Grammar

1. Reviewing Parts of Speech2. Basic Sentence Parts and Patterns3. Phrases and Clauses4. Avoiding Sentence Errors

Objectives

1. Review and identify words as parts of speech2. Identify the appropriate subject and predicate in the sentence.3. Locate subjects in different types of sentences.4. Classify complements as direct object, indirect object, object complement, predicate

nominative, and predicate adjective.5. Recall the different sentence patterns6. Restructure sentence using fish bone diagram in diagramming sentence patterns.7. Identify the different types of phrases and their function in a sentence.8. Determine the different types of clauses and their functions9. Determine the different types of sentence according to structure10. Rewrite sentence using fish bone diagram.

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CHAPTER 1

REVIEWING PARTS OF SPEECH

This chapter will review the eight parts of speech and show you how to determine the part of speech of any word in the sentence.

Many words change from one part of speech to another as their meaning change from one sentence to another.

Example:

Alert - an adjective. It gives a vivid description to a certain person

Alertness - a noun. It is the state of being alert.

Identifying Parts of Speech

The function of a word may change from one sentence to another sentence. The way a word is used in the sentence determines what part of speech it is.

The Eight Parts of Speech

Parts of Speech Question to Ask Yourself ExamplesNoun Does the word name a

person, place or thing?Our visit to the Mines View Park delighted Rosa.

Pronoun Does the word stands for noun?

They gave some to him.

Verb Does the word tell what someone or something did?Does the word link one word to another word?Does the word show that something exists?

They played basketball.

The woman was a lawyer.

The family is here.

Adjective Does the word tell what kind, which one, how many, or how much?

Those three bananas are unusual colors.

Adverb Does the word tell where Go home.

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when, in what manner, or to what extent?

Leave now.Drive very slowlyI am thoroughly tired.

Preposition Is the word a part of phrase that includes a noun or pronoun?

Near our house, the carnival was in full swing.

Conjunction Does the word connect other words in a sentence or between phrases?

Both you and I will go because they need more people, besides, it will be fun.

Interjection Does the word express feeling or emotion and function independently in the sentence?

Hey! Give me that.Ouch! That hurt.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

EXERCISE:

Identify the parts of speech of the two underlined words in each sentence.

1. The garden hose should be near the rose garden.2. We run the dogs once each day in the dog run out back.3. I don’t like either, but I must pick either one or the other.4. I will not iron with this iron.5. The chair fell over and then rolled over the rug.6. Gracious , they were very gracious hosts at the party.7. I hope my good grade will increase your hope of getting one.8. Please turn the light on and put the groceries on the table.9. She rubbed hard on the hard surface of the table to restore its shine.10. The children comb their hair with the blue comb on the dresser.

CHAPTER 2

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A NOUN names a person, place, or thing. A PRONOUN stands for a noun. A VERB shows action, condition, and existence. An ADVERB modifies a verb, adjective, and other adverbs. An ADJECTIVE modifies a noun or pronoun. A PREPOSITION relates a noun or pronoun that appears with it to the other word. A CONJUNCTION connects word or a group of words. And, INTERJECTION expresses emotions.

BASIC SENTENCE PARTS AND PATTERNS

Language is the tool people use to shape their ideas and communicate them to another. For the communication to be meaningful, a speaker or writer must choose appropriate words and put them in an order that the listener or reader can follow.

2.1 subjects and Verbs

The basic unit of thought that express meaning is the sentence. Every sentence has two essential parts, a complete subject and a complete predicate.

Examples:

1. Dogs bark.subject predicate

2. My favorite hideout is in the old acacia tree.Subject predicate

A group of words in English is considered a sentence when it has two parts; either clearly stated or implied, a complete subject and a complete predicate. Together, those parts express a complete thought.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

EXERCISE:

Make two columns, and then write each complete subject in the first column and each complete predicate in the second column.

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A complete subject is the noun, pronoun, or a group of words acting as a noun plus any modifiers that tells who or what the sentence is all about. The complete predicate is the verb or verb phrase plus any modifier and complements that tell what the complete subject of the sentence does or is.

