English Grammar and Composition chapter 9: Sentences

09 Sentences

9/1: Clauses

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate.

There are two kinds of clauses: independent and subordinate clauses. A clause may be either a sentence (an independent clause) or a sentence-like construction within another sentence (a dependent or subordinate clause).

A . The Independent Clause

An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence. If you recognize a sentence, you should be able to recognize independent clauses.

Look at the following examples:

Many people are afraid of tornadoes.

A tornado can be terrifying.

A tornado is a violently revolving storm.

In the centre of the tornado is an area of calm air.

The centre of the tornado is known as the "eye".

This eye is formed by the air spiraling around it.

This eye is simply a hollow space.

All the above sentences are independent clauses. A sentence may have more than one independent clause.

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For example,

A tornado is a violently revolving storm and it can be terrifying.

The centre of the tornado is known as the "eye", but it is simply a hollow space.

Activity 1 Write down ten independent clauses about yourself.

B. The Subordinate Clause

A subordinate clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate but cannot stand by itself as complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought. While an independent clause can stand alone as a complete thought, a subordinate clause cannot stand alone. Subordinate clauses are sometimes called dependent clauses.

Look at the following examples. Each sentence has two parts, and in each part there is a subject and a predicate. However, the second part in the first sentence and the first part in the second sentence cannot stand alone, and therefore, they are subordinate clauses.

The crowds cheered to greet Musfikur when he entered the stadium.

As he walked across the field, he waved back to the audience.

Study the following sentences, which contain subordinate clauses. Notice that the subordinate clauses are introduced by words like since, when, if, as, who, which and that.

Luna**, who was the Roman goddess of the moon,** gave us the word lunatic

Since at one time the moon was believed to cause madness, people avoided moonlight**.**

Anyone that slept with the moon shining in his/her face might become mad.

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Even today many people feel uncomfortable if the moon shines in on them while they are sleeping.

(The examples above have been taken from Warriner's English Grammar and Composition, 1973)

A sentence may have more than one subordinate clause. For example, see the last sentence above.

B 1 Kinds of subordinate clauses:

A subordinate clause may function as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun.

i) Clauses used as adjectives: A subordinate clause functions as an adjective if it modifies a noun or a pronoun. Such clauses are sometimes called adjective clauses.

Look at the following sentences. The subjects of the subordinate clauses are underlined, and the predicates are shown in bold type.

The movie that you recommended to me was good.

( Which movie? The one that you recommended to me.)

A doctor who takes care of children is a pediatrician.

(Which kind of doctor? A doctor who takes care of children.)

In the above sentences, the subordinate clauses, that you recommended to me, and who takes care of children, are adjective clauses.

Most adjective clauses begin with a relative pronoun:

that which who whom whose

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You may also introduce adjective clauses with relative adverbs:

after before since where why

for example: It was a place where crowds gathered in the evenings.

(Subordinate clause)

ii) Adverb Clauses: A subordinate clause functions as an adverb if it modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. Such clauses are sometimes called adverb clauses.

Here are some examples of adverb clauses:

Before you buy a television, you should compare prices.

(modifies verb)

Aleya was proud that the theatre group chose her.

(modifies adjective)

Like adverbs, adverb clauses tell how, when, where, and to what extent. They may also explain why.

Look at the following sentences:

How The building swayed as though it would collapse.

When Before the storm started, Nayan took shelter in a building.

Where We can have lunch wherever you want.

To What Extent Maya studied the poem until she had memorized it.

Why Shahed came early so that he would get a good seat.

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iii) Noun Clauses: Some subordinate clauses function as nouns in sentences.

Such clauses are called noun clauses. A noun clause may function as a subject, a predicate nominative, a direct object, an indirect object, an object of a preposition, or an appositive.

Examples:

You may introduce a noun clause with either an interrogative pronoun (such as, who, whom, whose, which, whatever, whoever, whomever, etc.) or, a subordinating conjunction (such as, how, that, when, where, whether, why, etc.)

Activity 2

Identify the subordinate clauses in the following sentences.

I couldn't remember when you were going to present your paper on "Education and Development".

After you finish this work, let's discuss the plans for your next project.

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If you agree, we can work as a team.

