Conventions of Standard English: Sentence Structure

Subjects

- A subject => is a noun or pronoun-based part of a sentence.

- Usually, the subject comes before the verb.

Complete Subject

- Includes all the words that tell whom or what the sentence is about

Simple Subject

- the main word or word group that tells whom or what the sentence is about.

Simple Subject => subject of the sentence without all its modifiers.

Ex: The main "reason (simple subject)," after all was said and done, wasn't enough to keep her there.

- To find the subject, ask the question What? What wasn't enough? "Reason"

Ex 2: "What he didn't know about life in the city (simple subject phase)" could fill whole volumes.

Compound Subject

- Two or more subjects joined together, usually by "and" or "or" that share a common verb.

Ex: "Jack and Jill" (compound Subject) went up the hill (common verb).

Ex 2: Rain, snow, and ice (compound Subject) made driving (common verb) impossible.

Ex 3: Come here now!

- Find the subject by asking Who or what needs to come here now. "You" would be the subject.

Imperative sentences

- Sentences that give direct commands to someone. Can end with a period or an exclamation point.

- Normally, the subject comes before the verb, but the subject comes after the verb when a sentence starts with There, There was.

Ex of direct: John knows the way to the park.

Ex of implied: Go to the post office for me

Predicate

- A predicate => is the verb-based part that the subject performs.

- Always explains or describes the subject.

Ex: He (subject/noun) sings (predicate/verb).

Subject-Verb Agreement

- Plural subjects must have plural verbs.

-Singular subjects must have singular verbs.

Ex Singular subject/verb: The dog chases the cat.

- Dog and cat are single subjects

- The verb "chases" with an "s" because verbs that are singular add "s."

Ex 2: She and her (plural subjects) friends are (plural verb) at the fair.

TIP: singular verb => is, Plural verb => are

- Pronouns that are always singular: either, everybody, anybody, somebody, and nobody.

- Pronouns that are always plural: both, several, and many.

Complements

- is a noun, pronoun, or adjective that is used to give more information about subject or verb in the sentence.

1. Object

2. Direct Objects

3. Indirect Objects

Direct Objects

- nouns and pronouns that directly receive the action of the action of the verb.

- A good way to find the direct object in the sentence is to find the verb and then ask the question who or what?

Ex: Young, preschool CHILDREN need to be read to daily.

Ex 2: Jake threw (verb, who or what is being thrown) the ball (direct object).

Ex 3 Kerry and I ate (verb, Who or what?) bacon (D.O) for breakfast this morning.

A sentence does not need a direct object to be a sentence, just a verb and a noun.

Object of a Sentence

- A word or phrase that is affected by the action of the verb.

- In other words, the object will receive the action of the verb.

Ex: Jake threw the ball. => Ball is the object because that is what is being thrown.

Indirect Object

- I.O = Indirect Object, D.O => Direct object

- Receives the action directly from the direct object.

- Best way to find indirect object in the sentence is to find the verb and then ask to/for whom or what.

Ex: Ren gave (Verb to/for whom or what?) her pencil (D.O) to Colin (I.O).

Ex 2: Yvonne sent (Verb) me (I.O) a letter (D.O what) in the mail.

1. What is the direct object of the following sentence?

"My dog ate the sandwich I left on the table."

1. Dog

2. Sandwich

3. Table

4. I

2. What is the indirect object of the following sentence?

"The teacher gave Emily an A on her exam."

1. Exam

2. Teacher

3. Emily

4. A

Question answers

1. 2

2. 3

Pronoun Usage

- Match pronouns with their antecedents

- Must match in number (plurals and singular) and gender.

- When referring to a mixed or unknown gender group or person, use they or their.

Different types of pronouns

1. Antecedent => The noun that the pronoun is referring back to or the noun that the pronoun is taking the place of.

Ex: Lucy (noun/Antecedent) performed her (pronoun) dance at the talent show.

2. Demonstrative: Point to something.

Ex: I will have that sandwich.

Ex 2: Take this shovel and put it over there.

3. Indefinite: Singular: Anyone, Anybody, Someone, Somebody, Something, Each, Either, Everyone, Everybody, Everything, No one, Nobody => so use singular pronoun such as he or she.

- Plural: Several, both, few, many => use pronouns such as they or their.

