Chapter 2 phrase, clause and sentence structure

A group of words, which makes sense, but not complete sense, is called a phrase. It has not subject and verb.
A group of words forms part of a sentence and contains a subject and predicate, is called a clause. It has a finite verb.
A group of words which makes a complete sense, is called a sentence.

1. Phrase, Clause and Sentence Structure Chapter 2

2. Phrase A phrase is a group of related words within a sentence that complements the overall structure of sentence. A phrase lacks both the subject and the object. Hence, a phrase cannot stand alone to give complete meaning. The underline group of words in the following sentence is a phrase. Example : I saw a joker in the street .   A phrase can act as a noun, an adjective, a preposition or an adverb. The function of a phrase depends upon its construction and place in a sentence. Depending upon its function in a sentence, phrases are divided into various types: Noun Phrase, Verb Phrase, Adjective Phrase, Adverb Phrase, Gerund Phrase, Infinitive Phrase and Absolute Phrase. [email protected] 2

3. Types of Phrases Noun Phrase A phrase that acts like a noun in the sentence is called a Noun Phrase. It contains a noun & other associated words (usually determiners & modifiers) which modify the noun. A noun phrase comprises of a noun as a head-word and other related words (determiners & modifiers) may come before or after the noun. The entire phrase serves as a noun in a sentence. Noun Phrase = noun + modifiers (or determiners ) Examples: She bought a decent black shirt . (As noun: object) One of our close relatives never drinks coffee. (As noun: subject)   A sentence can also consist of more than one noun phrase. Example: One of our close relatives bought a beautiful red car . (As nouns both as subject & object) [email protected] 3

4. Types of Phrases Prepositional Phrase A phrase comprising a preposition and object of preposition (noun or pronoun) is called a prepositional phrase. It may also contain other modifiers. e.g. near a wall, on a table, in the room, under a tree, at the door etc Examples: The kids were laughing at the joker . He is sleeping on the carpet . The teacher looked at the white-board . [email protected] 4

5. Types of Phrases Adjective Phrase A phrase that acts likes an adjective in a sentence is called adjective phrase. Like an adjective it modifies (adds to meaning of) a noun or a pronoun. It comprises of adjectives, modifiers and other words modifying the noun or pronoun .   Examples : A kid on the roof is looking at the sky. (Modifies noun: kid) The girl in the shop is my friend. (Modifies noun: girl) She bought a beautiful brown chair. (Modifies noun: chair) [email protected] 5

6. Types of Phrases Adverb Phrase A phrase that acts like an adverb in a sentence is called adverb phrase. Like an adverb, it modifies (add to meaning of) a verb or other adverb in the sentence. It contains an adverb and other words (i.e. noun, preposition, modifiers) which, as a whole, act as an adverb phrase. Examples: He drives a car in a very high speed . (Modifies verb: drive) She always speaks in a respectful way . (Modifies verb: speak) She welcomed the guests in a nice way . (Modifies verb: welcome) [email protected] 6

7. Types of Phrases Verb Phrase A verb phrase is the group of main verbs and helping-verbs (auxiliaries) within a sentence. Examples : She is writing a letter He has taken his annual exam. She is waiting for someone. [email protected] 7

8. Types of Phrases Infinitive Phrase An infinitive phrase contains an infinitive (to + base form of verb) and modifiers or other related words linked to the infinitive. An infinitive phrase will always acts as a noun, an adjective or adverb in the sentence. Examples: Government made a plan to help the poor . (As adjective modifying noun: plan) She sang a song to please the audience . (As adverb modifying verb: sing) [email protected] 8

9. Types of Phrases Gerund Phrase A gerund phrase is a group of a gerund (verb + ing ), modifiers and other related words linked to the gerund. A gerund phrase functions as a noun in the sentence. Examples: I enjoy listening to the music . (As noun/as object) She started writing the letter . (As noun/as object) Crying of a baby disturbed me a lot. (As noun/as subject) [email protected] 9

