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Language Studies and Academics. 1. Sentencing. Structure, Types, and Common Problems. 1. The Sentence. A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought . A sentence makes sense because it is a whole idea , not just part of one. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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SentencingStructure, Types, and Common Problems
Language Studies and Academics
11
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 20082
The Sentence
A sentence makes sense because it is a whole idea, not just part of one.
It contains a subject and a predicate.
A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 20083
Kinds of SentencesDeclarative – makes a statement
Your order is ready.
Interrogative – asks a question Has Mona stopped by yet?
Imperative – gives a command Please stir the soup.
Exclamatory – expresses strong emotion What a game that was! I’m so sad!
?
!
Language Studies and Academics
Declarative
A declarative sentence makes a statement and ends with a period.
Example:
• The sky is blue.• I am very hungry.• I went to the Villaggio with my friends on Thursday night.
Language Studies and Academics
Interrogative
An interrogative sentence asks a question and ends with a question mark.
Examples:
What are you studying at CNA-Q? Is Mohammed travelling after he graduates? Are you enjoying your program so far?
Language Studies and Academics
Imperative
An imperative sentence makes a command or request and ends with a period.
Examples:
Laila, please shut the door. Amr, shut the door. Do your homework. Please do your homework.
Language Studies and Academics
Exclamatory
An exclamatory sentence expresses a strong emotion and ends in an exclamation mark.
Examples:• I’m so happy!• Oh my goodness!• That is terrific news!• I can’t believe it!
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 20088
Subjects & Predicates
SubjectNames the
person, place, or thing about which
something is said.
PredicateTells what
the subject does, or what is done to
the subject.
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 20089
Example
sat down abruptly.(complete predicate)
The man in the brown coat(complete subject)
Find the complete subject and predicate in the sentence below. (click to reveal)
Simple Subject Simple Predicate
Now find the simple subject and predicate. (click to reveal)
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200810
Before we look at types of sentences, let’s review the various word groups that
can be used to construct sentences.
Sentence Structure
Dependent (need support)
Clauses
Phrases
Independent (stand alone)
Various types (often prepositional)
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200811
A clause is a word group that contains a subject and verb, but may or may not express a complete thought.
What is a Clause?
Independent Clause Dependent Clause
Expresses complete thought.
Stands alone.
Works as simple sentence.
Does not express complete thought.
Cannot stand alone.
Relies on another word group.
Note: a dependent clause might also be called a subordinate clause
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200812
A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb BUT… does not express a complete thought.
Dependent Clauses
Examples:Since I came here
When we go home
Before Mohammed writes a test
After the Land Cruiser rolled down the dune
These clauses DEPEND on other word groups to form full sentences.
Notice how the first word makes
these clauses dependent: since, when, before etc.
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200813
Words that Often Form Dependent Clauses
After
Although
As
As if
As soon as
As though
Subordinating conjunctions
Because
Before
Even if
In order to
Just as
Once
Provided
Rather than
Since
So that
Unless
When
Whenever
Wherever
While
Until
However
Relative Pronouns
Who, whose, whom, that, which, whoever, whomever, whichever
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Revised June 200814
A phrase is a sentence part that adds information but does not contain a subject or a verb.
Phrases
The most common type of phrase is the prepositional phrase. on Sunday before English class under the small wooden table
Is down the dune a clause or phrase?
Why?
begins with preposition, ends with object
Consider this word group (clause or phrase?):• after the Land Cruiser rolled down the dune*
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200815
Try your Skill
On Sunday, everyone in Doha thought the dust storm would not last long; however, it continued for two full days.
Can you find any prepositional phrases? on Sunday in Doha for two full days
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200816
Now let’s look at how clauses can be used to form different sentence types.
Sentence Types
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound/Complex
=
=
= independent dependent+
independent clause• Subject(s) + verb(s)• complete thought
= 2 independent 1 dependent+Sequence can vary
independent independent+ Could be more than 2
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200817
Simple Sentence
Ali and Fahad traveled to Dubai and Bahrain last January and returned in April.
A simple sentence is an independent clause that has a subject and verb and expresses one idea.
Note of interest: Dubai and Bahrain is also a compound element (called object of preposition)
NOTE: a simple sentence may have multiple subjects/verbs:
2 verbs2 subj.
We canceled the picnic.
After my breakfast, I will go to school and take a test.
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Revised June 200818
Compound Sentence
Here are three ways to form a compound sentence: Canada is a very rich country, but it has many poor people.
comma + coordinating conjunction
Canada is a very rich country; it has many poor people. semicolon
Canada is a very rich country; however, it has many poor people. semicolon + conjunctive adverb + comma
A compound sentence is two or more independent clauses that are joined.
