Sentence Structures & Clauses
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Sanctum English
9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 1 of 13 Basic Sentence Structures
Structure 1 – Subject – Verb – Adverbial Complement (where? when? how? why?) (SVC(A))
Linking verb is used in such sentences.
Biren is outside the house. I went to the store. Bikram lives in Japan. Ravi reads for pleasure. Pensions will rise in line with inflation. The Handle had fallen off the drawer. I went to the store to buy bread for breakfast this morning. (SVCCC) (There can be more than one complements)
Structure 2 – Subject – Verb – Subject Complement (SVsC)
Here the liking verb is used. Subject Complement gives the additional information about the subject.
John is the president. I am Indian. The weatherman must be wrong about today’s forecast. The result was chaos. He is honest. They are happy. What Sharon forgot to mention was that her husband was the CEO of Microsoft and makes lot of money, which is why she can afford all of her holidays. (SVsCC)
Structure 3 – Subject – Verb – Direct Object (What? Who? ) (SVO)
The verb in this structure is a transitive verb and takes a direct object.
I want candy. Who painted your house? The earthquake destroyed the city.
Structure 4 – Subject – Verb – Direct Object – Adverbial Complement (SVOC(A))
I put my wallet on the table. I want you to sing.
9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 2 of 13 Structure 5 – Subject – Verb – Direct Object – Object complement (SVOC(O))
My friends calls me Bunty. The citizens considered the earthquake a disaster.
Structure 6 – Subject – Verb – Indirect Object – Direct Object (SVOO)
She gave Marry a letter. The realtor sold us a money pit.
Exercise – Identify the structures that are used in the following sentences:-
1. Frank was an old prospector. 2. My friends and my family cried too. 3. Who went to the movies? 4. A birthday comes once a year. 5. Reading that book was interesting. 6. The Chinese New Year is in February. 7. Jerry plays wheelchair basketball on Friday nights. 8. I read a book while I’m waiting for the bus. 9. The snow drifted across the highway. 10. He ate the deer with his own teeth. 11. An old cat lived in the mine. 12. Melissa has written a letter to her parents today. 13. He could not eat the worm. 14. The tender leaves give us oxygen.
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9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 3 of 13 Sentence Types and Functions
What is a sentence?
1. A sentence is a complete set of words that conveys meaning. A sentence can communicate a statement (I am studying.) a command (Go away.) an exclamation (I’m so excited!) a question (What time is it?) 2. A sentence is composed of one or more clauses. A clause contains a subject and verb.
Independent and Dependent Clauses
There are two types of clauses: independent clauses and dependent clauses. A sentence contains at least one independent clause and may contain one or more dependent clauses.
1. An independent clause (or main clause) is a complete thought. can stand by itself.
2. A dependent clause (or subordinate clause) is an incomplete thought. cannot stand by itself. words used – after, as, before, if, though, while, unless, although, because, even though, since, when, until, whereas
Examples of Independent and Dependent Clauses
Independent clause: When I go to the movies, I usually buy popcorn.
Dependent clause: When I go to the movies, I usually buy popcorn.
Independent clause: I don’t like the ocean because sharks scare me.
Dependent clause: I don’t like the ocean because sharks scare me.
9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 4 of 13 Different types of sentences:
Sentences are divided into four categories: simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences.
1. Simple sentences – one independent clause
Definition: A simple sentence contains one independent clause.
Examples
Johnny rode his bike to school. Who is your best friend? She ate her lunch, took a walk, and went back to work. 2. Compound Sentences - two independent clauses
Definition: A compound sentence contains two independent clauses. A coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) often links the two independent clauses and is preceded by a comma.
Examples:
She wanted to go on vacation, so she saved up her money. I like apples, but my sister loves bananas. Tim loves to read, and he also loves to hike. 3.Complex Sentences – one independent clause + one or more dependent clause
Definition: A complex sentence will include at least one subordinating conjunction.
Examples:
She went to class even though she was sick. As John was arriving to work, he realized he forgot his lunch. While I enjoy classical music, I prefer rock and roll because I play the drums. 4. Compound- complex sentences : one or more independent clause + one or more dependent clause
Definition: A compound-complex sentence combines complex sentence and compound sentence forms.