While I talked, I noticed that she was not actually listening to me.

Activity 3

Add an independent clause to (either at the beginning or after) each of the following subordinate clauses, and write the whole sentence on your paper.

i) when I woke up this morning

ii) if it rains tomorrow

iii) but I have to finish my homework

iv) although we met before

v) which you promised to do

9/2: Meaning and Types

A . Read the following examples.

1. Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft.

2. He is the pioneer of modern Information Technology.

3. He is doing a lot of works for the service of humanity.

Now read these examples:

4. wonder is the of modern science mobile phone.

5. contact with people can others mobile phone within a second through.

6. reduced it has labour our time and.

Thinking questions

• Do the first three examples express meaning?

• What about the next three examples?

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• Do they express meaning? If not, rearrange the words in each example to make it meaningful.

A sentence is a group of words at least with a subject and a verb expressing a complete sense.

Activity 1 Work with a partner. Identify which ones are sentences and which are not.

(a) Farida, a primary school teacher, works in the district of Lalmonirhat. (b) As a social worker she started. (c) Under her close monitoring she has managed. (d) She has managed to stop many early marriages of girls' students. (e) Many girls have realised the need for education and they are attending schools. (f) Like Farida many other women are coming forward too. (g) Local authority is also very helpful and providing support to Farida's effort. (h) She has been able to draw the attention of many parents. (i) Her efforts have also drawn the attention. (j) Different medias and international organizations are highlighting about Farida's. (k) Currently she has been selected for an international award.

Types of Sentences: according to meaning

B . Now read and study the following sentences.

1. Cricket has got much popularity in our country.

2. Still many people are not interested to watch this game.

3. Do you like to watch this game?

4. Let's watch a cricket match this evening.

5. Talk to your mother for permission to go to the stadium.

6. Call Asif to accompany us.

7. Oh, What an interesting idea it is!

8. How enjoyable and thrilling the match will be!

9. May our cricket team win the 'World Cup'!

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What do the sentences 1 & 2 express and what is the difference between them?

The 1^st^ one is an affirmative sentence and the 2^nd^ one is a negative sentence. They express statement. So a sentence which expresses/makes a statement or assertion is called an Assertive sentence.

Now notice the 3rd sentence and try to fill in the following gap with the right word. The 3^rd^ sentence expresses ___________and it is an Interrogative sentence. So a sentence which expresses/asks a ___________ is an Interrogative sentence.

Now notice the sentences 4, 5 and 6. The sentences express proposal, advice and direction/instruction respectively, and these are Imperative sentences. So a sentence which expresses ___________ is called an Imperative sentence.

Notice sentences no. 7 and no. 8. They express ___________ and they are exclamatory sentences. So a sentence which expresses ___________ is an Exclamatory sentence.

Now notice sentence no. 9. The sentence no. 9 expresses --------- and it is an Optative sentence. So a sentence which expresses------------ is an Optative sentence.

Activity 2 Identify the different kinds of sentences from the given text. Work in groups.

Patriotism is a noble virtue. It is an inherent human quality. 2. Have you heard the name of Birsreshtha Mostofa Kamal? 3. Read his biography. 4. See how brave he was! 5. He laid down his life for the sake of his country. 6. Do you know his birthplace? 7. Every year on 16^th^ December the nation pays special homage to the heroes like him. 8. Different organizations organize different programmes highlighting the day. 9. May the Almighty bless our national heroes! 10. Have you ever participated in any programme on this day?

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Activity 3 Match the items in column A with those in column B to make sentences.

Column A

1. News paper plays
2. It publishes
3. A student must
4. Mere bookish knowledge is
5. A news paper helps him
6. A man who does not read
7. Being ignorant of the current affairs
8. Newspaper highlights
9. Sometimes there are
10. We should accept

Column B

a. have the habit of reading newspaper every day. b. enrich his general knowledge and makes him aware of current issues. c. important news and views of home and abroad. d. false and partial reports in the newspaper. e. not sufficient in the competitive world. f. he/she cannot take part in the talks and discussion. g. is like a frog in the narrow well. h. the good reports and avoid the bad ones. i. news of various interests and views of important personalities. j. a vital role in modern civilization.

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