Canada is a very rich country. It has many poor people.Independent
clauses
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Complex SentenceA complex sentence contains
one independent clause and one (or more) dependent clause.
Fahad asked for the day off Because his son was graduating+
Independent Clause (IC) Dependent Clause (DC)
Fahad asked for the day off because his son was graduating.=Can you think of another way to combine these two clauses?
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200820
Quick Review
My friend invited me to a party. I do not want to go.
Let’s review the 3 sentence types discussed so far, by working with the following two clauses:
My friend invited me to a party. I do not want to go.+Simple
Compound
Complex
My friend invited me to a party, but I do not want to go.
Although my friend invited me to a party, I do not want to go.
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200821
Compound Complex Sentences
A compound complex sentence contains two independent and one or more dependent clauses.
Although my friend invited me to a party, I do not want to go, but I will go.
Which clauses are independent?
Which clauses are dependent?
• I do not want to go• I will go
• Although my friend invited me to a party
Joined by comma & conjunction (, but)
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Revised June 200822
Complex Sentence Patterns
Because his son is graduating, Fahad asked for the day off.
Fahad asked for the day off because his son is graduating.
Fahad, whose son is graduating, asked for the day off.
IC DC
DC, IC
IC, DC, IC
No comma needed
Comma needed
Two commas show where DC interrupts IC
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Revised June 200823
Direct and Indirect Objects
SOMETIMES: The verb gives the complete meaning of the sentence.
Example: The plane will land.
OTHER TIMES: Additional words are needed to complete the sentence.
Example: The student carried…. (Carried what?)
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Revised June 200824
The student carried his books.
Ali likes his father.
Examples (click to reveal):
Direct Object
1. Find the subject and verb2. Ask whom or what after the verb
completes or receives action of the verb
S V
S V
To find the Direct Object…
Verb carriedCarried what? books
Verb likesLikes whom? father
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200825
Indirect Object
When a sentence has a direct object, it may have an indirect object.
To whom or to what about the verbOr
For whom or for what about the verb
Indirect objects tell either…
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Revised June 200826
Indirect Object
1. Find the subject, verb and direct object
2. Look between the verb and direct object to see if there is a noun or pronoun
3. If so, ask to/for whom or to/for what after the verb and direct object.
How to find the Indirect Object (I.O.)
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200827
Indirect Object
The student gave Ali the books.
1. Find subject, verb and d.o.2. Look between verb and d.o. for noun/pronoun
3. Ask to or for whom/what after verb and d.o.
Let’s try one
together…
Hints: The I.O. is always between the verb and the D.O.The I.O. is always a noun / pronoun.
S V D.O.
Gave books to whom?
I.O.
Language Studies and Academics
Subject-Verb Agreement
Revised June 200828
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200829
Agreement
Basic Concept
A verb must agree with its subject in number.
Families usually have the evening meal together.Cats are common in Doha
Moza buys a new purse every year.Meshaal comes to class on time.
Singular Subject Singular Verb
Plural Subject Plural Verb
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Agreement
Common MistakesMistakes are often made when…
There are words between the subject and verb.
The verb comes before the subject.
Compound subjects are used.
Indefinite pronouns are used.
Titles and units are used in a sentence.
Let’s look at each of these situations…
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Words Between Subject & Verb
The sharp teeth in the dog’s mouth (look / looks) scary.
The colour of the bedrooms (need / needs) to be changed.
The lockers in the hall at school (has / have) been painted.
Words that come between the subject and verb DO NOT change the subject/verb agreement!
REMEMBER: a prepositional phrase cannot be and does not contain the subject of a sentence
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200832
Verb before Subject
There (is / are) many cats on the street.
Where (is / are) your husband’s mobile phone?
When (do / does) lunchtime start?
There (was / were) a huge sandstorm yesterday.
REMEMBER: The verb must agree with its subject even if it comes before the subject!
Language Studies and Academics
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Compound Subjects
Compound Subject = 2 subjects (joined by conjunction)
If conjunction is AND…
Verb should be plural
If conjunction is correlative EITHER / OR
NEITHER / NORNOT ONLY/BUT ALSO
Verb agrees with closest subject
Language Studies and Academics
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When a compound subject is joined by AND, it needs a plural verb!
Compound Subjects
Fruit and yogurt (taste / tastes) good together.
My kitchen and bedroom (need / needs) new paint
Peaches and cream is a tasty dessert.The horse and buggy was used for transportation in the past.
EXCEPTION: Sometimes the word AND joins two words to form a singular subject. If so, we need a singular verb.
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Revised June 200835
Neither the students nor the teacher (want / wants) to leave.
Either the bus or the taxis (was / were) used for transportation.
