* Simple sentences
have one clause.
* Clauses usually
consist of a noun group as the subject, and a verb group.
* Clauses can also
have another noun group as the object or complement.
* Clauses can have
an adverbial, also called an adjunct.
* Changing the order
of the words in a clause can change its meaning.
* Compound sentences
consist of two or more main clauses. Complex sentences always include a
subordinate clause, as well as one or more main clauses.
1 A simple sentence has one clause, beginning
with a noun group called the subject. The subject is the person or thing that
the sentence is about. This is followed by a verb group, which tells you what
the subject is doing, or describes the subject's situation.
I waited.
The girl screamed.
2 The verb group may be followed by another noun
group, which is called the object. The object is the person or thing affected
by the action or situation.
He opened the car
door.
She married a young
engineer.
After link verbs like `be', `become', `feel',
and `seem', the verb group may be followed by a noun group or an adjective,
called a complement. The complement tells you more about the subject.
She was a doctor.
He was angry.
3 The verb group, the object, or the complement
can be followed by an adverb or a prepositional phrase, called an adverbial.
The adverbial tells you more about the action or situation, for example how,
when, or where it happens. Adverbials are also called adjuncts.
They shouted loudly.
She won the
competition last week.
He was a policeman in
Birmingham.
4 The word order of a clause is different when
the clause is a statement, a question, or a command.
He speaks English
very well. (statement)
Did she win at the
Olympics? (question)
Stop her. (command)
Note that the subject is omitted in
commands, so the verb comes first.
5 A compound sentence has two or more main
clauses: that is, clauses which are equally important. You join them with
`and', `but', or `or'.
He met Jane at the
station and went shopping.
I wanted to go but I
felt too ill.
You can come now or
you can meet us there later.
Note that the order of the two clauses can change the meaning of the
sentence.
He went shopping and
met Jane at the station.
If the subject of both clauses is the same, you usually omit the subject
in the second clause.
I wanted to go but
felt too ill.
6 A complex sentence contains a subordinate
clause and at least one main clause. A subordinate clause gives information
about a main clause, and is introduced by a conjunction such as `because',
`if', `that', or a `wh'-word. Subordinate clauses can come before, after, or
inside the main clause.
When he stopped, no
one said anything.
If you want, I'll
teach you.
They were going by
car because it was more comfortable.
I told him that
nothing was going to happen to me.
The car that I drove
was a Ford.
The man who came into
the room was small.
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