Download Ms. Cadden`s Quick Starts

Mrs. Waid’s
Daily Language Drills
2011-2012
August 15, 2011
Parts of Speech – as traditionally defined, there
are 8 parts of speech.
1. Noun – person, place, thing, or idea

•
•
Can be made plural or possessive
EX: cat, dog, Dauphin Junior High, Sally, John
2. Pronoun – takes the place of a noun
•
•
Categories – personal and impersonal
EX: he, she, it, him, that, these, those,
3. Verb – shows either action or state of being
•
EX: Run, jump, appear, smell, taste
4. Adjective – modifies a noun or pronoun
•
•
Answers the questions which one, how many, what
kind
EX: blue, twelve, cashmere, silky
August 16, 2011
1.
Adverb - modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb
•
•
•
Answers how, in what manner, under what condition, when,
where
Often ends in –ly
EX: quickly, swiftly, very, quite
Preposition – relates a noun or pronoun
2.
•
•
Every prepositional phrase acts as either an adjective or an
adverb
EX: at, by, on, in, to
Conjunction – connects words, phrases, or clauses
3.
•
•
Categories: coordinating, subordinating, correlative, and
conjunctive adverbs
EX: and, but, or, nor, so, yet
Interjection – expresses emotion
4.
•
EX: Ahem, Shhh, Ugh
August 17, 2011

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Copy each descriptive phrase and identify which part of
speech is being described.
Can modify a verb, an adjective, or an adverb ____
Substitutes for a noun ___
Is usually found after a noun or after a linking or be verb
___
Expresses emotion ___
Connects words, phrases, or clauses ___
Modifies a noun or pronoun ___
Can often move within a sentence without changing the
meaning of the sentence ___
Connects a noun or pronoun to the rest of the sentence,
forming a phrase that functions as an adjective or
adverb
August 18, 2011

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Copy each descriptive phrase and identify
which part of speech is being described.
Often ends in -ly ____
Can usually be made plural ___
Answers the questions “which one,” “how
many,” or “what kind” ___
Expresses either action or state of being
Explains when, where, why, or how an action is
performed
Includes articles (a, an, the) and possessive
pronouns (my, your, his)
August 19, 2011
 Copy each sentence and underline each
word used as a noun.
1. Books, papers, coffee cups, and pastry
crumbs, littered the top of the professor’s
desk.
2. He had worked throughout the night on
his prized manuscript.
3. With the first light of dawn, he fell into a
deep sleep from which his worried
students finally woke him.
August 22, 2011

Personal pronouns can be used as nominative
(subject) objective, possessive, reflexive, or intensive.

Copy the following sentences and underline the
personal pronouns in each one. Label each pronoun
as NOM, OBJ, POS, REF, or INT.
1.
2.
3.
She asked him about his family.
She herself was an orphan.
Pointing to a picture of fifteen people, he explained
that they were his immediate family members.
It was definitely a large family.
Their smiles indicated that they considered themselves
fortunate.
4.
5.
August 23, 2011


1.
2.
3.
4.
Impersonal pronouns can be categorized as
indefinite, interrogative, demonstrative, or
relative.
Copy each sentence and underline each
impersonal pronoun. Label each pronoun
IND, INT, DEM, or REL.
She was impressed by that.
She wanted to belong to a family like this.
Such a good fortune does not come to
everyone, however.
What could she do to change her situation.
August 24, 2011
 Action verbs tell what the subject of the
sentence is doing.
 Copy each sentence and underline the action
verb in each one. If the verb has more than
one word, underline the entire verb phrase.
1. The runaway toddler escaped from the yard
of the house.
2. She climbed over the fence and headed down
the street.
3. Her parents called the police and also
organized a search party of neighbors.
4. The search party eventually found the child in
the park two blocks away.
August 25, 2011

