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Online Tutoring System for Essay Writing
Simple Sentences – Unit 1
Unit 1 Simple Sentences
Learning Objectives
In this unit, you will learn how to construct noun phrases, verb phrases, and simple sentences using the
five basic sentence patterns.
At the end of this unit, you should be able to answer the following questions:
•
•
•
What is a sentence?
What is a sentence made of?
What is the basic structure of a sentence?
You may be able to write sentences now but after you know the answers to these questions, you will be able to
write correct sentences with greater mastery.
Identifying Simple Sentences
There are six sentences in this short introduction to Michael. Some of them are simple sentences, for example,
“Michael is a Social Science student.” Others are more complex. Read the passage and think about the
questions above.
Michael is a Social Science student. He is a friendly and likeable young man. His friendliness
has won him many friends among teachers and students. Michael is also a good writer and has
had excellent marks in English – good enough to become a Peer English Tutor in the Learning
Centre. Despite his talents, he sometimes wonders what he is doing in college. His goal is to
spend a year in England, the homeland of his grandparents, before deciding what he wants to
study at university.
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
PART 1 Components of Simple Sentences
There are two basic components in simple sentences: noun phrases and verb phrases.
Noun Phrases
What is a noun phrase?
A noun phrase is a group of words that includes a noun and words that modify it.
A cat
The boy
My parents
This room
Classical music
English courses
The girl in the corner
The book on the desk
How is a noun phrase formed?
A noun phrase is formed by combining a noun with modifying words.
These modifying words can be:
article + noun
pronoun + noun
adjective + noun
noun + noun
noun + prepositional phrase the books; some boys your books; these boys
red books; small boys
English books; baby boys
the books on the desk; the boys in the corner
*Note that the prepositional phrase always goes after the noun it modifies, while all the other modifiers
are placed before the noun they modify.
How does a noun phrase function in a sentence?
As the subject (subj.)
Classical music is popular in my country.
(subj.)
As the object (obj.)Carl enjoys his English course.
(obj.)
As the complement (compl.)
Jane is the girl in the corner.
(compl.)
*If you need answers to the following questions, consult the online OTSEW Glossary:
What is a subject?
What is an object?
What is a complement?
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Online Tutoring System for Essay Writing
Simple Sentences – Unit 1
Verb Phrases
What is a verb phrase?
Verb phrases (vp) are words or groups of words that are used to express an action.
1. They seemed happy.
(vp)
2. They may find the job challenging.
(vp)
3. He is talking on the phone.
(vp)
4. We have read the book.
(vp)
5. I should have told you the story.
(vp)
How is a verb phrase formed?
A verb phrase or predicate expresses something about the subject in the sentence.
predicate
1. They
seemed happy.
(vp)
predicate
2. They
may find the job challenging.
(vp)
predicate
3. He
is talking on the phone.
(vp)
predicate
4. We
have read the book.
(vp)
predicate
5. I
should have told you the story.
(vp)
A verb phrase can be a single verb:
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
They seemed happy.
or it can be formed with a main verb + helping verb(s):
helping verb
They may main verb
+
find the job interesting.
Here are more examples of verb phrases formed from helping verbs:
helping verb
He is
main verb
+
helping verb
We have
talking on the phone.
main verb
+
read the book.
helping verb
main verb
I should have +
told you the story.
How does a verb phrase function in a sentence?
A verb phrase expresses or describes an action as a single verb does.
Using verb phrases correctly in your writing allows you to easily change the meaning of a sentence.
Different verb phrases can express:
A fact about a past action
A desire for future action
An ongoing, present action
We have read this book.
We want to read this book.
We are reading this book.
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
Verb phrase modifiers
What is a verb phrase modifier?
Verb phrase modifiers are words, phrases or other structures that work with verb phrases to provide more
information about the action. Verb phrase modifiers are also called adverbials.
They can refer to:
Time
Place
Condition
Manner
They have been driving for two hours.
They have been driving to the airport.
They have been driving slowly.
They have been driving with some difficulty.
How is a verb phrase modifier formed?
Adverbials usually take the form of adverbs, adverb phrases, noun phrases or prepositional phrases. In every
sentence pattern, the adverbial tells where, when, why, how, etc. There can be more than one adverbial in
a sentence and they can be moved around within the sentence.
She could write quickly.
vp
adv
She could write beautifully
vp
adv
She could write intelligently.
vp
adv
They met in their English class.
vp prep. phrase
They met in the College library.
vp prep. phrase
They met in the cafeteria.
vp prep. phrase
How does a verb phrase modifier function in a sentence?
Adverbials have flexible positions in sentences. They can be placed before or after the verb.
She quickly gathered her books.
adv
vp
She gathered her books quickly.
vp
adv
They can also appear at the beginning or end of a sentence.
They walked slowly (to the store).
Slowly, they walked (to the store).
She spoke (to the class) with confidence.
With confidence, she spoke (to the class).
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
Simple Sentences
What is a simple sentence?
The minimal English sentence is referred to as the simple sentence: it is considered a sentence if it
expresses a complete thought.
A complete thought must specify
1. who [or what] performs an action or is in a certain state
