Download Some technical terms for sentences

Minimum Grammar for Maximum Effect
Some technical vocabulary for sentence grammar in writing: a means to
an end
Phrase: a group of related words which does not contain a subject and a predicate
and which functions as a single part of speech. (e.g. in the school, running a mile,
preparing a report, to sing a song. Used as nouns, adjectives or adverbs)
Types:
prepositional: to Europe; with shoulders like those
infinitive: to take a look; to split the infinitive
participial: (present) shambling provocatively; (past ) ejected from the top hat
Preposition: a linking word used to show the relationship of a noun or pronoun to
some other word in a phrase or sentence. (e.g. to, in, about, above, around, among,
off, on, by under, from, over, near, during.)
Clause: a group of words which has both a subject and a predicate
Types:
Independent (main): makes a complete statement and can stand alone as a
sentence. e.g. I took my umbrella. My time is limited.
Dependent (subordinate): It cannot stand alone. It depends on the rest of
the sentence to complete its meaning. Dependent clauses express
relationships (e.g. When a boy drives a car; Where I had left it, If you have
your homework here.)
Conjunctions: are words that join clauses or phrases
Coordinating conjunctions link phrases or clauses of equal importance (For, And,
Nor, But, Or, Yet, So =FANBOYS) (e.g. They used to meet in the parking lot or at a
nearby bar. )
Subordinate conjunctions join dependent clauses to independent clauses (e.g. if,
as, since, because,. although, though, while, so that, when.)
Independent markers (conjunctive adverbs) an adverb used to connect or link
independent clauses or sentences ( e.g. however, moreover, consequently,
therefore.)
1
Sentence: a group of words expressing a complete thought. It must have a subject
and a predicate. The subject is the person or thing about which the verb makes a
statement. The predicate is what is said of the subject. The predicate must contain
a finite verb- i.e. one which completes and independent statement . Note that
participle and infinitives are not finite verbs.
Grammatical classification of sentences:
Simple: expresses one complete thought. A single independent clause. (e.g.
George bought a new car.)
Compound:- contains two or more independent clauses. Two simple
sentences combined by an appropriate link word. (e.g. George bought a new
car, and crowds of his students stood and stared.)
Complex: contains one independent clause and one or more dependent
clauses. (e.g. When he had enough money, George bought a new car.)
Compound- Complex: Have the characteristics of both compound and
complex sentences. It has two independent clauses and at least one
dependent clause. (e.g. When he had enough money, George, who was the
meanest man on earth, bought a new car, and crowds of his students stood
and stared.)
Sources:
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) (2011)
Australian Curriculum: English. Glossary of Terms.
http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au
Australian Government Publishing Service (1994) Style Manual for Authors, Editors
and Printers 5th edition. Canberra. McPherson’s Printing Group.
Bailey, Brian, V.Shaffer and H. Shaw (1960) Handbook of English. Sydney. McGraw
Hill.
Collerson, Brian. (1997) Grammar in Teaching. Sydney, Primary English Teachers
Association
Gordon, Karen (1983) The New Well-Tempered Sentence. Boston. Houghton Mifflin.
Gordon, Karen, (1993) The Deluxe Transitive Vampire. The Ultimate handbook of
Grammar for the Innocent, the Eager and the Doomed. New York, Random House.
Strunk, William and E.B. White. (1979) The Elements of Style.3rd edition. New York,
MacMillan.
2