10. Types of Phrases Participle Phrase A participle phrase is a group of a present-participle (verb + ing ) or a past-participle verb, modifiers and other linked words. A participle phrase is punctuated with a comma or commas. It always acts as an adjective (modifying a noun) in a sentence. Examples : The students, raising their hands , need extra page. (Modifies noun: students) She got a mail, mentioning about her exam . (Modifies noun: mail) The chair, made of plastic , looks very beautiful. (Modifies noun: chair) [email protected] 10

11. Types of Phrases Absolute Phrase Absolute phrase is also called a nominative phrase. It consists of a noun or a pronoun, a participle and linked modifiers. It modifies (tells more about) the sentence. It looks like a clause but lacks true finite verb. It is separated by a comma in a sentence. Examples : She is looking very happy, her face expressing a shine of happiness . She , having books in his hand , was going to college. She, having anger in his eyes , met his enemy. [email protected] 11

12. Clause A clause is a combination of related words containing a subject and a verb. It can be a simple sentence or a part of a compound sentence. Examples : She laughed . (One clause) I waited for him , but he didn’t come . (Two clauses) [email protected] 12

13. Clauses have two major types : Independent Clause (Main Clause ) Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause) [email protected] 13

14. Understanding ‘Main Clauses & Subordinate Clauses Example : I saw a man who was crying . The above sentence has two clauses: ‘I saw a man’ and ‘who was crying’. The first clause ‘I saw a man’ gives a complete meaning and can alone stand as a complete sentence. Such a phrase is called Main or Independent clause. On the other hand, the second clause ‘who was crying’ does not give a complete meaning and cannot (as alone) stand as a complete sentence. It depends on the main clause to give a complete meaning. Such a clause is called Subordinate or Dependent clause. [email protected] 14

15. Main or Independent Clause : Main clause or Independent clause is that clause which expresses a complete meaning. It alone can stand as a sentence. Examples The professor asked many questions but no one could answer. I met a friend who helped me a lot. [email protected] 15

16. Subordinate or Dependent Clause : Subordinate clause or Dependence clause is that clause which (as alone part) cannot express a complete meaning. It alone cannot stand as a sentence because it depends on the other clause (independent clause) to give a complete meaning. It serves a subordinate role in the sentence. Examples : The professor asked many questions but no one could answer . I met a friend who had helped me a lot . [email protected] 16

17. Dependent Clauses have further three types : A subordinate clause can act as an adjective, a noun or an adverb in a sentence. There are three types of Subordinate Clause depending upon its function in a sentence: Noun Clause Adjective Clause Adverb Clause. [email protected] 17

18. Types of Dependent Clauses Noun Clause A subordinate clause which acts as a noun in a sentence is called a Noun Clause. It usually starts with words such as ‘ that, what, whatever, who, whom, whoever, whomever ’ . It acts exactly like a noun in a sentence. It can work as a noun either at the place of a subject or an object. Examples : Whatever we study increases our knowledge. (Noun as a subject) I buy whatever I need . (Noun as an object) [email protected] 18

19. Types of Dependent Clauses Adjective Clause A subordinate clause which acts as an adjective in a sentence is called an Adjective Clause. Like an adjective, it modifies (add information to) a noun or pronoun in the sentence. An adjective clause mostly starts with relative pronouns such as ‘ that, who, whom, whose, which, or whose ’ . Examples : I saw a child who was crying . (Modifies noun: child) I watch a movie which amused me a lot . (Modifies noun: movie) [email protected] 19

20. Types of Dependent Clauses Adverb Clause A subordinate clause which acts as an adverb in a sentence is called an Adverb Clause. Like an adverb, it modifies a verb, an adjective-clause or another adverb clause in the sentence. It modifies (add information to) a verb (action) of the main clause in terms of ‘ time, frequency (i.e. how often), condition, cause and effect; and intensity (i.e. extent).   It mostly uses the following subordinating conjunctions : Time : when, whenever, since, until, before, after, while, as, by the time. Cause and effect : because, since, now that, as long as, so, so that, Contrast : although, even, whereas, while, though. Condition : if, unless, only if, whether or not, even if, providing or provided that. [email protected] 20