Verbs can also include the be verbs or forms of
be


1.
2.
3.
4.
EX: am, is, was, were, be, being, been
Copy the following sentences and underline
the be verbs. If the verb is more than one word,
underline the entire verb phrase.
No one can be sure of the future.
The future is and always has been full of
surprises.
I am confident, though, that some of those
surprises are beneficial.
I am being optimistic when I say that.
August 26, 2011


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Linking verbs are verbs that do not show action but link
the subject to more information in the predicate.
Copy the following sentences and underline the linking
verbs. If the verb is more than one word, underline the
entire verb phrase.
Grammar has always seemed a mysterious subject.
It became one of the seven liberal arts in the Middle
Ages.
It remains valuable today and still appears essential as
a building block for education.
The study of grammar may look hard, but grammatical
rules grow easier to understand as students become
more familiar with them.
Overall, studying grammar sounds worthwhile.
August 29, 2011

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Copy the following sentences and underline
the verbs in each one. Identify the verbs as
Action, Be, or Linking.
The students visited London last year.
London is an exciting, busy city.
The students grew familiar with several of the
neighborhoods.
They seemed fascinated by the museums and
art galleries as well.
One day they went to Westminster Abbey and
St. Paul’s Cathedral.
August 30, 2011


Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns.
Remember adjectives typically come before the
noun they are modifying or a follow a be or
linking verb.
 Copy the following sentences and underline
the adjectives.
1. The ambassador’s daughter was beautiful.
2. Her long dark hair fell in flowing tresses; her
brown eyes were bright with lively mischief; her
facial features were perfect.
3. A skilled artist would have a difficult task
capturing all of that beauty.
August 31, 2011



1.
2.
3.
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
Remember adverbs often end in –ly.
Copy each sentence and underline the adverbs in
each one.
The detective carefully picked up the lipstick that the
thief had apparently dropped on the floor of the
immaculately clean apartment.
Yesterday the apartment had been robbed.
The only clue – the lipstick – was not especially
helpful, but the detective never doubted that eventually
he would track down the thief.
September 1, 2011




1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Prepositions show relationships between nouns in a
sentence.
Prepositions introduce prepositional phrases.
EX: in, on, between, through, to
Copy each sentence and underline the preposition in
each sentence.
The house around the corner was Santa’s destination.
His sleigh flew gracefully through the air.
He parked on the rooftop for five minutes.
During the night, the stars in the sky twinkled brightly.
Visions of sugarplums danced in the heads of the
children, who had fallen asleep after their normal
bedtime.
September 2, 2011


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Conjunctions link words, phrases, or clauses together.
Copy each sentence and underline each conjunction.
Dogs and cats make excellent companions.
Sarah suggested an older dog, but her grandmother
wanted a puppy.
Once she saw the number of puppies at the shelter,
Sarah’s grandmother began to cry.
Both Sarah and her grandmother were touched by this
experience.
They finally chose one lucky puppy as a companion for
Sarah’s grandmother; then they thought about how to
help the other animals.
September 6, 2011
 Interjections express emotions.
 Copy each sentence and underline the
interjections in each one.
1. Ouch! You stepped on my foot!
2. Oh, what a miserable day this will be.
3. Well, what did you expect?
4. Fine! Don’t give me any sympathy!
September 7, 2011

Simple Subjects and Simple Predicates


Diagram Frame
Copy the following sentences, then rewrite the
sentences using the diagram frame to separate the
subject from the predicate.
1. Hector has been exercising.
2. Dr. Lee has been calling.
3. Have guests been invited?
September 8, 2011


Diagram the following simple subject and
predicate in each sentence. Notice the
compound subject in each one.
Example: Trucks and tractors raced.
1. Both Emma and Becky laughed.
2. Boaters and swimmers were rescued.
3. Was Phillip or Annette returning?
September 9, 2011
 Directions: Diagram the following
compound predicates and subjects.
1. Rex was growling and biting.
2. Waves rose and fell.
3. Elaine paused but continued.
September 12, 2011
Staple and turn in first 20
 Diagram the following sentences
correctly.
1. Nick and Lawanna swept and dusted.
2. Letters and packages were delivered
and opened.
3. Was Diane or Joan singing?
September 13, 2011


