English Grammar Lessons

English Grammar Lessons
Introduction to Sentence Structure
The two fundamental parts of every English sentence are the subject and the predicate. A simple sentence can also be described as a group of words expressing a complete thought. Subjects can be described as the component that performs the action described by the Predicate.
SUBJECT + PREDICATE = SENTENCE
A simple sentence or independent clause must have a verb. A verb shows action or state of being. The subject tells who or what about the verb.
SUBJECT + VERB = SENTENCE
Sentence Structure Vocabulary
The sentence format consists of a subject and a predicate.
The subject names the topic and the predicate tells about the subject.
A sentence with one subject and one predicate is called a simple sentence.
The receiver of actions is called the object.
A group of words used as a single value without subject or predicate is called a phrase.
A clause is a group of words with a subject and predicate.
Principal or independent clauses can form sentences.
A compound sentence contains two or more principal clauses.
A clause which cannot form a sentence is called a dependant clause.
A complex sentence contains a principal clause and one or more dependant or subordinate clauses.
A compound-complex sentence contains two principal clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.
Four Kinds of Sentences
Four kinds of sentences: declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory.
1. A declarative sentence makes a statement.
Example: The hockey finals will be broadcast tomorrow.
2. An imperative sentence gives a command or makes a request.
Example: Pass the puck to the open man.
3. An interrogative sentence asks a question.
Example: Do you know the rules of hockey?
4. An exclamatory sentence shows strong feeling.
Example: Stop that man!
Declarative, imperative, or interrogative sentences can be made into exclamatory sentences by punctuating them with an exclamation point.
The Six Basic Sentence Construction Patterns

1. No Verb Complement
The simplest structure is one without a verb complement. In traditional grammar, all verb complements are either nouns or adjectives.
Examples 1. Canada wins.
2. Direct Object Verb Complement
The defining characteristic is the presence of a direct object.
Example: Boys love hockey.
3. Indirect and Direct Object Verb Complements
Both indirect and direct objects are present. Indirect objects are placed immediately after the verb. Direct objects that are noun phrases follow the indirect object.
Example: Dad gave [(me)(a puck)].
4. Predicate Nominative Verb Complement
The predicate nominative verb complement is a noun or a pronoun that redefines, renames, or classifies the subject of the sentence. The verb in a predicate nominative sentence pattern is always a linking verb, such as be, seem, or become.
Example: He became a coach.
5. Predicate Adjective Verb Complement
The predicate adjective is an adjective that modifies the subject of the sentence. The verb is always a linking verb, such as be, seem, smell, look, taste, or become.
Example: The game became difficult.
6.Direct Object and Objective Complement
The verb complements are a direct object and an objective complement. An objective complement is a noun or an adjective that occurs after the direct object and describes the direct object.
Example: The class made [(me)(bilingual)].
SIMPLE SENTENCES AND CONFIGURATIONS

Simple subject and predicate
Example: Fred slept.
Understood subject (for commands, directives)
Example: Sit!
Questions
Examples: What are you throwing?
Interjection
Examples: Man, that hurt!
Compound predicate
The bear howled and scratched ferociously.
Compound subject and predicate
Fred and Mary worked hard and then rested.
Three subjects
John, Fred, and Cameron are working.
Direct object
Ted sent the letter.
Compound direct objects
Ted sent cards and letters.
Three direct objects
Ted sent posters, cards, and letters.
Compound predicate with direct objects
Jessica cooked lunch and ate it.
Compound predicate with one direct object
Sam proofreads and edits his essays.
Indirect object
The teacher gave the children homework.
Compound indirect objects
The teacher gave Tess and Sam quizzes.
Predicate noun
John is a coach.
Objective Complement
Johnny painted his front porch white.
Direct address
Harold, tell the class now.
Adjective
Athletic moves excite the crowd.
Compound adjectives
The little old lady hit the tall and distinguished gentleman.
Predicate adjective
The engine was powerful.
Compound predicate adjectives
The engine was powerful but expensive.
Comparative Adjective
Joe is considerably older than his brother.
Adverb
Fred works quickly.
Adverbs modifying other adverbs
My dog wags its tail quite often.
Compound adverbs
The cat waited patiently and quietly at the door.
Passive Verbs
The ball was kicked.