21. Types of Dependent Clauses Examples : Call me when you need my help . (Time) (Modifies verb: call) The patient had died before the doctor reached . (Time) (Modifies verb: die) You live a happy life as long as you think positively . (Cause and Effect) (Modifies verb: live) [email protected] 21

22. Sentence A set of words that is complete in itself, typically containing a subject and predicate, conveying a statement, question, exclamation or command, and consisting of a main clause and some time one or more subordinate clauses. Example : Don’t make a noise. Sit down. [email protected] 22

23. Parts of Sentence Subject In general, the subject refers to the part of the sentence that tells whom or what the sentence is addressing. The subject is a noun, pronoun or noun phrase. There are a few different types of subjects. A simple subject is just one word, without any modifiers, usually a noun or pronoun. A complete subject is the simple subject plus all modifiers. A compound subject is made up of more than one subject element. In the examples below, the underlined words are the subject. Examples : Simple subject:  Kate  is a thin girl.  Complete subject:  Jeffrey's poem about his mother  made the class cry.  Compound subject:  Paul and Tommy  joined the soccer team at the same time. [email protected] 23

24. Parts of Sentence Predicate The predicate is the portion of the sentence containing the verb. A predicate says something about the subject of the sentence. Examples : Kate  is a thin girl .  Jeffrey's poem about his mother  made the class cry .  Paul and Tommy  joined the soccer team at the same time . [email protected] 24

25. Sentence Structure Sentence structure is the way a sentence is arranged, grammatically. The sentence structure of our writing includes where the noun and verb fall within an individual sentence.   English Sentence Structure The following statements are true about sentences in English: A new sentence begins with a capital letter. He obtained his degree. A sentence ends with punctuation (a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point). [email protected] 25

26. Sentence Structure He obtained his degree . A sentence contains a subject that is only given once. Smith he obtained his degree. A sentence contains a verb or a verb phrase. He obtained his degree. A sentence follows Subject + Verb + Object word order. He (subject) obtained (verb) his degree (object).     A sentence must have a complete idea that stands alone. This is also called an independent clause. He obtained his degree . [email protected] 26

27. Structural Types of Sentence Simple Sentences A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb, and it may also have an object and modifiers. However, it contains only one independent clause.   Examples : She read. She completed her literature review. [email protected] 27

28. Structural Types of Sentence Compound Sentences A compound sentence contains at least two independent clauses. These two independent clauses can be combined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or with a semicolon. Examples : She completed her literature review, and she created her reference list. He organized his sources by theme; then, he updated his reference list. [email protected] 28

29. Structural Types of Sentence Complex Sentences A complex sentence contains at least one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Dependent clauses can refer to the subject (who, which) the sequence/time (since, while), or the causal elements (because, if) of the independent clause. If a sentence begins with a dependent clause, note the comma after this clause. If, on the other hand, sentence begins with independent clause, there is not a comma separating the two clauses. [email protected] 29

30. Structural Types of Sentence Examples : Although she completed her literature review, she still needed to work on her methods section. (Note the comma in this sentence because it begins with a dependent clause.) They studied APA rules for many hours as they were so interesting. (Note that there is no comma in this sentence because it begins with an independent clause) [email protected] 30

31. Structural Types of Sentence Compound-Complex Sentences A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. Examples : She completed her literature review, but she still needs to work on her methods section even though she finished her methods course last semester. Although he organized his sources by theme, he decided to arrange them chronologically, and he carefully followed the MEAL plan for organization. (Pay close attention to comma usage in complex-compound sentences so that the reader is easily able to follow the intended meaning.) [email protected] 31