Sentence Structure English 10 A Grammar Skills Sentences

Sentence Structure English 10 A Grammar Skills

Sentences, Clauses & Phrases, and Modifiers What are they?

Sentences A sentence is a group of words with a _________ and a _________. A sentence is a group of words with a ___subject_____ and a _ verb or predicate ____. Sentences begin with a __________ word and usually end with a __________, a question mark, or an exclamation point. Sentences begin with a _ capital letter _____ word and usually end with a _____ period _____, a question mark, or an exclamation point. Good sentences convey thought. Good sentences make sense.

Sentences The ____ of the sentence usually tells what the sentence is about. The ___ subject ___ of the sentence usually tells what the sentence is about. The ______ of a sentence tells about the subject or tells what the subject is doing. The __ verb or predicate ____ of a sentence tells about the subject or tells what the subject is doing.

Examples Subject Predicate The large, red dog ran quickly down the path. ACT scores can be improved through study and practice. Ed is the editor for the book. He preferred the warm weather.

Clauses and Phrases A ________ is a part of a sentence which does not contain its own subject and predicate. A clause is part of a sentence which contains its own subject and predicate. An _____ (main) clause makes sense on its own. A ______ (subordinate) clause does not make sense on its own. A _____ phrase ______ is a part of a sentence which does not contain its own subject and predicate. A clause is part of a sentence which contains its own subject and predicate. An __ independent ____ (main) clause makes sense on its own. A __ dependent ______ (subordinate) clause does not make sense on its own.

Examples: • • After school, Larry studied this ACT book and took the practice tests. Phrase Independent Clause After he finished studying, Larry went to baseball practice. Dependent Clause Independent Clause Larry felt a lot better after he studied for the test. Independent Clause Dependent Clause

Modifiers develop sentences. Modifiers Words Phrases may either be ____, _____, or Clauses ______. Modifiers can come either before or after the words they modify.

Basic sentence: The sun rose. • Word modifier: [warm modifies sun] The warm sun rose. • Word modifier: The warm sun rose slowly. [slowly modifies rose] • Phrase modifier: the east. The warm sun rose slowly from [from the east modifies rose] • Clause modifier: The warm sun, which cast its rays on the river, rose slowly from the east. [which cast its rays on the river modifies the word sun]

Practice IC P P 1. The car screeched to a stop near the intersection. 2. Mark went to the store and then he went to the movies. 3. Until she is able to drive, Lisa cannot buy a car. 4. The ACT exam will be easier after you finish the practice tests. 5. Lisa bought a dog.

Practice: Modifiers 11. Mary came to work in a bright red car. 13. The hiker, who has a red backpack, climbs the mountain carefully.

Homework: • Complete remaining questions.

Sentence Fragments

Sentences vs. Fragments • A sentence must contain a Subject ___________ and a Predicate or Verb _________. • A sentence must make sense on its own. • A sentence fragment is a part of a sentence that is written as though it were a sentence. • Some sentence fragments may appear to be acceptable sentences.

Sentence Fragments – D. C. dependent • A __________ clause does not stand on its own. • A single word may change an independent clause to a dependent clause. • Be particularly alert for clauses beginning with words such as although, as, because, despite, what, when. Subordinate Conjunctions • These words are ___________.

Ann went to the football game. • • Sentence or Fragment? Subject? Predicate/Verb? Independent/Dependent Clause? Answer each question before going to the next slide.

Ann went to the football game. • • Sentence or Fragment? Sentence Subject? Ann Predicate/Verb? went Independent/Dependent Clause? Independent

As Ann went to the football game. • • Sentence or Fragment? Predicate/Verb? Independent/Dependent Clause? Subject? • Answer each question before going to the next slide.

As Ann went to the football game. • • Sentence or Fragment? Fragment Predicate/Verb? went Independent/Dependent Clause? Dependent Subject? Ann • The word “as” is a subordinating conjunction and changes the whole sentence to a dependent clause.

The football game continued. While the band played in the background. • • • Sentence or Fragment? Predicate/Verb? Subject? Independent/Dependent Clause? Correct the Sentence • Answer the questions before moving to the next slide.

Sentence/Independent The football game continued. While the band played in the background. Fragment/Dependent • • • Sentence or Fragment? See above Predicate/Verb? Continued, played Subject? Game, band Independent/Dependent Clause? Correct the Sentence ▫ While the band played in the background, the football game continued. ▫ The football game continued while the band played in the background.