Direct Objects
Directions: Diagram the following sentences
that contain a direct object.
1. Everyone brought food.
2. Fran packed cookies.
3. Boys and girls played baseball.
September 14, 2011

Diagram the following sentences that contain
more than one direct object.
1. Parks have tables and benches.
2. Danielle and Gina had prepared salads and
rolls.
3. Did you drink juice or cola?
September 15, 2011
 Diagram that following sentences that
contain indirect objects.
1. Mr. Norris assigned us jobs.
2. He taught me birdcalls.
3. Roger and John lent Manny money.
September 16, 2011

Diagram the following sentences correctly.
1.
2.
3.
Rangers led hikes and gave hikers advice.
Campers collected and buried leftovers.
Food can attract bears and bring campers problems.
September 19, 2011

Diagram the following sentences that contain
adjectives.


1.
2.
3.
Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns answering the
questions what kind, which one, how many, or how much.
The articles a, an, and the are adjectives.
Those happy fans watched a great race.
Did the famous cyclist win first prize?
The adventurous teenager climbs steep mountains.
September 20, 2011

Diagram the following sentences containing adverbs.


1.
2.
3.
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
Adverbs answer the questions when, where, how, and to what
extent.
Cold winds howled noisily.
The Dawsons greeted their guests warmly.
Immediately, they hurried the guests inside.
September 21, 2011

Diagram the following sentences containing adverbs
modifying adjectives and adverbs.
1.
Alarmingly thick bushes blocked the path almost
everywhere.
The travelers looked about rather wearily.
Extremely sharp hatchets cleared a path remarkably
fast.
2.
3.
September 22, 2011
 Review: Diagram the following
sentences using concepts you’ve
learned so far.
1. Ms. Varsey told us stories.
2. Tough triathlons attract him.
3. The visit ended early.
September 23, 2011
 Review: Diagram the following
sentences using concepts you’ve
learned so far.
1. We made ourselves dinner.
2. My cousin enjoys extreme sports.
3. Had the Lopezes been there before?
September 26, 2011
 Review: Diagram the following
sentences using concepts you’ve
learned so far.
1. Many enthusiastic people attended that
recent event.
2. Soon, everyone was seated
comfortably.
3. The usually energetic leader walked
exceedingly slowly.
September 27, 2011
 Review: Diagram the following
sentences using concepts you’ve
learned so far.
1. Did anyone bring napkins?
2. You use either grills or campfires.
3. The group was entering a particularly
dangerous area.
September 28, 2011

Diagram the following sentences with modifiers
with compound subjects, verbs and objects.


The leader turned and immediately blew a whistle.
The leader immediately turned and blew a whistle.
1. The cowardly explorer shivered suddenly and
fainted.
2. Scary stories always frighten and delight me.
3. Both the book and its sequel sold well.
September 29, 2011


A linking verb links or joins the subject of the sentence with a word or
phase describing or identifying the subject.
Most common linking verbs are forms of be. (am, is, are, was, were etc.)
Other linking verbs are appear, sound, and feel.
The word or phrase linked to the subject is called a subject complement.
A predicate noun is a noun or pronoun that follows a linking verb and
renames or further identifies the subject.
A parrot can be a good pet.
1.
2.
3.
Kiwi is a yellow cockatiel.
Cockatiels are parrots.
How long has Kiwi been Frank’s pet?