2. what the action [or state] is
John laughed.
what
John laughed.
who
Most students study six courses.
who
what
Most students study six courses.
This statement is not a complete
thought because you do not know
anything about the students.
This statement is not a complete
thought because you do not know
who studies six courses.
Note how important it is to be specific about the action (or state) described to get a complete thought.
The following examples hardly make sense until they are completed with the appropriate verb phrase:
Eating fast food every day ______ good for your health.
Eating fast food every day is not good for your health.
My boss _______ my best friend.
My boss is far from being my best friend.
Oh no! Fido _______ on the floor.
Oh no! Fido spilled his water on the floor.
How is a simple sentence formed?
To express a complete thought, a sentence must contain at least:
[the “who”]
1. a subject (a noun, noun phrase or pronoun)
[the “what”] 2.A predicate (a verb or verb phrase + complements
or modifiers)
Some examples of simple sentences:
Anh
(subj.)
laughed.
(predicate)
Most students
(subj.)
eat at the cafeteria.
(predicate)
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
A simple sentence has the structure of noun phrase + verb phrase (+ noun phrase)
Tom laughed.
n vp
Most students study six courses (per semester).
np
vp
np
Writing incomplete sentences, or sentence fragments that do not express a complete thought, is a common error.
Also, the greater percentage of road accidents.
(This sentence is missing a verb (predicate) and does not express a complete thought)
A complete sentence must contain at least one subject and one main verb.
Sentences becoming more complex
A simple sentence can be easily recognized because it is one independent clause containing a subject and a
verb. It may contain other elements such as a noun phrase as an object but it remains only one clause.
Sentences become more complex when they join two or more clauses together. In complex sentences, you will
notice many more subjects and verbs.
More on types of sentences in Unit 2
How does a simple sentence function?
In essay writing, simple sentences are used
•
•
•
to state facts or present arguments (declarative sentences)
to direct attention (imperative sentences)
to ask questions (interrogative sentences)
A declarative sentence presents a fact or argument without requiring either an answer or action from the reader.
Most sentences in essays are of this type.
The main topic of this essay is poverty among single mothers.
An imperative sentence gives a direct command to someone but in essay writing it should contain only a mild
instruction or suggestion.
Consider this problem.
An interrogative sentence asks a direct question.
Why do they often experience financial difficulty?
The main topic of this essay is poverty among single mothers. Consider this problem. Why do they
often experience financial difficulty?
Declarative and imperative sentences end with a period ( . ). Interrogative sentences end with a question
mark ( ? ).
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
Practice 1
Read the following paragraph and perform the given tasks
1.Identify the two sentence fragments in the paragraph
(1) In August 1862, gold was found in Williams Creek in central British Columbia. (2) In the following
spring, miners from eastern Canada, the U.S., and China came to Barkerville, a new mining town. (3) Fire
was a constant danger in the town. (4) During the long hot summers. (5) The wooden buildings along the
streets became tinder dry. (6) On September 16, 1868, a fire started in a restaurant and spread quickly. (7)
In just an hour, the fire totally destroyed four-fifths of the town. (8) And killed dozens of people.
2.Identify the verb or verb phrase in Sentences (1) and (3).
(1)In August 1862, gold was found in Williams Creek in central British Columbia.
(3)Fire was a constant danger in the town.
3.In Sentences (2) and (5), identify the noun phrases with the structure
of noun + prepositional phrase.
(2)In the following spring, miners from eastern Canada, the U.S., and China came to Barkerville,
a new mining town.
(5) The wooden buildings along the streets became tinder dry.
4.In Sentences (3) and (5), identify the noun phrases with the structure of adjective + noun.
(3)Fire was a constant danger in the town.
(5) The wooden buildings along the streets became tinder dry.
5.In Sentences (6) and (7), identify the adverbs that modify the verb phrases.
(6) On September 16, 1868, a fire started in a restaurant and spread quickly.
(7)In just an hour, the fire totally destroyed four-fifths of the town.
6.In Sentences (2) and (7), identify the prepositional phrases that modify the verb phrase.
(2)In the following spring, miners from eastern Canada, the U.S., and China came to Barkerville,
a new mining town.
(7)In just an hour, the fire totally destroyed four-fifths of the town.
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
Construct noun phrases to fit the given patterns, using the words provided
1. from
on the block
children
dancing
school
the
small
_______________+________________
adjective
noun
_______________+________________
noun
noun
_______________+________________+________________
adjective
noun
noun
_______________+_______________+________________
adjective
noun
prepositional phrase
2. lead
pencil
some
before
black
write
on the desk
_______________+________________
adjective
noun
_______________+________________+________________
adjective
noun
noun
_______________+________________
noun
prepositional phrase
_______________+_______________+________________
adjective
noun
prepositional phrase
3. some
my
more
in the library
_______________+________________
noun
noun
_______________+________________
noun
prepositional phrase
young
Science
students
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
1) Indicate if each sentence below is correct, or if it contains an error in the verb phrases or verb phrase
modifiers. 2) Correct the errors.
Correct
Incorrect
1. Many of my classmates speak Arabic.


