Introduction-to-Sentence-Structure for Basic English Grammar
- 1. Introduction to Sentence Structure This course introduces you to the fundamental building blocks of sentences. You will learn how to identify sentence components, understand sentence types, and correct common sentence errors. by Lungguh Halira
- 2. What is a Sentence? A sentence is a complete thought that expresses a statement, question, command, or exclamation. It must contain a subject (who or what is performing the action) and a verb (the action being performed). A complete thought A sentence conveys a full idea that can stand alone. Subject and Verb It includes a noun or pronoun that performs the action and a word that describes the action. Punctuation It ends with a period, question mark, exclamation point, or other appropriate punctuation.
- 3. Basic Sentence Components Sentences are made up of essential components. These components work together to form a complete thought. Subject The subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action in the sentence. • The cat • She • The sun Verb The verb describes the action or state of being in the sentence. • meows • sings • shines Object The object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb. • a song • the ball • brightly
- 4. Subject-Verb Agreement Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental rule in English grammar. It ensures that the verb agrees with the subject in number and person. 1 Singular Subject A singular subject takes a singular verb. 2 Plural Subject A plural subject takes a plural verb. 3 Person Agreement The verb must match the person of the subject (first, second, or third).
- 5. Sentence Types: Simple, Compound, Complex Sentences can be categorized into different types based on their structure and complexity. 1 Simple Sentence A simple sentence has one independent clause, containing a subject and a verb. 2 Compound Sentence A compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses, joined by a coordinating conjunction. 3 Complex Sentence A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses, connected by a subordinating conjunction.
- 6. Identifying Subjects and Verbs Identifying the subject and verb in a sentence is crucial for understanding its meaning and structure. The cat meows She sings The sun shines
- 7. Phrases and Clauses Phrases and clauses are essential building blocks of sentences. Understanding their functions helps to decipher sentence structure. Phrase A group of related words that lacks a subject-verb pair. Clause A group of words that contains a subject-verb pair, expressing a complete thought. Independent Clause Can stand alone as a sentence. Dependent Clause Cannot stand alone and requires an independent clause.
- 8. Sentence Patterns Sentence patterns refer to the arrangement of words and phrases within a sentence. Understanding these patterns helps to create clear and concise sentences. Subject-Verb The basic sentence structure, with the subject followed by the verb. Subject-Verb-Object Includes a direct object that receives the action of the verb. Subject-Verb-Indirect Object-Direct Object Includes an indirect object that identifies to whom or for whom the action is performed.
- 9. Common Sentence Errors Recognizing common sentence errors is crucial for writing grammatically correct sentences. These errors can hinder clarity and communication. 1 Subject-Verb Disagreement The verb does not agree with the subject in number and person. 2 Pronoun Errors Pronouns do not agree with their antecedents in number, gender, and person. 3 Misplaced Modifiers Modifiers are placed incorrectly in the sentence, leading to confusion about what they modify. 4 Comma Splices Two independent clauses are joined together with only a comma, resulting in a run-on sentence.
- 10. Practice and Application Practice is key to mastering sentence structure. Apply the concepts you've learned through exercises, writing tasks, and real-life examples. Textbook Exercises Practice identifying sentence components and analyzing their structure. Creative Writing Activities Apply your knowledge of sentence structure to create your own unique and engaging sentences.
- 11. Farrel and Kyra have been discussing the material for almost one hour. By the end of this month, we will have finished topic 1. Virda and Sophie are trying to find the answer of the questions.