September 30, 2011


A predicate adjective is an adjective that
follows a linking verb and further describes the
subject.
It may be modified by adverbs.
1. Kiwi appears happy.
2. Her birdcage is rather large.
3. Kiwi’s owner feels extremely fortunate.
October 3, 2011
 Review – Diagram the following
sentences correctly.
1. Parrots are popular pets.
2. My sister enjoys singing and dancing.
3. Everyone was seated quickly.
4. Are her tricks difficult?
5. The ice cream tastes delicious.
October 4, 2011



Compound Subject Complements
Today our major parties are Republicans and Democrats.
The parties’ history is quite long and colorful.
1. Political cartoons can be both funny and meaningful.
2. Their messages may be timely but durable.
3. One cartoon showed Teddy Roosevelt and a cute bear.
October 5, 2011

Diagram the following sentences.
1. Black Beauty was the mare’s name.
2. Who performed the dangerous stunt?
3. Food can attract bears and bring campers
problems.
4. Glaciers are beautiful but potentially
dangerous.
5. John was swatting and killing houseflies and
mosquitoes.
October
6,
2011
 An appositive is a noun or pronoun that identifies another noun or




1.
2.
3.
4.
pronoun in the sentence.
Any noun or pronoun may have an appositive.
To diagram a sentence with an appositive, place the appositive
immediately after the world it identifies, and set it off in parentheses.
A California stagecoach driver, Charley Parkhurst, had a secret.
Legends describe that colorful character, Charley Parkhurst.
Charley Parkhurst was really Charlotte Parkhurst, an orphan.
Fifteen-year-old Charlotte, a tall, strong girl, left an unfriendly
orphanage.
She took a man’s job, stable hand.
She also took a man’s name, Charley.
October 11, 2011


Diagram the following sentences that contain
appositives or appositive phrases.
Remember to diagram appositives in
parentheses immediately after the noun or
pronoun its identifying.
1. Charley, the pretend man, became the first
woman voter.
2. Her one vice, tobacco, gave Charley cancer.
3. Death finally revealed her secret, her
womanhood.
October 12, 2011
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Bandit, the Siamese cat, stole the
turkey.
2. The Dolphins, the most talented football
team, beat D.A. Smith Tuesday.
3. Stacy, the pageant winner, will be Mrs.
America.
October 13, 2011



1.
2.
3.
A preposition is a word that indicates how a noun or pronoun relates to
some other word in the sentence.
A prepositional phrase is made up of a preposition, its object, and any
modifiers of the object. Can act as ADJ or ADV.
Most people in Emma’s class like rock music.
Posters throughout the city announced the rock concert.
Holders of particular tickets would also receive passes to
backstage areas.
Will you get tickets for the show?
October 18, 2011



Prepositional Phrases as adverbs.
The science lab was displayed on Parents’ Night.
On that night, my mother came and saw the school.
1.
2.
Before Parents’ Night, we practiced our experiments.
Mrs. Sanchez wrote precise instructions on the
chalkboard.
We recorded data and observations in our lab
notebooks.
3.
October 21, 2011


A prepositional phrase acting as an adverb can modify another
prepositional phrase.
Boaters in canoes raced down the river through the Scout camp.
1.
2.
3.
The race was held on a day with threats of rain.
Danny rowed with a winner of the previous race.
Near the end of the race, dark clouds filled the sky.
October 25, 2011

Diagram these three sentences to practice for your
daily drill quiz re-do
1.
2.
3.
Dangerous activities give him memorable thrills.
Scary stories always frighten and delight me.
The teddy bear is still popular and lovable.
October 26, 2011

Diagram the three sentences as a practice.
1. The little girl opened her present, a shiny red
scooter.
2. Spotlights in many different colors lit the stage.
3. The loudspeakers behind my ears blared
announcements about souvenirs.
October 27, 2011
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Turtles and frogs crawled over the
aquarium rocks.
2. A gray mouse slept quietly inside a
cardboard tube.
3. Danny and his teammate sped to the goal
at the forks in the river.
4. Immediately, the rowers in all of the other
boats stopped.
October 28, 2011


Review Prepositional Phrases
Diagram the following sentences using prepositional
phrases.
1.
2.
3.
Before Parents’ Night, we practiced our experiments.
The teams performed the experiments with great care.
We recorded data and observations in our lab
notebooks.
October 31, 2011




Not all verbs function in sentences as verbs!
A participle is a verb form that functions as an adjective.
Participles may be either present (-ing) or past (-ed). Some might
have irregular endings.
Diagram participles by drawing a line similar to a prepositional
phrase, but write the participle on the line curving it in the angle of
the line.
Growling, the monster charged the wounded hero.
1.
2.
3.
The hero swung a broken branch at the creature.
Defeated, the monster fled from the relieved fighter.
The satisfied crowd soon left the crowded theater.

