Module 2 Constructing Sentences - Quia

Business Writing Firefly Electric and Lighting Corp. Learning and Development Human Resources Department Module 2 Constructing Sentences

Business Writing Firefly Electric and Lighting Corp. Training and Organizational Development Human Resources Department Module 2A Lesson 1 Basic Sentence Parts

Module Three: Constructing Sentences Now that we have a basic understanding of how to use words more effectively in business writing, it’s time to look at sentences. This module will discuss the parts of a sentence, its proper punctuation, and the four kinds of sentences according to structure. Have something to say, and say it as clearly as you can. That is the only secret of style. Matthew Arnold

Definition A sentence: – is a grammatical unit consisting of a set or sets of subject and predicate – expresses a complete thought – begins with a capital letter – ends either with a period, a question mark or an exclamation point – may be composed of a word or a group of words arranged in a coherent and unified pattern

Examples of Sentences A word: – Go! (The subject is an implied “You”.) A group of words: – Loreta bakes delicious chocolate cakes. – Are your parents attending the meeting? – How gracefully you dance! – Hey, you’re stepping on my toes! – Dinah married a Belgian, didn’t she?

Basic Sentence Parts Subject — a grammatical structure that refers to the person or thing that performs the action or being in the state expressed by the predicate. — The subject may be a noun, a pronoun or a noun substitute (gerund and gerund phrase, infinitive and infinitive phrase, noun clause and sometimes, adjective or adverb).

Basic Sentence Parts Predicate - a grammatical structure that is one of the two main parts of a sentence or a clause that expresses the action or the state of being of the subject. - It usually consists of a verb with or without objects, complements or adverbial modifier.

Parts of a Sentence Sentences have two parts: SUBJECT PREDICATE Noun, Pronoun or Noun Substitute Answers the question What or Who Verb Object or Modifier Answers the question What

Basic Sentence Parts The set or sets of subject and predicate in sentences may be simple or compound – Example of simple subject/simple predicate Simple subject Simple predicate The founder of the organization invites young people to join his crusade.

Basic Sentence Parts – Example of compound subject and compound predicate Compound subject Compound predicate Lanny and her sister , Olivia create and write short stories for children.

Subject of the Sentence 1. Noun: — The rains soaked the parched earth. — Ten people have applied for this job. — The children watch the death- defying feats of acrobats. 2. Pronoun: ― Harold likes to drive fast cars. He drives a Porsche 550 Note: Avoid using a pronoun as a subject without an antecedent ( Harold in this sentence is the antecedent of “he”).

Subject of the Sentence – – – Many are called but few are chosen. Some of the dancers change their costumes several times. The earrings on display are of good quality. Those are very expensive. Note: In the above sentence, “dancers” can not be a subject because it is an object of the preposition “of”. But: in the sentence – Some dancers change their costumes several times, “Some” becomes modifier of “dancers” which is the subject of the sentence.

Subject of the Sentence 3. Noun clause is a dependent clause one of whose functions is to act as subject of the sentence. -- Whom you will choose as president of your country can affect your life for six years. --What I want to do now is to watch a movie.

Subject of the Sentence 4. Gerund is verb form that ends in –ing and functions as a noun. – Swimming tones the muscles. – Cooking is Mother’s hobby. 5. Gerund phrase is verb form that ends in –ing together with its object and modifiers, if any, and functions as a noun. – Praying the rosary every night should be practiced by every Catholic family.

Subject of the Sentence 6. Infinitive is the base form of the verb usually introduced by the article “to” – To act in Broadway is Romina’s main ambition in life. (“in Broadway” is a prepositional phrase) Note: The above example is an infinitive with an adverb modifier. It is not a phrase because there is no object. – To study well is necessary to get good grades. (“ well” is an adverb of manner)

Subject of the Sentence 7. Infinitive phrase is a verb form usually introduced by the article “to”, followed by the base form of the verb, its object and modifiers, if any. One of its functions is as a noun substitute. — To generate electricity requires a power source. — To expand its office manpower is needed to cope with the rapid growth of the company.

Subject of the Sentence 8. Adjective – usually functions as a modifier of nouns and pronouns. The adjective commonly used as a subject is a descriptive adjective. As a subject it is prefaced by the article “the”. The adjective as a subject always takes on a plural verb. – The beautiful always claim attention of admirers. – The rich enjoy many privileges not available to the less financially endowed.

Subject of the Sentence 9. Adverb - usually functions as a modifier of a verb, an adjective or another adverb. The adverbs usually taken as subject are adverbs of place and adverbs of time. – Tomorrow is yet to come. (Adverb of time) – Here rests the unsung heroes of our country. (Adverb of place)

The Predicate of a Sentence The grammatical structure that serves as predicate of the sentence is the verb. There are three kinds of verbs according to structure: – Transitive verb is a verb that needs a receiver of its action in order to complete its meaning. The receivers are direct object, indirect object , objective complement and retained object.

The Predicate of a Sentence -- Intransitive verb is a verb that is complete in itself. It does not need a receiver of its action. It may take on adverb modifiers in order to make its meaning clearer. -- Linking verb is a verb that connects the subject of the sentence to a noun, pronoun, adjective or any other of the noun substitute that is related to it.

