1.( Lesson I).

The Subject and Verb in the simple sentence

2. .A sentence is a group of words that gives us a sense of completeness.

a. The barking dog
b. The dog is barking.
A
Which group of words is a sentence- a or b
3. This group of words is a sentence because it gives us a sense of (completeness /
incompleteness)
4. This group of words gives us a sense of completeness because it
(1) names what we are talking about, and (2) tells something about it.
Which two words belong to the naming part of the sentence?
THE DOG
----------------------

------------------------------

5. Which two words belong to the naming part of the sentence and telling part of
the sentence?

IS BARKING

6.

A. The argument was useless

B.A useless argument

Which group of words is a sentence because it gives us a

sense of completenessa or b?

7.

Which

group

a.

Helping her friend.

b.

With the help of her friend.

c.

Ananya helped her friend.

of

words

is

sentence

because

sense of completenessa, b, or c_______________

it

gives

us

8.The naming part of the sentence is called the complete subject. A complete
subject is usually built around a noun (or pronoun) that is known as the simple
subject.
The complete subject is likely to be( shorter / longer ) than the subject, as we
usually call it.
_______________________________________________

SHORTER

9. The old black dog wagged its long tail.

The complete subject of this sentence consists of four words. The old black dog.

The actual subject, is the one word______________? DOG

10. The old black dog wagged its long tail.

The telling part of a sentence is called the complete predicate.

The complete predicate of this sentence consists of __________ words ( how many?)
4 WORDS

11. The complete predicate is built around the verb. A verb makes or helps to make a
statement about the subject.
The old black dog wagged its long tail.

The verb around which the complete predicate is built around is the one word -------. WAGGED

12.The subject and verb are the most important words in any sentence because they carry most
of the meaning.
Two young boys / rang our doorbell.

The subject of this sentence is the noun __BOYS________

The verb is the word__ RANG________
13. Two young boys rang our doorbell.
Indicate the subject and verb in the following sentence
14.

A beautiful red bike | parked in front of our house.

The subject bike and the verb parked carry more of the meaning of this sentence than any
other two words we could possibly choose. (True, False).
TRUE
15. Verbs have a special characteristic that helps us to identify them. Verbs are the only words
that can show by a change in their spelling whether they mean present or past time-for
example, cookcooked, seesaw, speakspoke.
What is the past form of the verb jump? _________

16.

PRESENT:
PAST:

JUMPED

I never play the flute.

I never played the flute.

In the changing of this sentence from present to past time, the only word that changed was the
verb _

PLAY

17. PRESENT: Some of the boys go to school.

PAST: Some of the boys went to school.

Because go is the only word that changed, we can be say

that it is a VERB________.
18. A small number of verbs have the same form for both present and past time; for example
hit, cut, let, put, hurt, cost.
a. We hit the ball back and forth.
b. We bat the ball back and forth.
In

which

sentence

could

the

past time?_____________

verb

mean

either

present

or

Identify the subject and mark S, identify the verb and mark it V.

19. Players from both teams scrambled over the field.

S

20. A huge, spreading maple stands in front of the church.

S
V
21. A large white cat with yellow patches emerged from the bushes.
S
v
22. An expensive silver pin disappeared from the counter.
S
V
23. The pond across the road seldom freezes before December.
S
V
24. My only key to the house fell through a crack in the steps.
S
v
25. A big green milk truck
This group of words is only a subject. There is no predicate to tell what the truck did or what
happened to it.
A big green milk truck

a. ahead of a car.
b. stopped suddenly.

Which group of words is a predicatea or b? B

26. Do not mistake words or phrases that merely describe the subject for a predicate. A
predicate must have a verb to help make a statement about the subject.
A large crowd

A. of curious and noisy youngsters

B. surrounded the TV trucks.
Which group of words is a predicate ? B _
27. In this and the following frames, write S if the word group is just a subject; P if it is just a
predicate; SP if it has both a subject and predicate that form a complete sentence. (Capitals and
periods are omitted so as not to reveal the answer.)
most large European cities

28. S, P, or SP?
complained about the very slow service

29. S,P, or SP?

the music stopped

SP

30.S, P, or SP?
supplies electric power to several states P
31. S,P, or SP?
my dad has a good sense of humor.

SP

32.S, P, or SP?
a bottle of red ink

33 S, P, or SP?

the marble on our kitchen floor

34. S, P, or SP?

some parts of the world get mail only once or twice a year
35.S, P, or SP?
moves through the water by a kind of jet propulsion P

SP

36 S, P, or SP?
the kind old doctor in this small town

37. S, P, or SP?
a giant explosion with the force of a billion atom bombs
sometimes occurs on the sun SP
38. S, P, or SP?
several families in our neighborhood S
39.The predicate of a sentence makes a sentence about the SUBJECT
40.Every word in a sentence belongs to either the complete
subject or the complete PREDICATE.

41. The heart of the complete subject is the subject.

The heart of the complete predicate is the simple predicate
commonly called the VERB..
42.When we change a sentence from present to past or from past to present, the only word that
would ordinarily change is the VERB

43.

( Lesson 2)

A Closer Look at Subject and Verbs

44.One or more helping verbs (sometimes called auxiliary verbs) are often used with the main
verb to express our meaning more exactly.
The rope will break.
The helping verb used with break to make its meaning more exact is --

will

45.The rope will break. The rope might break.

The

meaning

of

the

first

sentence

the helping verb from will to ____________________

changes

when
might

we

change

46.

Mary can rescue the child.

Mary should rescue the child.

The

meaning

of

the

first

sentence

changes

when

the helping verb from can to_________________.

47.

we

change

should

a. Mary settled the argument.

b. Mary could have settled the argument.

In sentence a, the main verb is used by itself.

