Constructing Sentences/Phrase/Clause

Words that often accompany D.C.

Words Like: when, while, whenever, before, after, because, if

An appositive phrase is a particular type of noun phrase that renames the word or group of words that precedes it. Appositive phrases usually follow the noun they describe and are set apart by commas.

appositive phrase: My dad, a clock maker, loved antiques. /a clock maker

How to I.D. verbals. Verbals and verbal phrases exemplify the strength of the English language. Look at how verbs can morph into several other parts of speech. They're multi-faceted because they maintain their verbal integrity but have the strength to take on a different character.

1. Gerunds and infinitive can be I.D. by -ing 2. Infinitives can be I.D. by "to" 3. Participles are a little trickier because they can take on either an -ing or -ed/-en ending. So look for their ability to modify a noun

Infinitives Verbal Adjective An infinitive is a verbal that acts as an adjective, adverb, or noun it always begins with "to" An example of an infinitive acting as an adjective:

Infinitive Adjective Example: Now is the best time to start. "to start" = adjective infinitive "to start" modifies time time = noun In this example, the verbal is acting as an adjective because "to start" is modifying the noun "time."

Infinitives Verbal Adverb An infinitive is a verbal that acts as an adjective, adverb, or noun it always begins with "to". An example of an infinitive acting as an adverb

Infinitive Adverb Example: Now is the best time to start. "to start" = adverb infinitive "to start" modifies need need = verb In this example, the verbal is acting as an adverb because "need" is a verb and "to start" is modifying "need."

Infinitives Verbal Noun An infinitive is a verbal that acts as an adjective, adverb, or noun it always begins with "to". An example of an infinitive acting as an noun

Infinitive Noun Example: 1. To succeed in this round was my only hope of a medal. "To succeed" = noun infinitive "To succeed" = subject of the sentence In this example, the verbal is acting as a noun. More specifically, it's the subject of the sentence. 2. Yesterday, I started to read. "to read" = noun infinitive "to read" = direct object started = verb In this example, the verbal is acting as a noun. More specifically, it's the direct object of the verb "started."

Participles Verbals A participle is a verbal that acts as an adjective. There are two kinds of participles: 1. present participles (ending in -ing) and 2. past participles (ending in -ed or -en).

Present Participle Example: 1. The blooming flowers in the vase are stunning. "blooming" = present participle acting as an adjective "flowers" = noun In this example, "blooming" is a verb that's acting as an adjective. It's describing the noun "flowers."

Words That Begin Dependent Clauses Relative Pronouns and Adjectives

Relative Pronouns and Adjectives who, whoever, whom, whomever whose which that when where why how

Words That Begin Dependent Clauses Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating Conjunctions After, as, although before, because, once, since, until, in order that provided that so, so that that if even if, even though though unless, whether, when, whenever, while

Syntax

Syntax is the study of how words are combined to create sentences. In English, words are used to build phrases and clauses, which, in turn, are combined to create sentences.

Infinitives Verbals An infinitive is a verbal that acts as an adjective, adverb, or noun. Always begin with "to"

1. adjective 2. adverb 3. noun

First what are verbals? There are three different types:

1. gerund 2. infinitives 3. participles

Phrases are categorized based on the main word in the phrase. Phrases have NO subject-verb combination Types of Phrases

1. noun phrase 2. verb phrase 3. adjective phrase 4. adverb phrase 5. prepositional phrase

Verbal Phrases There are three kinds of verbal phrases 1. gerund phrase 2. infinitive phrase 3. participle phrase Here is an example of an Infinitive Phases acting as an adjective infinitives begins with "to" Infinitive phrases contain an infinitive, or a verbal acting as an 1. adjective 2. adverb, or 3. noun, and various modifiers. Remember, these verbals are always accompanied by the word "to."

Adjective Infinitive Phrase: begin with a infinitive infinitive + modifiers = verbal phrases 1. Do you have any wine glasses to bring to tonight's dinner party? "to bring" = adjective infinitive "glasses" = noun "to bring" modifies "glasses" "to bring to tonight's dinner party" = infinitive phrase You probably spotted the infinitive "to bring". In this particular example, "to bring" is acting as an adjective. It's modifying the noun "wine glasses". But we're actually looking at an infinitive phrase because there are a couple modifiers. The sentence didn't end with "to bring." It ended with "to bring to tonight's dinner party." 2. She went home to prepare for the dinner party. "to prepare" = adjective infinitive "home" = noun "to prepare" modifies "home" "to prepare for the dinner party" = infinitive phrase In this example, "to prepare" is acting as an adjective. It's modifying the noun "home." But, now, we're looking at an infinitive phrase because there are a couple modifiers. The sentence didn't end with "to prepare." It ended with "to prepare for the dinner party."

