English 3046 Chapter 2 – Lester and Beason January 24, 2022

January 24, 2022

PHRASES
o A group of related words used as a single part of speech and not containing a finite verb
and its subject (if it has s and v, it’s a clause, not a phrase). So, a phrase never contains a
subject and a verb with tense.
o We’ll talk about 4 types of phrases: noun phrase, appositive phrase, verb phrase, and
prepositional phrase.

NOUN PHRASES
o Consists of a noun and all its modifiers. The main known is known as the head noun or
sometimes as the simple subject.
o However, the NP is broader because it can have a variety of functions, including that of
subject, but also predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, and object of a
preposition.
o Predicate nominative: a subject complement or predicative of the subject is a
predicative expression that follows a linking verb and that complements the subject of
the sentence by either renaming it or describing it.

Jacques is a philatelist. Mary is delightful.

predicate nominative predicate adjective

Trixie loves pizza. Elvis Presley wrote his mother a song.

direct object ind obj direct obj

I gave my brother a cake.

Ind obj direct obj

o Test for indirect object: move to end of sentence as object of a ‘to’ or ‘for’ prepositional
phrase.
o Ex: Elvis Presley wrote a song for his mother.

Samson spent the evening with Delilah.

obj of preposition

o The simple subject vs. the complete subject (SS vs. CS). These terms can be used
interchangeably with head noun and noun phrase.
English 3046 Chapter 2 – Lester and Beason January 24, 2022

o A noun phrase is similar to a complete subject, in that it contains the noun and all its
modifiers.
o NP’s can contain simply a noun or pronoun or a lot of different elements, including
nouns, pronouns, adjectives, prepositional phrases, even subordinate clauses.
o But every NP contains a head noun (simple subject), and it’s important to identity it for
establishing s-v agreement.

*(The use of crib sheets on exams) are responsible for much of the improvement in grades.
singular plural
Correct: The use of crib sheets on exams is responsible for much of the improvement in grades.
singular singular

(That vicious old man with the large umbrella) jabbed me on purpose.
NP

(All the delegates hanging around the hotel bar) had been drinking sine before 9:00 am.
NP

(His younger sister from his mother’s first marriage) is an international celebrity.
NP

We saw (most of the wonders of the world.)

NP

 To determine what your NP is, replace the part in question with the appropriate
pronoun (he, she, it, they, them).

Naturally, the major sources for his story are a secret.

Answer: Naturally, the major sources for his story are a secret.
they

A first-class education is worth its weight in rubies.

Answer: A first-class education is worth its weight in rubies.
It

The modern art world was shocked by Fred’s use of bananas.

Answer: The modern art world was shocked by Fred’s use of bananas.
It
English 3046 Chapter 2 – Lester and Beason January 24, 2022

APPOSITIVE PHRASES
o Definition: an appositive is a noun phrase that follows another noun phrase to identify
or explain it.
o It’s normally set off with commas and can appear at the beginning of end of sentence.

January 28, 2022

PARALLELISM/PARALLEL STRUCTURE
o If two or more ideas are parallel, they should be expressed in parallel grammatical form.
Single words should be balanced with single words, phrases with phrases, and clauses
with clauses.

*Gertrude likes swimming, snowboarding, and to job.

Correct: Gertrude likes swimming, snowboarding, and jogging.

*After assuring us that he was sober, Marvin drove down the middle of the road, ran one red
light, and two stop signs.
Correct: After assuring us that he was sober, Marvin drove down the middle of the road, ran
one red light, and ignored two stop signs.

*David is responsible for stocking the shelves, all in-store repairs, writing orders for delivery,
and sales of computers.
Correct: David is responsible for stocking the shelves, making all in store-repairs, writing orders
for deliver, and selling computers.

This novel is not to be tossed lightly aside, but to be hurled with great force. (Dorothy Parker)

In matters of principle, stand like a rock; in matters of tastes, swim with the current. (T.
Jefferson)

January 31, 2022

EUPHEMISM
o A mild or indirect term substituted for one considered too harsh or blunt when referring
to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
o Ex: “passed away” instead of “died” and “let go” instead of “fired”
English 3046 Chapter 2 – Lester and Beason January 24, 2022

PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES
o Preposition (or two, e.g. except for, as of) plus NP (noun or pronoun – object of the
preposition).
o You can have prep. phrases embedded within other prep. phrases.
o PP’s normally modify either nouns or verbs, sometimes adjectives.
o If it modifies a noun, we say it’s an adjective pp. If it modifies a verb or adjective, we say
it’s an adverb pp. Adverb pp’s answer questions like when, where, how, how often, why,
and how much.
o If you can move around the prepositional phrase, then it’s an adverb prepositional
phrase specifically, but you won’t always be able to move them with it sounding right.
o Ex: During the war, my Uncle Marvin lost a leg. My Uncle Marvin lost a leg
during the war. (adv pp)

My Uncle Marvin lost a leg during the war (adv pp) between the states. (adj pp)

The man in the moon likes green cheese. (adj pp)

The cabinet above the stove is loose. (adj pp) John Legend jumped off the stage. (adv pp)

I drove on the highway. (adv pp) I’m going to the library after class. (adv pp)

After the basketball game, they drank themselves into a stupor.

adv pp adv pp

o Sometimes a pp modifies an adjective, and so we say this is a type of adverb pp.

o E.g., lucky in love, full of ships, as in ‘The harbor was...’
o And sometimes a prep. phrase modifies an adverb, and so we say it’s an adverb pp.
o E.g., deeper into the jungle, early in the morning.

My Aunt Sally walked Fido, her pet chimpanzee, in the wee hours of the night.
adv pp
I noticed those guys with the flashy suits. (Modifies guys, adj pp)

I know the lady from town. (Could be either adj or adv, depending on meaning – whether
it’s answering the question ‘which lady?’ or ‘how do I know that lady?’)

