea of significance. (Prepositional phrase) Language to suits the occasion is best. (Infinitive phrase). Destroying, many crops of corn and oats storms lashed the Midwest. (Participial phrase containing a prepositional phrase)

Appropriate language is best.

Destructive storms lashed the Midwest.

(3) Subordinate clauses used as nouns NOUNS The news may be false NOUN CLAUSES What the newspapers say may be false. (Subject). I do not know where he lives ( direct Object) Give the tools to whoever can use them best. ( Object of a preposition) The fact that Karen protested amazed me. ( Appositive)

I do not know his address

Give the tolls to Rita That fact-Karens protestamazed me.

The conjunction that before a noun clause may be omitted in some sentences: I know she is right. ( Compare I know that she is right.)

(4) Subordinate clauses used as modifiers Two types of subordinate clauses, the adjective clause and the adverb clause, are used as modifiers. a. Adjective clauses Any clause that modifies a noun or a pronoun is an adjective clause. adjective clauses, which nearly always follow the words modified, are most frequently introduced by a relative pronoun but may begin with such words as when, where, or why. ADJECTIVES Everyone needs loyal friends The golden window reflects the sun Peaceful country sides no longer exist ADJECTIVE CLAUSES Everyone needs friends who are loyal The window, which shines like gold, reflects the sun. Country sides where I found peace of mind no longer exist.

If it is not used as a subject, the relative pronoun in an adjective clause may sometimes be omitted: He is a man I admire. (Compare He is a man whom I admire.)

b. ADVERB CLAUSES An adverb clause may modify a verb, an adjective, an adverb, an infinitive, a gerund, a participle, or even the rest of the sentence in which it appears. Many adverb clauses can be take various positions in a sentence: Adverb clauses are ordinarily introduced by subordinating conjunction. ADVERBS Soon the lights went out No alcoholic beverages are sold locally. ADVERB CLAUSES When the windstorm hit, the lights went out. No alcoholic beverages are sold where I live.

Speak distinctly

Speak so that you can be understood Some adverb clauses may be elliptical.

If I can save enough money, Ill go to Alaska next summer. If not, Ill take a trip to St. Louis. (Omitted words are clear).

D. LEARN TO RECOGNIZE MAIN CLAUSE AND THE VARIOUS TYPES OF SENTENCES

A main clause can stand alone as a sentence, a grammatically independent unit of expression, although it may require other sentence to complete its meaning. Coordinating 0conjunctions ( and, but, or, nor, for) often connect and relate main clauses. MAIN CLAUSES IN SENTENCES I had lost my passport, but I did not worry about it. ( A coordinating conjunction links the two main clauses.) Although I had lost my passport, I did not worry about it. ( A subordinate clause precedes the main clause) MAIN CLAUSES CONVERTED TO SENTENCES I had lost my passport. I did not worry about it. OR But I did not worry about it. Unlike main clauses, subordinate clauses become fragments if isolated and written as sentences.