Compound Subjects
When a correlative conjunction is used to form a compound subject, the verb agrees
with the closest subject
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Revised June 200836
Indefinite Pronouns
-one wordsOne
Anyone
Everyone
Someone
-body wordsNobody
Anybody
Everybody
Somebody
-thing wordsNothing
Anything
Everything
Something
othersEach
Either
Neither
Here is a list of singular indefinite pronouns. They all use singular verbs…
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200837
Indefinite Pronouns
Both
Few
Several
Many
These plural indefinite pronouns use plural verbs.
These indefinite pronouns can be singular or plural.All
More
None Some
Most
Any
• Both candidates are qualified
• Few of the students were there.
• All of the students are writing a quiz.
• All of the money is gone.
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Revised June 200838
Indefinite Pronouns - practice
Neither of those textbooks (is / are) very good.
Both of my brothers (has / have) brown hair.
Somebody with 2 children (was / were) in your office.
None of my friends (like / likes) spicy food.
Everyone at work (like / likes) coffee in the morning.
Language Studies and Academics
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Agreement - Titles and Units
Titles of books, plays, poems, movies, and companies are treated as singular.
Units of time, money, distance, capacity and weight are also treated as singular.
Jeans Experts is hiring new staff.
Two hours is too long to wait.
Fifteen grams is a small amount.
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200840
More Agreement Rules:
Collective Nouns
The band were wearing their new uniforms.
Collective nouns are singular in form, but plural in meaning.
When they act as one entity, use a singular verb.
Our band is the best in the city.
When they do separate things, use a plural verb.
Examples: band, class, community, team
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200841
Plural Nouns as Singular Subjects
Some plural-sounding nouns take singular verbs
Examples: athletics, economics, politics, news, mumps, measles
Measles is very contagious.
Other nouns require a plural verbeven though they refer to one thing.
Examples: jeans, scissors, eyeglasses
The scissors are broken.
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200842
The Word - Number
The expression the number requires a singular verb.
The number of suicides is increasing
The expression a number requires a plural verb
A number of products are not fit to eat,
Language Studies and Academics
Common Sentence ErrorsFragments,comma splices, run-on
Revised June 200843
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200844
Sentence Fragments
It could be missing a subject OR a predicate
A Fragment is an incomplete sentence that is punctuated as though complete
Was running upstairs.
Mohammed, a business student.
No Subject!
No Predicate!
The girl was running upstairs.
Mohammed, a business student, listens carefully.
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200845
Sentence Fragments
Because of the students' debate. Their classes will be excused.
Sometimes fragments are formed when complete sentences are punctuated incorrectly.
Because of the students' debate, their classes will be excused. comma is the
correct punctuation
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200846
Correcting Sentence Fragments
Fragments: Mohammed, a business student. Wants to specialize in accounting.
Sentence??? (click to reveal)
Possible Fix #1: Join fragment to a main clause
Mohammed, a business student, wants to specialize in accounting.
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200847
Correcting Sentence Fragments
To become a marketing specialist. (fragment)
Fixes??? (click to reveal)
Possible Fix #2: Add missing subject/verb to complete the thought.
Fatima wants to become a marketing specialist.
To become a marketing specialist, you must work hard.
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200848
Comma Splices
1. Period and capital letterHanna worked very hard. She graduated from CNA-Q.
2. SemicolonHanna worked very hard; she graduated from CNA-Q.
3. Semicolon with connecting word and commaHanna worked very hard; consequently, she graduated
from CNA-Q.
There are many ways to fix a comma splice.
called conjunctive adverb
joins two ind. clauses
forms two sentences
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200849
Comma Splices
4. Conjunction after comma Hanna worked very hard, so she graduated from CNA-Q.
More ways to fix a comma splice.
Hint: use FANBOYS to remember common conjunctions
ForAndNor (neither)ButOr (either)YetSo
5. Subordinated first clauseSince Hanna worked very hard, she graduated from CNA-Q.
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200850
Run-On Sentences
The new instructor arrived in Doha three weeks ago he does not know his way around the city he can not drive a car because you have to be a resident to get a driving license.
Run-on sentence:Two or more full sentences joined without punctuation.
The new instructor arrived in Doha three weeks ago. He does not know his way around the city. He can not drive a car because you have to be a resident to get a driving license.
Fix ??? (click to reveal)
Language Studies and Academics
Revised June 200851
Fixing Run-On Sentences
Can you remember the 5 ways?
You can fix a run-on sentence the same way you fix a comma splice.
Separating the sentences using
a comma is not a solution.
WHY?
Period and capital letter (2 sentences)
Semicolon (joined ind. clauses)
Semicolon + connecting word + comma
Comma +conjunction
Subordinate first clause (with comma)
1.2.3.4.5.
For full review of the 5 comma splice fixes, click here