Clause
A clause is the basic structure block of a sentence. A phrase and a clause are different because: * a phrase may or may not have a verb but a clause always has a verb.
* a clause makes up a sentence or part of a sentence.
There are six main clause elements:
– Subject
– Verb phrase
– Object
– Complement
– Adverbial
– Conjunction
Subject
Example – she, bus, table etc.(noun/noun phrase)
Position – usually comes before the verb in statements.
Verb phrase
Example – play, live, drink etc.
Position – central part of the clause – can be one or more verbs.
Object
Example – glass, book, her etc.
Position – usually follows the verb in statements.
Complement
Example – good, pretty, bad etc.
Position – usually follows the verb phrase; sometimes the object.
Adverbial
Example – far, well etc.
Position – follows other elements
Conjunction
Example – and, or, but etc.
Position – a word that can begin a clause.
Example of a clause
He gave her a keychain.
Subject verb indirect object direct object
He was elected captain in 1991.
Subject verb phrase complement adverbial
Sentence
The most popular definition of a sentence is, ‘A sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop.’ A simple sentence has only one clause.
The train arrived.
Subject predicate
Four main types of sentences are:
Statement – He loves God.
Question – Do you like movies?
Imperative – Come here.
Exclamation – How lovely!
Summary
* Simple sentence – He works hard.
* Compound sentence – He worked hard but nothing worked for him.
* Complex sentence – He didn’t succeed although he worked hard.
Complex Sentences
A sentence which consists of a main clause (Principle clause) and one or more subordinate clause (dependent clause) is called a complex sentence.
Kinds of Subordinate Clauses – Noun Clause
Adjective Clause
Adverb Clause
Noun Clause
The clause from which the function of a noun is done is called a noun clause.
– She told us that she had the books.
– He is afraid that he might lose the match.
Functions of a Noun Clause
a) As the Subject of a Verb
Why Sam came late is not know.
b) As an Object of a Verb
Sid don’t remember what Sam said then.
Adjective Clause
A clause that acts as an adjective is called an Adjective Clause. An Adjective Clause qualities some noun or pronoun in the Principal Clause.
– Sam whose sister won the race thanked me.
– The car Sid gifted me was expensive.
Adverb Clause
An Adverb Clause is one which performs the function of an adverb in relation to some word in the Principal Clause. It modifies an adjective, an adverb or a verb in it. It represents time, place, cause, manner, opposite or situation.
– We know where he lives.
– Samira behaves as if she were the queen.
Compound Sentence
A compound sentence consists of two clauses. All its clauses (if there are more two) are of equal rank and are called Co-ordinate Clauses.
– He likes video games but his sister hates them.
– The children were happy and the mother was sleeping but the father was sad.
Compound and Complex Sentences
It is important to know the meaning of finite and non-finite verbs, phrase, clause and sentence before attempting to understand compound and complex sentences.
Verb
– Verb can be divided into two types: finite verbs and non-finites verbs.
– The verb which changes its form according to person, tense, mood, etc., is called a ‘Finite Verb’.
– He works hard.
– They worked hard.
– I work hard.
A verb which does not change its form according to tense, number and person is called a non-finites verb.
– He wants to be rich.
– They want to be rich.
– I want to be rich.
Kinds of Non-Finites :
Infinitive (to+infinitive)
Gerund (bare infinitive)
Participle
Use of to-infinitive
1. As a noun – (a) to err (subject) is human.
(b) We want to learn (object) French.
(c) Her aim was to become (complement to the linking verb was)a doctor.
(d) It is easier to preach (after the dummy subject ‘it’) than to practise.
2. As an adverb to change a verb or an adjective –
(a) He went to meet (modifies the verb went) the President.
(b) You are difficult to please.(modifies the adjective difficult)
3. As an adjective to qualify a noun
(a) It is time to leave.
4. As an object to a preposition.
(a) He is about to resign.
(b) We saw him go.
5. As an adjunct
(a) Marie was the first to arrive.
6. As part of ‘too+adjective/adverb+infinitive’
(a) I don’t have money enough to buy it.
7. As an absolute to convert the whole sentence
(a) To be honest with you, I hate you.
The Gerund
Gerund is a form of verb that ends with -ing and has the power of a name. So that is the major cause, the gerund is called a Verbal Noun.
Use of the Gerund
1. As a subject – Swimming is good for health.
2. As a Object – We like painting.
3. As a Complement to a Linking Verb – My first love is dancing.
4. As an Object of a Preposition – The police prevented her from going.
5. As a part of a Noun Phrase – Playing on this field is enjoyable.
Use of the bare infinitive
1. After some verbs like watch. bid, see, let, help, make, hear, feel, etc.
– The doctor made me wait.
– Simi helped me do my homework.
2. With had better, had rather
– Max had better stay where he is.
3. With some prepositions like except, but, than, etc.
– He does nothing except complain.
4. Passive form of the Infinitive (to+be+past participle)
– It is an insult to behave like this.
– She likes to be flattered.
Phrase
A phrase is a unit of grammar. We utilize phrases to construct clauses and sentences. A phrases can contain of one or more words.
Five types of phrases
1. A noun phrase has a noun as its main word.
Our flight from China has been cancelled.
2. A verb phrase has a verb as its main word.
John has been told not to do it.
3. A prepositional phrase commence with a preposition.
We have got apples from Kashmir orchards.
4. An adjective sentences has an adjective as the major word.
He is kinder than his brother.
5. An adverb phrase has an adverb as its major word.
He attends the class quite regularly.
Participles
Participles: – Present Participle
V1+ing, go+ing
– Past Participle
V3, gone
# I will buy a jumping doll.
# The news left us shocked.
# She went away crying.
# We saw a bird trapped in a net.
* The following sentences illustrate the difference between a gerund and a participle:
– I like the schoolgirls having long hair. (present participle)
– I like having long hair. (gerund)