She loved the game of golf. (adj pp)

English 3046 Chapter 2 – Lester and Beason January 24, 2022

o Adverbial complements – can’t be moved around, not optional but necessary to

complete the meaning of the sentence.
o Ex: Abigail was in a quandary.

February 2, 2022
VERB PHRASES
o Sentence = Noun phrase + verb phrase
o Verb phrase – also known as the predicate. The main verb, all its helping verbs, adverbs
that modify the verb phrase, and complements of the verb.
o The predicate thus includes adverbs, direct objects, indirect objects, predicate
adjectives, and predicate nominatives.
o Each vp has a tense, which is always indicated by the first verb in the string. Always.

HELPING VERBS
o Be, have.
o Page 31 of textbook lists all forms of helping verbs.
o Plus, there are some others that can function as helping verbs e.g. do declare
(emphasize), get going, plus modals.
o Helping verbs help make up the other tenses, besides past, present, and future (the
simple tenses).

COMPLEMENTS
o A complement is something you need to finish the sentence.
o The sentence isn’t finished without it.
o A noun, pronoun, or predicate adjective is often required by the verb to complete the
meaning of the sentence.

Ex: Jennifer was. Michael asked. Rodrigo built.

o Two main categories

o Follows an action verb (direct object).
o Follows a linking verb (subject complement—predicate adjective or predicate
nominative).
o It’s very common to have an action verb plus a complement.
o Action verbs requiring a complement are called transitive verbs, which require direct
objects (kill, buy, create, wear, eat, fail, challenge, others?)
English 3046 Chapter 2 – Lester and Beason January 24, 2022

DIRECT OBJECTS
o a noun of pronoun that receives the action of the verb.

The flamboyant professor drove his Rolls Royce around campus like a celebrity.
Vt DO

The professor failed that student who had dared to leave class five minutes early.
Vt DO

Todd loves Tad.

Vt DO

o Action verbs not requiring a direct object are called intransitive.

o That judge sleeps in court frequently. (Vi)
o The professor drools when she laughs. (Vi)
o The students wept. (Vi)

o Some verbs can be either transitive and intransitive, depending on the sentence,
depending on whether or not they have a direct object (smell, return, feel).
o Jesus wept. (Vi)
o The students wept tears of joy. (Vt)
o I felt sick yesterday. (Vi) I was sick yesterday.
o I felt her utter contempt for me. (Vi)

The cake tasted disgusting. I tasted the cake.

Vi PA Vt DO

INDIRECT OBJECTS
o Noun or pronoun that comes between the verb and direct object and tells whom or for
whom the action of the verb is done.
o Can always recognize an indirect object by paraphrasing the sentence with to or for.

I gave Mildred the package. I gave the package to Mildred.

IO DO

Carol wrote me a check. Carol wrote a check for me.

English 3046 Chapter 2 – Lester and Beason January 24, 2022

IO DO

The lazy student told me a sob story. The lazy student told a sob story to me.
IO DO

SUBJECT COMPLEMENT (linking verb)

o They are predicate nominatives or predicate adjectives that follow a linking verb and
describes or renames the subject. That’s why they’re called subject complements.
o Part of the complete predicate.
o Examples: tasted, seemed, resembled, became, got, was/is, looked, etc.
o When it’s a noun of pronoun, you call it a predicate nominative.

He was an electrician. Larry became an electrician.

LV PN LV PN

Examples of linking verb + predicate adjective:

Mildred remained unconvinced. The class seemed easy.
LV PA LV PA

Butch was quite flashy. The instructor was arrogant.

LV PA LV PA

The musician was talented. The structure was unstable.

LV PA LV PA

OBJECT COMPLEMENT
o Predicate nominative or predicate adjective that follows the direct object and describes
or renames the direct object.

We called our puppy Elmer. (oc noun)

They appointed him Social Secretary. (oc noun)
We elected her class president. (oc noun)
The grammar professor drove his students crazy. (oc adj)
Strong women make Randolph uncomfortable. (oc adj)
English 3046 Chapter 2 – Lester and Beason January 24, 2022

February 7, 2022
WRAP UP
o A sentence consists of: Complete Subject + Complete Predicate (NP + VP)
o The verb determines whether or not there is a complement and what kind.
o V + (Complement) (optional)
o If action verb: 1) no comp 2) d.o. comp 3) i.o. + d.o. comp
o If linking verb: 1) no comp 2) p.n 3) p.a.
o So, there are seven types of complete predicates:

1. Intransitive action verb + direct object.

a. Jesus wept.
2. Transitive action verb + direct object.
a. Jesus wept huge tears.
b. I rode the bus.
3. Transitive action verb + direct object + indirect object.
a. I gave Ellie her ticket.
4. Transitive action verb + direct object + object complement.
a. We named the dog Piper.
b. They considered the professor competent.
5. Linking verb (no comp, just an adv. or adj. prepositional phrase).
a. Joe was here.
6. Linking verb + predicate nominative.
a. She became a teacher.
b. My uncle was a rabbi.
7. Linking verb + predicate adjective.
a. The exam seemed difficult.
b. The air tasted salty.

Classifying Sentences by Purpose – 4 Functional Types

1. Declarative – a statement. I teach grammar.
2. Imperative – a command. Give me the gun.
3. Interrogative – a question. Was the professor taken away in a straitjacket?
4. Exclamatory – a strong feeling. I have no cavities!

“Jerome gets an A” can be all four. Depends on tone/stress and meaning.

Jerome gets an A. Jerome gets an A?
English 3046 Chapter 2 – Lester and Beason January 24, 2022

Jerome gets an A. Jerome gets an A!

^or else