2. The weather in San Francisco is very nice.


3. The children proud displayed their artwork.


4. Most students like to live in the downtown area.


5. Paul repaired the antique vase use special glue.


6. Slowly, he walked to the door.


7. The children displayed their artwork proudly.


8. The weather in San Francisco to be very nice.


9. Many of my classmates speaking Arabic.


10. Quietly, I entered the classroom.


11. Most students like living in the downtown area.


12. He walked slow to the door.


13. My classmates speak Arabic.


14. The weather in San Francisco must be very nice.


15. Most students will liked to live in the downtown area.


16. The children displayed their artwork with pride.


17. Paul repaired the antique vase by using special glue.


18. I entered the classroom quiet.


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Online Tutoring System for Essay Writing
Simple Sentences – Unit 1
PART 2 Five Patterns of Simple Sentences
The five patterns of simple sentences are based on the predicate of the sentence. Remember that the predicate
is a necessary part of a sentence. The predicate actually has five patterns, depending on the type of verb that
is used:
1. Linking verb + subject complement
2. Intransitive verb
3. Transitive verb + object
4. Transitive verb + object + object complement
5. Transitive verb + indirect object + direct object
This text about Laura includes five different patterns of simple sentences:
Laura is a university student in Fine Arts. Her first language is Spanish.(1) When Laura was 12, her parents
died.(2) She came to Canada with the help of her uncle. Laura went to a high school in her new neighbourhood.
She found essay writing the most challenging part of her school work.(3) She got some help with her writing
from her friends Jessica and Michael. Laura is very good at drawing with pen and ink. Last year, the student
newspaper appointed her art editor.(4) Laura loves Spanish paintings.(5) She hopes to go to Spain next summer.
To finance her trip, she desperately needs to find an after-school job.
(1) Pattern 1
Her first language
is
Spanish.
linking verb + subject complement
(2) Pattern 2
When Laura was 12, her parents died.
intransitive verb
(3) Pattern 4
She found
essay writing the most challenging part of her school work.
transitive verb + object +
object complement
(4) Pattern 5
Last year, the student newspaper appointed
her
art editor.
transitive verb + indirect object + direct object
(5) Pattern 3
Laura loves
Spanish paintings.
transitive verb + object
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
The five patterns are all different forms of a simple sentence.
Pattern 1
Subject + linking verb (LV) + subject complement (SC)
Her first language
is
SLV
Spanish.
SC
In the example, the linking verb is a form of the verb to be. It connects the subject to the category Spanish,
which is the subject complement.
Some linking verbs:
To be
To get
To grow
To seem
To become
To feel
To appear
The subject complement can be
A noun
Mary is
SLV
a nurse.
SC
A noun phrase
Suzie is
SLV
a baby girl.
SC
An adjective
André is
SLV
tall.
SC
A prepositional phrase
Dev
is
SLV
from India.
SC
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
Pattern 2
Subject + intransitive verb (IV)
In pattern 2 sentences, the predicate is made up of only an intransitive verb. An intransitive verb has no
object. Action by the subject does not involve anything beyond the subject itself.
Compare:
Pattern 1
Sophie is a baby girl.
S
TV
SC
Pattern 2
Sophie laughed.
S
IV
Some intransitive verbs:
To laugh
To cry
To rain
To fall
Pattern 3
Subject + transitive verb (TV) + object
The third pattern has a predicate with a transitive verb that must take an object.
The object can be:
A noun
My brother loves books.
S
TV O
A pronoun
My brother loves me.
S
TV O
A noun phrase
My brother loves Spanish paintings.
S
TV O
Some transitive verbs:
To make
To catch
To eat
To sing
Note that some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive.
Compare:
Pattern 2
My sister sings.
SIV
Pattern 3
My sister sings beautiful songs.
S
TV O
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