1. My grandmother knitted a sweater.2. The ruler was only eight inches long.3. The parachuters jumped from the plane.4. Tomorrow, I will clean out the cupboard.5. Snails and aphids ruined my garden.6. Lilting melodies filled the air around us.7. I ate chocolate cookies, roast beef, and iced pineapple at the fair.8. Yesterday, her rash had almost disappeared.9. The class dissected and studied the specimens.10. A new brand of cereal came out on the market recently.

Sentence or Fragments

Examine the following phrase and sentences.

1. The gardener with the mustache2. The shoppers rushed through the store.

The first example is not a sentence because it does not express a complete thought. It is only a fragment. On the other hand the second example is considered as a sentence because it expresses a complete thought.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

EXERCISE:

Decide whether each item is a sentence or a fragment. If it is a sentence, write sentence. If it is a fragment, rewrite it to make it a sentence.

1. Sang a traditional melody.

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If a group of words do not express a complete thought it is not a sentence but a fragment. On the other hand, a sentence expresses a complete thought with a complete subject and a complete predicate.

2. A fierce wind tore at the tree.3. Around the next bend.4. A persistent burglar alarm.5. Dodged the speeding ball.6. Inhaled the fragrance of the abundant wild flowers.7. An invasion from outer space was the movie’s theme.8. A safe speed down the hill and around the sharp turn.9. Conscientious drivers always buckle their seat belts.10. Handcuffed the suspects in an armed robbery.

Simple Subjects and Predicates

Each complete subject and complete predicate contains a word or a group of words that is essential to the sentence. Without these elements, known as the simple subject and simple predicate, a sentence is considered incomplete.

Simple Subjects and Simple Predicates

Simple subjects Simple predicatesAna SmilesYou Walked away

POINTS TO REMEMBER

EXERCISE:

Write the sentences; draw a vertical line between the complete subject and the complete predicate. Then underline each subject once and each verb twice.

1. Our good friends breed cows on their ranch.2. The heat left us tired and uncomfortable.

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The simple subject is the essential noun, pronoun, or group of words acting as a noun that can’t be left out of the complete subject.

The simple predicate is the essential verb or verb phrases that cannot be left out of the complete predicate.

3. The majority of the students voted in favor of a class trip.4. I contemplated the words of Confucius.5. Many people with the red hair have freckles.6. The curtain did not rise at the scheduled time.7. The helicopter’s blades whipped the air around us.8. I will arrange a dental appointment tomorrow.9. My new car should arrive this week.10. The clerks in the shoe department worked overtime today.

Locating Subjects and Verbs

To find the subject, first, ask what word tells what this subject is all about? To find the verb, ask what word tells what the subject is doing.

Example:

1. The red lights signaled a warning.Subject verb

Compound Subject

A sentence may contain a compound subject or compound verb. The compound subjects are written in bold face and the verb was underlined.

Example:

1. The salt and vinegar are on the table. S1 s2 v

2. Neither the dog nor the cat greeted me. S1 s2 v

Notice in the second example that it is not necessary to repeat the same helping verb twice.

Example:

1. She sneezed and coughed throughout the play.S v1 v2

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2. We will think about it and act soon.

S v1 v2

Some sentence constructions may contain both compound subjects and compound verbs.

Example

1. The dog and cat eyed each other, circled warily, and then advanced to combat. S1 s2 v1 v2 v3

POINTS TO REMEMBER

EXERCISE:

Write the words that make up the subject and verb in each sentence, underlining the subject once and the verbs twice.

1. Either Clem or Helen will win the chess tournament.2. In that race, the competitors first run and then swim.3. The cream and sugar sat on the kitchen table within reach.4. I added water, mixed the batter, and poured it into the pan.5. The flora and fauna of the Amazon forest have not yet been fully cataloged and studied

by scientists.

6. She received the nomination, campaigned hard, and won.7. Carpenters, plumbers, and electricians worked here today.8. I arrived early, waited hours, and finally got a ticket.9. After school we held a meeting and elected Mike captain.10. This afternoon Barbara and I baked cookies and then ate every single one of them.

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To find the subject, ask “what word tells what this sentence is about.

To find the verb, ask “what did the subject does.

A compound subject is two or more subjects that have the same verbs and are joined by a conjunction such as and or or.

A compound verb is two or more verb that have the same subject joined by a conjunction such as and or or.

2.2 The Four Functions of Sentences

In most English sentences, a subject comes before its verb. Sometimes this usual pattern is reversed. In these cases, finding the subject is more difficult.

