Sentence structure basics Components of sentences o Subject

Sentence structure basics

Components of sentences o Subject – the noun (person place or thing) performing the o o o action or state of being in the sentence Predicate – the verb or verb phrase Object – the noun receiving the action of the verb Qualifier – words that describe the subject, object or predicate Clause: combination of a subject + verb + (object or qualifier) Independent clause – a sentence – a subject, verb and object that can stand on its own Dependent / subordinate clause – a clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence (may be a fragment)

Subject – the noun (person place or thing) performing the verb (action or state of being) in the sentence Ex. Eddie failed the test.

Predicate (verb) Predicate – the verb or verb phrase Ex. (verb) Elaine was apprehensive about parent conferences. Ex. 2 (verb phrase) I may have been cut from the team if I hadn’t done well on the test.

Object / qualifier o Object – the noun receiving the action of the verb Ex. Aaron hit the ball. o Qualifier – word(s) that describe the subject, object or predicate Ex. India was apprehensive about entering the agreement.

Clauses o Clause: combination of a subject + verb + (object or qualifier) [SV(O)] Two Types: Independent (sentence) Dependent / subordinate (phrase)

Independent Clauses (sentences) – “rock stands alone” o Independent clause – a sentence – a subject, verb and object/qualifier that can stand on its own Ex. Murphy fixed the flat tire.

Dependent / subordinate clause (phrase) – “paper flies away” Dependent / subordinate clause – a clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence (phrase); it DEPENDS on an independent clause for support. Ex. Because Murphy fixed the flat tire, he was able to ride to school. YOU MUST HAVE AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE TO HAVE A SENTENCE!

TYPES OF SENTENCES o Simple (rock) single subject, simple sentence o Compound (rock+rock) may be more rocks o Complex (rock+paper) may be more than one paper o Compound-complex (rock+paper) may be more rocks & more paper

SIMPLE SENTENCE o SINGLE SUBJECT = SIMPLE SENTENCE o 1 subject performs all actions. n n n Eddie failed the test, but tried again and succeeded.

COMPOUND SENTENCE o 2+ independent clauses (rocks) o Joined by “and” “but” “or” (conjunctions)

COMPLEX SENTENCE o 1 rock + 1+ paper

COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE