UNIVERSITY ALI LOUNICI - BLIDA 2 FACULTY OF ARTS AND LANGUAGES

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH PRESENTED BY: Ms. BOUKEMIA

SECOND YEAR LMD GROUPS: 02, 03, 04.

Lesson 01 Sentences
What is a Sentence?
It is a grammatical unit of one or more words that expresses a statement, question,
request, etc., and that typically has a subject as well as a predicate.

Sentence Parts

I. Clauses
A clause is compound of at least one subject and one verb. It can be independent
as well as dependent.
 The Independent Clause
A group of words that contains a subject and a verb; it makes a statement or asks
a question, and expresses a complete thought. It can also stand alone as a
sentence.
E.g. The computer restarted unexpectedly.
Is the universe a giant black hole?

 The Dependent Clause

It contains a subject and a verb, but cannot stand alone as a sentence because it
often begins with a subordinating word to complete the meaning.
E.g. Although he is nice, not many people like him. : Independent Clause.

He failed his driving test because he panicked. : Dependent Clause.

Note
If a sentence begins with a dependent clause, and has an independent clause
following it, a comma (,) is put between the clauses. If it begins with the
independent clause, no comma is needed.

E.g. When he heard his name, he turned around.

He turned around when he heard his name.
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 Underline the dependent clauses if there are any

 David went to work although he was ill.

 I gave away my ticket after I canceled my plans.
 Such musical instruments are very expensive.
 The display settings could not be changed.
 What are this job's demands?
 There should be secrecy in election process.
 The author used simple vocabulary so that everyone can read.
 In order that I catch the bus, I should leave early.
 The group work is better than the individual work.

 Use the following subordinating words to complete the sentences below

(each word may be used only once)

after that since where until

if although unless in case

 ................ the phone screen is cracked, I could not read your email.
 Plan on rewarding yourself................. you achieve your goals.
 you can join us .............. you want to.
 You can join us ..............you don't want to.
 Jacob cannot drive the car................he turns 18.
 .................you were wondering, I did tell her the truth.
 The manager is so mad ...............he kept yelling at everyone.
 I visited the village................. my best friend grew up.
 I will attend the meeting..................I don't want to.

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II. Phrases
A phrase is a small group of words that takes part of a sentence to express a
single idea. There are four common types of phrases in English.

 The Noun Phrase (NP)

It refers to a phrase that is built upon a noun (subject, or The word written in Bold
object), which functions as the head word of the phrase. is the head of the phrase.
A head word is the most important word of a phrase and
cannot be omitted.
E.g. The youngest candidate won the presidential elections.
NP NP
A verb that functions as a
Or. The Candidate won the elections. gerund is considered a noun,
therefore forms a noun phrase.
NP NP
e.g. (Smoking is unhealthy).
"Smoking" is a NP
 The Adjective Phrase (AP)
It refers to a phrase that describes a noun or a pronoun. It is built upon an
adjective, which functions as the head word of the phrase.
E.g. He was extremely stubborn.
AP

Or. He was stubborn.

AP

 The Verb Phrase (VP)

It refers to a phrase that is composed of at least one finite verb, which functions
as the head word of the phrase.
E.g. They really loved your presentation.
VP

Or. They loved your presentation.

VP

 The Adverb Phrase (AdvP)

It refers to a phrase that ofter plays the rule of telling us when, where, and how
and event happens, inwhich the adverb functions as the head word of a phrase.
E.g. He was supposed to retire last year.
AdvP

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 Are the underlined words clauses or phrases? Identify their type

▪ The setting sun glowing with colors of red, purple, and orange is fascinating.
.............................................................................................................................
▪ Walking on the beach always takes my breath away. . .......................................
............................................................................................................................
▪ Before taking any medicine, I always speak to my doctor. ....
............................................................................................................................
▪ Mark has lived outside his country for 14 years. .......
............................................................................................................................
▪ In the morning, it's best to get up early. ......
............................................................................................................................
▪ John managed to crawl to safety, although he was injured. ........
............................................................................................................................

 Provide your own examples using the different types of phrases

▪ NP: .....................................................................................................................

▪ AP: .....................................................................................................................

▪ VP: .....................................................................................................................

▪ AdvP: ................................................................................................................