In sentence b, two helping verbs have been added to change
its meaning_________
and _________

48.

could have

Learn to recognize these important helping verbs:

HELPING VERBS: shall, will, may, can, could, would, should, must, might
Varsha ___________ study
Could each of these helping verbs be used with the main verb study? (Yes, No)

YES

49. The three verbs below may serve as either main verbs or helping verbs.
be (is, am, arewas, were, been) have (has, had) do (does, did)
Which verb has the largest number of forms?

50.

_______________

BE

a.The weather is bad.

b.The weather is improving.

In one sentence is serves as the main verb; in the other, as a helping verb.
Does is serve as a helping verb in sentence a or b?
51.

a. I have brought my camera along.

b. I have my camera with me.
is have used as a helping verb in sentence a or b? a.

52.

a. We did the work.

b.Yes, we did complete the work.

Is did used as a helping verb in sentence a or b? _

53.

In

which

a.

I have studied my lesson.

b.

I should have studied my lesson.

c.

I should have been studying my lesson.

sentence

does

the

verb

have

the

largest

of helping verbs? ___________

number
C

54.The driver should have been watching the road.

The three helping verbs are _SHOULD_ HAVE _ , and _BEEN________.
55.The complete verb in any sentence includes the main verb plus whatever helping verbs it
may have.

The driver should have been watching the road.

The complete verb in this sentence consists of ________ words ( how many?) FOUR
56.We shall now for a moment, need to turn our attention to adverbs, which most commonly
modify verbs.
This has happened quickly
Because frequently modifies the verb has happened, it is an ________.

ADVERB

57. a. This has happened frequently

b. This has frequently happened.
In which sentence does the adverb frequently break into or interrupt the verb.?_____ B

58.a.This engine will immediately start in the coldest weather.

b. This engine will start immediately in the coldest weather.
In which sentence does the adverb immediately break into or interrupt the verb.?_____ A

59. One should immediately try artificial respiration.

What adverb comes between the main verb and its helper?---

immediately

60.There is something else besides adverbs that can separate a main verb from its helper.

STATEMENT : She can drive

QUESTION

: Can she drive?

. The verb can drive is interrupted in the ( statement or question).

question

61. STATEMENT : Dad will take the bike tonight

QUESTION

: Will Dad take the bike tonight ?

The verb will want is interrupted in the ( statement or question). ____

QUESTION

62. Will Dad take the bike tonight ?

The main verb want is separated from its helper will by the subject _____ DAD
63.Most of the questions we ask begin with a helping verb.
a. will this pen write ? b. Is the water boiling? C. who borrowed my book? D. Does he like
apples?

Which is the only one of the above questions that does not begin with a helping verb ____ C

64. A helping verb is the signal that a question is coming.

a will this pen write ?
b. Does he like apples?
In each of these questions, we find the subject between the two parts of the ______? VERBS

65.Does this key fit?

The verb in this sentence consists of the two words_________________________ DOES
FIT
66.Must the tire be changed?
The verb in this sentence consists of the three words________________________ MUST
BE CHANGED
67.Sometimes, for emphasis, we put the verb ahead of its subject.

a. The rain came down.

b. Down came the rain.
B
In which sentence does the verb precede the subject? ______________________
68.You are more likely to select the right subject if you look for the verb first.
Out jumped the rabbit.
After you find the verb Jumped, ask yourself, Who or what jumped? The answer
will always tell you the subject.
The subject of this sentence is___________________ RABBIT
69.This story the class really enjoyed.
First find the verb-enjoyed. Then ask yourself, Who or what enjoyed?
The subject of this sentence is __________________ CLASS
70.In this and the following frames, underscore the verb with two lines; then
underscore the subject with one line:
To this old inn came a strange visitor.
71.Underline the verb and its subject:
Away sped the blue car.
72.Underline the verb and its subject:
Here stands the monument to Frederick Douglass.
73.Under line the verb and its subject. Dont overlook the helping verb.
Never has our team played any better.
74.Under line the verb and its subject:
Neither did Pam receive an invitation.
75.Under line the verb and its subject:
Must each member participate in the discussion?
76.Under line the verb and its subject:
Where does Mother keep the tools?
77.Underline the verb (three words) and its subject:

Can this dress be washed in soap and water?

78.Can a verb consist of more than one word? (Yes, No)
79 a.Shall, could, should, can, must, might
b.Soon, never, now, always, not, surely
Which group of words consists of helping verbs?_____________
80. A man verb is sometimes separated from its helper by other words. (True, False)
81.The subject always comes ahead of the verb in every sentence. (True, False)
82.You are less likely to make a mistake in selecting the subject and the verb if you
select the _____________first.

83.

Lesson 3
Two Sentence Patterns Built on Action Verbs

84.Nearly every simple sentence that we make falls into one of three basic patterns.
Two of these patterns involve action verbs.
Underline the one verb which indicates an action:
Was pushed

seemed

85.Some action verbs indicate actions of the body; others indicate actions of the
mind.
a. Worked, drove, washed, wrote, lifted
b. Thought, hoped, believed, decided, understood
Which group of verbs indicates actions of the mind_________ a or b?
86.Action verbs can sometimes make complete statements about their subjects
without the need of any other words.
a. Harvey stumbled.
b. Harvey sharpened
Does the action verb make a completes statement about its subject in a or b?____________
87
a. . Our guest brought
b. Our guest arrived

Does the action verb make a complete statement about its subject in a or b?
________________
88. The action verb that makes a complete statement about its subject gives us our
first sentence pattern:
PATTERN I: Subject ________ Action Verb
a. Our guest brought
b. Our guest arrived.
Which word group represents Pattern I? _____________
89.Any sentence is Pattern I if the action verb by itself makes a complete
statement about its subject-no matter how many other words and phrases may be
present.
a. Our guest arrived.
b. Our guest from Ohio arrived by plane this morning.
Both a and b are Pattern I sentences. (True, False)
90.Our guest from Ohio arrived by plane this morning.
This is a Pattern I sentence because Our guest arrived is (Complete, incomplete)
in its meaning.
91
a. The coaches agreed with each other.
b. The coaches compared the two teams.
Read just the subject and verb in each sentence, omitting the words that follow
them.
Which sentence is Pattern I because the verb by itself can make a statement about
its subject that is complete in meaning? ______________
92.
a. The coaches agreed
b. The coaches compared
Which group of words requires the addition of other words to complete its meaning?
____________
93.