4. Intensive

5. Interrogative

6. Personal => First person: person speaking, Second person: people being addressed, Third person: People other than speaker or group she's addressing.

7. Possessive => shows possession: my, mine, theirs, hers,

8. Reflexive => Refers to a previously mentioned noun or pronoun.

- When a thing acts on itself.

Ex: I "myself" have built this city.

9. relative

Pronoun Antecedent Agreement

- Pronouns and antecedents must agree in number and gender.

How it works:

1. Only a subject pronoun should be used to replace a subject noun.

- A subject noun is the noun that does what the verb is saying it does.

Ex: Matthew (subject noun doing what the verb says) ran (verb) in the 300-meter race.

- Singular pronouns: I, you, she, he, and it.

- Plural pronouns

2. Only an object pronoun should be used to replace an object pronoun. The verb is acting on the noun.

Ex: The bus driver drove (verb) the kids (noun taking upon the action drove) to school every morning.

- need to use a plural pronoun to replace it: you, us, and them.

Clauses

- A group of words in a sentence that contains a subject and a verb (predicate).

1. Independent Clause

2. Dependent Clause

Independent Clause

- Expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. Has both a subject and a verb.

Ex: I (noun/subject) like (verb) to drive with the windows down.

Ex 2: I finish work before 7, I (subject) will come (verb) to the party.

Dependent Clause

- Does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

- Has to be combined with independent clauses to be grammatically correct.

Ex: If I finish work before 7 (Dependent clause, not a complete sentence), I will come to the party (Independent clause.

Noun Clause (Dependent Clause acts as a noun)

- A dependent clause that acts as a noun.

- Begin with words such as how, that, what, whatever, when, where, whether, which, whoever, whom, and why.

Ex: She can't remember {when she fell asleep.} => is the noun clause

Tips: If a clause acts as a noun, replace the clause with a pronoun. If the sentence still flows, then the dependent clause acts as a noun.

Ex: He didn't know {what time it was.} => noun clause.

- If you replace the phrase {what time it was} to "it" such as: He didnt know it. It still makes sense.

Adjective clauses

- Are groups of words that modify nouns and pronouns.

- Always a dependent clause.

- Must contain a subject and a verb (predicate).

- They begin with: Who, whose, that, or which.

- Usually comes after a noun in a sentence and contains a noun and a verb.

Ex: The movie (noun) {that we saw (verb) last week} (adjective clause) was very good.

Ex 2: [I learned the reason] => dependent clause {why I won the award.} => adjective clause.

Ex 3: [This is the place] => dependent clause

{where I started my first job} => A.C

Ex 4: Jacob is the one {whose father manages the car dealership.}

Ex: 5 Ashley went to the gym (noun that is getting modified) {where she takes karate lessons.}

Adjective Phrase

- A prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. A intensifier such as Very tall, or super loud.

- Does not need a subject or predicate.

Ex: The very tall runner zoomed through the finish line.

Ex 2: The music at the concert was incredibly loud.

Ex 3: The very small (adjective phrase) hamster ran on the running wheel.

Ex 4: The mug (noun) {on the counter} (A.P) had a beautiful design on it.

Adverb Clauses

- Are groups of words that function as an adverb.

- Modify verbs, other adverbs, and adjectives.

- Describe when, where, why, how, how much, or under what condition something takes place.

Ex: {Because it is late,} I'm going to get an Uber home.

- Because it is late answer the question why this person took an uber.

Ex 2: {Before you got home,} I made sure to clean the house.

- "before you got home" answers the question when something took place.

Ex 3: {When you walked outside,} Icalled the manager.

Ex 4: I will go with you {unless you want to stay.}

1. What clause is highlighted in this sentence?

My sister, {the youngest of us all,} never gets in trouble.

1. Adjective Clause

2. Noun Clause

3. Adverb Clause

4. Verb Clause

2. What clause is highlighted in this sentence?

{What you learn from each other} depends on your honesty with others.

1. Adjective Clause

2. Noun Clause

3. Adverb Clause

4. Dependent Clause

3. Which part of this sentence is an adjective clause?

The territory of Greenland, which is the largest island in the world, has a population of about 56,000 people.