Pattern 4
Subject + transitive verb + object + object complement (OC)
With some transitive verbs, the object is followed by another noun or noun phrase called an object
complement.
She found essay writing the most challenging part of her school work.
S V
O
OC
The predicate of this sentence consists of the transitive verb found, the object essay writing and the object
complement the most challenging part of her schoolwork.
The object complement defines the object and makes the thought complete in this type of sentence.
The object complement can be
An adjective We find the story unbelievable.
S TV O
OC
A noun
They call him a fool.
S
TV O OC
A noun phrase
Yan considers her teacher the best.
S TV
O
OC
Pattern 3
She found her keys.
S V
O
Pattern 4
She found the book captivating.
S V
O
OC
Compare:
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
Pattern 5
Subject + verb + indirect object (IO) + direct object (DO)
The transitive verb in Pattern 5 requires an indirect object and a direct object. Both types of object are
necessary to complete the meaning of the verb in the sentence. The indirect object always appears before the
direct object.
•
•
•
To identify the direct object, ask the question who? or what?
To identify the indirect object, ask the question to whom? or to what?
The police officer showed Samantha a photograph.
to whom? what?
The indirect object can be
A noun
She showed the man her new dress.
S VIO
DO
A pronoun She showed us her new dress.
S VIO DO
A noun phrase
She showed all her friends her new dress.
S VIO
DO
The direct object can be
A noun
Ann asked her mother questions.
S
VIO
DO
A noun phrase
Ann asked her mother many questions.
S
VIO
DO
A verb
Ann asked her mother to sing.
S
VIO
DO
Pattern 3
She sent some photographs.
s
v
o
Pattern 4
She sent some photographs of him.
s
v
o
oc
Pattern 5
She sent her mother some photographs.
s
v
io
do
Compare:
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Online Tutoring System for Essay Writing
Simple Sentences – Unit 1
Practice 2
1. Reminder:
Pattern 1 Pattern 2
Pattern 3
Pattern 4
Pattern 5
Subject + Linking Verb + Subject Complement (S+LV+SC)
Subject + Intransitive Verb (S+IV)
Subject + Transitive Verb + Object (S+TV+O)
Subject + Transitive Verb + Object + Object Complement (S+TV+O+OC)
Subject + Transitive Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object (S+TV+IO+DO)
Circle the structure of the underlined part
1. To go to school, I usually walk.
a) Pattern 1 b) Pattern 2 c) Pattern 3 d) Pattern 4 e) Pattern 5
2. On a cold or wet day, I get a ride.
a) Pattern 1 b) Pattern 2 c) Pattern 3 d) Pattern 4 e) Pattern 5
3. My brother gives me the ride.
a) Pattern 1 b) Pattern 2 c) Pattern 3 d) Pattern 4 e) Pattern 5
4. He leaves the house early.
a) Pattern 1 b) Pattern 2 c) Pattern 3 d) Pattern 4 e) Pattern 5
5. I must get up earlier.
a) Pattern 1 b) Pattern 2 c) Pattern 3 d) Pattern 4 e) Pattern 5
6. I find it hard.
a) Pattern 1 b) Pattern 2 c) Pattern 3 d) Pattern 4 e) Pattern 5
7. Some extra sleep in the morning is very precious to me.
a) Pattern 1 b) Pattern 2 c) Pattern 3 d) Pattern 4 e) Pattern 5
8. It gives me the comfort of my warm bed and even a nice dream.
a) Pattern 1 b) Pattern 2 c) Pattern 3 d) Pattern 4 e) Pattern 5
9. My brother never waits.
a) Pattern 1 b) Pattern 2 c) Pattern 3 d) Pattern 4 e) Pattern 5
10.If I am late, I will find myself standing in the cold or rain for the bus.
a) Pattern 1 b) Pattern 2 c) Pattern 3 d) Pattern 4 e) Pattern 5
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Simple Sentences – Unit 1
2. Make up sentences using only the words or phrases that fit the given pattern
1. the island, hit, a storm, suddenly, gave
Pattern 3
S
TV
O
2. homeless, left, became, many people
Pattern 1
SLV
SC
3. wanted, started, relief efforts, some residents
Pattern 2
SIV
4. declared, the Governor, a disaster area, the island, became, furious
Pattern 4
S
TV
O
OC
5. financial aid, the government, the island, gave, local people, have left
Pattern 5
S
TVIO
DO
6. the island, local people, rebuilt, happily, was rebuilt
Pattern 3
S
TV
O
7. find, more attractive, the island, many tourists, became, attracted
Pattern 4
S
TV O
OC