7/27/2019 Sentence Comprehension.pdf

1/8

UNDERSTANDING SENTENCES

ParlindunganPardede

UniversitasKristen Indonesia

7/27/2019 Sentence Comprehension.pdf

2/8

DEFINITIONDEFINITION

A sentence is a group of words that express acomplete thought or idea.

A sentence must be about one thingthe

subjectand some action that happens inrelation to the subjectthe verb.

S + V (+ O/C)

In some situations, the verb, instead ofexpressing action, links or connects two partsof the sentence by using to be.

S + TO BE (+ C)

7/27/2019 Sentence Comprehension.pdf

3/8

MAIN FEATURES OF SENTENCE

Expresses a complete thought, or supplies enough

information to give the reader the full meaning being

expressed by the writer so that the reader is sure

about: (1) what happened? and (2) who did it or to

what something happened?

ruined many houses and farms. (What ruined them?)

The storm ruined many houses and farms.

A good teacher (should what?, will what?)

A good teacher should keep on learning.

Has a SUBJECT and a VERB (with its OBJECT or

COMPLEMENT).

7/27/2019 Sentence Comprehension.pdf

4/8

CORE PARTS OF A SENTENCE

The core parts of a sentence are the subject and the verb. Theyalso carry its essential meaning.

Examples:

(1) The storm ruined many houses and farms.

(2) A good teacher should keep on learning

However, sentences can contain many other parts (modifiers),and they can vary widely in pattern and complexity.

Example:

When you learn a language, you learn the sounds used in thatlanguage, the basic units of meaning, such as words, and therules to combine these to form new sentences.

7/27/2019 Sentence Comprehension.pdf

5/8

SENTENCE MODIFIERS

Sentence modifiers are remaining parts of asentence after the SUBJECT and VERBS.

They provide the reader with further informationabout the core parts they modify.

The modifiers modify one or more core parts by

expanding, altering, or limiting its meaningExample:

Every student except those majoring in English is required to take Basic

English, EAP I and EAP II classes.

7/27/2019 Sentence Comprehension.pdf

6/8

SENTENCE WITH MULTIPLE CORE PARTS

Some sentences may have more than one subject and/ or morethan one verb. In such a condition, there are some subjectsand/or some verbs in the sentences.

Examples:

Dedication, determination, and diligence contribute to ones success.

He joined the competition, did his best, and won the trophy.

V

S

S

S

S

V

VV

7/27/2019 Sentence Comprehension.pdf

7/8

RELATIONSHIP AMONG IDEAS

1. Sentences That Combine Ideas.

Two or more closely related and equally important ideascan be combined into a single sentence in order (1) to

emphasize their relationship, (2) to indicate their equalimportance, and/or (3) to make the material more conciseand easier to read.

The ideas are combined by using either a semicolon or acomma along with one of the following words: and, but,or, either-or, neither-nor.

Examples:

John wanted to go to Hawaii for vacation,but Ann hadplanned to go to Bali.

Susan likes playing the piano, andher parents support her.

7/27/2019 Sentence Comprehension.pdf

8/8

2. Sentences That Relate Ideas.

When a writer adds a less important idea to modify themain idea, the formerstated in a dependent clause) isrelated to the latter. Without such a relationship, themeaning of the former is not complete.

The relationship of the less important idea and the mainidea could be easily noticed because the former describes orexplains a condition, cause, reason, purpose, time, or place.

Examples:

Although Theo is still five years old, he can play a guitarvery nicely.

More and more people ride motorcycles after the rise of oilprice.