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UNIT 3 - Lesson 2

This document provides an overview of simple sentences, focusing on the roles of subjects and predicates, as well as their surface and deep structures. It explains how to identify subjects in various forms, including nouns, pronouns, gerunds, infinitives, and noun clauses, and discusses the use of anticipatory 'it' and 'there'. Additionally, it covers subject-verb inversion in specific contexts such as questions and negative constructions.

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Catalina Machuca
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9 views4 pages

UNIT 3 - Lesson 2

This document provides an overview of simple sentences, focusing on the roles of subjects and predicates, as well as their surface and deep structures. It explains how to identify subjects in various forms, including nouns, pronouns, gerunds, infinitives, and noun clauses, and discusses the use of anticipatory 'it' and 'there'. Additionally, it covers subject-verb inversion in specific contexts such as questions and negative constructions.

Uploaded by

Catalina Machuca
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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UNIT 3

Lesson 2

THE SIMPLE SENTENCE


A simple sentence is a discourse unit usually made up of a subject and a predicate or rather
a NP and a VP.

We should take into consideration that NP and VP are categories whereas SUBJECT
AND PREDICATE are functions or roles.

Besides, there are two functions:

a) Surface structure: formal or grammatical


b) Deep structure: semantic or logical. It is determined by meaning.

The Subject

In general, the surface structure subject is the NP that precedes the verb in affirmative
sentences. Examples:

My brother won the lottery.

Fish swim.

The subject of a sentence is the person, place, thing or idea that is doing or being
something. You can find the subject of a sentence if you can find the verb. Ask the
question, “who or what + verb?” and the answer to that question is the subject.

For instance, in the sentence “These computers must be replaced”, the verb is “must be
replaced”. What must be replaced? These computers. So the subject is “these computers”.

The subject may be just one word (a), more than one word (b) or even an entire clause (c).
See the following examples:

(a) Vegetables are healthy.


(b) Some green vegetables provide more nutrients than others.
(c) What she has studied about nutrients will be analyzed next week.
The subject in imperative sentences

In English, the subject of a command, order, or suggestion –you, the person being directed-
is usually left out of the sentence and is said to be the understood subject. Examples:

[You] Open the door, please.

[You]Read the user’s handbook carefully.

Categories functioning as subject

The following categories may function as subject:

1. A noun: Margarita was kidnapped.

Students are working hard.

2. A pronoun: In September, I moderated a discussion on environment.

He is the only worker who could finish this task

3. A Gerund: Smoking is bad for your health.

Learning a foreign language is easier.

Understanding tides and currents will help you stay safe .

4. An infinitive: To err is human

To act like that is stupid

5. A noun clause: Where the treasure is hidden remains a mystery.

What Julia said made her friends cry


The anticipatory “it

“It” may function as an anticipatory subject for

- an infinitive: It is nice to work with you.


- a gerundial phrase: It is good seeing you.
It is no good crying over spilt milk.

- a noun clause: It is astonishing that he refused the offer.

You are the head of the family and it is right that you should be
at home to see that everything is in order

It is likely that we'll be moving to Glasgow.

Anticipatory “There”

“There” may be used as an introductory subject.


In English, we use there + to be to indicate existence. The word there is used to
introduce the sentence. Example:
There are two files in this folder
This sentence may also be written as Two files are in the folder. Usually, the first
form is preferred, though the subject is “two files”.

“There” may anticipate:


 A noun
There is some water here
There won’t be enough time

 A gerund
There is no denying the fact that she did it

Subject-Verb Inversion
The normal English order of subject-verb-completer is disturbed under some
circumstances:

 In questions: Have you prepared lunch?


 In expletive constructions: Here is the book.
 To give prominence or focus to a particular word or phrase by putting the predicate
in the initial position: Even more important is the chapter dealing with American
History.
 When a sentence begins with a word of negative connotation: Seldom has so much
been appreciated. Not only was he a good worker but also a nice friend.
 In negative constructions: I don’t believe a word she says, nor does my brother.
 After “so”: I believe her; so does my brother

Material adapted from the following source

 Foley, Mark & Hall, Diane (2005). “Advanced Learners’ Grammar”. Longman.
Edinburgh, England.

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