1. "about 56,000 people"

2. "which is the largest island in the world"

3. "The territory of Greenland"

4. "has a population"

4. Which of these describes an independent clause?

1. It can always be treated as a sentence.

2. There can only be one independent clause in a sentence.

3. It must contain a comma.

4. It expresses an incomplete thought.

Answers

1. 1

2. 2,4

3. 2

4. 1

Phrases

- A group of words that communicates a partial idea and lacks either a subject or a predicate

Verbal Phrases

- is a word phrase that is formed from a verb but does not function as a verb.

- Three types:

1. Participles

2. Gerunds

3. Infinitives

Parts of Speech

1. Adjectives

2. Adverbs

3. Conjunctions

4. Interjections

5. Nouns

6. Pronouns

7. Prepositions

8. Verbs

Gerund

- A verb form ending in -ing that is used as a noun.

Ex: Brushing (gerund) your hair prevents it from tangling.

Ex 2: Her number one priority (subject) is working (gerund).

Ex 3: There is no use in (preposition) standing (gerund) in the line for three hours, grandma said.

Participles

- Verbal that ends with -ing (present) or -ed (past) and serves as an adjective.

Ex: The browning (present participle) fruit should be put outside for composting.

Ex 2: I spent the whole day studying (present participle) math.

Ex Past Participle: The windows (noun) were cracked (past Participle) when the rain storm came through.

Infinitives

- The basic form of a verb, without an inflection binding it to a particular subject or tense.

- Usually preceded by the word to.

- Can be used as: noun, adjective, or adverb.

Ex Noun: Josh wants {to study} as soon as he gets home from school.

Ex Adjective: Today, she wants to show Josh a new game {to play.}

Ex Adverb: Josh played the new game with his sister instead of studying {to make} her happy.

1. Which of the following sentences includes a gerund?

1. Kayla and Jack ran several errands after school yesterday.

2. Walking a little every morning can boost your productivity during the day.

3. I noticed she was waiting for the bus to arrive.

4. Can everyone please stop shouting and running around?

2. Which of the following sentences includes a gerund?

1. Has anyone been making any progress in their English class?

2. Kaylee was known for running long distances at rapid speeds.

3. My absolute favorite pastime is swimming.

4. I will probably be eating tacos for dinner tonight.

3. Which word in the following sentence is a gerund?

Standing in this growing line at the donut shop is making me late for work.

1. Growing

2. Standing

3. Making

4. There is no gerund

4. Which word in the following sentence is a gerund?

Kayante was typing at a much faster rate than his classmates, which meant he would likely finish his essay long before everyone else.

1. Typing

2. Meant

3. Would finish

4. There is no gerund

5. Which part of the sentence is the gerund in the following sentence?

The teacher sent him to detention for cheating.

1. Object of the preposition

2. Subject

3. Indirect object

4. Direct object

6. What part of speech is the participle in the following sentence?

He took a sewing class during his freshman year at the community college.

1. Noun

2. Adjective

3. Verb

4. There is no participle

7. What part of speech is the participle in the following sentence?

Ivan was talking very loudly to his friends during class yesterday.

1. Adjective

2. Adverb

3. Verb

4. There is no participle

8. What part of speech is the participle in the following sentence?

The entire afternoon was spent shopping at the mall.

1. Adjective

2. Noun

3. Adverb

4. There is no participle

9. What part of speech is the participle in the following sentence?

I raced past several tourists as I biked along the hiking trail.

1. Noun

2. Adverb

3. Verb

4. There is no participle

10. What part of speech is the participle in the following sentence?

Baking bread has become her new favorite hobby.

1. Noun

2. Adverb

3. Verb

4. There is no participle

11. What part of speech is the infinitive functioning as in the following sentence?

Sean needs to work through the summer so he can save up some money.

1. Noun

2. Adjective

3. Adverb

4. There is no infinitive

12. What part of speech is the infinitive functioning as in the following sentence?

After the argument, both James and Kadin apologized to each other.

1. Noun

2. Adjective

3. Adverb

4. There is no infinitive

What part of speech is the infinitive functioning as in the following sentence?

She told us that George Orwell's 1984 is her favorite book to read during her free time.

1. Noun

2. Adjective

3. Adverb

4. There is no infinitive

What part of speech is the infinitive functioning as in the following sentence?