This section will first explain the four functions of English sentences and then exercise the positions subjects take in these sentences.

Types of Sentences ExamplesDeclarative sentence Saint Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer for

peace.We should try to encourage school spirit.

Interrogative sentence Where did you hide my socks?Why should we vote for this proposition?

Imperative sentence Bring me those scissors.Do not touch that burner!Would you drop this off at the post office?

Exclamatory sentence I won!Do you believe that!Fire!

POINTS TO REMEMBER

EXERCISE:

Identify each sentence as declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory. Then write the end mark of each sentence.

1. This area gets poor television reception2. Do you want to leave Friday morning or afternoon

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A Declarative sentence is the most common type of sentence used in both writing and speaking which states an idea and end a period.

An Interrogative sentence asks a question and ends a question mark.An Imperative sentence gives an order or a direction and ends with a

period or exclamation mark (!).An Exclamatory sentence conveys strong emotion and ends with an

exclamation mark.

3. This is ridiculous4. My friend does not care for diet drinks5. When will the loan be ready6. Fill the car with gas on your way home7. I wonder where my turtle has gone8. Ask Minda to stop by after school9. The sunset cast a rosy glow on the walls of the building10. Would you pass me the hammer

Hard to Find Subjects

Most sentences have subjects that can easily be found, some, however, contains subjects that are more elusive. Each of the four sentences functions deserves individual examination.

Subjects in a declarative sentence

Rule 1.

The subject of the sentence is never “there” or “here”

Examples:

Sentence beginning with There or Here Sentence rearranged with subject before verb

1. There are the lost keys. V s

1. The lost keys are there. S v

2. Here is the ticket for your trip. V s

The ticket for your trip is here. S v

3. There is money available. V s

Money is available. S v

NOTE:

In some declarative sentences, the subjects follow the verb in order to receive greater emphasis.

Examples:

SENTENCES INVERTED FOR EMPHASIS SENTENCE REPHRASED WITH SUBJECT BEFORE VERB

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Beneath the pillows of the couch smoldered the cigarette. V s

The cigarette smoldered beneath the pillows S v of the couch.

Around the corner careened the speeding car. V s

The speeding car careened around the corner. S v

Subjects in Interrogative Sentence

In some interrogative sentences, the subject comes before the verb in a normal sequence and, thus, is easily identified.

Example:

1. Which car gets the best mileage? S v

Often, however the sequence is inverted.In interrogative sentences, the subject often follows the verb.

Examples:

QUESTIONS REPHRASED AS STATEMENTSIs the zoo open in the morning?V s

The zoo is open in the morning. S v

Do they own that house? V1 S v2

They do own that house. S v1 v2

When will the coffee be done? V1 S v2

The coffee will be done when. S v1 v2

Subjects in Imperative Sentences

In Imperative sentence, sentence usually is implied rather than specifically stated. It is understandable that the subject is YOU.

Examples:

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Imperative Sentences With Understood You AddedFirst draw a circle. V

First you draw a circle. S v

After the movie, come home right away. V

After the movie, you come home right away. S v

Cita, show me your new dress. V

Cita, you show me your new dress. S v

Subjects in Exclamatory Sentence

Some exclamatory sentence has the subject before the verb, but some do not. In an exclamatory sentence, the subject may come after the verb or may be understood.

Examples:

How could I have known! I could have known how.What does he know! He does know how.

Other exclamatory sentences may be so elliptical that both their subject and verb may be understood.

Examples:

Exclamatory Sentences With Understood Parts Added

Snake! You watched out for the snake!

More pay! We demand more pay!

EXERCISE:

Write the subject and verb in each sentence, underlining subjects once and verbs twice. Put any understood words in the parentheses.

1. Finish your chores first.2. Where did the costumers go?3. Off to the left sat the expectant hunter.

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4. Here is the screw driver from the tool chest.5. Avalanche!6. Call the store before closing time.7. At what times do the gates close?8. Hooray, the last day of school9. Bring the dictionaries to this room.10. There sits a grand old gentleman.

2.3. Complements

What is a complement?

A complement is a word or group of words that completes the meaning of the predicate of a sentence.

