Business Writing

Firefly Electric and Lighting Corp. Learning and Development

Human Resources Department

Module 2

Constructing Sentences

Business Writing

Firefly Electric and Lighting Corp. Training and Organizational Development

Human Resources Department

Module 2A

Lesson 1

Basic Sentence Parts

Module Three: Constructing Sentences

Now that we have a basic understanding of how to use words more effectively in business writing, it’s time to look at sentences. This module will discuss the parts of a sentence, its proper punctuation, and the four kinds of sentences according to structure.

• Have

something to

say, and say

it as clearly

as you can.

That is the

only secret of

style.

• Matthew

Arnold

Definition • A sentence:

– is a grammatical unit consisting of a set or sets of subject and predicate

– expresses a complete thought

– begins with a capital letter

– ends either with a period, a question mark or an exclamation point

– may be composed of a word or a group of words arranged in a coherent and unified pattern

Examples of Sentences

• A word:

– Go! (The subject is an implied “You”.)

• A group of words:

– Loreta bakes delicious chocolate cakes.

– Are your parents attending the meeting?

– How gracefully you dance!

– Hey, you’re stepping on my toes!

– Dinah married a Belgian, didn’t she?

Basic Sentence Parts • Subject

— a grammatical structure that refers to the person or thing that performs the action or being in the state expressed by the predicate.

— The subject may be a noun, a pronoun or a noun substitute (gerund and gerund phrase, infinitive and infinitive phrase, noun clause and sometimes, adjective or adverb).

Basic Sentence Parts

• Predicate

- a grammatical structure that is one of the two main parts of a sentence or a clause that expresses the action or the state of being of the subject.

- It usually consists of a verb with or without objects, complements or adverbial modifier.

Parts of a Sentence

Sentences have two parts:

SUBJECT PREDICATE Noun, Pronoun Verb + Object or Noun Substitute or Modifier

Answers the question What or Who Answers the question What

Basic Sentence Parts • The set or sets of subject and predicate in

sentences may be simple or compound

– Example of simple subject/simple predicate

The founder of the organization invites young people to join his crusade.

Simple subject

Simple predicate

Basic Sentence Parts – Example of compound subject and

compound predicate

Compound subject

Compound predicate

Lanny and her sister , Olivia create and write short stories for children.

Subject of the Sentence 1. Noun:

— The rains soaked the parched earth.

— Ten people have applied for this job.

— The children watch the death- defying feats of acrobats.

2. Pronoun: ― Harold likes to drive fast cars. He drives a

Porsche 550

Note: Avoid using a pronoun as a subject without an antecedent ( Harold in this sentence is the antecedent of “he”).

Subject of the Sentence – Many are called but few are chosen. – Some of the dancers change their costumes several

times. – The earrings on display are of good quality. Those

are very expensive.

Note: In the above sentence, “dancers” can not be a

subject because it is an object of the preposition “of”.

But: in the sentence – Some dancers change their

costumes several times, “Some” becomes modifier of “dancers” which is the subject of the sentence.

Subject of the Sentence

3. Noun clause is a dependent clause one of whose functions is to act as subject of the sentence.

-- Whom you will choose as president of your country can affect your life for six years.

--What I want to do now is to watch a movie.

Subject of the Sentence

4. Gerund is verb form that ends in –ing and functions as a noun. – Swimming tones the muscles.

– Cooking is Mother’s hobby.

5. Gerund phrase is verb form that ends in –ing together with its object and modifiers, if any, and functions as a noun. – Praying the rosary every night should be

practiced by every Catholic family.

Subject of the Sentence 6. Infinitive is the base form of the verb

usually introduced by the article “to” – To act in Broadway is Romina’s main

ambition in life. (“in Broadway” is a prepositional phrase)

Note: The above example is an infinitive with an adverb modifier. It is not a phrase because there is no object.

– To study well is necessary to get good grades. (“ well” is an adverb of manner)

Subject of the Sentence 7. Infinitive phrase is a verb form usually introduced by the article “to”, followed by the base form of the verb, its object and modifiers, if any. One of its functions is as a noun substitute.

— To generate electricity requires a power

source. — To expand its office manpower is needed to

cope with the rapid growth of the company.

Subject of the Sentence 8. Adjective – usually functions as a modifier of

nouns and pronouns. The adjective commonly used as a subject is a descriptive adjective. As a subject it is prefaced by the article “the”. The adjective as a subject always takes on a plural verb.

