Video Notes: Grammar - Clauses, Phrases, and Sentence Structure

Conjunctive Adverbs

Conjunctive adverbs are used after a semicolon to introduce another independent clause and create a compound sentence.
Examples from the transcript:
- The game was supposed to start at 7 PM however, it was delayed due to rain.
- She finished her work early; therefore she decided to relax.
- He practiced his guitar for hours; meanwhile, his friend learned a new song.
Popular conjunctive adverbs (THAMO): therefore, however, also, meanwhile, otherwise.
Note: There are many more conjunctive adverbs than the five listed (similar to subordinating conjunctions).
Prompt for reflection: What do you notice about punctuation and capitalization when using conjunctive adverbs?

Sentence Types: Simple, Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex

On Page 2, examples illustrate different sentence types:
- 2. We could go to the zoo, or we could visit the aquarium. (Compound)
- 3. I forgot my lunch, so I bought something in the cafeteria because I was still hungry. (Compound-Complex)
- 4. When the bell rang, the students rushed out of the classroom and down the hallway, (Complex)
- 5. After all, you are your own worst enemy. (Simple)
- 6. Actually, I did call you this morning, but you didn't answer. (Compound)
- 7. Since it was the weekend, we decided to go out to eat instead. (Complex)
- 8. Because the waves were high, we postponed the lesson, for the beginners were not ready. (Compound-Complex)
Key definitions:
- Independent clause (IC): can stand as a sentence on its own.
- Dependent clause (DC): cannot stand alone, usually due to a subordinating conjunction.
- Simple (IC): example – ${\text{I would visit my grandma.}}$
- Compound (IC+IC): example – ${\text{I would go to lowa, and I would visit my grandma.}}$
- Complex (IC+DC): example – ${\text{I would visit my grandma if I had the time.}}$
- Compound-Complex (IC+IC+DC): example – ${\text{I would go to lowa, and I would visit my grandma if I had the time.}}$
Note:
- There is an emphasis on where commas are placed when using coordinating conjunctions.

Preposition Practice: Prepositional Phrase & Object of the Preposition

Four examples from the page:
- Before the concert, the band practiced in the garage.
- Shari baked a cake with her Aunt Amber for her friend's birthday.
- Because it was summer break, my family visited the beach with my cousins for vacation.
- During the storm, we hid under the stairs, and the dog curled up beside us.

Predicate Nominative Practice: Subject & Predicate Nominative

Four examples:
- Vivek and Langston are both at the driving range.
- After years of training, he became a skilled surgeon.
- The last to arrive was Michelle, surprisingly.
- Although scheduling was difficult, Ms. Reyes remained the swim coach, and her assistant became the new coordinator.

Predicate Nominative (Concepts)

A predicate nominative is a noun that follows a linking verb and renames the subject of the sentence.
Example: "John is the leader of the pack." (subject: John, linking verb: is, predicate nominative: the leader of the pack)

Object of the Preposition

The object of the preposition is the noun that a preposition acts on; it’s the last word of any prepositional phrase.
Example: "John is the leader of the pack." (object of the preposition: the pack)

Direct & Indirect Objects Practice: Direct & Indirect

Four examples:
- Trevor sent Maya a text message after work.
- Last night, I bought my parents dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse.
- Colby told Sean to come downstairs for dinner.
- Noah circulated Jenny's fliers for her art club.

Direct Object

The direct object receives the action of the verb; it answers "who" or "what".
Example: "Martha picked up the baby from the crib." (direct object: the baby)

Indirect Object

The indirect object receives the direct object.
Process: first find the direct object, then determine who or what receives it.
Example: "Scott ordered Christina a sandwich." (indirect object: Christina; direct object: a sandwich)

More Practice: Sentence Examples (Subject & Predicate, and more)

Page 9 examples:
- 1. Ms. Reid appreciates when students are on time to class.
- 2. Kelly and William love to read, yet they hate visiting the library.
- 3. Though we lost the final game, I enjoyed the cricket season.
- 4. Open the door, please. (Note: "You" is the implied subject!)
- 5. Because I aced my math test, my mom let me stay up late and play videogames.

