Basic Sentence Structure

Noun Clause

A subordinate clause that acts as a noun. Can be the subject, predicate nominative, appositive, object of a verb, or object of a preposition.

Adjective Clause

A subordinate clause that acts as an adjective. Often begins with a relative pronoun (who, whose, whom, which, that).

Adverb Clause

A subordinate clause that acts as an adverb. Introduced by a subordinating conjunction, such as after, although, because, once, until, and while.

Declarative Sentence

Makes a statement

Clause

Used as a part of speech or part of a sentence; has a verb and its subject.

Indirect Object

Used with a transitive verb - comes before a direct object and answers the question "to whom" or "for whom?" Example: Kyle gave LINDA the keys.

Object Complement

Used with a transitive verb - elaborates on or gives a fuller meaning to a direct object. Can be nouns or adjectives. Example: Karen asked her FRIEND Paulette for a ride.

Direct Objects

Used with a transitive verb - the word or words that receive the action of the verb. Usually nouns, but can be pronouns or noun clauses. Example: The boy dribbled the BASKETBALL

Subject-Verb Agreement

Subjects and verbs must agree in number and person.

Complement

The additional parts of a sentence (besides subject and predicate) that are needed to complete the meaning. Include direct object, object complement, indirect object, predicate adjective, and predicate nominative.

Simple Predicate

The fundamental part of the complete predicate. The verb(s) that are in the complete predicate.

Simple Subject

The fundamental part of the complete subject. The main noun(s) and pronoun(s). Never in a prepositional phrase.

Special SVA Situations

1. "Only one of those" uses a SINGULAR verb, while "one of those" uses a PLURAL verb. 2. "Every" or "many a" before a word/group of words uses a SINGULAR verb. 3. "The number" uses a SINGULAR verb, while "a number" uses a PLURAL verb. 4. "More than one" uses a SINGULAR verb. 5. Collective nouns may use either singular or plural nouns depending on how you are using them (as one unit or the members separately). 6. When a quantity (money, time, etc.) is used as one unit, use a SINGULAR verb. 7. Some nouns look plural but actually name one person place or thing, so should use a SINGULAR verb (ex. The United States). 8. When words like "pants" are used alone, use a PLURAL verb, but when used with "a pair of," use a SINGULAR verb.

Prepositional Phrase

A group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun. Act as adjectives or adverbs. Example: during the storm

Appositive Phrase

A noun or pronoun phrase that gives details or identifies another noun or pronoun. Example: My favorite book, THE GIVER, was written by Lois Lowry.

Predicate Nominatives

A noun or pronoun that comes after a linking verb and gives you more information about the subject. Example: That man over there is BEN.

Predicate Adjectives

An adjective that comes after a linking verb and describes the subject of the sentence. Example: Crystal is INTELLIGENT.

Interrogative Sentence

Asks a question

Nonrestrictive (Nonessential/Nondefining) Clause

Can be eliminated from the sentence without changing its basic meaning.

Subordinate Clause

Cannot stand alone as a sentence - must be attached to an independent clause.

Participial Phrase, Gerund Phrase, and Infinitive Phrase

Combine a participle/gerund/infinitive with related words to describe a noun or pronoun.

Compound Subjects (SVA)

Compound subjects (subjects joined by "and") usually use a PLURAL verb. If they are thought of as one unit (ex. PB&J), use a SINGULAR verb. Singular subjects joined by "or" or "nor" use a SINGULAR verb, while plural subjects joined by "or" or "nor" use a PLURAL verb. Mixed compound subjects that use "or" or "nor" uses the number of the subject that is closest to the verb.

Independent Clause

Could stand alone as a sentence.

Exclamatory Sentence

Expresses strong emotion

Pronouns (SVA)

Indefinite pronouns must be examined to determine the number for the verb. Plural pronouns include both, few, many, others, and several. Singular pronouns include another, anybody, anyone, anything, each, either, everybody, everyone, everything, much, neither, no one, nobody, nothing, one, other, somebody, someone, and something. SOME PRONOUNS are sometimes singular and sometimes plural: all, any, most, none, and some. In these cases, the object of the prepositional phrase determines the number.

Imperative Sentence

Issues a command, makes a request, or gives instructions

Restrictive (Essential/Defining) Clause

Necessary to the basic meaning of the sentence

Complete Subject

Person, place, or thing that the sentence is about, along with all the words that modify it.

Here and There (SVA)

Sentences that begin with "here" or "there" use a SINGULAR verb when the subject is singular, and a PLURAL verb when the subject is plural. Example: "Here IS your ice cream." versus "Here ARE your books."

Prepositions (SVA)

Verbs are often incorrectly made to agree with a word that is not the subject (such as in a prepositional phrase). Disregard prepositional phrases when deciding which form of a verb to use. Example: The tray of ice cubs HAS fallen on the floor.

Complete Predicate

What the person, place, or thing is doing, or what condition the person, place, or thing is in.

Mixed Numbers (SVA)

When a sentence has a plural subject and a singular predicate nominative (or vice versa), be sure that the verb agrees with the subject, NOT the predicate nominative. Example: "Lilies are my favorite flower." versus "My favorite flower is lilies."