Prepared By: Dr. RAHMANI Asma, Batna1 University, Algeria.
Introduction The course tries to summarize the main types of sentences according to their purpose and function. Also, this course will shed light on clauses and phrases as learners tend to misuse them as interchangeable terms. Objectives 1. Introducing types of sentences according to their purpose of use. 2. Introducing types of sentences according to their function and structure. 3. Avoiding possible misuse of both clauses and phrases. 4. Practicing to ensure students’ understanding.
Sentence
Material: Read the following:
The man fixed the roof.
The children played until the sun set. The man refused the deal because he was so smart. Is there any problem? What a beautiful day! 1. Definition of a Sentence A sentence is a group/set of words that expresses a complete thought or idea. A sentence must have a subject and a verb, but it may or may not have an object. Example: The magazine is published. The company printed the magazine. A sentence consists of a subject and a predicate and must have at least one main clause. Subject: The part of the sentence that tells who or what the sentence is about. Predicate: The part of the sentence that tells something about the subject, usually containing a verb and providing information about the action or state of being.
2. Sentence General Characteristics
Any sentence should encompass the following: a) Involves one complete idea. b) Starts with a capital letter c) Ends with a full stop or one of the equivalent marks (! or?)
3. Sentence Patterns: Understanding common sentence patterns assists in recognizing sentence structures and constructing grammatically correct sentences. Here are some basic English sentence patterns: Subject + Verb (SV): The boy runs. Subject + Verb + Object (SVO): Amin revises a course. Subject + Verb + Complement (SVC): Hacen is an architecture. Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object (SVOO): Lamia sent her a letter. Subject + Verb + Object + Complement (SVOC): They elected him president.
4. Types of Sentences by Function:
A sentence conveys a statement, question, exclamation, or command (Quirk et al., 1985).
1. Declarative Sentences: Statements that provide information or express an opinion.
E.g., The moon is blue. 2. Interrogative Sentences: Questions that ask for information e.g., What is your book? 3. Imperative Sentences: Commands or requests e.g., Please close the door. 4. Exclamatory Sentences: Sentences that express strong emotion or surprise. e.g., Wow, that’s amazing! 5. Types of Sentences by Structure There are four types of sentences according to their function: 1. Simple Sentences: Contain a single independent clause (e.g., I read books). 2. Compound Sentences: Contain two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions (e.g., I read books, and she reads magazines). The compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses which may be connected by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), a semicolon, or a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb or a colon. Examples: He needs to go to the office; he is too tired to drive. He needs to go to the office, but he is too tired to drive. He needs to go to the office; but he is too tired to drive. He needs to go to the office: he is too tired to drive. 3. Complex Sentences: Contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause (e.g., Although it was hot, we went for a walk). 4. Compound-Complex Sentences: Contain at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses (e.g., She likes coffee, but he prefers tea because it tastes better). Remarque: Fragment: Refer to a group of words that do not express a complete thought or idea. Generally, a fragment misses a subject, verb, or both. However, a fragment may contain both subject and verb but still not express complete meaning. Fragments can be phrases or clauses. Clause
1. Definition of Clauses
In grammar, a clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb (a predicate).
Clauses play various roles within sentences, contributing to the overall meaning and structure. Their function depends on their type and placement within a sentence. A complete sentence must contain at least one independent clause.
2. Types of clauses
Clauses can be independent (main) or dependent (subordinate).
a) Independent Clause (main clause): A complete thought that can stand alone as a sentence. It functions to communicate a full idea or statement. The main clause is formed with: : Subject+ verb+ Complement and it is considered a grammatically complete sentence. Example: Ahmed wrote a story.
b) Dependent Clause: An incomplete thought that cannot stand alone and needs an independent clause to make sense. Also, known as the subordinate clause. A dependent clause cannot stand alone because it does not have all the information necessary to make it a complete sentence i.e. the meaning of this sentence is incomplete. In this respect, an independent clause needs to be connected to it. A dependent clause uses words called subordinators like: because, before, after, since, although, though, and in order to. Example: because Leila was at a party.
3. Types of Dependent Clause:
Dependent clauses function in several ways:
1- Adjective Clause (Relative Clause):
It describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, providing more information about it. It is introduced by relative pronouns such as who, whom, whose, which, or that.
Example: The course that she explained is included in the exam.
I have a teacher who speaks three languages.
2- Adverb Clause:
It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, explaining when, where, why, how, to what extent, or under what conditions something happens. It is Introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as because, although, since, if, when, or while.
Example: We will revise the course if we finish it.
Amina studied hard because she wanted to pass the exam.
3- Noun Clause:
It acts as a noun within the sentence and can function as the subject, object, or complement. It is introduced by: Words like that, what, who, whoever, whichever, or whether.