– The beautiful always claim attention of admirers.

– The rich enjoy many privileges not available to the less financially endowed.

Subject of the Sentence

9. Adverb - usually functions as a modifier of a verb, an adjective or another adverb. The adverbs usually taken as subject are adverbs of place and adverbs of time.

– Tomorrow is yet to come. (Adverb of time)

– Here rests the unsung heroes of our country. (Adverb of place)

The Predicate of a Sentence

• The grammatical structure that serves as predicate of the sentence is the verb. There are three kinds of verbs according to structure:

– Transitive verb is a verb that needs a receiver of its action in order to complete its meaning. The receivers are direct object, indirect object , objective complement and retained object.

The Predicate of a Sentence

-- Intransitive verb is a verb that is complete in itself. It does not need a receiver of its action. It may take on adverb modifiers in order to make its meaning clearer.

-- Linking verb is a verb that connects the subject of the sentence to a noun, pronoun, adjective or any other of the noun substitute that is related to it.

The Predicate of a Sentence • Some verbs may pair off with auxiliary or

helping verb to denote tense, person, mood, number or aspect. The most common auxiliary verbs are the verbs be, have and do.

• Other helping verbs are the modal auxiliaries. These are auxiliary verbs that express ability, possibility, permission or obligation.

The Predicate of a Sentence • Modal auxiliaries include:

can/could/ be able to – implies ability or possibility

shall/should/ought to – implies asking or giving permission, polite request, polite suggestion; offer of assistance

The Predicate of a Sentence

ill/would – implies futurity of an event or action, polite request or statement

may/ might - implies possibility, giving or asking permission

must/ have to/ need to – implies obligation

Basic Sentence Parts

Let’s Review

Basic Sentence Parts 1. One of these is a not true of a sentence:

a) has a set of subject and predicate b) the subject can be a noun clause c) may have a simple subject but compound

predicate d) the subject can also be an object of the

preposition e) is made up of one word.

2. One of these cannot be used as subject of the sentence.

a) infinitive phrase b) prepositional phrase c) gerund phrase d) noun clause e) gerund

Basic Sentence Parts 3. When an adjective is used as a subject:

a) it must take on a plural verb b) it must be used as a modifier c) it must consist of a phrase d) it must take on a singular verb e) all of the above

4. The predicate of a sentence can be: a) a complete verb b) A linking verb c) An intransitive verb d) A transitive verb e) All of the above

Basic Sentence Parts 5. Which of these will require an antecedent when used

as subject of the sentence? a) noun b) pronoun c) adjective d) adverb e) gerund 6. Which can be used as modifier of an adjective used as subject of the sentence? a) the b) some c) any d) many e) all

Basic Sentence Parts 7. All of these are noun substitutes except one:

a) Pronoun b) Gerund c) Infinitive d) Preposition e) None of the above

8. Which one of these adverbs can be used as subject of the sentence?

a) Adverb of manner b) Adverb of frequency c) Adverb of place d) Adverb of affirmation e) Adverb of negation

Basic Sentence Parts 9. The verb form used in the infinitive is:

a) S-form

b) past form

c) present participle form

d) past participle form

e) base form

Basic Sentence Parts 10. Which of these is not a modal auxiliary?

a)must b) should c) could be d) ought to

e) will

11. The most common auxiliary verbs are:

a) have b) do c) be d) none of the above

e) all of the above.

12. The predicate must always have:

a) an auxiliary verb b) a verb c) an object

d) a complement e) a modal auxiliary

Basic Sentence Parts 13.Which of these cannot be a noun

substitute?

a) pronoun b. adverb c. noun clause d. gerund e. infinitive

14. Of the verbs, which can have an adjective complement?

a) Linking verb b. Intransitive verb c. Transitive verb d. All of the above e. None of the above

Basic Sentence Parts 15. In the sentence, “The crying child wants to

watch the clown swallowing the broken pieces of glass.”, which of the words below functions as predicate?

a) crying b) wants c) to watch d) swallowing e) broken.

Basic Sentence Parts Identify the simple subject and simple

predicate in the sentences below.