9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 5 of 13 Examples:
Although she felt guilty for missing her friend’s birthday, she took her out to dinner the next day, and they had a great time. I try to eat healthy food, but because fast food is so convenient, I cannot maintain a healthy diet. If he got the job, he would have to commute 50 miles to work, so he decided the job was not worth it.
Exercise:
Label clauses, underline independent clauses once and dependent clauses twice, and indicate whether the sentence is SIMPLE (S), COMPOUND (CO), COMPLEX (CX), or COMPOUND-COMPLEX (CC).
_____ 1. Sikkim is beautiful, and I would really like to live there.
_____ 2. Most of us already had our reservations.
_____ 3. Insurance companies charge higher rates for teen-age drivers because they lack experience.
_____ 4. Although they had no system of money, they bartered for many things.
_____ 5. He planned to win the contest by practising the piano for six hours every day.
_____ 6. When the postman called, Lucky was out, but he collected the parcel later.
_____ 7. Isha was fond of carrots, but Jay preferred cabbage.
_____ 8. Ajay read, Aakash watched television, and Raj did his homework.
_____ 9. The myths that surround Macdonald are many.
_____ 10. The girl who was here is called Ankita.
_____ 11. The men painted and papered all day.
_____ 12. Sid is always tired after a training session, but all athletes who want to succeed must practise long hours.
_____ 13. Marie and Carol have gone swimming at the old fishing hole near the mill.
9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 6 of 13 _____ 14. Robin’s mother brought him some ice cream, but he was feeling ill as he had eaten some unripe gooseberries.
_____ 15. I left home early, but because there was so much traffic, I was still late for work, and my boss was angry.
_____ 16. Since he had performed so successfully, Vancouver gave him a hero’s welcome.
_____ 17. Harshita likes elephants but I don’t.
_____ 18. Jack, Paul, George, and Simon went to the ballgame.
_____ 19. Everyone laughed, but Anil didn’t think the joke was funny.
_____ 20. I would have been happier and I would not have minded the difficulty of the work so much, if the pay had not been so poor and if the hours had not been so long.
9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 7 of 13 Noun Clauses
- It is a dependent clause - It takes the place of a noun in another clause or phrase - It acts as the subject or object of a verb or the object of proposition. - Words that introduces noun clauses – how, if, that, what, when , where, which, why, who … - Noun clauses with wh-words are indirect questions. Examples – I don’t know what he is doing. I wonder how he feels today. Where I put my book is a mystery. - Noun clause can be used as the following: - Function Noun/Pronoun Noun Clause Subject His speech was clear. What he said was clear. Direct Object I don’t know his I don’t know how he contact number . can be reached. Indirect Object Give her the message. Give whoever answers the message. Object of a preposition I sent the notice to her. I sent the notice to whoever was.
Predicate/ That is my plan. That is what I plan complement noun to do.
Exercises:
Identify each noun clause. Is it used as a subject, a direct object, an indirect object, an object of a preposition, or a predicate noun?
1. You know that the telephone uses electricity.
2. What you say into a phone creates sound waves.
3. An electric current carries the sound to whoever is listening.
4. Basically, this is how a telephone operates.
9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 8 of 13 5. You can talk to whomever you like and say whatever you think.
6. Campaign workers use whatever helps them.
7. That telephones can be very helpful has been shown in many elections.
8. Who will win the election is what people want to know.
9. Telephoners ask whoever answers a series of questions.
10. Whether a candidate is popular is a vital matter.
11. Another question may be what the major issues are.
12. Voters usually give whoever is calling an answer.
Answers:
1. You know that the telephone uses electricity. (direct object) 2. What you say into a phone creates sound waves. (Subject) 3. An electric current carries the sound to whoever is listening. (object of a preposition) 4. Basically, this is how a telephone operates. (Predicate/ complement noun) 5. You can talk to whomever you like and say whatever you think. (object of a preposition, direct object) 6. Campaign workers use whatever helps them. (direct object) 7. That telephones can be very helpful has been shown in many elections. (Subject) 8. Who will win the election is what people want to know. (Subject & Predicate) 9. Telephoners ask whoever answers a series of questions. (direct object) 10. Whether a candidate is popular is a vital matter. (Subject) 11. Another question may be what the major issues are. (Predicate/ complement noun) 12. Voters usually give whoever is calling an answer. (indirect object)
Exercise 2: Select the correct answer a, b, c, d or e :
1. I had an accident and took my car to the garage. My husband asked me where ______.
a) is my car b) my car was c) my car is d) was my car e) is your car?
