Sentences and Clauses

  1. Three points to remember:
  2. In a command, the subject is understood

(You) Close the windows.

(You) Please run some errands for me.

  1. The subject of a sentence is never in a prepositional phrase.

Neither of the rivals survived the duel.

Knowledge of grammar is an aid to teaching writing.

  1. To find the subject in a question, turn the question into a statement.

What drawer did you put the box of pencils in?

You did put the box of pencils in what drawer.

d. There and here are not the subjects of a verb.

Here is the book. (The book is here.)

There are many books. (Many books are there.)

Helping Verbs (always a part of the verb)

amdowouldhasbeen

isdidshouldhavebe

aredoescouldhadbeing

was

wereshallcan

Willmay

might

must

Common Linking Verbs

Be (am,is,are,was,were,been,be,being)

Appearremain

Becomeseem

Feelsmell

Growsound

Looktaste

Find the verb and decide if it is action or linking:

  1. The picture appeared on the screen.
  2. The picture on the wall appears crooked.
  3. You should have gone with us.
  4. The pickle tastes sour.
  5. You look tired today.
  6. The child was looking into the closet.

From now on, you should do the following before looking for the verb and subject in a sentence:

  1. Put parentheses around any prepositional phrases.
  2. Put brackets around each clause.
  3. Turn questions into statements.

Put two lines under the verbs (including helping verbs) and one line under subjects.

  1. Adoption of this law by Congress will bring many changes to the state lottery.
  1. The cost of replacing all of the signs on the roads will be exorbitant.
  1. There will be many changes in everyday speech.
  1. Will you be attending the dinner dance in April?
  1. Most of the countries have already sent troops to help.
  1. Here are the books about Egypt and Turkey.
  1. Each of the boys was sent a letter about the tournament.
  1. I took Lena with me.
  1. His sister, Maria, was elected the class president.
  1. The team members from outside the city are not going on the bus with us.

Prepositions always begin a phrase that ends with a noun or pronoun

Aboutatbutintosinceuntil

Abovebeforebylikethoroughunto

Acrossbehindconcerningofthroughoutup

Afterbelowdownofftoupon

Againstbeneathduringontowardwith

Alongbesideexceptoverunderwithin

Amidbesidesforpastunderneathwithout

Amongbetweenfrom

Aroundbeyondin

(also aboard, on account of, in spite of)

***Not is never a verb; never is not a verb.

Conjunctions – important joining words.

Coordinating (linking equal things together)

Andbutornorforyet

We will walk the dog and clean the car.

Michael went along, but Sarah chose to stay home.

You could write the paper, yet the results of the research aren’t complete.

Correlative (always used in pairs)

Either…ornot only …. But (also)

Neither … notwhether …. Or

Both….and

Subordinating (introduce clauses)

Afterbeforeprovidedunless

Althoughhoweversinceuintil

Asifthanwhen

As much asin order thatthatwhere

Becauseinasmuch asthoughwhile

Punctuation

Comma

  1. Use a comma to separate items in a series.
  2. She was on the staff in Moscow, Berlin, Vienna, and Madrid.
  3. They searched in the drawers, under the beds, around the livingroom furniture, and in the kitchen.
  1. Use a comma to separate two or more adjectives preceding a noun.
  2. We sat through a long, dull, amateurish performance.
  3. She is an alert, vivacious girl.
  1. Use a comma before and, but, or, nor, for, yet when they join independent clauses.
  2. The first two acts were slow, but the third act was full of action.
  3. Saturday’s council meeting was quiet, for no one raised any objections.
  1. Use commas to set off nonessential clauses and phrases (you can remove the clause or phrase and the meaning of the sentence is still complete.)
  2. Joan Thomas, who was offered scholarships to three colleges, will go to Rutgers inn September.
  3. Julia Roberts, who recently had twins, is a wonderful actress.

Essential clause: Joan Thomas is the only senior who won scholarships to three colleges. (without the clause, the meaning of the sentence would change)

  1. Use a comma after words such as well, yes, no when they begin a sentence.
  2. Yes, you were elected.
  3. Oh, I wouldn’t be too sure about that.
  4. Well, what are you doing now?
  1. Use a comma after an introductory clause.
  2. While Marion put the costume on, the accompanist played a solo.
  3. Because she felt ill, Mary Anne didn’t go on the class trip.
  1. Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt the sentence.
  2. Appositives
  • A column by Bernice Silver, the noted writer, will appear in the Times on Sunday.
  • His best friend, Michael, stayed with him all day.
  • Mr. Wilson, the new coach for the team, was introduced at the dinner.
  1. Direct address (using someone’s name as you speak to them)

Sarah, how old are you now?

What is your birthday, Sarah?

Good morning, Sarah, how are you?

c. Parenthetical expressions (interrupt the sentence)

I believe (hope, know, hope)

I am sureof course

On the contraryin my opinion

On the other handfor example

After allhowever

By the waynevertheless

Incidentallyto tell the truth

In fact

Indeed

Naturally

Clauses vs Phrases

Two definitions you MUST KNOW and be able to GIVE EXAMPLES.

  1. A clause is a ______that contain a ______and a ______.

2. A phrase is a ______that DO NOT contain a ______or a ______.

( X )

3.A verb phrase is a different construction made up of two or more verbs.

Can walk

Am walking

Will be walking

Does walk

Did walked

Etc.

Clauses & Commas

Circle the introductory word and punctuate the sentences which need commas.

  1. When the frog on the lily pad dives into the water you may not be looking.
  1. If you wish to be an uncommon person keep your eyes open to the world around you.
  1. True viewers see everything while others are too preoccupied to see what goes on around them.
  1. The world is commonplace when you look at it in a commonplace way.
  1. Because they absorb more and more of what they see they have much to tell others.
  1. Since it is your own world you are free to regard it any way you wish.
  1. You may stay where you are.

8. We stayed indoors until the storm abated.

Subordinating conjunctions (introductory words) :

Afterifuntil

Althoughinasmuch aswhen

Assincewhere

As much asthanwhile

Becausethat

Beforethough

Howunless