The coaches compared (What?)

What did the coaches compare _______the fans, the stadiums, or the teams? We
dont know.
Until we answer this question, the meaning of the sentence is (complete,
incomplete)
94. The Coaches compared the two teams.
Now we know what the coaches compared, and the meaning of our sentence is
complete.
Which word follows the verb compared to complete the meaning of the sentence?
_________________
95.A word that follows a verb and completes the meaning of a sentence is known
as a complement, which is the grammar name for a completer.
A complement, or completer, is sometimes needed after a verb to
_______________the meaning of a sentence.
96.The police blocked the road.
Because the noun road is needed to complete the meaning of this sentence, it is a
_________________
97.The kind of complement that receives the action of the verb or shows the result
of this action is called a direct object.
The teacher will correct the tests.
Which word is a direct object because it receives the action of the verb will
correct? ________________
98.The cashier made a slight mistake.
Which word is a direct object because it shows the result of the action of the verb
Made? ___________
99.
a. The company manufactures trucks.
b. The company repairs trucks.
In one sentence, the trucks already exist and receive the action of the verb; in the
other, the trucks are the result of the action.
The direct object receives the action in sentence (a, b). _________________________
100.The sentence that contains a direct object gives us our second sentence
pattern.

PATTERN II: Subject ____Action Verb Direct Object

A sentence in Pattern II has three basic parts.
The third basic part is the __________________object.
101.PATTERNS II: The Speaker showed a movie of his travels.
Notice that the action begins with the subject and ends with the direct object. The
direct object of an action verb is the goal of its action.
Which word is the direct object in the example above?
102.Dont mistake another word that may follow an action verb for a direct object.
To be a direct object, a word must either receive the action of the verb or show
the result of this _____
103.
a. Mr. Price returned recently.
b. Mr. Price returned the money.
104.Does the word recently or money receive the action of the verb returned?
_____________________
a. Mr. Price returned recently.
b. Mr. Price returned the money.
Which sentence contains a direct object? ________________________
105.
a. The rain stopped the game
b. The rain stopped suddenly.
Which sentence contains a direct object? _____________________________
106.Pattern I is built around a two-part framework: a subject and an action verb.
Pattern II is built around a three-part framework: a subject, an action verb, and a
_____________
107.
a. All good citizens vote on Election Day.
b. All good citizens cast their vote on Election Day.
Which sentence is Pattern II because the verb is followed by a direct object?
__________________

108
a. Each student keeps a list of every misspelled word.
b. The wheezing motor finally stopped completely.
Which sentence is Pattern II because the verb is followed by a direct object?
_________________
109.The bowler threw keeper a ball.
After the verb threw, we have two nouns_________ keeper and ball. To decide
which is the direct object, ask yourself, What did the bowler throw?
The direct object is the noun _________________
110. The bowler threw keeper a ball..
What does the noun keeper do? It shows to whom the pitcher threw the ball. We
call such a noun (or pronoun) an indirect object.
ball is the direct object; keeper is the ___________________________object.
111.The bowler threw keeper a ball.
The indirect object keeper comes (before, after) the direct object ball.
____________________
112.
a. The pitcher threw Reggie a fast curve.
b. The pitcher threw him a fast curve.
In which sentence is the indirect object not a noun but a pronoun?
_______________________
113. An indirect object can show to what, as well as to whom, something was
done.
These shoes give your feet more support.
The noun support is the ______________________object.
The noun feet is the _________________________object.
114.Besides showing to whom (or to what) something was done, an indirect
object can also show for whom (or for what) something was done.
Shreya sang us a song.
For whom did Shreya sing? For ___________________________

115.Shreya sang us a song.

The direct object is __________________________
The indirect object is _________________________
116.Shreya sang us a song.
As it always does when it is present, the indirect object comes (before, after) the
direct object.
117.The club bought the church a new organ.
The indirect object is the noun___________________________
118.An indirect object shows to whom or what or _________________
Whom or what something is done.
119.An indirect object __________if one is present ____________always comes before
the direct object, and the word to or for is understood but never used.
a. I offered Frank my ticket.
b. I offered my ticket to Frank.
Is Frank an indirect object in sentence a or b? _______________________________
120. An indirect objet tells to whom or for whom by its position alone_________ by
coming before the direct object. A noun or pronoun used with to or for is never an
indirect object.
a. Jan found a better job for her friend
b. Jan found her friend a better job.
Is friend an indirect object in sentence a or b?
121
a. This machine will save much time.
b. This machine will save the company much time.
The noun time is the direct object in both sentences. Which sentence also contains
an indirect object? _
122.Father made the boys some sandwiches.
The direct obect is _____________________________
The indirect obect is ____________________________
123.A sentence in Pattern II always contains an action verb and its direct object.

Does it always contain an indirect object? (Yes, No)

124In this and the following frames, S = Subject, V = Verb, IO = Indirect Object, DO
= Direct Object
Fill the missing word.
This bakery makes the best doughnuts in town.
S

DO

Bakery

Makes

____________________

125. Anyone can show you the way to the bridge.

Fill in the missing words:
S

Anyone

IO

__________

DO

__________

________________ Way.

126.Franklins experiments with electricity brought him international

fame.
Fill in the missing words:
S

Experiments

IO
brought

DO

________________

______________________

127.The editor gave a better title to my article.

Fill in the missing words:
S

Editor

DO
gave

_____________________

128.The editor gave my article a better title.