Phrases are categorized based on the main word in the phrase. adjective phrases have an adjective

Adjective phrase 1. very friendly / friendly 2. afraid of the dark / afraid

Phrases are categorized based on the main word in the phrase. adverbs phrases have adverbs

Adverb Phases 1. really fast /fast 2. much quicker /quicker

Clauses Have a subject + verb combo

Clauses contain both a subject + predict They can be either 1. independent clause -stand alone - can be a sentence 2. dependent clause -cannot be a sentence 1. He ate dinner - S =He + V =ate can be a sentence independent clause 2. When James got home -S = James + V = got cannot be a sentence dependent clause combine When James got home, he ate dinner. D.C. = When James got home I.C. = He ate dinner

Dependent Clauses and Independent Clauses

Dependent Clause D.C. or subordinate clauses-cannot be a sentence They start with 1. subordinating conjunctions 2. relative pronouns 3. relative adjective This makes them sound incomplete Example: While Charlie was reading the newspaper If you see Mr. Sullivan tomorrow. independent clause I.C.-can be a sentence Dorthy works at a restaurant We don't live in Dallas anymore. If you see Mr. Sullivan tomorrow. Whenever I play a video game, it reminds me of my childhood. DC =Whenever I play a video game IC = it reminds me of my childhood.

Gerund Verbal A gerund is a verbal that acts as a noun. These verbals end in -ing. Gerunds can usually be spotted by its -ing ending.

Gerund Examples: 1. Watching TV is my favorite pastime. watching = gerund watching is also the subject of the sentence. 2. My favorite pastime is watching TV. watching = gerund watching is also the direct object of the verb "is".

Verbal Phrases There are three kinds of verbal phrases 1. gerund phrase 2. infinitive phrase 3. participle phrase Gerund Phrases A gerund phrase contains a gerund, or a verbal acting as a noun, along with some modifiers. Remember, gerunds end in -ing. The words gerund has an N in it, a helpful reminder that the gerund acts as a noun. Therefore, the gerund phrase might act as 1. the subject, 2. the direct object, or 3. the object of the preposition just as another noun would.

Gerund Phrase Example: begin with a gerund gerund + modifiers = verbal phrase 1. Watching her dance sent him into a tailspin. watching = gerund watching = also the subject gerund phrase = "watching her dance" Since it's a gerund, it's a verbal acting as a noun. More specifically, it's the subject of the sentence. Recognize a gerund phrase because there's a gerund with a couple modifiers. The subject of the sentence isn't merely "watching". It's "watching her dance", making it a full gerund phrase. 2. I stopped reading my book. "reading" = gerund "reading my book" = direct object "stopped" = verb "reading my book" = gerund phrase In this example, we have the gerund "reading". This time, it's the direct object of the verb "stopped". Again, we have a gerund phrase because there are a couple modifiers. The direct object of the sentence isn't merely "reading". It's "reading my book". 3. Writing numerous Christmas cards occupies her aunt's time each year. "writing numerous Christmas cards" = gerund phrase

Verbal Phrases There are three kinds of verbal phrases 1. gerund phrase 2. infinitive phrase 3. participle phrase Here's an example of an infinitive phrase acting as a noun: infinitives begins with "to" Infinitive phrases contain an infinitive, or a verbal acting as an 1. adjective 2. adverb, or 3. noun, and various modifiers. Remember, these verbals are always accompanied by the word "to."

Noun Infinitive Phrase: begin with a infinitive- "to" infinitive + modifiers = verbal phrases 1. To marry her eventually was his only goal in life. "to marry" = noun infinitive "to marry" = subject "to marry her eventually" = infinitive phrase In this example, "to marry" is acting as a noun. More specifically, it's the subject of the sentence. However, it didn't end there. This became an infinitive phrase when "to marry" was modified by two more words, becoming "to marry her eventually." 2. She loves to dream during her evening walks. "to dream" = noun infinitive "to dream" = direct object "loves" = verb "to dream during her evening walks." = noun infinitive phrase In this example, "to dream" is acting as a noun. More specifically, it's the direct object of the verb "loves." However, it didn't end there. This became an infinitive phrase when "to dream" was modified by four more words, becoming "to dream during her evening walks."