November 1, 2011


A participial phrase is made up of a participle, any complements it
may have, and all the words and phrases that modify the participle.
To diagram a participial phrase, first diagram the participle on its bent
line. Then diagram any objects, complements and modifiers.
Example: Cheerfully whistling a tune, Jacob walked to the store.
1.
2.
3.
Looking over his shoulder, Jacob spotted a large dog.
The dog, barking furiously, chased the frightened boy.
Thinking quickly, Jacob jumped over a fence.

November 2, 2011
1. The tallest building in New York City, the
Empire State Building, is a famous
landmark.
2. Charles, the new gardener, is working
outside.
3. The screaming crowd watched the
bridge falling into the river.
November 3, 2011
1. During the race, Jonathan felt the sharp cramp
running up his leg.
2. After dinner, Sarah craved a chocolate sundae
with whipped cream.
3. History, Mark’s favorite subject, is easy for him.
4. Jogging down the road, Alison tripped and fell.
5. I would love a garden of fresh vegetables in
the spring, but I always buy them from the
supermarket.
November 4, 2011
1. Queen Elizabeth, one of England’s longest
ruling monarchs, is still extremely popular.
2. Robert Frost’s popular poem, “The Road Not
Taken,” is my favorite.
3. The motorcycle sliding uncontrollably will hit
the building hard.
4. Michael saw his brother, Joshua, throwing
rocks at passing cars.
5. Candice returned the badly damaged
package to the manufacturer.
November 7, 2011
1. Surprised, he noticed the dog’s wagging
tail.
2. Jacob, holding his breath, opened the
gate.
3. Running in circles, the dog begged for
more food.
November 8, 2011
1. Fairy tales have been popular for
centuries.
2. The fear of new family members
remains evident in children today.
3. My favorite tale, Cinderella, will be
performed at the theater.
November 9, 2011
1. London and Paris provide the setting for
A Tale of Two Cities.
2. Charles Dickens, a famous British
author, wrote the famous novel.
3. Visited by 3 spirits, Ebenezer Scrooge
learns the true meaning of Christmas.
November 10, 2011

A gerund is a verb form that ends in –ing and is used in a sentence
as a noun.
A gerund phrase is made up of a gerund, its complements, and all
modifiers of the gerund and its complements.
Gerund and gerund phrases may be used in sentences wherever
nouns may be used.
EX: Giving speeches frightens some people.
1.
2.
3.
Jogging tires me out.
Hearing that joke reminds me of a funny story.
Laughing at jokes is a fun activity.



November 14, 2011



Gerunds and gerund phrases can be used as
direct objects.
Same diagram applies only gerund is located
where the direct object goes.
EX: Armando enjoys solving difficult riddles.
1. My whole family enjoyed watching the fireworks
display.
2. I remember being lifted by my father for a better
view.
November 16, 2011



Gerunds and gerund phrases as predicate nouns.
Remember that predicate nouns are subject
complements that follow linking verbs.
EX: My least favorite chore has always been washing
windows.
1. The first step of any job is finding the right tools.
2. The tired workers stopped doing their best.
3. Elena’s hobby was repairing dolls.
November 17, 2011