Sentence Fragments – Verbal Phrases • A verbal phrase begins with words such as to jump, to sleep, jumping, sleeping, jumped, and slept. • This phrase cannot be made into a sentence by just dropping a word or two.

I have one goal for this month. To score well on the ACT. • Which is the verbal phrase? • Why is it a phrase and not a clause? • Correct the sentence. • Answer the questions before moving on to the next slide.

I have one goal for this month. To score well on the ACT. • Which is the verbal phrase? ▫ To score well on the ACT • Why is it a phrase and not a clause? ▫ It is missing the subject. • Correct the sentence. Answers will differ. ▫ To score well on the ACT is my one goal for the month. ▫ I have one goal for this month: to score well on the ACT.

Liz made a big mistake this weekend. Sleeping on the beach. • Which is the verbal phrase? ▫ Sleeping on the beach. • Why is it a phrase and not a clause? ▫ There is no subject in the phrase. • Correct the sentence. ▫ Liz made a big mistake this weekend when she slept on the beach. ▫ Other answers will work.

Sentence Fragments – Appositive • An appositive is a group of nouns, or words that describe a NOUN _________, which are not sentences.

Malls, department stores, grocery stores, convenience stores. I like to go shopping no matter where it is. • Which is the appositive? • Correct the sentence.

Malls, department stores, grocery stores, convenience stores. I like to go shopping no matter where it is. • Which is the appositive? ▫ Malls, department stores, grocery stores, convenience stores. (Defines it. ) • Correct the sentence. ▫ Malls, department stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, I like to go shopping no matter where it is. ▫ Malls, department stores, grocery stores, convenience stores—I like to go shopping no matter where it is.

My favorite gift was a small statue. A figure who stood cheerily, unflinching, through the best and worst of times. • Which is the appositive? • Correct the sentence.

Sentence Fragments – Missing Parts • Many sentence fragments are just lacking sentence parts. • Remember, at first glance a fragment may appear to be a sentence.

When I was young I had a favorite form of transportation. A bus which traveled to the beach. • Which is the sentence fragment? • What is missing, subject or verb? • Correct the sentence.

When I was young I had a favorite form of transportation. A bus which traveled to the beach. • Which is the sentence fragment? ▫ A bus which traveled to the beach. • What is missing, subject or verb? ▫ Verb/predicate • Correct the sentence. ▫ When I was young, I had a favorite form of transportation: a bus which traveled to the beach.

There were some great rides at the amusement park. Was open from 9: 00 A. M. to 11: 00 P. M. • Which is the sentence fragment? • What is missing, subject or verb? • Correct the sentence.

There were some great rides at the amusement park. Was open from 9: 00 A. M. to 11: 00 P. M. • Which is the sentence fragment? ▫ Was open from 9: 00 a. m. to 11: 00 p. m. • What is missing, subject or verb? ▫ subject • Correct the sentence. ▫ There were some great rides at the amusement park which was open from 9: 00 A. M. to 11: 00 P. M.

Practice: (other answers are possible) 1. I was running to my house. Suddenly, a breeze blew up from the east. 1. I was running to my house when a breeze suddenly blew up from the east. 2. The wind reminded me of something. An assignment on weather I had to complete. 1. The wind reminded me of the assignment on weather that I had to complete. 2. The wind reminded me of something: an assignment on weather I had to complete.

Complete Questions 3 -15 • Ask a neighbor if you are not sure of the answer. • If you both do not know, check with your teacher.

Comma Splices & Runnn-Ons

Run-on sentences • A run-on sentence consists of two or more independent clauses with no punctuation or connector between them. • Run-on sentences must be corrected.

Run-on Example Run-on: We headed off to the game during the rain stopped before we got there. Corrected: We headed off to the game during the rain. The rain stopped before we got there. two sentences [Make the run-on sentence into ___________. ] or We headed off to the game during the rain, but the rain stopped before we got there. and a coordinating conjunction [Use a comma ______________ between the clauses. ] or We headed off to the game during the rain; the rain stopped before we got there. [Use a _________ between the clauses. ] semicolon

Comma Splice • A comma splice is like a run-on sentence, except that a comma separates the two clauses. • Comma splices must be corrected.