Fill in the missing words:
S

Editor
____________________

IO
gave

DO
___________________

129.The Sentence Pattern Built on

Linking Verbs

Lesson 4
130.Suppose that you wish to point out that your friend Henry is happy. You would
not be likely to say _____
Happy Henry
Henry happy
131.Is either of these pairs of words a sentence? (Yes, No)
a. Happy Henry
b. Henry happy
c. Henry is happy
Which one of these groups of words is a sentence? _________________
132.
a. Henry happy
b. Henry is happy
The adjective happy by itself cannot make a statement about Henry.
We change a to a sentence by adding the verb _____________________
133.Henry happy
Henry is happy.
The verb is helps to turn the adjective happy into a statement about the subject
__________________ 134.
a. Henry washed the car.
b. Henry is happy.
Which sentence does not contain an action verb? ________________________
135.Henry is happy.
The verb is does not show action like washed or fixed. What does it do?
The verb is ties up or links the adjective happy with the subject ______________
which it describes.
136.Henry was the chairman
In this sentence, the verb was ties up or links the noun ______________with the
subject Henry, which it identifies.
137.

Henry is happy
Henry was the chairman
A verb like is called a linking verb because it links a noun, pronoun, or adjective
that follows it with the ____________ of the sentence.
138.Be is by far the most common Linking verb. Be sure that you can recognize its
various forms.
FORMS OF BE: is, am, are was, were, been
The crops . Good.
Which two forms of be could be used to link good with crops in the above
sentence? _______, _______
139.FORMS OF BE: Is, am, are ___was, were, been
I .. the first speaker.
Which two forms of be could be used to link speaker with I in the above sentence?
________, ________
140.We have seen that some action verbs make complete statements about their
subjects and that others do not.
a. The engine started.
b. The engine uses.
In which sentence does the action verb make a complete statements? ___________________
141.However, a linking verb cannot by itself make a complete statement about its
subject.
Since the purpose of a link is to connect two things, a linking verb must be followed
by a complement that it can link with the ________________of the sentence.
142.The paint was .. (What?)
Was the paint wet, dry, or sticky?
Until we add a word that the linking verb was can connect with the subject, the
meaning of the sentence is (complete, incomplete)
143.The paint was sticky.
We have how completed our sentence by adding the complement sticky.
The complement sticky describes the subject _____________________

144.Now instead of using an adjective to complete our sentence, we shall use a

noun as our complement.
Angela was (What?)
Angela was the driver.
145.The complement driver completes the meaning of the sentence and identifies
the subject____________
A complement that follows a linking verb and describes or identifies the subject is
sometimes called a predicate nominative, predicate adjective or subject
complement. In this text, we shall use the term subject complement. It is called a
subject complement because it describes or identifies the _________
146.The subject complement brings us to our third sentence pattern:
PATTERN III: Subject _______Linking Verb Subject Complement
a. A forest ranger guards our forests.
b. AS forest rangers life is rather lonely.
Which sentence is an example of Pattern III? _______________________
147.Some cameras are very expensive.
The subject complement that follows the linking verb in this sentence is
________________
148.FORMS of BE: is, am, are ___was, were, been
Although a form of be can be used b itself as a linking verb, it is often used as a
helper with the main verb.
a. The leaves are green.

b. The leaves are falling.

In which sentence is are used as a helper? __________________

149.
a. The leaves are green.

b. The leaves are falling

Which sentence contains a subject complement? ______________________

150.The fans were cheering.
The fans were enthusiastic.
One of the italicized words is part of an action verb; the other is a subject
complement.

The subject complement is the word __________________

151.Be is not the only linking verb. Among other verbs that can serve as linking
verbs are seem, become, appear, look, feel, and get (when it means become).
The linking verb in this sentence is _____________________________
The animals cold.
152.Underline the two words that can be used as linking verbs in the above
sentence.
Feel

like

look

avoid

153.The animals . . . cold.

Underline the two words that can be used as linking verbs in the above sentence to
make cold describe animals.
Fear

become

prefer

get

154.You can be sure that a verb is a linking verb if you can put some form of be (is,
am, are was, were, been) in its place.
155.
a. The customer feels the material.
b. The weather feels muggy.
In which sentence can you substitute is for feels? ________________
a. The customer feels the material.
b. The weather feels angry.
In one sentence feels is used as an action verb; in the other it is used as a linking
verb.
In which sentence is it used as a linking verb? ___________________
156.
a. The restaurant looked crowded.
b. The speaker looked at his watch.
In which sentence can you substitute was for looked? __________________
157.
a. The restaurant looked crowded.
b. The speaker looked at his watch.

In one sentence, looked is used as an action verb; in the other, as a linking verb for
which we could substitute was.
In which sentence is looked used as a linking verb and followed by a subject
complement? ___________
158.We have now studied two kinds of complements: direct objects and subject
complements. With a little reasoning, we can avoid confusing the two.
A direct object can follow only an action verb.
A subject complement always follows a _________________verb.
159.Usually the subject and direct object are two different things, and the action
passes from one to the other.
1--------------------- > 2
The heavy downpour flooded many basements.
The action passes from downpour to __________________________________
160.A subject complement, however, always means the same thing as the subject
or describes the subject. We are dealing with one thing not two.

1-------------

a. Mrs. Ford hired a lawyer.

1-----------1
b. Mrs. Ford is a lawyer.

The noun lawyer is a subject complement in sentence (a, b)

161.
a. The owner of the restaurant hired a new cook.
b. The owner of the restaurant is the cook.
In which sentence is the noun cook a subject complement because it means the
same person as the subject? __________________________
162.The owner of the restaurant is energetic.
Because the adjective energetic describes the subject owner and is not something
apart from it, energetic is a (subject complement, direct object).
163.
a. Otters are animals
b. Otters are playful animals.