Gerunds and gerund phrases as objects of the
preposition.
EX: The people cheered us for entertaining them.
1.
2.
3.
You win this game by popping five balloons.
The library has a policy against talking loudly.
Marsha dreams of competing in the Olympics.
November 28, 2011
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Elementary school can give us
wonderful memories but might cause us
repressed pain.
2. Some of our trials and experiences
shape the rest of our lives.
3. One of my favorite childhood memories
is playing baseball in the backyard.
November 29, 2011
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Running with scissors can be extremely
dangerous.
2. The movie Tangled was based on a
famous German fairy tale.
3. Extremely exhausted, she crossed the
finish line of her first marathon.
November 30, 2011
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. During the time for course registration,
no students were on campus.
2. My favorite summer activity is swimming
in the lake in front of my house.
3. The excited puppy wagged his tail
happily.
January 3, 2012
 An infinitive is a verb form that matches the base form of a verb and is
usually proceeded by the word to. Ex: to tell
 An infinitive phrase is made up of an infinitive, its complements, and
any modifiers. EX: to tell a friend the news
 Infinitive and infinitive phrases can be used as adj, adv, or nouns.
 EX: Band members announced their decision to tour again.
 1. The audience shouted demands to play favorite songs.
 On tour, musicians need the ability to sleep at odd hours.
 An overnight bag to hold essential items is a necessity.
January 4, 2012


Infinitive and Infinitive phrases as Adverbs
EX: Eager fans competed to buy tickets to the show.
1.
To get closer to the stage, some audience member pushed
others.
Guards at the auditorium worked to prevent injuries.
The band played two encores to show their appreciation.
2.
3.
January 5, 2012


Infinitives and Infinitive phrases as subjects.
EX: To build the largest ship was the engineer’s
goal.
1. In good weather, to ride a bike to school saves
time.
2. To buy a secondhand bike was a wise decision.
3. To change this tire will take twenty minutes.
January 6, 2012


Infinitives and infinitive phrases as direct objects.
Example: Jean asked me to go with her.
1. Callers to the station asked to hear your song.
2. The child refused to eat broccoli.
3. None of my friends can afford to buy every new
video game.
January 9, 2012



Infinitive and infinitive phrases as Predicate Nouns
Remember – Predicate Nouns only follow linking
verbs
EX: Dean’s long-range pan is to run his own business.
1.
2.
3.
Alicia’s hobby is to ride trail horses.
The purpose of this booklet is to explain pet licenses.
Everybody wanted to see the parade.
January 10, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. To stick to the truth took courage.
2. One aim of the campaign is to raise
awareness of the disease.
3. Her plan to vote for lower taxes was
popular with the people in her district.
January 11, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Looking over his shoulder, Jacob spotted
a large dog.
2. The first step of any job is finding the right
tools.
3. To increase salaries at the store will not
be easy.
January 12, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Your first step is to notify the police of
the theft.
2. My whole family enjoyed watching the
fireworks display.
3. The confused dog stopped, giving the
exhausted boy a rest.
January 13, 2012




A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate.
2 types of clauses: independent and dependent (subordinate)
A compound sentences has two or more independent clauses.
EX: Folktales are always popular; you have probably heard many
of them.
1.
Some folktales have been told for generations; many different
versions exist.
In many tales, animals talk; they stand for humans.
In some tales, the animals are wise; in others, they are foolish or
selfish.
2.
3.
January 17, 2012


Compound sentences joined with a comma and a conjunction.
EX: Do you like scary stories, or do they give you nightmares?
1.
In very old English tales, Grendel was a terrible monster, and his
mother was equally horrible.
Grendel terrorized the countryside, but finally the hero Beowulf
stopped him.
In the Odyssey, Scylla and Charybdis were monstrous neighbors,
and sailors feared them.
2.
3.
January 18, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Scylla tore ships apart, or Charybdis pulled
them and their crews underwater.
2. Writers in various countries have made
collections of folktales; the Grimm brothers
are among these writers.
3. The hero of the story comes from an
aristocratic French family, but he moved to
England before the Revolution.
January 19, 2012