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 Sentence Types

The classification of Sentences

Form Grammatical Structure

Major Simple

Minor Compound

Complex

Compound-Complex

I. Form
 Major Sentences
A major sentence is a full unit of language, expressing a complete idea,
containing a subject and a predicate. Most sentences are major.
E.g. The product was not delivered.
There was a storm here yesterday.
 Minor Sentences
A minor sentence is any incomplete sentence that has some parts missing, but
expresses a complete thought. sometimes, it can be made up with a single word.
Like: hello, yes, no, sorry, etc.
E.g. Thank you (Minor). I thank you (Major)
Coffee? (Minor). Would you like to drink some coffee? (Major)
In a minute. (Minor). I will be back here in a minute. (Major)
Minor sentences can also be found in proverbs.
E.g. Easy come, easy go.
The more, the merrier.
Like father, like son.
They are mostly used to answer questions.
E.g. A- Where are you going?
B- Home. (Minor). I am going home. (Major).

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 In the text below, only three sentences are minor, identify them.

Good afternoon everyone. I have to tell you something. I decided to retire.

I am grateful for the many years I have worked with you guys. Thirty-five
years to be exact. I have learned so much during my time here, and you

have been a big part of that. I hope I was helpful for you just as you were

helpful for me. Let’s get coffee sometime during the coming semester and

you can tell me all the news about the best team in the business. See you
soon!

Minor Sentence Nº01: ................................................................................

Minor Sentence Nº02: ................................................................................

Minor Sentence Nº03: ................................................................................

 Use your own words to turn the following minor sentences into major ones

▪ Three o'clock: .......................................................................................

▪ Help: .....................................................................................................

▪ Nothing: ................................................................................................

▪ Exactly: .................................................................................................

▪ Beautiful! : .............................................................................................

▪ Not really: ..............................................................................................

▪ Wow! : ...................................................................................................

▪ Thanks: .................................................................................................

▪ Quiet! : ..................................................................................................

▪ Bye! : ....................................................................................................

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II. Grammatical Structure
 Simple Sentences
A simple sentence consists of just one independent clause and has no dependent
clauses.
E.g. Skill developing takes time.
The essay is not long enough.
 Compound Sentences
A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses and no dependent
clauses.
E.g. I love reading books, but I don't read frequently.

The two clauses could be joined by a comma (,) a semicolon (;) or a conjunction.
There are seven conjunctions that can be used, they are called FANBOYS

CONJUNCTIONS THEIR USE EXAMPLES

FOR To explain the reason. He is mad, for no one is here.

AND To link Similar Ideas. I sent an email, and you read it.

NOR To link similar, negative I did not agree, nor did you.
clauses.

BUT To link opposed ideas. I am tired, but I should go.

OR To link different options. You tell her, or I tell her.

YET To link opposed ideas. He was nervous, yet he made it.

SO To express the result. I was sick, so I went to the doctor.

Note:
You should distinguish between a compound sentence, and a simple sentence
that has a compound noun or a verb.
I like dogs, and I like cats: Compound sentence.
I like dogs and cats: Simple sentence with a compound noun.
I like and want dogs: Simple sentence with a compound verb.

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 Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains an independent clause, and one or more dependent
clauses.
: Independent Clause.
: Dependent Clause.

E.g. Parents are complaining because school materials are no longer free of
charge.
When bikers use the roadways, they should respect the rules.

Some linking words used in complex sentences:

Although, even though, even if, despite that, since, because, for this

reason, as long as, so long as, before, after, when, if, while, as soon as,

once, until, if, in order that, whereas, etc.

 Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence consists of at least two independent clauses and
one or more dependent clauses. Because compound-complex sentences are
normally longer than other sentences, it is very important to punctuate them
correctly.
: Independent Clause.
: Dependent Clause.

E.g. Though John prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller,
and he enjoyed it very much.
The actors gathered for the table read, and they were all ready in order that
they film the upcoming scenes.
Summary
Sentence Type Independent Clauses Dependent Clauses
Simple Only 01 none
Compound 02 or more none
Complex Only 01 01 or more
Compound-Complex 02 or more 01 or more

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 Identify the type of each sentence according to the grammatical structure

▪ Scientists can determine the relative age of fossils from thee layers of the rock
in which the fossils are found. ..................................
▪ Fossils in lower layers are older; those in higher layers are
younger...........................
▪ The oldest fossils of any group of living things are simpler than the more recent
ones...........................................
▪ To scientists, this is clear evidence that plans and animals change
overtime...........................
▪ If you could travel in time, would you go to the time of dinosaurs?
....................................

 Combine each pair of sentences forming one complex sentence

▪ The earth looks different from a million years ago / the continents have changed
shape and position throughout the centuries.
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
▪ A dinosaur appeared about two hundred millions ago/ all continents where
connected.
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................
▪ Fossils of mammals are very different from continent to continent/ fossils
appeared about 40 million years later.
.............................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................