1. Andrew is leaving his mother a message.

2. Camille has been calling you since this morning.

3. Magnificent Sequoias line the street .

4. Fathers are the pillars of security of our homes.

Basic Sentence Parts 5. The flower, lily of the valley, signifies a

return to happiness.

6. Kara has forgotten to bring her books.

7. The government will be launching a cleanliness campaign.

8. Beyond that mountain lives a hermit said to be more than a hundred years old.

9. Somebody has posted a message on the bulletin board.

Basic Sentence Parts 10. Elizabeth and her sister, Margaret had lived

very privileged lives as crown princesses of England.

11. All of these used clothes will be distributed to the indigents in the slum area.

12. Some of the spilled oil on the road was the cause of many vehicular accidents.

13. Myra and her husband are very protective of their children.

Basic Sentence Parts 14. Children, please clean the floors and apply

floor wax afterwards.

15. Did Florinda complete the survey being distributed by the agency?

Basic Sentence Parts

If you got a score of 8 or less in the practice exercise, please review the notes on Basic Sentence Parts before taking the quiz.

Please look over the uploaded Powerpoint notes in Quia and check whether there are other facts you need to include in your Cheat Sheet.

Constructing Sentences

Module IIA

LESSON 1

Answers to

Basic Sentence Parts

Quiz

Basic Sentence Parts 1. One of these is a not true of a sentence:

a) has a set of subject and predicate b) the subject can be a noun clause c) may have a simple subject but compound

predicate d) the subject is also an object of the preposition e) is made up of one word.

2. One of these cannot be used as subject of the sentence.

a) infinitive phrase b) prepositional phrase c) gerund phrase d) participial phrase e) gerund

Basic Sentence Parts 3. When an adjective is used as a subject:

a) it must take on a plural verb b) it must be used as a modifier c) it must consist of a phrase d) it must take on a singular verb e) all of the above

4. The predicate of a sentence can be: a) a complete verb b) A linking verb c) An intransitive verb d) A transitive verb e) All of the above

Basic Sentence Parts 5. Which of these will require an antecedent when used

as subject of the sentence? a) noun b) pronoun c) adjective d) adverb e) gerund 6. Which can be used as modifier of an adjective used as subject of the sentence? a) the b) some c) any d) many e) all

Basic Sentence Parts 7. All of these are noun substitutes except one:

a) Pronoun b) Gerund c) Infinitive d) Preposition e) None of the above

8. Which one of these adverbs can be used as subject of the sentence?

a) Adverb of manner b) Adverb of frequency c) Adverb of place d) Adverb of affirmation e) Adverb of negation

Basic Sentence Parts 9. The verb form used in the infinitive is:

a) S-form

b) past form

c) present participle form

d) past participle form

e) base form

Basic Sentence Parts 10.Which of these is not a modal auxiliary?

a) must b) should c) could be d) ought to

e) will

11. The most common auxiliary verbs are:

a) have b) do c) be d) none of the above e) all of the above.

12. The predicate must always have:

a) an auxiliary verb b) a verb c) an object d) a complement e) a modal auxiliary

Basic Sentence Parts 15.In the sentence, “The crying child wants to

watch the clown swallowing the broken pieces of glass.”, which of the words below functions as predicate?

a) crying b) wants c) to watch d. swallowing e. broken.

Basic Sentence Parts 13.Which of these cannot be a noun

substitute?

a) pronoun b) adverb c) noun clause d) gerund e. infinitive

14. Of the verbs, which can have an adjective complement?

a)Linking verb b) Intransitive verb c) Transitive verb d) All of the above e) None of the above

Basic Sentence Parts Identify the simple subject and simple

predicate in the sentences below. Write the answer in your notebook

1 Andrew is leaving his mother a message.

2. Camille has been calling you since this morning.

3. Magnificent Sequoia trees line the street .

4. Fathers are the pillars of security of our homes

Basic Sentence Parts 10. Elizabeth and her sister, Margaret had lived

very privileged lives as crown princesses of England.

11. All of these used clothes will be distributed to the indigents in the slum area.

12. Some of the spilled oil on the road was the cause of many vehicular accidents.

13. Myra and her husband are very protective of their children.

Basic Sentence Parts 14. Children, (You) please clean the floors and

apply floor wax aftewards.

15. Did Florinda complete the survey being distributed by the agency?

Module IIA, Lesson 1: Basic Sentence Parts Quiz

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End of Module 2A, Lesson 1