1 Structures Modifiers, Phrases, Subjects, Predicates, Objects, Clauses (Subordinate and Coordinate)

2 Opening Tip zThis category of grammatical terms describes structures, groups of words that help create the organization of sentences zKnowing the parts of speech is essential in understanding these structures.

3 Modifier zA modifier adds information to other words. zThis is a “superclass” of forms and structures containing adjectives and adverbs and groups of words that act like adjectives and adverbs. zNote that a verb’s participle, when it does not have the correct helping verb, is a modifier, not a verb.

Modifier (cont.) zE.g., Joe is walking. Joe had walked earlier. (“Walking” is the present participle, “walked” is the past participle). zE.g., While walking to the store, Joe began to daydream. The word “walking” needs the right form of the verb “be” to be a proper verb. Therefore, it is not a verb here but rather modifies (describes) Joe. 4

5 Phrase zA group of words that functions together as a unit zA phrase is a catch-all term that emphasizes that usually words work in groups, rather than alone, to create meaning

6 Phrase Types zNoun phrase: a phrase that functions as a noun zE.g., The red house is new. zE.g., Going to school is fun. This phrase is also called a gerund phrase since the word “going” is a gerund—a verbal (or verb-like structure)

7 Phrase Types (cont.) zParticipial phrase: a phrase that contains a participle and acts like an adjective (a verbal). zE.g., Linked by handcuffs, the two convicts were forced to escape together. z[“Linked by handcuffs” describes “two convicts,” a noun phrase. Therefore, “Linked by handcuffs” acts like an adjective.]

8 Phrase Types (cont.) zAn appositive phrase is a phrase that adds to the meaning of an adjacent noun. It acts like a noun (noun phrase) or adjective (participial phrase). zE.g., The prosecutor cross-examined the next witness, the victim’s ex-husband. (the noun phrase “renames” or “redefines” the noun “witness”)

9 Phrase Types (cont.) zE.g., The prosecutor, known to his friends as “Bucky,” has become famous because of this trial. zknown to his friends as “Bucky” is a participial phrase--“known” is the past participle of “know”). The phrase acts as an adjective.

10 Subject zThe subject is that part of a sentence that acts or is acted upon (the actor) zSimple subject. A noun or pronoun (one word). zE.g., The new Tom Cruise movie begins in five minutes.

11 Subject (cont.) zComplete subject. The simple subject and any adjectives or determiners associated with it. zE.g., The new Tom Cruise movie begins in five minutes. zCompound subject. A subject that consists of two or more simple subjects joined by a coordinating or correlative conjunction. zE.g., Alfred Hitchcock and Ridley Scott make interesting films.

12 Predicate zThe part of the sentence that expresses an action. (1) Simple predicate. The main verb (and nothing else). zE.g., The runner stumbles.

Predicate (cont.) zNOTE: The verb must be a complete verb (that is, must be properly conjugated for number and tense) zWRONG E.g., The runner stumbling. “Stumbling” is a present participle without the required helping verb (a form of “be”). This phrase does not have a verb so it does not have a predicate. 13

14 Predicate (cont.) (2) Complete predicate. The main verb plus any associated auxiliaries, adverbs, objects (anything other than the subject, in other words) zE.g., The prosecutor cross-examined the next witness, the victim’s ex-husband. (3) Compound predicate. A predicate with more than one main verb. zE.g., The dog yawned loudly, curled into a ball, and fell asleep.

15 Object zA word or group of words that describes the thing acted upon. zThe subject is the actor, the verb is the action, the object is the thing acted on by the verb. zE.g., Mabel wrote the essay. zE.g., Mabel visits Norbert. zE.g., Mabel wrote a note to her instructor.

16 Object (cont.) zObjects form part of a sentence’s predicate. Note: Not all sentences have objects. E.g., The dog yawned. zTwo types: direct and indirect. zDirect: takes the action directly. Answers the question “what?” or “whom”? zE.g., Mabel wrote what? Mabel wrote the essay. zE.g., Mabel visits whom? Mabel visits Norbert.

17 Object (cont.) zIndirect. The object is a by-product of the action. zE.g., Marc sold his drums to the highest bidder. zAnswers the questions “to whom?” “for whom?”, “for what?”, “to what?” zE.g., Mabel wrote a note to whom? Mabel wrote a note to her instructor.

18 Clause zA group of words that contains a subject and a predicate. zThe clause is a subset (subcategory) of the phrase. The clause has more specific characteristics. zE.g., Marc sold his drums to the highest bidder.

19 Clause Types NOTE: Two different terms exist for these types. I will try to use the first term, but you (and even me at times) are free to use the other term. (1) A main (independent) clause can stand alone because grammatically it does not indicate the need for another idea (grammatical structure) zE.g., His friends know him as “Bucky.”

Clause types (cont.) (2) A subordinate (dependent) clause contains words or ideas (often a subordinating conjunction) that suggest some other piece of information is missing. zE.g., Although his friends know him as Bucky. zThe word “although” clearly indicates more information is forthcoming (the contrasting idea) 20

21 Clause Types (cont.) The upshot: zIn English, the sentence is the main unit of language. zA sentence must contain, at minimum, a main clause. A sentence without a main clause is not a sentence. zThe period (.) does not confer ‘sentenceness’ on a group of words. The period merely separates adjacent sentences.

Clause types (cont.) z Not a sentence: Although his friends know him as “Bucky.” (The period doesn’t make it a sentence.) z A sentence: His friends know him as “Bucky.” 22