Phrases are categorized based on the main word in the phrase. Noun phrases emphasize a noun Noun phrases consists of a noun and its modifiers.

Noun phrase: 1. The big, red barn rests beside the vacant chicken house. / house/ noun phrase in a sentence:the vacant chicken house 2. my two wonderful dogs/dogs 3. the tallest building in the world/building

Verbal Phrases There are three kinds of verbal phrases 1. gerund phrase 2. infinitive phrase 3. participle phrase Here's an example of an past participial phrase: Participial phrases contain a participle, or a verbal acting as an adjective, and various modifiers. Remember, there are two kinds of participles: 1. present participles (ending in -ing) and 2. past participles (ending in -ed or -en).

Participle Phrase: participle is a verbal acting as an adjective participle + modifiers = participle phrases Past Participle 2. The boy, frightened by his mother's tone, decided never to do that again. "frightened" = participle "boy" = noun frightened modifies boy "frightened by his mother's tone." = participle phrase In this example, "frightened" is the participle. It's acting as an adjective to the noun "boy". However, now it's a participial phrase because it has a few modifiers, turning it into "frightened by his mother's tone."

Participles Verbals A participle is a verbal that acts as an adjective. There are two kinds of participles: 1. present participles (ending in -ing) and 2. past participles (ending in -ed or -en).

Past Participle Example: 1. The elated dog wagged her tail. "elated" = past participle acting as an adjective "dog" = noun In this example, "elated" is a verb that's acting as an adjective. It's describing the noun "dog." 2. The broken vase was irreparable. "broken" = present participle acting as an adjective "vase" = noun In this example, "broken" is a verb that's acting as an adjective. It's describing the noun "vase."

Phrases

Phrases A phrase is a group of words that communicates a partial idea and lacks either a subject or a predicate. Several phrases may be strung together, one after another, to add detail and interest to a sentence. The animals crossed the large bridge to eat the fish on the wharf.

Phrases and Clauses

Phrases and clauses are made up of either a subject, a predicate, or both. The subject is what the sentence is about. It will be a noun that is usually performing the main actin of the sentence, and it may be accompanied by modifiers. The predicate describes what the subject is doing or being. It contains the verb(s) and any modifiers or objects that accompany it.

Phrases are categorized based on the main word in the phrase. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and ends with an object of the preposition.

Prepositional Phrase 1. The dog is hiding under the porch. /under the porch 2. near the post office / near 3. on the 29th /on

Phrases are categorized based on the main word in the phrase. Verb phrases emphasize a verb verb phrase is composed of the main verb along with its helping verbs

Verb phrase: 1. The chef would have created another souffle, but the staff protested. /would have created 2. couldn't go 2. will be working

Verbal Phrases What makes a verbal phrase?

Verbal phrases include verbals and their modifiers. Verbal Phrases = Verbals + modifiers There are three kinds of verbal phrases 1. gerund phrase 2. infinitive phrase 3. participle phrase In a way, they're exactly the same as verbals, except they have a few added words. Let's take a look at some examples.

What are verbals and verbal phrases?

Verbals are verbs that act as another part of speech i.e. adjectives, adverbs, or nouns. Verbal phrases contain verbals, as well as a couple modifiers. Verbals + modifiers

Verbal Phrases There are three kinds of verbal phrases 1. gerund phrase 2. infinitive phrase 3. participle phrase Here's an example of an present participial phrase: Participial phrases contain a participle, or a verbal acting as an adjective, and various modifiers. Remember, there are two kinds of participles: 1. present participles (ending in -ing) and 2. past participles (ending in -ed or -en).

participle Phrase: participle is a verbal acting as an adjective participle + modifiers = participle phrases Present Participle 1. Speaking very sternly, the mother scolded her little boy. "speaking" = participle "mother" = noun speaking modifies mother "speaking very sternly" = participle phrase In this example, "speaking" is the participle. It's acting as an adjective to the noun "mother." However, now it's a participial phrase because it has the modifier "very sternly." 2. The boy, frightened by his mother's tone, decided never to do that again. "frightened" = participle "boy" = noun frightened modifies boy "frightened by his mother's tone." = participle phrase In this example, "frightened" is the participle. It's acting as an adjective to the noun "boy". However, now it's a participial phrase because it has a few modifiers, turning it into "frightened by his mother's tone."