I will be practicing for two hours every day to ensure I play my recital piece well.

1. Noun

2. Adjective

3. Adverb

4. There is no infinitive

15. What part of speech is the infinitive functioning as in the following sentence?

To fly high above the trees was Rachel's greatest wish as a child.

1. Noun

2. Adjective

3. Adverb

4. There is no infinitive

Answers

1. 2

2. 3

3. 2

4. 4

5. 1

6. 2

7. 3

8. 3

9. 4

10. 1

11. 1

12. 4

13. 2

14. 3

15. 1

Parallelism

- occurs when a grammatical structure is repeated throughout the sentence.

Ex: Mary enjoys walking, hiking, and to boulder.

- When adding parallelism => Mary enjoys walking, hiking, and bouldering.

Sentence Purpose

- The function of the sentence: is the sentence a fact, opinion, command, or excitement?

Four types:

1. declarative => sentence states a fact and ends with a period.

Ex: The football game starts at seven o'clock.

2. interrogative => Sentence as a question and ends with a question mark.

Ex: Are you going to the game Friday?

3. imperative => Sentence tells someone what to do.

Ex: Don't forget to buy your ticket.

4. Exclamatory: => Sentence shows strong emotion and ends with an exclamation point.

Ex: I can't believe we won the game!

Subject and Predicate

- the two basic parts of every sentence.

Ex: Fred and his wife like to cook.

- Subject => Is the topic of the sentence.

- Has to have a noun or noun phase.

=> Fred (noun) and his wife (noun)

- Predicate => Has to have a verb or do the action.

=> like (verb) to cook.

- Comments on the topic of the sentence.

Sentence Structure

1. Simple Sentences => Has a subject and predicate and is a complete sentence.

- Same as an independent clause.

Ex: The old car survived the drive across the country, despite the weather conditions.

2. Compound Sentences => two independent clauses joined together by conjunction.

Ex: Max drove to the store, and Ben picked up the girls.

3. Complex Sentences => one independent clause with one or more dependent clauses.

Ex: After she took the time to clean her room (dependent clause), Sara could finally play with her new dollhouse (independent clause.)

4. Compound-Complex Sentences => Two independent clauses and one dependent clause.

Ex: Before the tree house is used for the first time (dependent clause), [all the beams need to be checked, and the ladder must be connected.] => independent clauses

Sentence Fragments

-incomplete sentences

- Sentence that does not have a subject, a predicate, or a complete thought.

Ex of fragment (no subject/noun): Swims as quickly as it could.

- What swims as quickly as it could?

Ex of the fixed fragment: The duck swims as quickly as it could.

Ex of the fragment with a dependent clause: After the duck swims.

Ex fixing the dependent clause by adding an independent clause: After the duck swims, it eats baby fish in the creek.

Sentence Structure

- A sentence is a series of words and punctuation that conveys a complete idea.

- Must need a subject, a predicate, and a complete idea.

- Subject (noun) => the is the main focus who or what of the sentence.

- Predicate (verb) => uses a verb to describe an action to the subject.

Run on Sentence

- Two or more sentences joined without adequate punctuation or connecting words.

Four different types of fixes:

1. Join clauses properly

2. Split into separate sentences

3. Make one clause dependent

4. Reduce to one clause with a compound verb.

1. Join clause properly

- Can be done with a comma, coordinating conjunctions, semicolon, colon or dash.

Ex Incorrect/Fragment: I went on the trip, we visited lots of castles.

Ex of corrected sentence: I went on the trip, and we visited lots of castles.

2. Split in to separate sentences

- Most effective when the independent clause is very long or not closely related

Ex Incorrect: The drive to New York takes ten hours, my uncle lives in Boston.

Ex Correct: The drive to New York takes ten hours. My uncle lives in Boston.

3. Make one cause dependent

Ex Incorrect: I finally made it to the store and I bought some eggs.

Ex Correct: When I finally made it to the store (dependent clause), I bought some eggs. (independent clause)

4. Reduce to one clause with a compound verb.

- If both clauses have the same subject, remove the subject from the second clause, and you now have just one clause with a compound verb.

Ex incorrect: The drive to New York takes ten hours, it makes me tired.

Ex of correct: The drive to New York takes ten hours, and it makes me tired.