ACCESS Virtual Learning | ACCESS Virtual Learning



Name:      Facilitator:      

Date:       School:      

6.08 Simple Sentence Patterns

The following explanations and exercises demonstrate the relationship between sentence structure and grammar and punctuation rules. This information will develop your awareness of the variety of sentence patterns available to writers in English.

The content of the sentences is based on information about the Anglo-Saxon period in English literary history.

I. Simple Sentence Patterns

S + V = subject + verb

S + V + PA = subject + linking verb + predicate adjective

S + V + PN = subject + linking verb + predicate noun

S + V + DO = subject + transitive verb + direct object

S + V + IO + DO = subject + transitive verb + indirect object + direct object

 S + V + IO + DO = subject + transitive verb + direct object + objective complement

(Since errors in relation to the last pattern do not often occur with native speakers, this sentence pattern is omitted in the following activity.)

Exercise: Identify the simple sentence patterns of each of the sentences below by writing the correct code in the space:

1.       ____________________ The Celts fled.

2.       ____________________ The Romans invaded England.

3.       ____________________ England was the land of the Angles.

4.       ____________________ The Vikings were violent.

5.       ____________________ Roman missionaries brought the English Christianity.

 

II. Pronouns and Simple Sentence Patterns

Correctness

The cases of pronouns are determined by their position in the basic simple sentence pattern. Therefore, the writer must be able to recognize the position and use of pronouns in the sentence in order to determine the correct case.

• Nominative Case: subjects and predicate nouns

• Objective Case: direct object, indirect object, and object of preposition

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences from the previous exercise, substituting pronouns in both the nominative and objective case for selected nouns in the sentences.

     

 

 

III. Expanding the Simple Sentence with Modifiers

The basic simple sentence patterns are expanded by adding adjectives, adverbs, and phrases.

Correctness

1. Commas should never separate the parts of the basic sentence pattern unless two commas are used to set off a parenthetical element. Be especially careful that you do not place a comma between the two parts of a compound verb.

2. Verbs should agree with their subjects.

3. Adjective forms, not adverb forms, are used for predicate adjectives.

Exercise: Identify the structure which expands each of the following sentences.

1.       ____________________ The Celts fled northward.

2.       ____________________ England was an invaded nation.

3.       ____________________ The Romans invaded England in 55 BCE

 

 

IV. Expanding the Simple Sentences with Phrases

In addition to the prepositional phrase, which can be used as an adjective or adverb modifier, four additional kinds of phrases are used to expand the meaning of a sentence: the appositive and three kinds of verb phrases: the participial phrase, the gerund phrase, and the infinitive phrase. In verb phrases, the verb usually occurs first in the phrase and the modifiers follow it.

Correctness

1. An introductory verb phrase used as a modifier is followed by a comma.

2. An appositive is set off by commas.

3. Since a gerund fills the slot of a noun in the simple sentence pattern, it is incorrect to use a comma to separate a gerund from the other parts of the sentence.

4. Introductory prepositional phrases do not need to be followed by commas unless the phrase, or a series of phrases, is very long or the comma is needed for clarity.

Identify the kinds of phrases illustrated by each of the following sentences. Then underline the prepositional phrases.

1.      ____________________ Invading England about 450 CE, the Anglo-Saxons dominated its culture until 1066.

2.      ____________________ Demanding tribute of a weaker tribe was a frequent offensive tactic of the Vikings.

3.      ____________________ To facilitate their establishment of civilization in England, the Romans built roadways and fortresses.

4.      ____________________ The Celts, the older settlers, were driven northward by the invading Anglo-Saxons.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download