Five different kinds of complements can be found in English sentences: direct objects, indirect objects, objective complements, predicate nominatives, and predicate adjectives. The last two are often grouped together and called subject complements.

This section will explain how each complement works to complete the meaning of sentences.

Kinds Of Complements Definition ExamplesDirect objects Is a noun, pronoun, or group of

words acting as a noun that receives the action of a transitive verb.

We baked a cake. S v DOI invited her to the party.S v DO

Indirect objects Is a noun or pronoun that appears with a direct object and names a person or thing that something is given to or done for.

I taught Randy the alphabet.S v IO DO

Objective complement Is an adjective or noun that appears with a direct object and describes or renames it.

We appointed Tony secretary. S v DO OCI consider her the best candidateS v DO OC for the job.

Predicate nominatives A noun or pronoun that appears with a linking verb and

Ms. Pacis became an S v predicate

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renames, identifies, or explain the subject.

accountant.NominativeMy choice for the job is he. PN

Predicate adjectives Is an adjective that appears with a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence.

The sanded plank of wood still S feels rough. v PA.Today the waves seemed S v wild and angry. Predicate adj.

EXERCISE:

Write each underlined item and identify it as a direct object, indirect object, or object of a preposition.

1. The employee told her boss a blatant lie.2. We sang the book’s praises to our friends.3. When will Larry buy his sister a birthday present?4. The courier delivered the package to him.5. They drove over the hills and into the village.6. Terry taught herself Spanish.7. We wrote Aunt Emma and Uncle Mario a letter.8. I ordered soup and salad with my dinner.9. Show the department stores sales clerk that faded shirt.10. We cataloged the books for the library.

2.4 Reviewing Basic Sentence Patterns

5 Basic Sentence Pattern with Complement

Patterns ExamplesS- AV-DO(Subject, action verb, direct object) Cely read the book quickly.

S AV DO

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I hit him on the jaw.S AV DO

S- AV-IO-DO (Subject, action verb, indirect object, direct object)

Mrs. Reyes brought me the survey result. S AV IO DOI gave the room a new coat of paint.S AV IO DO

S-AV- DO-OC ( Subject, Action verb, direct object, object of complement)

The newspaper called the swimmer a champion. S AV DO OCThe book’s ending made him sad. S AV DO OC

Two Sentence Patterns with Linking Verbs

S-LV-PN ( Subject, linking verb, predicate nominative)

That person is the thief. S LV PN

One of the finalists is he. S LV PN

S-LV-PA ( Subject, linking verb, and predicate adjective)

The barbecue coals are hot. S LV PAThe singer sounds flat. S LV PA

Exercise:

Write each sentence, underlining each subject once, underlining each verb twice, and circling each complement. Then write the pattern of each sentence, using the abbreviation in the chart.

1. The breakfast cook scrambled my egg.2. The men and women in the audience laughed heartily.3. I named my new car Otto.

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4. The toddler looked happy and well fed.5. She is the star of that movie.6. Puppies are good pets for children.7. We made the deserted house clean and habitable.8. After hours of hard work I promised myself a midday break.9. Durian smells offensive to most people.10. Today we washed the windows and vacuumed the rugs.

Points to Remember:

Inverted Patterns

Other patterns occur in inverted sentences.

In an inverted sentence pattern, the subject is never first.

Patterns in Inverted Questions

PATTERN EXAMPLESV-S ( verb and subject) Were they at school today?

V SWhen were you there?

V S

HV-S- V ( Helping verb, subject, and verb Must you leave so soon? H V S VWhen will they arrive? HV S V

V-S-Comp ( verb, subject, complement) Was Mary late? V S Comp.

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Transitive action verbs appear with direct objects. Sentences with direct objects may also contain indirect objects or objects of complement.

A linking verb is almost always followed by a subject complement either a predicate nominative or predicate adjective.

HV-S-V-Comp ( helping verb, subject, verb, complement)

Did Cora bake cookies? HV S V DO

Comp- HV- S-V Which assignments have you finished? DO HV S V

Comp- HV-S-V-Comp What recipe did you give her? DO HV S V IO

Patterns in sentences beginning with “there” or”here”

Sentences beginning with there or here are almost always inverted.

Pattern ExampleV-s pattern There is our bus.

v s

Patterns Inverted for Emphasis

To emphasize the subject, subject follows the verb. In sentence inverted to emphasize the complement, the complement may come before the verb.