The Predicate of a Sentence Some verbs may pair off with auxiliary or helping verb to denote tense, person, mood, number or aspect. The most common auxiliary verbs are the verbs be, have and do. Other helping verbs are the modal auxiliaries. These are auxiliary verbs that express ability, possibility, permission or obligation.

The Predicate of a Sentence Modal auxiliaries include: can/could/ be able to – implies ability or possibility shall/should/ought to – implies asking or giving permission, polite request, polite suggestion; offer of assistance

The Predicate of a Sentence ill/would – implies futurity of an event or action, polite request or statement may/ might - implies possibility, giving or asking permission must/ have to/ need to – implies obligation

Basic Sentence Parts Let’s Review

Basic Sentence Parts 1. One of these is a not true of a sentence: a) has a set of subject and predicate b) the subject can be a noun clause c) may have a simple subject but compound predicate d) the subject can also be an object of the preposition e) is made up of one word. 2. One of these cannot be used as subject of the sentence. a) infinitive phrase b) prepositional phrase c) gerund phrase d) noun clause e) gerund

Basic Sentence Parts 3. When an adjective is used as a subject: a) b) c) d) e) it must take on a plural verb it must be used as a modifier it must consist of a phrase it must take on a singular verb all of the above 4. The predicate of a sentence can be: a) b) c) d) e) a complete verb A linking verb An intransitive verb A transitive verb All of the above

Basic Sentence Parts 5. Which of these will require an antecedent when used as subject of the sentence? a) noun b) pronoun c) adjective d) adverb e) gerund 6. Which can be used as modifier of an adjective used as subject of the sentence? a) the b) some c) any d) many e) all

Basic Sentence Parts 7. All of these are noun substitutes except one: a) Pronoun b) Gerund c) Infinitive d) Preposition e) None of the above 8. Which one of these adverbs can be used as subject of the sentence? a) Adverb of manner b) Adverb of frequency c) Adverb of place d) Adverb of affirmation e) Adverb of negation

Basic Sentence Parts 9. a) b) c) d) e) The verb form used in the infinitive is: S-form past form present participle form past participle form base form

Basic Sentence Parts 10. Which of these is not a modal auxiliary? a)must b) should c) could be d) ought to e) will 11. The most common auxiliary verbs are: a) have b) do c) be d) none of the above e) all of the above. 12. The predicate must always have: a) an auxiliary verb b) a verb c) an object d) a complement e) a modal auxiliary

Basic Sentence Parts 13.Which of these cannot be a noun substitute? a) pronoun b. adverb c. noun clause d. gerund e. infinitive 14. Of the verbs, which can have an adjective complement? a) Linking verb b. Intransitive verb c. Transitive verb d. All of the above e. None of the above

Basic Sentence Parts 15. In the sentence, “The crying child wants to watch the clown swallowing the broken pieces of glass.”, which of the words below functions as predicate? a) crying b) wants c) to watch d) swallowing e) broken.

Basic Sentence Parts Identify the simple subject and simple predicate in the sentences below. 1. Andrew is leaving his mother a message. 2. Camille has been calling you since this morning. 3. Magnificent Sequoias line the street . 4. Fathers are the pillars of security of our homes.

Basic Sentence Parts 5. The flower, lily of the valley, signifies a return to happiness. 6. Kara has forgotten to bring her books. 7. The government will be launching a cleanliness campaign. 8. Beyond that mountain lives a hermit said to be more than a hundred years old. 9. Somebody has posted a message on the bulletin board.

Basic Sentence Parts 10. Elizabeth and her sister, Margaret had lived very privileged lives as crown princesses of England. 11. All of these used clothes will be distributed to the indigents in the slum area. 12. Some of the spilled oil on the road was the cause of many vehicular accidents. 13. Myra and her husband are very protective of their children.

Basic Sentence Parts 14. Children, please clean the floors and apply floor wax afterwards. 15. Did Florinda complete the survey being distributed by the agency?

Basic Sentence Parts If you got a score of 8 or less in the practice exercise, please review the notes on Basic Sentence Parts before taking the quiz. Please look over the uploaded Powerpoint notes in Quia and check whether there are other facts you need to include in your Cheat Sheet.

Constructing Sentences Module IIA LESSON 1 Answers to Basic Sentence Parts Quiz

Basic Sentence Parts 1. One of these is a not true of a sentence: a) has a set of subject and predicate b) the subject can be a noun clause c) may have a simple subject but compound predicate d) the subject is also an object of the preposition e) is made up of one word. 2. One of these cannot be used as subject of the sentence. a) infinitive phrase b) prepositional phrase c) gerund phrase d) participial phrase e) gerund

Basic Sentence Parts 3. When an adjective is used as a subject: a) b) c) d) e) it must take on a plural verb it must be used as a modifier it must consist of a phrase it must take on a singular verb all of the above 4. The predicate of a sentence can be: a) b) c) d) e) a complete verb A linking verb An intransitive verb A transitive verb All of the above

Basic Sentence Parts 5. Which of these will require an antecedent when used as subject of the sentence? a) noun b) pronoun c) adjective d) adverb e) gerund 6. Which can be used as modifier of an adjective used as subject of the sentence? a) the b) some c) any d) many e) all