Scribd
Upload
6 views

Grammar and Syntax Crash Course

Uploaded by

lavenderlifedesigns
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views

Grammar and Syntax Crash Course

Uploaded by

lavenderlifedesigns
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

Grammar and Syntax

SLIDESMANIA.COM
Introduction
Welcome to this crash course on grammar and syntax! This booklet is based on our
lecture slides and is designed to help you strengthen your understanding of the building
blocks that form clear and effective sentences. Mastering concepts like sentence
structure and relationships between words will enhance your ability to write with clarity
and purpose. This guide will focus on topics such as subjects and predicates, clauses
and phrases, and the difference between independent and subordinate clauses.
SLIDESMANIA.COM

Each section includes clear explanations and practical examples to help you apply
these concepts to your own writing. Keep this resource nearby for quick reference
throughout the semester, and feel free to revisit it whenever you need a refresher.
Together, we’ll build a solid foundation for your academic success!

Kerryn
Syntax
=
the arrangement of words and phrases in a sentence.

What is a sentence?
A group of words that express a complete thought.
SLIDESMANIA.COM

A group 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
sometimes one or more subordinate clauses.
SENTENCE
Joey kicked the ball.

S V O

Subject Predicate
SLIDESMANIA.COM

Who or what is performing the Everything else in the sentence. It


action? A noun or a noun phrase. must include a verb. It’s the part of
the sentence that says something
about the subject.
Predicate
VERB:
• Doing words/action words. Must be a finite verb (i.e.: have a tense).
• E.g.: run, throw, wash, build, bring.

OBJECT:
• The noun (or equivalent) that is affected by the verb action.
• Direct objects: Directly impacted by the verb (what or whom?).
SLIDESMANIA.COM

• Indirect objects: “receives” what is being done/given (to or for whom?).


Predicate

• Sentences can either be in the active voice or the passive voice.


SLIDESMANIA.COM

• In the passive voice, the object that is “receiving” the action/verb


comes first.

Joey kicked the ball.


vs
The ball was kicked by Joey.
Within sentences there are 2 types of word groupings:
SLIDESMANIA.COM
Practice: Independent vs. Dependent (Subordinate) Clauses

Identify the following as independent (I) or dependent (D) clauses

1. unless you stop doing that right now 1. D


2. I was excited for you to join me 2. I
3. although I am between paychecks 3. D
SLIDESMANIA.COM

4. because I believe in you 4. D


5. he plays the piano 5. I
6. while we were riding bikes 6. D
7. she intends to get a teaching degree 7. I
8. since I value your friendship 8. D
Practice 2: Identifying Clauses
Identify the independent (I) and dependent (D) clauses in the following sentences:

1. Cait plays hockey as she enjoys it.


Cait plays hockey (I) as she enjoys it (D).

2. Every time I leave my house, I forget my phone


Every time I leave my house (D), I forget my phone (I).
SLIDESMANIA.COM

3. Although they’re a good team they lost the game.


Although they’re a good team (D) they lost the game (I).

4. The movie was good however it was too long.


The movie was good (I) however it was too long (D).

5. I didn’t buy any bread when I went to the shops.


I didn’t buy any bread (I) when I went to the shops (D).
SENTENCE
FUNCTIONS &
STRUCTURES

Sentences can be classified according to


SLIDESMANIA.COM

their function, or according to their


structure (what clauses they contain).
Functions:
Statement (Declarative) Question (Interrogative)
- A declaration/assertion. - Requires an answer (information gap).
- Fact, idea or opinion. - Yes/No or Open questions.
- Usually SVO order. - Auxiliary verb + subject + main verb
- Includes rhetorical questions. - Always ends with a ?
- Robin and Ted are going to a - Are Robin and Ted going to a concert?
concert.
SLIDESMANIA.COM

Command (Imperative) Exclamation (Exclamative)


- An instruction or directive. - A spontaneous outburst (strong emotion).
- Can be polite or authoritative. - Can be surprise, horror, urgency, delight.
- Typically lacks a subject. - Usually ends with an !
- Please go to the concert. - Sometimes lacks a subject and verb.
- That’s fantastic!
Sentence Structure
Simple Sentence
1 independent clause Marshall and Lily went to the zoo.
(1 subject + 1 verb phrase/predicate)
__________________________________________________________________________________

Compound Sentence
2 independent clauses Marshall and Lily went to the zoo, but they did not go to the park.
(2 subjects + 2 predicates)

__________________________________________________________________________________
SLIDESMANIA.COM

Complex Sentence Because Marshall and Lily went to the zoo, they did not
1 independent clause and
1+ subordinate (dependent) clause. go to the park.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Compound-Complex Sentence Marshall is scared of monkeys, but because Lily loves animals,
2 independent clauses and
1+ subordinate (dependent) clause. they went to the zoo.
COORDINATING VS SUBORDINATING CONJUCTIONS
Independent clauses are joined by coordinating conjunctions.

FANBOYS
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Marshall and Lily went to the zoo, but they did not go to the park.
SLIDESMANIA.COM

Subordinating conjunctions link a subordinate clause to an independent


clause. They mark the start of the subordinate clause.

after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, then, that, though,
till, until, when, where, whether, while
1. While I was sleeping, the dog ate my food.

While I was sleeping, the dog ate my food.


= Complex sentence
(sub. clause) (indep. clause)

2. I was tired, so I had a nap.


SLIDESMANIA.COM

I was tired, so I had a nap.


= Compound sentence
coord conj.
(indep. clause) (indep. clause)
3. The package arrived, but before I could check the contents,
the courier left.
The package arrived but before I could check the contents, the courier
left.
= Compound-complex
coord. conj.
(indep. clause) (sub. clause) (indep. clause)
SLIDESMANIA.COM

You might also like