Subject & Predicate (Definitions & Examples)

Subject: The noun or pronoun (and all modifiers) that directs or performs the action or is linked to the predicate.
Example: "The dress with the sequins was on sale." (subject: The dress with the sequins)
Predicate: The part of the sentence that tells what the subject is doing or provides information about the subject.
Example: "Ron's sister had become nervous on stage." (predicate: had become nervous on stage)
Note: If a dependent clause comes before the subject, it’s also a part of the predicate!

Coordinating vs Subordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions conjoin independent clauses to create compound sentences.
- Example: "Maya went to the store, but she forgot to buy eggs."
- List: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
Subordinating conjunctions conjoin an independent clause with a dependent clause to create complex sentences.
- Example: "While it was raining outside, I read a book."
- Alternate: "I read a book while it was raining outside."
There are dozens of subordinating conjunctions; the most popular include: Since, While, After, Because, If.

Clauses Practice: Independent Clauses, Dependent Clauses & Relative Clauses

Examples:
- 1. Although the clouds looked heavy, we still went to the park where we played soccer for hours.
- 2. The girl who won the spelling bee studied every night because she wanted to improve.
- 3. I stayed home from school since I wasn't feeling well, and my mom made soup.
- 4. Mr. Li, who loves science, gave us an experiment that involved vinegar and baking soda.

Clauses (Explanation)

Sentences are structured from independent and dependent clauses.
An independent clause has a noun and a verb, and it could be a sentence on its own.
A dependent (subordinate) clause starts with a subordinating conjunction and has a noun and a verb, but it could not be a sentence on its own.
Relative clauses begin with a relative pronoun and act as adjectives.
Example: "I love movies that make me laugh."

Phrases Practice: Prepositional Phrases & Appositive Phrases

Four examples:
- 1. My brother, a talented guitarist, plays music on the weekends at the local café.
- 2. While I was away for the weekend, my parents watched Winston, my cat, at their house.
- 3. Known for their sweetness, oranges are often used in many juices and smoothies. "Known for their sweetness" is a participial phrase because "known" is a verb acting as an adjective describing "oranges".
- 4. A renowned athlete, Katie Ledecky holds many Olympic records in swimming.

Phrases: Key Concepts

A phrase is a collection of words that include a noun or a verb, but never both.
Prepositional phrases show the relationship between a noun or a pronoun and another word in the sentence. They always begin with a preposition and end with the object (noun) of the preposition.
Example: "Winnie hides under the desk while she sleeps." (prepositional phrase: under the desk; subordinate clause: while she sleeps)
Appositive phrases rename or explain another noun or pronoun in a sentence.
Example: "Ms. Tuck, the principal, greets students in the morning."

Appositive & Participial/Phrase Notes

Appositive phrases rename or explain a noun.
Participial phrases use a participle (verb used as an adjective) to describe a noun.
Example: "Known for their sweetness" is a participial phrase describing oranges.

Parts of Speech Practice: Action Verbs, Helping Verbs & Linking Verbs

Examples:
- 1. I am going to the nurse because I feel sick.
- 2. The salsa lesson sounds enjoyable, but I do think it is a little too expensive.
- 3. If you had been wearing a hat, I might not have recognized you.
Key concepts:
- Verbs show action or a state of being.
- Action verbs show an action performed by the noun (e.g., danced, give, think, believe).
- Example: "Anhad regretted being late to English class." (action verb: regretted; gerund/infinitive phrase: being late)
- Helping verbs are state-of-being verbs that partner with action and linking verbs to modify tense or certainty (e.g., "Emma will read…" when she’s absent).
- Linking verbs connect the subject to a word or phrase that describes or identifies it.
- Example: "Winnie's treats must taste delicious." (linking verb: must taste; adjective phrase: delicious)

Quick Reference Summary

Conjunctive adverbs: after a semicolon, introduce another independent clause; examples and THAMO acronym.
Sentence types: IC, DC, and combinations (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex); comma placement with coordinating conjunctions.
Clauses: independent vs dependent; relative clauses introduced by relative pronouns.
Phrases: prepositional, appositive, participial; phrases vs clauses; object of the preposition.
Nouns, predicates, and sentence structure: subject and predicate; predicate nominative; object of the preposition.
Conjunctions: coordinating vs subordinating; usage to build compound vs complex sentences.
Verbs: action, helping, linking; examples and role in tense, mood, and predication.
Practical examples across pages illustrate each concept in context, with emphasis on punctuation, capitalization, and the arrangement of elements within sentences.