Comma Splice - Example The computer is an invaluable tool, it links together millions of people. Corrected: The computer is an invaluable tool because it links together millions of people. [Insert a ___________ to replace the comma. ] Subordinating conjunction or The computer is an invaluable tool; it links together millions of people. [Replace the comma with a ___________. ] semicolon or The computer is an invaluable tool. It links together millions of people. [Make two _____________. ] sentences

Practice Correct the run-on sentences and comma splices. Some sentences are correct. 1. I like to use my computer when I have to write a paper. 2. The scorekeepers at the game use a computer they use it to keep track of statistics.

Practice - Answer Correct the run-on sentences and comma splices. Some sentences are correct. 1. I like to use my computer when I have to write a paper. C 2. The scorekeepers at the game use a computer; they use it to keep track of statistics.

Practice 8. My clothes are drenched, water is dripping out of my shoes. 9. I put the wet clothes in the dryer right away, although I was concerned they might shrink.

Practice - Answer 8. My clothes are drenched, and water is dripping out of my shoes. 9. I put the wet clothes in the dryer right away although I was concerned they might shrink. (delete the comma)

Complete the rest of the Questions

Misplaced Modifiers and Shifts in Construction

Modifiers • Adjectives, adverbs, and groups of words serving Modifiers as ___________ should clearly refer to the word they modify. • The ACT items for misplaced modifiers and construction shifts test the same material with slightly different question types. • Be sure the placement of the modifier makes sense. To correct such errors, move the modifier closer to the WORDS THEY MODIFY _______________.

The truck drove through the tunnel and it was large. • We cannot be sure whether the adjective “large” modifies “truck” or “tunnel”. • The large truck drove through the tunnel. or • The truck drove through the large tunnel.

The driver brought a delivery to the store in a red container. • The modifier is “in a red container. ” It doesn’t make sense for the store to be in a red container. These words must modify “delivery, ” so move them closer to “delivery. ” • The driver brought a delivery in a red container to the store.

The driver shifted the van into first gear and firmly drove out of the parking lot. • This example is a little trickier. The phrase “firmly drove” seems to place the modifier near the word it modifies. • But does it make sense to firmly drive a van? • No. But it does make sense to shift gears firmly. The modifier “firmly” is misplaced. • The driver shifted the van firmly into first gear and drove out of the parking lot.

Modifiers • Be sure the word being modified is in the Sentence __________. • To correct such errors, include the word being modified in the sentence.

While on vacation in Iowa, a tornado alert was issued. • The modifier is “While on vacation in Iowa. ” However, the word the phrase modifies is not in the sentence and the sentence looks silly. • While we were on vacation in Iowa, a tornado alert was issued. ▫ Or • There was a tornado alert while we were on vacation in Iowa. ▫ Any pronoun or noun could be added to the sentence.

The wind was howling, which had to take cover under a highway overpass. • The word “which” makes no sense here. • Replace it with the word that tells what or who “had to take cover under a highway overpass. • The wind was howling, and we had to take cover under a highway overpass. ▫ Replace “which” with “we. ” Remember to include “, and” because the second part of the sentence changes from a phrase a to a clause.

Practice – Group 1 1. I went to school to take the ACT in my mother’s car. 2. The room was empty; who had to go to another room. 3. I was on the way to my house, which was about a mile away.

Complete the Practice Questions The first group of questions have answers. All others you should try to do on your own.

Practice – Group 1 - Answers 1. I went to school in my mother’s car to take the ACT. 2. The room was empty; they had to go to another room. 3. I was on the way to my house, which was about a mile away. C Note other answers might also be correct.

Practice – Group 2 4. John drove a van into the night which had no lights. 5. Ron was driving to school in a car with dirty windows. 6. It started to rain when on the way to the beach.

Practice – Group 3 7. A road alert when an accident caused hazardous conditions was issued. 8. Lisa completed her assignment and brought it to school with careful attention to detail. 9. Which car should I take to the store?

Practice – Group 4 10. Leon turned his head and his eyes looked slowly into the store window. 11. Matt bought a bowl for his fish which was broken. 12. Ann has a room which is full of toys.

Practice – Group 5 13. While still at school a blizzard started. 14. The boy with two pieces missing has a jigsaw puzzle. 15. Mark rode his bike down the path which has no pedals.