1.
2.
3.
A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent
clause and one or more dependent clauses.
A dependent clause can act as an adjective or adverb in a
sentence.
Most adjective clauses are introduced by a relative pronoun (who,
whom, whose, that, and which)
EX: Geologists are scientists who study rocks.
Evidence that is found in rocks shows changes in the earth.
Information about the center of the earth is found in lava, which is
rock from volcanoes.
Valerie, who is the daughter of a geologist, shares his love of
rocks.
January 20, 2012


Complex sentences with depended clauses acting as adverbs.
EX: Although land on Earth looks solid, the continents are actually
moving.
1.
2.
Continents move because massive plates under them shift.
Where two plates collide, land on one plate may push over the
other.
If you could watch the collision for millions of years, you would see
the growth of a mountain.
3.
January 23, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. She also learns about the field from
other geologists who work with her
father.
2. When two plates pull away from each
other suddenly, an earthquake results.
3. She was extremely tired because she
ran a marathon.
January 24, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
 When Mount Vesuvius erupted in the
year of 79, the city of Pompeii vanished.
 Jillian earned a promotion on the
newspaper staff, and she received a
raise.
 Florence Nightingale is the individual who
brought nursing into the modern age.
January 25, 2012


Complex sentences with Noun Clauses
EX: Whatever you decide is fine.
1. Whoever made this pottery did a good job.
2. When the plane will actually depart has not yet
been announced.
3. How a room is furnished affects its noise level.
January 26, 2012



Complex Sentences with Noun Clauses
-used as direct objects
EX: Mr. Denton taught us how plants make
sugar.
1. The engineers finally discovered who caused
the oil spill.
2. At the buffet, take whatever you want.
3. That dog licks whomever it meets.
January 27, 2012
 Diagram the following compound
sentences with noun clauses acting as
subjects and objects.
1. What the detective discovered about her
client raised new questions.
2. Can you tell me what we need to know
for the test?
3. Why rust forms on metal is easily
explained.
January 30, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. The heavy rainfall caused a flood, but we
left the area quickly.
2. True leadership ability is what our club
needs.
3. As the cold front descended upon us, we
turned up the thermostat.
4. Marilyn, who is my neighbor, seems sad
today.
January 31, 2012 – Your
Daily Drill Quiz will be
tomorrow. Have all 20
ready to turn in.
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Lady Pennington chatted with the
visitors while the butler served tea.
2. Belinda’s parents realized why she was
in a bad mood.
3. My grandmother’s sugar cookies, which
she makes from a secret recipe, won an
award.
February 2, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. The treadmill stopped suddenly, for the
plug had fallen out.
2. Because the bananas are ripe, we must
eat them quickly.
3. The detective directed several questions
to Donna, who was the only eyewitness.
February 3, 2012


Complex sentences with noun clauses introduced by that.
EX: Everyone says time travel is impossible.

EX Everyone says that time travel is impossible.
1.
2.
•
The police officer claimed the car had been speeding.
That I could even surf was incredible.
The reporter noted that Rocky fouled fourteen pitches in a row.
February 6, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. We regret that we arrived late.
2. That the club has powerful members
gives it influence.
3. We hope you will get well soon.
February 7, 2012


Complex sentences with noun clauses used as
objects of the preposition
EX Terry made a list of whatever supplies we
needed.
1. Give this fruit to whoever wants it.
2. Researchers were puzzled by how cave
dwellers had made paintings on the cave wall.
3. I read a book about how organic food is grown.
February 8, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Your school work is affected by how late
you stay up at night.
2. The kitten ran to whoever rang the bell.
3. Despite what her stepmother told her,
Cinderella had hope.
February 9, 2012