Sentence Patterns
"Sentence patterns" is just another way talk about the way a sentence is put together; the order of the elements in the sentence; sentence construction. Some sources say there are six English sentence patterns; some say eight. A few sources list even more. Here are the ones we feel are the most common, and the easiest to recognize:
1.  Subject + Verb (S-V)
This is the simplest kind of sentence.  It consists of a subject, a verb, and possibly some adjectives, adverbs,  or prepositional phrases.  There are no direct objects, indirect objects, or complements.
•Abraham speaks fluently.  (subject, verb, adverb)

•Many of the class members write well in class.  (subject, verb, adverbs) (The "complete" subject is "Many of the class members"--a noun phrase.)

2.  Verb + Subject (V-S)
Sentences in English usually have the subject come first, followed by the verb. But when a sentence begins with there is, there was, there are, there were, the verb comes first, followed by the subject. The word There is never a subject!
•There is a strange shadow in the woods.  (verb, subject--the complete subject is the noun phrase a strange shadow, adverb)

•There were no leftovers after the buffet.  (verb, subject, adverb)

3.  Subject + Verb + Direct Object (S-V-DO)
•Andrew composes music.  (subject, verb, direct object.)

•Matthew helps others in several English practice rooms.  (subject, verb, direct object, adverb)

•Helen tells jokes to make people smile.  (subject, verb, direct object, adverb)

4.  Subject + Verb + Complement (S-V-SC)
A complement is a word or group of words that describe or rename the subject. Complements follow a linking verb.  There are two kinds of subject complements:  1) predicate nominative, which is a noun or pronoun that renames or classifies the subject of the sentence and 2)predicate adjective, which is an adjective that describes the subject of the sentence.
•Mother looks tired.  (subject, verb, complement--predicate adjective)

•Some students in the class are engineers.  (the noun phrase Some students in the class is the complete subject, verb, complement--predicate nominative)

•The men are handsome, the women are clever, and the children are above-average. (compound sentence of three independent clauses, so three subjects, three verbs, three complements--all predicate adjectives)

5.  Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object (S-V-IO-DO)
An indirect object tells for whom or to whom. If the indirect object comes after the direct object (in a prepositional phrase "to ________" or "for _______"), the sentence pattern is shown as S-V-DO-IO.  Pronouns are usually used as indirect objects (but not always).
•I sent her a birthday present.  (subject, verb, indirect object, direct object)

•Jay gave his dog a bone.  (subject, verb, indirect object, direct object)

•Granny left Gary all of her money.  (subject, verb, indirect object, direct object)

•Granny gave every last asset to Gary. (subject, verb, direct object, indirect object in a prepositional phrase)

6.  Subject + Verb + Direct Object + Object Complement (S-V-DO-OC)
This pattern isn't as common as the others, but it is used.  An object complement is a word or group of words that renames, describes, or classifies the direct object.  Object complements are nouns or adjectives and follow the object.
•Debbie left the window open during the rain storm.  (subject, verb, direct object, object complement, adverb)

•The class picked Susie class representative.  (subject, verb, direct object, object complement)

Sentence Pattern Quiz
Some patterns in using clauses:
1.  Independent  clause:   We are happy about the approaching holiday season.
2.  Two independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction:  We are happy about the approaching holiday season, and we look forward to a prosperous new year.
3.  Two independent clauses, with no conjunction:  We are happy about the approaching holiday season; we look forward to a prosperous new year.
4.  Two independent clauses with an independent marker (therefore, moreover, thus, consequently, however, also are some):  We are happy about the approaching holiday season; furthermore, we look forward to a prosperous new year.
5.  Dependent marker (because, since, while, although, if, until, when, as, after, then are some), dependent clause, independent clause:  Because we are happy about the approaching holiday season, we are planning many parties and gatherings with friends.
6.  Independent clause, dependent marker, dependent clause:  We are planning many parties and gatherings with friends, because we are happy about the approaching holiday season.
7.  First part of an independent clause, unneeded clause or phrase, the rest of the independent clause:  We are planning many parties and gatherings, including formal and informal, with friends.
8.  First part of an independent clause, essential clause or phrase, the rest of the independent clause:  We who are happy about the approaching holiday season are planning many parties and gatherings, formal and informal, with friends.