Patterns ExamplesV-s Into the bay sailed the pirate ship.

v sComp- s-v What fun we had at the beach!

do s v

Comp- v-s How beautiful was the sunset.pa v s

Exercise:

Write each sentence, underlining each subject once, underlining each verb twice, and circling each complement. Then write the pattern of each sentence.

1. What crops did the farmers plant?2. Here is your lunch.

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3. How angry I am?4. Did June telephone?5. Is the baby sleepy?6. Did you read this book?7. At the end of the leash pranced and barked a tiny dog.8. Are Susan and Linda are cleaning their rooms?9. Is Meldy at singing practice?10. How crowded the store was

2.3. Diagramming Basic Sentence Patterns

Diagrams can also help you visualize the structure of sentences.

Subject, Verbs, and Modifiers

To diagram the most basic subject- verb sentence pattern, draw a horizontal line and place the subject n the left and the verb on the right. Separate the two with vertical line.

Example

Josie Martin would have frowned.

Subject verb

Subject is the one being modified or described while the verb is the one that tells what the subject is doing.

Adjectives and adverbs are placed on slanted lines below the word they modify.

Example:

The very tasty dessert had been prepared quite easily.

Dessert have been prepared

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When ( you) is understood to be the subject of an imperative sentence, write it in parenthesis. Inverted sentences are also diagrammed in the usual subject-verb order. The capital letter shows you the word that begins the sentence.

Examples:

Go home.

( You ) go

Inverted

Will Steve play today?

Steve will play

When “here” or “there” functions as an adverb, put the word on a slanted line beneath the verb. If “there” is an expletive used merely to begin the sentence, however, write it on a horizontal line over the subject. The placement of the expletive is also used for interjections and nouns of direct address.

Examples:

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There is a park nearby.

There

park is

Well, Juan are you going?

well

Juan

You are going

Exercise:

Correctly diagram each sentence.

1. Larry skates well.2. The tiny dancer fell down.3. There was an extremely severe thunderstorm today.4. Alice, begin immediately.5. Did the crowd clap loudly?

Adding Conjunctions

In a diagram, a conjunction is written on a dotted line drawn between the words that are connected by the conjunction. Conjunction that connects adverbs and adjectives are diagrammed.

Example:

The tan and white moth fluttered back and forth.

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moth fluttered

…….. and…. ……… and……

Conjunctions that connect compound subject and verbs are also written on dotted lines. On the following examples the horizontal line has been split to allow each part of the compound subject and the compound verb to be a separate line.

Examples:

Both the corns and the tomatoes were planted last January and have been weeded regularly.

Corn were planted

tomatoes have been weeded

Modifiers are placed as always under the words they modify. If a word modifies both part of a compound subject or verb, it is placed under the main line of the diagram. Likewise, if part s of a compound verb shares the same helping verb, it is written on the main line of the diagram.

Example:

Anxiously, we have been watching and waiting.watching

we have been

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waiting

EXERCISE:

Correctly diagram each sentences.

1. Henry and Mike are practicing their tournament speeches.2. Carlos intently watched the butterflies and the moths.3. My dear aunt left me a huge old desk.4. The old bridge appears both too narrow and too unsafe.5. My manager thinks me very efficient and quite reliable.

Complements

Since complements complete verbs, they are placed on the predicate side of the diagram. Place the direct object on the main horizontal line following the verb. Separate the direct object from the verb with a short vertical line. Indirect objects are located directly under the verb on a short horizontal line extended from a slanted line.

Example:

I stapled the papers.

DO

I stapled papers

He lent me a pen

IO DO

He lent pen

me

Objective complements sit on the main line after the direct object. A short slanted line pointing toward the direct object separates them.

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Example:

The club elected her president.

DO

Club elected her president

Both subject complements- predicate nominatives and predicate adjectives are diagrammed in the same manner. Place them on the main line following the verb. Separate them from the verb with a line slanting toward the subject.

Examples:

The puppy felt soft.

PA

Puppy felt soft

The tree is an acacia

PN

Tree is acacia

Diagram compound complements by splitting the line on which they appear and adding any conjunctions that connect them.

Example:

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She has Vic and Mary their coats and hats.

coats

She gave

Vic

Mary

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