Sentense structure – Phrases

There are 2 types of phrases: verb phrase and noun phrase

If you want to understand what a verb phrase is, you need to understand verbs and phrases first. Phrases will be explained, as well as sentence structure, and examples will be offered for all of them.

Defining a Verb Phrase

A verb phrase can be the predicate of a sentence or a clause. In this case, there will usually be a helping verb in addition to the verb. Here are some examples of a verb phrase as a predicate:

· The author is writing a new book.

· I must make an “A” in this class.

· The dog might eat the cake.

· He was walking to work today.

· We grew apart after high school.

A verb phrase can also be a phrase that functions as an adverb or adjective that has a verb and its complements, objects, or modifiers. Some examples are:

· Running on the wet floor, she slipped and broke her arm.

· Fill up the gas tank to help it run better.

· To bake a cake, you need flour and sugar.

· Finally, I have saved enough to buy a car.

You will understand noun phrases better after learning about the functions of nouns and noun phrases, and seeing examples of both of them.

Noun Phrases

Noun phrases are simply a noun with modifiers. Noun phrases can act as adjectives, or as participle, infinitive, prepositional, or absolute phrases.

Here are some examples for you to examine:

· Has anyone seen an old, big, brown dog?

· Let’s go on the long, winding road.

· The football coach was ecstatic.

· He gave the crying child a toy.

· She wants to be a beautiful ballerina.

· Natives were surprised by the early spring thaw.

· I consider her my favorite teacher.

 

Sentence structure – Sentense types

Предложение в английском языке – это законченный набор слов для утверждений, вопросов и повелений, обычно состоящий из подлежащего и сказуемого с личным глаголом. Семантически английские предложения бывают 4 видов: повествовательные (утверждения), вопросительные (вопросы), повелительные (веления) и восклицательные (восклицания).

Все предложения делятся на утвердительные и отрицательные.

He arrived yesterday – Он прибыл вчера

Mary doesn’t understand the rule – Мэри не понимает правило

Виды предложений

Повествовательные (Declarative)

Утверждения могут стоять в изъявительном и условном наклонениях. Они отражают бытие и оканчиваются на точку.

It’s raining. – Идёт дождь

I don’t like baseball. – Мне не нравится бейсбол

Вопросительные (Interrogative)

Вопросы могут стоять в изъявительном и условном наклонениях. Они спрашивают о деятельности и оканчиваются на вопросительный знак.

Who told you this? – Кто тебе это сказал?

Why don’t we go to a club? – Почему бы нам не сходить в клуб?

Восклицательные (Exlamatory)

Восклицания также могут стоять в изъявительном и условном наклонениях. Они усиливают утверждения и оканчиваются на восклицательный знак.

Great! - Классно!

It’s not my fault! – Это не моя вина!

Повелительные (Imperative)

Веления стоят в повелительном наклонении. Они побуждают к деятельности и оканчиваются на точку или восклицательный знак.

Do it now! – Выполняй!

Don’t make me repeat twice. – Не заставляй меня повторять дважды

 

 

Sentense structure – Basic clause structure

Types of Clauses

 

There are two major types of clauses main (or independent) clause and subordinate (or dependant) clause.

Main Clause and Subordinate Clause – Comparison

 

He is buying a shirt which looks very nice.

 

The above sentence has two clauses “He is buying a shirt” and “which looks very nice”. The clause “He is buying a shirt” expresses a complete thought and can alone stand as a sentence. Such a clause is called main or independent clause.

While the clause “which looks very nice” does not express a complete thought and can’t stand as a sentence. It depends on another clause (main clause) to express complete idea. Such a clause is called subordinate or dependent clause.

Main or Independent Clause

“Main (or independent) clause is a clause that expresses a complete thought and can stand as a sentence.

Examples
I met the boy who had helped me.
She is wearing a shirt which looks nice.
The teacher asked a question but no one answered.
He takes medicine because he suffers from fever.
He became angry and smashed the vase into peaces.

In the above sentences each underlined part shows main clause. It expresses complete though and can stand as a sentence that is why a main or an independent clause is normally referred as a simple sentence.