Chapter 2 · 2-12 Four Sentence Varieties Simple sentence: has one independent clause―that is, one clause that can stand alone Compound sentence: has more than one independent clause

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Chapter 2

Sentences

© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer 2-2

Sentence

Elements

Subject

Completeness

PredicateSentence

Elements


Sentence: a group of words that includes three things: a subject and a predicate and

expresses a complete thought

SubjectSentence

Elements


Simple subject: a noun or a pronoun that tells who or what the sentence is about

Complete subject: includes all modifiers

Locating Subjects

To locate a sentence subject, ask Who orwhat is being discussed? Who or what is doing the action?

– The manager hires all new employees.

– Training programs educate new employees.

2-5© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer

PredicateSentence

Elements


Simple predicate: a verb or verb phrase that tells or asks what the subject is doing or what is being done to the subject

Complete predicate: includes modifiers, objects, and complements


TRY YOUR SKILL

A manager from ComStar

has been calling you.

What is the

1. Complete subject?

2. Complete predicate?

3. Simple subject?

4. Simple predicate?

CompletenessSentence

Elements

In addition to having subjects and predicates,

sentences must be complete and make

sense.


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Examples:

• A set of guidelines was developed.

(This sentence has a subject and a predicate and is complete.)

• To be used in ordering computer supplies.

(This fragment, broken off from another sentence, is incomplete and doesn’t make sense.)

Sentence

ElementsCompleteness

© 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. Business English, 11e, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Carolyn Seefer

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Phrases and Clauses

Phrase: a group of related words WITHOUT both a subject and a verb

Kim came to the interview in the morning. She had been told to arriveat 10 a.m.

CompleteSentences

ClausesPhrases


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Phrases and Clauses

Clause: a group of related words WITH both a subject and a verbIndependent clauses can stand alone as sentences.Dependent clauses rely on independent clauses for their meaning.

When she arrived, she introduced herself. If she was afraid, she didn’t show it.

CompleteSentences

ClausesPhrases


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Four Sentence Varieties

Simple sentence: has one independent clause―that is, one clause that can stand alone

Compound sentence: has more than one independent clause.

Each interviewee sent a résumé.

Kim spent many hours preparing her résumé, and she practiced her answers to typical interview questions.


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Complex sentence: has one independent clause and one dependent clause

When Kim arrived for the interview, she introduced herself to the receptionist.


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Compound-complex sentence: has more than one independent clause and one dependent clause.

Because she had prepared well, Kim felt confident; she answered all questions fully and enthusiastically.


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Sentence

Patterns


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Pattern No. 1:

Subject-Verb

• This is the most basic sentence pattern

• subject first, verbsecond

EXAMPLES

• Charlie called.

• He is working.

• All employees work.


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• The subject is followed by an action verb and the verb’s direct object.

• The object usually answers the questions What? and Whom?

Pattern No. 2:

Subject-Action

Verb-Object

EXAMPLES

• ComStar created a

website. (tells what)

• A law office hired her. (tells

whom)


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The subject is followed by

a linking verb and its complement.

Pattern No. 3:

Subject-Linking

Verb-Complement

Complement

• Noun or pronoun that

renames the subject or

an adjective that

describes the subject

• Completes the meaning

of the subject


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• Our receptionist is Patricia.

(Noun complement) identifies receptionist

(thereby renaming the receptionist)

• The winner of the award is he. (Pronoun

complement) uses nominative case for

the pronoun

• Their website is attractive. (Adjective

complement) describes website

Complement Examples


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Verbs may occasionally come before subjects.

Pattern No. 4:

Inverted Order

EXAMPLES

• Chairing the committee is

Renee Cornell.

• There are three items we

should discuss.

• Here is my business card.


1. Cathy Formusa is serving on the task force.

2. We are considering two candidates for the position.

3. Your authorization form is here.

4. This is your authorization form.

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Rearrange these

inverted sentences to

place them in normal

subject-verb order.

TRY YOUR SKILL

1. Serving on the task force is

Cathy Formusa.

2. There are two candidates

we are considering for the

position

3. Here is your authorization form.


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Sentence

Punctuation


Exclamations

Commands

Questions

Statements

Punctuating

Four

Sentence

Types


StatementsPunctuating

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Statements: make assertions and end with periods

Many companies now use social media for marketing and communication.


QuestionsPunctuating

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Questions: finish with question marks

Can you avoid social media while on vacation?


CommandsPunctuating

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Commands: end with periods or, occasionally, with exclamation points

(You) Check your messages at least twice a day.

(The subject is understood to be you.)

You come straight home.


ExclamationsPunctuating

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Exclamations: show surprise, disbelief, or strong feelings

Oh, no! I made a huge mistake!


1. One of my friends

and I are preparing

for job interviews

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What is this group

of words?

Statement

Question

Command

Exclamation

TRY YOUR SKILL

Name the

subject.

.


2. Wow! What a

presentation

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What is this group

of words?

Statement

Question

Command

Exclamation

TRY YOUR SKILL

!


4. Prepare carefully by

practicing questions

and answers

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What is this group

of words?

Statement

Question

Command

Exclamation

TRY YOUR SKILL

Name the

subject.

you (implied)

.


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Sentence

Faults


Fragment

Run-on

Sentence

Comma

Splice

Sentence

Faults


FragmentSentence

Faults

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Fragment: an incomplete sentence; should not be punctuated as if it were complete • May be broken off from

a preceding or followingsentence


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FRAGMENTBecause we have all come to depend on e-mail. That’s why we must find a solution.

REMEDYBecause we have all come to depend on e-mail, we must find a solution.

FragmentSentence

Faults


Comma SpliceSentence

Faults

Comma Splice: when two complete sentences are incorrectly joined with a comma


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COMMA SPLICEText messaging is popular, it’s even used in offices.

REMEDIES• Text messaging is popular. It’s even used in

offices.

• Text messaging is popular; it’s even used in

offices.

• Text messaging is popular, and it’s even used in

offices.

Comma SpliceSentence

Faults


Run-on SentenceSentence

Faults

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Run-on (Fused) Sentence: when two complete thoughts are run together


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RUN-ONText messaging was once used by teenagers now it’s also used by business professionals.

REMEDIES• Text messaging was once used by teenagers; now it’s also

used by business professionals.

• Text messaging was once used by teenagers. Now it’s also


• Text messaging was once used by teenagers, but now it’s also


Run-on SentenceSentence

Faults


1. Unless I hear from you to the contrary. I'll assume you agree with me.

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TRY YOUR SKILL

REMEDY

Unless I hear from

you to the contrary, I'll

assume you agree

with me.

Identify any

sentence faults:

Fragment

Comma splice

Run-on

Suggest remedies.


2. No stock market prices were available, the market was closed for the holiday.

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TRY YOUR SKILL

REMEDY

No stock market

prices were

available; the market

was closed for the

holiday.

Identify any

sentence faults:

Fragment

Comma splice

Run-on

Suggest remedies.


3. The report that you said you would finish in the near future. It's still lying on your desk.

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TRY YOUR SKILL

REMEDY

The report that you

said you would finish

in the near future is

still lying on your

desk.

Identify any

sentence faults:

Fragment

Comma splice

Run-on

Suggest remedies.


4. Some employees work Sunday other employees come in early Monday.

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TRY YOUR SKILL

REMEDY

Some employees

work on Sunday, and

other employees

come in early

Monday.

Identify any

sentence faults:

Fragment

Comma splice

Run-on

Suggest remedies.


Documents

Chapter 2 · 2-12 Four Sentence Varieties Simple sentence: has one independent clause―that is, one clause that can stand alone Compound sentence: has more than one independent clause