In both sentences, the noun animals is a subject complement that identifies the
subject Otters. In sentence b, we added the adjective playful to describe the noun
animals.
In sentence b, the subject complement is (playful, animals)
164.Do not mistake an adjective that describes the subject complement for the
subject complement of the sentence.
Otters are playful animals.
The subject complement in this sentence is (the noun animals, the adjective
playful).
165.S = Subject,

LV=Linking Verb,

SC = Subject Complement

This shallow lake often gets extremely rough.

Fill in the missing words:
S

LV

Lake _______

SC
_________

S = Subject, LV = Linking Verb, SC = Subject Complement

Here was the powerful queen of the old Greek gods.
Fill in the missing words:
S

LV

Hera _______

SC
_________

S = Subject, LV = Linking Verb, SC = Subject Complement

An officer should feel responsible for those in his unit.
Fill in the missing words:
S

LV

SC

_____ should feel

__________

The drunken driver is the greatest danger on our highways today/

Fill in the missing words:
S

LV

Driver _______

SC
___________

The young children in the back seat were becoming very restless.
Fill in the missing words.
S

LV

_____ _______

SC
______

The coach of the other team was looking worried.

Fill in the missing words:
S

LV

_____ _____

SC
_____

Reviewing Basic Sentence Patterns

Lesson 5
Some action verbs can make complete statements about their subjects. Other
action verbs require another word to complete the meaning of the sentence.
An action verb is (always, sometimes) followed by a direct object.
a. The price of steel rose as a result of the strike.
b. The price rose.
Although sentence a provides more detail than sentence b, the verb rose makes a
(complete, incomplete) statement about the subject in both sentences.
The price of steel rose as a result of the strike.
Does the verb rose require a complement to complete the meaning of this
sentence? (Yes, No)
Here are two different action verb patterns:
Subject_____________ Action Verb (S-V)
Subject_____________ Action Verb Direct Object (S_V_DO)
Several athletes from our school competed.
The pattern of this sentence is (S-V, S-V-DO)

Subject-Action Verb (S-V)

Subject-Action VerbDirect Object (S-V-DO)
Anais Nin filled many diaries with her careful observations of people.
The pattern of this sentence is (S-V, S-V-DO).
a. Our teacher will return in a few days.
b. Our teacher will return the test papers
Which sentence is in the S-V-DO pattern? ________________
a. The Principal spoke a few words.
b. The principal spoke briefly.
Which sentence is in the S-V-DO pattern? _________________
In addition to a direct object the S-V-DO sentence sometimes contains an indirect
object, which explains to whom (or to what) or for whom (or for what) something is
done.
a. Mr. Harvey sold his stamp collection recently.
b. Mr. Harvey sold my sister his stamp collection.
Which sentence contains an indirect object? ___________________
Mr. Harvey sold my sister his stamp collection.
The indirect object in this sentence is _________________________

There are five basic patterns around which most English

sentences are built.* They are as follows:
S-V

Subject-Verb

John sleeps.
Jill is eating.
Jack will arrive next week.

S-V-O

Subject-Verb-Object

I like rice.

She loves her job.

He's eating an orange.
S-V-Adj

Subject-Verb-Adjective

He is funny.
The workers are lazy.
Kiran seems angry.

S-V-Adv

Subject-Verb-Adverb

Jim is here.
Flowers are everywhere.
No one was there.

S-V-N

Subject-Verb-Noun

She is my mom.
The men are doctors.

Mr. Rajesh is the teacher.

At the heart of every English sentence is the Subject-Verb relationship. Other elements can be
added to make a sentence more interesting, but they are not essential to its formation.

The following sentences are examples of the S-V pattern.

She sleeps.

Core sentence

She sleeps soundly.

An adverb is added to describe how she sleeps.

She sleeps on the sofa.

A prepositional phrase is added to tell where she sleeps.

She sleeps every afternoon.

A time expression (an adverb phrase) is added to tell when

she sleeps.

She is sleeping right now.

Verb tense is changed, but S-V relationship remains the

same.

Mary will sleep later.

Subject is named and another tense is used.

The dogs are sleeping in the garage. New subject may require a different form of the verb.
Note: Any action verb can be used with this sentence pattern.

The following sentences are examples of the S-V-O pattern.

They like rice.

Core sentence

The people like rice.

Specific subject

The friendly people like rice.

Subject modified with an adjective

The people in the restaurant like

rice.

Subject modified with an adjective phrase.

The people like boiled rice.

Object modified with an adjective

The people like hot, white rice.

Object modified with more than one adjective

Note: Only transitive action verbs can be used with this sentence pattern.

The following sentences are examples of the S-V-Adj pattern.

He is fine.

Basic sentence with "be" verb

He seems happy.

Basic sentence with another linking verb

Jordan is tall, dark and handsome.

Series of adjectives

He appears very comfortable.

Adverb or intensifier added

George became sick last night.

Different tense and linking verb

Note: Only linking verbs can be used with this sentence pattern.

The following sentences are examples of the S-V-Adv

pattern.
The teacher is here.

Basic sentence

The teacher is over there.

Using an adverb phrase

Teachers are everywhere.

Plural noun and verb used, adverb.

The teachers are in the lobby.

Prepositional phrase functioning as adverb

Note: Only linking verbs can be used with this sentence pattern.

The following sentences are examples of the S-V-N pattern.

The man is a doctor.

Basic sentence

The women are doctors.

Using plural noun and verb

My father is a nice guy.

Modified subject and complement

My grandparents are senior citizens. Modified plural subject and complement

Note: Only linking verbs can be used with this sentence pattern.
*Other, less common structures are dealt with in another unit.
Remember, the S - V relationship is at the "heart" of every sentence. All sentences are built
around this core.
To give a sentence more substance, you may enhance the subject or verb:
(VERB enhancements)

1. Change the verb in tense or aspect or a combination of the

two.
He eats.