Example: What he said surprised everyone. I don’t know whether she will come.
4. Specific Functions of Dependent Clauses:
Any clause can have one of the following functions:
1. Subject of a Sentence: A clause can function as the subject of a sentence. Example:
What she likes is a mystery. 2. Object of a Verb: A clause can serve as the object of a verb, receiving the action. Example: She knows that he is coming. 3. Object of a Preposition: A clause can also function as the object of a preposition. Example: She is interested in what he does for a living. 4. Subject Complement: A clause can act as a complement to the subject, providing more information. Example: The problem is that we don’t have enough money. 5. Adjective Complement: A clause can function as a complement to an adjective, providing additional detail. Example: She is happy that she passed the test. Phrase
Definition of Phrases:
A group of words that act as a single part of speech but do not contain both a subject and a verb (e.g., in the park, after dinner).
It is a group of words that does not include a subject and verb and it functions as a meaningful part or unit within a clause or sentence. e.g.: In the kitchen, you will find my meal.
Types of Phrases and Their Functions:
Phrases can be categorized as follows:
1. Noun Phrases:
A group of words that functions as a noun within a sentence. A noun phrase consists of a noun (the head) and any modifiers that provide more information about the noun (such as adjectives, articles, or other nouns). It acts as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Examples: The tall building (subject) is in the city.
I read a fascinating book (object) last week.
She is a talented musician (complement).
2. Verb Phrases:
A group of words that functions as the verb of a sentence. A verb phrase consists of a main verb and one or more auxiliary (helping) verbs. It expresses an action, condition, or state of being. Examples: She has been working on her project for hours.
They were going to the market.
He must have seen the movie already.
3. Adjective Phrases: A group of words that functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun in the sentence. An adjective phrase can consist of an adjective and its modifiers or qualifiers. It provides more information about a noun or pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying it. Examples: The woman with long black hair is a doctor.
The cake in the refrigerator is delicious.
We are looking for a candidate highly skilled in data analysis.
4. Adverb Phrases:
A group of words that functions as an adverb, modifying a verb, an adjective, or another
adverb. An adverb phrase can consist of an adverb and its modifiers. It provides more information about how, when, where, why, or to what extent an action occurs. Examples: She completed the assignment with great care.
The meeting will start at 9 a.m.
They arrived very late to the party.
5. Prepositional Phrases:
A group of words beginning with a preposition and ending with a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition). A prepositional phrase acts as an adjective or adverb. It provides additional information about location, time, direction, cause, manner, and other relationships between elements in a sentence. Examples: The book on the table is mine.
She went to the store.
We have been friends since childhood.
6. Infinitive Phrases:
A group of words that begins with an infinitive (the base form of a verb preceded by "to") and includes its modifiers or complements. It can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Examples: To win the championship is their goal. (Noun)
She has a lot of work to do today. (Adjective)
He called me to ask for help. (Adverb)
7. Gerund Phrases:
A group of words that begins with a gerund (the -ing form of a verb used as a noun) and includes its modifiers or complements. It acts as a noun in the sentence and can function as the subject, object, or complement. Examples:
Running every morning is good for your health. (Subject)
She enjoys reading mystery novels. (Object)
His favorite hobby is playing the guitar. (Complement)
8. Participial Phrases:
A group of words that begins with a present participle (verb ending in -ing) or a past participle (verb ending in -ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n) and includes its modifiers or complements. It acts as an adjective to modify a noun or pronoun. Examples: The student running down the hall is late for class.
Exhausted from the hike, they rested under a tree.
The book written by the famous author has won several awards.
9. Absolute Phrases:
A group of words that consists of a noun or pronoun and a participle, along with any modifiers. An absolute phrase modifies the entire sentence, providing additional context or detail. It provides additional information about the sentence but does not modify a specific word. It is often separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma or commas. Examples:
Her voice trembling with emotion, she delivered the speech.
His homework finished, he went outside to play.
Practice
Activity One:
Look at the groups of words below. Do you know which sentences are and which are not? Put a checkmark in the space next to sentences, and an X next to other word groups. (Adopted from: Seaton & Mew.2007. p, 142). 1 Mrs. Chen is a good teacher. 2 not well today 3 Do the work yourself. 4 How are you? 5 basic rules of grammar 6 bread and butter 7 Welcome to the National Zoo. 8 brush his teeth 9 toys in the box 10 more than one 11 What is the time now? 12 Sit down! 13 Please come here. 14 Mark is sleeping. 15 Open the door.
Activity Two:
Using your own words, write sentences from each category we mentioned in the course. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………… ………………………………………………………….………….…………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………..
