Parts of A Sentence: Clauses, Phrases and Sentences
Independent Clause
A clause that has a subject and predicate, is independent and can stand alone as a sentence; the emphasized clause in a complex sentence. Unlike the previous one, I am an independent clause. = I am an independent clause.
Phrases
Dependent word groups which have no subject or predicate. After that, under the circumstances, go inside, those guys, etc. By the water, there is an amazing crab shack. = By the water,
Verb Predicate
It is the action that the subject is performing, what is happening (doing or feeling or being) in the sentence. It may contain a base action verb, linking verbs, and helping verbs that form a verb phrase. Verbs must agree with subjects in voice, mood and tense. Is that owl staring at me? = is staring
Delayed Subject
Subjects that appear after the verb: "There are the boys." is pretty much the same as "The boys are there".= boys
Complex Subject
The Simple Subject and all of its modifying words or complements (adjectives, prepositional phrases, etc.). The priceless, stolen, ancient artifact from Egypt was recovered. = priceless, stolen, ancient, from Egypt
Subordinate/Dependent Clause
A clause that has a subject and predicate, but starts with another word; a clause which dependent; a clause which can not stand alone as a sentence; the de-emphasized clause in a complex sentence. Because he felt as if the world was on his shoulders, Carlos experienced a great deal of stress. = Because he felt as if the world was on his, shoulders,
Object of the Preposition
A noun that appears in a prepositional phrase (of, for, with, etc.) I used a basket of apples to make that pie. = apples
Verbal or Gerund Phrase
A phrase that uses a verb as a noun, adjective or adverb rather that functioning as verb of the predicate. It is called a Gerund when it uses the suffix -ing. He made broken promises. = broken; A house divided cannot stand. =divided. they function as nouns. Running in the rain is difficult. = running
Complex Sentence
A sentence made of one independent clause and one ore more dependent clauses. The dependent clause of a complex sentence is offset by a comma. Since you do not understand sentences, I will explain them to you. = you (subject) + do not understand (predicate) are part of the dependent clause or phrase that starts with since; I (subject) + will explain (predicate) stand alone.
Simple Sentence
A sentence made of one independent clause. The fox was playing. = one subject (fox) + one verb predicate (was playing).
Compound Sentence
A sentence made of two equally emphasized independent clauses. The two independent clauses in a compound sentence can be connected using commas and coordinating conjunctions, semicolons or adverbial expressions. Mel Gibson may be a crazy, hateful old man; however, his performance in Braveheart was excellent. Gibson (subject) + is (verb) and performance (subject) = was (verb) both stand alone as independent clauses.
Interrogative Sentence
A sentence that asks a question. Are you crazy?
Compound Complex Sentence
A sentence that contains two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. Although many students enjoy writing these types sentences, they do not know how to properly punctuate them, so we will practice punctuating these sentences correctly.
Imperative Sentence
A sentence that gives an order or command. Sometimes these are actually phrases in which the subject "you" is implied. Keep using Quizlet.
Declarative Sentence
A sentence that makes a statement. It's a jolly holiday with Mary (Disney).
Prepositional Phrase
A word phrase that functions as an adverb or adjective to modify subjects, objects and verbs in the sentence; they start with prepositions (of, near, over, etc.) and answer where, how, or when questions about the subject, action verbs or objects of a sentence. The helicopter hovered above the houses. = above the houses
Object Compliment
Any adverb or adjective or phrase that modifies/describes the subject, verb or objects is a complement. An adjective or phrase that modifies/describes a direct or indirect object of a sentence is a object compliment. I made delicious cookies for my darling niece. = Delicious and darling are object compliments.
Subject Compliment
Any adverb or adjective or phrase that modifies/describes the subject, verb or objects is a complement. An adjective or phrase that modifies/describes a subject of a sentence is a subject compliment. The energetic, friendly dog was tired. = Energetic, friendly and tired are subject compliments.
Verb Complement
Any adverb or adjective or phrase that modifies/describes the subject, verb or objects is a complement. An adjective or phrase that modifies/describes a verb of a sentence is a predicate or verb compliment. I solved the problem swiftly to the car. = Swiftly is a verb compliment.
Adjective Clauses
Clauses that answer who, what, when, whose or which questions; they modify nouns and begin with relative pronouns or demonstrative pronouns. The apples, which Dad grew in the backyard, were part of my lunch. = which Dad grew in the backyard
Indirect Object
It is for what/whom or to what/whom the action of the sentence was performed, a noun that receives the action and direct object of the sentence. I give you my heart. = you
Simple Subject
It is who or what the sentence is about; it is the noun that performs the action of the sentence. The soft kitty sleeps=kitty.
Direct Object
It is whom or what the subject does the action on or to; a noun that shows who or what receives the action expressed by the verb in the sentence. Hand me those scissors = scissors
Complex Predicate
The Simple Verb Predicate and all of its modifying words or complements (adverbs, prepositional phrases, etc.). I deeply, profoundly, passionately love basketball with all of my heart. = Deeply, profoundly, passionately and with all of my heart
Clauses
Word groups which have a subject and a predicate. While the law has changed, those changes do not apply to cases tried before then. = While the law has changed, + those changes do not apply to cases tried before then.