2. The old lady next door must have a lot of cats. I don't know how many ______.
9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 9 of 13 a) cats does she have b) does she has cats c) she has cats d) cats she has e) cats has she
3. Do you know ______from the earth? I have no idea.
a) how far the moon is b) how far is the moon c) how the moon is far d) if how far the moon is e) whether how is the moon far
4. Your brother is playing his music too loud. I can't hear what ______.
a) is saying your brother b) that your brother is saying c) is saying your brother d) your brother is saying e) your brother says
5. When I left home, my uncle gave me some advice. He said ______give up.
a) I shouldn't b) that shouldn't c) don't d) that I don't e) no
6. Jill didn't want to go to the car show. Her husband insisted that ______with him.
a) she come b) she came c) she had come d) she comes e) she has come
7. My boss wants this report immediately. He demanded that it ______ready by 5:00.
a) is b) will be c) be d) was e) should be
9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 10 of 13 8. Did he tell you where ______the report when you finish?
a) should you put b) you to put c) you put d) to put e) will you put
9. My friend predicted ______receive a lot praise for my work.
a) that I would b) that I c) what would I d) what I e) that I will
10. My friend saw an accident. He told me ______at the scene of the accident.
a) if he'd seen b) what he saw c) what he'd seen d) whether he saw e) that he'd seen
Answer: 1. B 2. D 3. A. 4. D 5. A. 6. A. 7. C 8. D 9. A 10. C
9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 11 of 13 Examples of linking verbs:
A linking verb connects the subject with a word that gives information about the subject, such as a condition or relationship. They do not show any action; but, they link the subject with the rest of the sentence. For example, in the sentence "They are a problem," the word "are" is the linking verb that connects "they" and "problem" to show the relationship between the two words.
The most common linking verbs are forms of the verb to be: am, is, are, was, were, being, been.
Here are some examples of linking verbs used in sentences with the linking verbs in bold:
1. William is excited about his promotion. 2. She appears upset about the announcement. 3. The eggs smell rotten. 4. He went red after tripping on the rug. 5. Your plans for the wedding sound nice. 6. You look exhausted after studying all night. 7. I am putty in his hands. 8. Maria might have been more forthcoming with the news. 9. Tom acted nervous when the teacher found the note. 10. The audience fell silent when the conductor walked on stage. 11. Dreams come true when we believe in them. 12. The crowd stayed calm in spite of the imminent threat. 13. All the children seem satisfied with the bouncy castle. 14. Bob felt sleepy after eating the whole pizza. 15. The cinnamon rolls taste heavenly. 16. Building the house proves difficult for them. 17. Anthony has been a dream the last few weeks. 18. The spectators remained silent after the injury on the field. 19. He became suspicious when he saw the safe was open. 20. All the kittens were playful. 21. The theater gets dark when the show is about to begin. 22. Some couples are lucky enough to grow old together. 23. I feel worthy when the boss compliments me. 24. The weather was accommodating and the party continued.
9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 12 of 13 25. The embers turn ashy as they cool. 26. You are bring very foolish to believe her. 27. Mary waxed nostalgic on her 50th birthday. 28. Your friend might be disappointed if you don’t go. 29. Sometimes, kids act foolish. 30. We are dismayed about the foreclosure. 31. The tests indicate that your child is gifted. 32. Martin is fond of spicy food. 33. Jumping into a pond could be dangerous. 34. Most children get cranky when they are sleepy. 35. After the snowstorm, the roads were slippery. 36. A flaw in the design appeared to be the cause of the collapse. 37. The vegetables in the bin looked disgusting and spoiled. 38. They shall be happy ever after. 39. Riding in a car will be safer with a seat belt. 40. The police department is getting tough on crime. 41. She remains faithful, even though it has been two years since he left.
9982019963 Gopal pura, Jaipur Page 13 of 13