(simple present)

He will eat.

(future/modal)

He is eating.

(continuous)

He has eaten.

(perfect)

He has been eating.

(combination)

He should have been eating. (combination)

2. Add an adverb or adverb phrase, or prepositional phrase.

He should have eaten already/ by now. He was eating in the kitchen.

3. Add an adverbial clause.

He was eating when the bus arrived.

4. Add a participial phrase.

Having finished his homework, he ate.
(SUBJECT enhancements)

5. Change the noun to a pronoun or vice versa.

He eats.
John eats.

6. Add an article, demonstrative, or possessive.

The man eats.
This man eats.
His father eats.
Note: Subjects and Objects may be enhanced in similar ways.

7. Add an object.
Subject

Object

John eats rice.

The man eats an apple.

8. Add an adjective or adjectives.

The handsome man eats.

The man eats the big, red apple.

9. Add a prepositional phrase.

The man in the kitchen eats.

The man eats an apple from the bowl.

10. Add a relative (adjective) clause.

The man who lives next door eats.

The man ate the apple that I bought.

11. Use quantifiers.

Some of the men eat.

They eat some of the apples.

12. Use a noun clause.

Whoever gets here first can eat.

He eats whichever apple he chooses.

Enhance both the subject and the verb to make sentences more interesting.
The man who lives on the corner is eating his lunch now.
The men from the health club eat every day after working out.
The tall, green men from Mars are eating tuna sandwiches.
Some of the men ate the apples (that) I left on the table.
Whenever he feels like exercising, the fat man eats a huge meal instead.
Basic Sentence Structures
S-V

He sleeps.

S-LV-N

He is a doctor.

S-V-O

She eats rice.

S-LV-Adj

The doctor is sick.

S-V-IO-DO

She told him a lie.

S-LV-Adv

The doctor is here.

Coordinators

Coordinators connect elements of equal importance.

S + V , but S + V

(and, but, so, or, nor, for*, yet)

S + V and V
S and S + V
N and N
Adj. and Adj.
Phrase and Phrase
Can be used in a series: A, B, C, or D

Subordinators
Subordinators connect elements of unequal importance. One clause is not as strong as the other.
S + V although S + V

(although, even though, because, since*,

when, while, before*, after*, whenever,
wherever*, if, unless, whether?[or not]
as, as [adjective] as, so that, whereas
anywhere*, anytime*)

Although S + V , S + V

Sentence Connectors
Sentence Connectors connect paragraphs or show relationship between very different ideas.

S + V . However, S + V

(however, therefore, thus, moreover,

nevertheless, first*, then*, next*, still*

S + V ; however, S + V

besides, consequently, furthermore)

Prepositions
Prepositions show relationship among elements of a sentence. They are followed by noun
phrases only and cannot take on a S + V.
S + V (prep. phrase)

(during, after*, before*, in, on, at

despite, in spite of, for*, since*, by

(Prep. phrase), S + V

like, except, but*, about, to*, from

between [A and B], among, with

(Prep. phrase) V + S (unusual)

within, without, beside, near, next to)

* These words have more than one function

What can be the subject of a sentence?

A noun:
Jonathan loves chocolates.
Mrs. Smith lives next door to the barber shop.
The yellow dog makes me nervous.
Crocodiles are very dangerous.

A pronoun:
It isn't time yet.
They went to sleep at 9:00.
Are you coming to the dance?
Words like everyone, everybody, everything, something, anybody, nothing, no one
Everything is ready.
Is everyone here?
Is anybody home?
Quantifiers with nouns/pronouns

Without nouns/pronouns.

Some of the pie was gone.

Some (count) are here. Some (non-count) is not.

Some of the pies were gone.

All is well. All are watching.

Both of them are in the foyer.

Both are correct. (as a group)

Neither of them is in the foyer.

Neither is correct. (separately)

None of those people are nice.

(all of them are not nice)

None of those people is my friend.

(not any individual)

Noun clauses
Whoever left the food on the table is in trouble.
What you say is not important.
How you do it is up to you.

"Dummy" subjects
There are five people in the room.
There is some milk in the refrigerator.

Be careful
In most cases, the words before the verb are the subject of the sentence.
It is just the three of us.
The three of us are going to be there.
Prepositional phrases cannot be subjects, even if they come at the beginning of a sentence.
On the table was a red hat.
On the table were a red hat, white gloves and a blue scarf.
Some words look plural but are actually singular:
Physics is my favorite subject.
The news was good.
Scotch and soda is my favorite drink. (This is very uncommon usage.)
My faithful friend and companion is Terry.
Mass or "group" nouns may be singular or plural, depending on focus.
The family is more important than the individual.
The family are going in separate directions.
With either/neither...or/nor, the subject closest to the verb determines agreement.
Neither John nor Jane was the winner.
Either the men or the women are going to take the cake.
Neither Mr. Jones nor his sons have a car.
Neither the boys nor their father has a car.

Some can sometimes be used to indicate an unidentified person.

Some woman was here to see you.
Some guy keeps calling you.
Relative clauses do not affect the main subject-verb relationship; however, S-V agreement
within the relative clause may be different, depending on the meaning.
The people who live there are my friends.
The house that the Jacksons built needs to be remodeled.
One of the men who live there is deranged. He is the only one who lives there

Noun Phrases
Noun Phrases are groups of words that can function as subjects or objects in sentences. They
may take on various forms:
Money is important for survival.

(Single words)

Lalith spoke to DrRamya.

(Proper names)

The boy ate fruit..

(Nouns and articles)

My friend works with her uncle.

(Nouns and possessives)

The young girl wore a long, white dress.

(Nouns and adjectives)

Some of the kids ate all of the cake.

(Nouns and quantifiers)

The man with the gun frightened the people in the bank.

(Nouns and prep. phrases)

The woman who lives here is my aunt.

