Lesson 7: Sentence Structure (ENGL)- Midterm

Sentence

a word or group of words that expresses a complete thought.

Independent Clause

Can stand alone. (Subject + Verb)

Dependent Clause

not a complete sentence

Simple

only contains one independent Clause

Compound

at least two independent clauses

Complex

at least one independent clause and at least one dependent clause

Compound-Complex

at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause

Pronoun

a word that replaces a noun to avoid repetition (e.g., he, they, it).

Antecedent

is the specific noun or noun phrase that the pronoun

refers back to or replaces

number

For a sentence to be grammatically correct, pronouns and antecedents

must always agree in __r (singular/plural) and gender

(masculine/feminine/neuter)

Number Agreement

Use singular pronouns for singular nouns; plural pronouns for

plural nouns

Compound Antecedents

Nouns joined by and require a plural pronoun. Nouns

joined by or or nor agree with the closest noun.

Indefinite Pronouns

Words like someone, anyone, everybody, each, and nobody

are grammatically singular and require singular pronouns

Subjective

Grammatical Function: The doer of the action

(the subject).

Pronouns to use: I, you, he, she, it,

we, they, who

Example: She called me.

Objective

Grammatical Function: The receiver of the

action (the object).

Pronouns to use:me, you, him, her, it,

us, them, whom

example: The teacher called

her.

Possessive

Grammatical Function: The owner of

something (shows

possession).

Pronouns to use: my/mine, your/yours,

his, her/hers, its,

our/ours, their/theirs

example: That book is hers

The Subjective Case, subject of the sentence, subject of the sentence or follows a linking

Use this case when the pronoun acts as the __ or __ verb (as a predicate nominative). It tells you who or what is performing the main verb.

Singular: I, you, he, she, it

Plural: we, you, they

Correct: They attended the grammar workshop

The Objective Case

Use this case when the pronoun acts as a direct object, indirect object, or the object of a preposition. It receives the action of the verb or completes a prepositional phrase.

Singular: me, you, him, her, it

Plural: us, you, them

Direct Object: The manager promoted him.

Object of a Preposition: Divide the remaining work between you

and me. (Never "between you and I")

The Possessive Case

Use this case to show ownership. These are split into two types: possessive adjectives (used before a noun) and independent possessive pronouns (used alone to replace a noun).

Singular: my/mine, your/yours, his, her/hers, its

Plural: our/ours, your/yours, their/theirs

Possessive Adjective: This is my desk.

Independent Possessive Pronoun: This desk is mine.

Crucial Rule: Grammatical possessive pronouns never take apostrophes

(e.g., its, theirs, hers). Writing it's always means "it is."

Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

These pronouns end in -self (singular) or -selves (plural). While they look identical, they

serve two completely different grammatical functions based on whether they are

necessary to the sentence

Reflexive Pronouns

Reflect the action of the verb back onto the subject. The

subject and the object are the exact same entity. If you remove a reflexive pronoun,

the sentence no longer makes sense.

 Example: The chef accidentally cut himself. (If you remove "himself," the sentence is

incomplete).

Intensive Pronouns

Emphasize a noun or another pronoun. They add intensity but

are grammatically optional. If you remove an intensive pronoun, the sentence still

makes complete sense.

 Example: The president himself signed the order. (Removing "himself" leaves the sentence

perfectly intact).

intensive, reflexive

if you can drop the pronoun from the sentence and it still makes perfect sense, it is

__. If dropping it breaks the grammar or leaves the sentence

incomplete, it is __.

Demonstrative pronouns

point directly to specific things. They change depending on

physical or temporal distance (near vs. far) and number (singular vs. plural).

Demonstrative pronouns, Near

Distance __ (Close to the speaker)

Singular This (e.g., This is my coffee.)

Plural These (e.g., These are my keys.)

Demonstrative Pronouns< Far

Distance: __ (Distant from the

speaker)

Singular: That (e.g., That is a beautiful

view.)

Plural: Those (e.g., Those look

expensive.)

Always Singular (Indefinite Pronouns)

These treat the group as a single

collective unit and require singular

verbs.

 The "One, Body, Thing" words:

Anyone, everyone, someone, no

one, anybody, everybody,

somebody, nobody, anything,

everything, something, nothing.

 Others: Each, either, neither,

another, much, each other, one

another.

 Correct: Everyone has a role to

play. (Not "Everyone have")

 Correct: Each of the candidates

speaks well. (Not "Each... speak")

Always Plural (Indefinite Pronouns)

These always refer to

multiple separate items and

require plural verbs.

 Words: Both, few, fewer,

many, others, several.

 Correct: Many were called,

but few were chosen.

The "S.A.M.O.N." Exceptions (Singular or Plural) (Indefinite Pronouns)

These pronouns change

based on the noun they refer

to in the prepositional phrase

that follows them.

 Words: Some, Any,

More/Most, Only, None.

 Singular Context: Some of

the pie was eaten.

 Plural Context: Some of the

apples were eaten.