(Nouns and relative clauses)

The dogs sleeping on the floor should be left alone.

(Nouns and phrases)

Whoever wrote this is in trouble.

(Noun clauses)

Pronouns and similar words can also function as subjects and objects:
He gave the money to us.
Someone left this.
Give me one of each.

Verb Phrases
Verb phrases are groups of words that express action or state of being. They take on
various forms.
The men live in the dormitory.

(Single verbs)

He stayed at the Hi Hat Hotel.

(Past tense verbs)

I am learning many new things.

(Progressive verbs)

She has been there before.

(Perfect verbs)

They have been working here five years.

(Perfect progressive verbs)

I could use some assistance.

(Verbs and modals)

The trip was approved by the professor.

(Passive verbs)

Do you want some more pie?

(Verbs in questions)

Other words can be added to enhance verb phrases:

The mayor works here.

(adverbs)

Neil is not a candidate.

(negatives)

They live in the suburbs.

(prepositional phrases)

She'll leave whenever she wants.

(adverbial clauses)

Don't talk while eating.

(phrases)

Adjectives are used to describe nouns. They give more details or information about the nouns
they are associated with.
A: Tell me about your boyfriend
B: Well, he is tall, dark, and handsome.
A: Sounds like mine.

Adjectives can be used to answer the questions What kind

(of) or Which one?
A: Hi. I'm calling about the car you're selling?
B: It's a great car. (It's) in excellent condition.
A: What kind of seats does it have?
B: They're very comfortable seats, (soft, plush, just like a sofa.)
A: Uh. I think I'll sleep on it.
A: Hand me a book.

B: Which one do you want?

A: The red book. The red one.

Adjectives come before the nouns they modify (not after).

Three happy hippies lived in the Taj Hotel.
WRONG: Three hippies happy lived in the Taj Hotel.

Adjectives can also be used with linking verbs to describe the

subject of a sentence. When used in this manner, the
adjective(s) come after the linking verb.
My mother is tall and slender.
WRONG: My mother tall and slender. (No linking verb.)

Adverbs are used to describe actions. They may come before

or after a verb, but not between a verb and its object.
Mrs.Jenner softly sang. (Most common word order.)
Mrs. Jenner softly sang. (Also possible.)
Mrs. Jenner softly sang a lullaby.
Mrs. Jenner sang a lullaby softly.
Mrs. Jenner sang softly a lullaby. (Not correct.)

Adverbs may come between a main verb and its auxiliaries.

Mrs. Jenner is softly singing a lullaby.
Mrs. Jenner softly is singing a lullaby. (Not correct.)

Mrs. Jenner has been softly singing that lullaby for a long time.

Some time and frequency adverbs are "movable." That is,

they can be placed at various points in a sentence.
Yesterday I visited the dentist.
I visited the dentist yesterday.
Jack Prompt is here already.
Jack Prompt is already here.

Caution: Even though some adverbs can be used in certain

sentence positions, others can not.
I yesterday visited the dentist. (Not okay.)
I already visited the dentist. (Okay.)
Already I visited the dentist. (Not okay.)

Adverbs such as quite, very, really, extremely,

and absolutely are used to modify adjectives and other
adverbs.
They come directly before the words they describe.
Greg is quite happy with his new boss.
Sue eats very slowly.
You're absolutely right!

Many adverbs can be formed by adding ly to adjectives:

Carl is a quick runner.
Carl runs quickly.

Some adverbs are identical to adjectives in form. Others are

completely different.

Carl is a fast runner. (Adjective)

Jill is a good student. (Adjective)

Carl runs fast. (Adverb)

Jill studies well. (Adverb)

Adverbs are words or groups of words which tell time, place, frequency or manner.
I ate my lunch yesterday.

She went there.

I ate at that restaurant last week.

She went downtown.

Prepositions are usually followed by objects in prepositional phrases. They can also be used to
indicate time, place, frequency, duration, reason, manner, or to show contrast.
I ate my lunch at noon.

She went to the store.

I ate in the cafeteria.

She walked into the house.

*Do not use adverbs as objects of prepositions.

Incorrect:

Correct:

I went to somewhere.

I went somewhere.

I was busy at last night.

I was busy last night.

John works in downtown.

John works downtown.

She came to home on yesterday.

She came home yesterday

The Prepositional Phrase

Recognize a prepositional phrase when you see one.
At the minimum, a prepositional phrase will begin with a preposition and end with a noun,
pronoun, gerund, or clause, the "object" of the preposition.
The object of the preposition will often have one or more modifiers to describe it. These are the
patterns for a prepositional phrase:
preposition + noun, pronoun, gerund, or clause
preposition + modifier(s) + noun, pronoun, gerund, or clause
Here are some examples of the most basic prepositional phrase:
At home
At = preposition; home = noun.
In time
In = preposition; time = noun.
From Richie
From = preposition; Richie = noun.
With me
With = preposition; me = pronoun.
By singing
By = preposition; singing = gerund.
About what we need
About = preposition; what we need = noun clause.

Most prepositional phrases are longer, like these:

From my grandmother
From = preposition; my = modifier; grandmother = noun.
Under the warm blanket
Under = preposition; the, warm = modifiers; blanket = noun.
In the weedy, overgrown garden
In = preposition; the, weedy, overgrown = modifiers; garden = noun.
Along the busy, six-lane highway
Along = preposition; the, busy, six-lane = modifiers; highway = noun.
Without excessively worrying
Without = preposition; excessively = modifier; worrying = gerund.
Understand what prepositional phrases do in a sentence.
A prepositional phrase will function as an adjective or adverb. As an adjective, the prepositional
phrase will answer the question Which one?
Read these examples:
The book on the bathroom floor is swollen from shower steam.
Which book? The one on the bathroom floor!
The sweet potatoes in the vegetable bin are green with mold.
Which sweet potatoes? The ones forgotten in the vegetable bin!
The note from Beverly confessed that she had eaten the leftover pizza.
Which note? The one from Beverly!
As an adverb, a prepositional phrase will answer questions such as How? When? or Where?
Freddy is stiff from yesterday's long football practice.
How did Freddy get stiff? From yesterday's long football practice!

Before class, Josh begged his friends for a pencil.

When did Josh do his begging? Before class!
Feeling brave, we tried the Dragon Breath Burritos at Tito's Taco Palace.
Where did we eat the spicy food? At Tito's Taco Palace!
Remember that a prepositional phrase will never contain the subject of a sentence.
Directions: Locate the prepositional phrases in each sentence
1. On the fifth day of each month, Mr. Brown collects all of the reports from his students in
every class except the last one.
2. Take the child to the store on 5th Avenue for some new clothes.
3. As the snow gradually melted near that neighborhood, people with snow shovels in their
hands emerged from their homes.
4. Throughout his life, Henry slept soundly on a twin bed by the front window.
5. Meg answered the telephone within a minute of the first ring.
6. Under normal circumstances, we keep all records in the file cabinet until the next semester.
7. The play about the brave hero was considered a success by everyone but the nasty critic at the
local paper.
8. After two false starts, the referee warned the athletes about the penalties for such actions.
9. Without you at my side, I cannot do much of anything before ten o'clock on the first day of
each week.
10. Like any stranger on her way to the next town, the traveler from Barcelona lifted her suitcase
and headed toward the bus station near 42nd Street.

Prepositional Phrases - Answers

1. (On the fifth day) (of each month), Mr. Brown collects all (of the reports) (from his students)
(in every class) (except the last one).
2. Take the child (to the store) (on 5th Avenue) (for some new clothes).
3. As the snow gradually melted (near that neighborhood). people (with snow shovels) (in their
hands) emerged (from their homes).
4. (Throughout his life), Henry slept soundly (on a twin bed) (by the front window).
5. Meg answered the telephone (within a minute) (of the first ring).
6. (Under normal circumstances), we keep all records (in the file cabinet) (until the next
semester).
7. The play (about the brave hero) was considered a success (by everyone) (but the nasty critic)
(at the local paper).
8. (After two false starts), the referee warned the athletes (about the penalties) (for such actions).
9. (Without you) (at my side), I cannot do much (of anything) (before ten o'clock) (on the first
day) (of each week).
10. (Like any stranger) (on her way) (to the next town), the traveler (from Barcelona) lifted her
suitcase and headed (toward the bus station) (near 42nd Street)

Find out the noun clauses in the following sentences and state what purpose they serve.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

The king ordered that the traitor should be put to death.

He said that he would not go.
That he is not interested in the offer is known to us.
He said that he was not feeling well.
I cannot rely on what he says.
I dont know where he has gone.
He asked whether the servant had polished his shoes.
That he is alive has been confirmed.
that the soul is immortal is almost universal.

Answers
1. Here the noun clause that the traitor should be put to death is that object of the verb
ordered.
2. Here the noun clause that he would not go is the object of the verb said.
3. Here the noun clause that he is not interested in the offer is the subject of the verb is.
4. Here the noun clause that he was not feeling well is the object of the verb said.
5. Here the noun clause what he says is the object of the preposition on.
6. Here the noun clause where he has gone is the object of the verb know.
7. Here the noun clause whether the servant had polished his shoes is the object of the verb
asked.
8. Here the noun clause that he is alive is the subject of the verb has been confirmed
9. Here the noun clause that the soul is immortal is the subject of is
10. Here the noun clause that we will have to admit defeat is in apposition to the pronoun it.
Practice in Identifying Adjective Clauses.

1. I bought a car from Merdine, and it turned out to be a lemon.

2. The car that I bought from Merdine turned out to be a lemon.

3. Pandora, who had recently celebrated a birthday, opened the box of gifts.

4. Lila, who has been the fire warden for 30 years, lives in a trailer with some scrappy dogs
and cats.

5. Lila, who lives in a trailer with some scrappy dogs and cats, has been the fire warden for
30 years.

6. People who smoke cigarettes should be considerate of nonsmokers.

7. Jacob, who smokes cigarettes, is considerate of nonsmokers.

8. Mr. Mann has small, dark eyes, which peer inquisitively from behind metal-rimmed
glasses.

9. My wedding ring is worth at least ten dollars, and now I have lost it.

10. I have lost my wedding ring, which is worth at least ten dollars.

Practice in Identifying Adjective Clauses.

1. (no adjective clause)
2. that I bought from Merdine
3. who had recently celebrated a birthday
4. who has been the town fire warden for nearly 30 years
5. who lives in a trailer with some scrappy dogs and cats
6. who smoke cigarettes
7. who smokes cigarettes
8. which peer inquisitively from behind metal-rimmed glasses
9. (no adjective clause)
10.which is worth at least ten dollars

Identifying adverb clauses.

1. While the cat's away, the mice will play.

2. A lie travels around the world while truth is putting her boots on.

3. If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.

4. Memory is deceptive because it is colored by today's events.

5. Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.

6. You have to kiss a lot of toads before you find a handsome prince.

7. Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.

8. Life is what happens when you are making other plans.

9. As soon as you forbid something, you make it extraordinarily appealing.

10. Everything is funny, as long as it's happening to somebody else.

In the following sentences, the adverb clauses are in bold print.

1. While the cat's away, the mice will play.

2. A lie travels around the world while truth is putting her boots on.

3. If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.

4. Memory is deceptive because it is colored by today's events.

5. Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up.

6. You have to kiss a lot of toads before you find a handsome prince.

7. Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.

8. Life is what happens when you are making other plans.

9. As soon as you forbid something, you make it extraordinarily appealing.

10. Everything is funny, as long as it's happening to somebody else.