1.
2.
3.
Complex sentences with noun clauses as predicate
nouns.
EX: A long vacation is what you need.
Tomorrow is when we leave.
This hammer is what I need for my construction
project.
My wish is that I can visit a kelp forest someday.
February 10, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
 Do you know why William Blake is
famous?
 He is most famous for what he wrote and
drew.
 Whoever reads his poetry with care will
find a deceptive simplicity.
February 13, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. You should also know that William Blake was
a gifted artist.
2. One of his best-known engravings depicts
Chaucer’s pilgrims on their way to where
Thomas Becket died in Canterbury.
3. Scholars debate which poems best
demonstrate his talents.
February 14, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Sean asked whether or not Jennifer
would marry him.
2. Whatever Jennifer answered led him to
many months of depression.
3. He knew that he could not change her
mind.
February 16, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. During the Elizabethan era, many
people believed that human society
reflected the order of the universe.
2. If families remained in order, the state
would be in good shape.
3. A state that was orderly, reflected the
pattern of the universe.
February 17, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Treason, which disrupted order, resulted
in severe punishment.
2. Whoever committed treason risked
torture and death.
3. Several individuals took the risk, even
though the penalty was great.
February 21, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. After Elizabeth I became queen, she foiled
several plots by her cousin, the queen of
Scotland.
2. Elizabeth wondered whether the execution of
a fellow queen was immoral.
3. Finally she reached the moment when she
had no real choice.
February 22, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. With true regret, Elizabeth signed the
order that commanded her cousin’s
death.
2. Richard, who was waiting for his car,
finally heard his name.
3. He drove to his wife’s office, where he
triumphantly displayed his prize.
February 23, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. London and Paris provide the setting for
A Tale of Two Cities.
2. This work is a novel by Charles Dickens,
so the characters appear especially
distinctive.
3. The story, which occurs during the
French Revolution, takes advantage of
that historical background.
February 27, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. At an early age, Florence Nightingale
showed signs of a nonconformity that
created problems within her family.
2. In 1860, Giuseppe Fiorelli organized an
archeological excavation of Pompeii since
looters were ruining many treasures.
3. Once he began his work, his crew
restored buildings and made detailed
maps of the city.
February 28, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. That the dedicated actor practiced his
role every day surprised no one.
2. The director determined who would
design the set.
3. She takes great satisfaction in whatever
they perform.
February 29, 2012
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Madame Defarge and Lucie are two major
female characters, but the contrast between
them is dramatic.
2. Today Pompeii remains a proud, ancient city
while hordes of curious tourists wander through
its streets.
3. During the Crimean War, she devoted
countless hours to British soldiers who needed
a competent, compassionate nurse.
March 1, 2012
 Compound-Complex Sentences are made up of 2 or
more independent clause and at least 1 dependent
clause.
 EX: William Butler Yeats met Lady Gregory, who was a
promoter of Irish literature, and he became a member
of the Irish National Theatre.
March 5, 2012
1. The Everglades are a natural wonder, but we
may lose this precious area if we are not
careful.
2. Whoever cares about nature should learn
about the Everglades, for this area provides a
unique habitat for many species.
3. Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, who preserved
the Everglades from destruction, should be a
national hero; many people are unaware of her
contributions.
March 6, 2012
 Diagram the following CompoundComplex Sentences.
1. While she was fishing, Amy saw many
deer, and she tried not to disturb them.
2. Amy unhooked the salmon from the
line, and she threw it back into the
stream so that it could live.
3. We decided that the movie was too
violent, but our children, who like to
watch scary movies, thought that we
were wrong.
March 7, 2012 --- Get all
drills ready for the quiz!
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Though Mitchell prefers watching
romantic films, he rented the latest spy
thriller, and he enjoyed it very much.
2. Laura forgot her friend's birthday, so she
sent her a card when she finally
remembered.
3. The team captain jumped for joy, and the
fans cheered because we won the state
championship.
Daily Drill Quiz
Directions: Diagram the following
sentences. Make sure to label every
word.
1.We decided that the movie was too violent, but our
children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that
we were wrong.
2.William Butler Yeats met Lady Gregory, who was a
promoter of Irish literature, and he became a member
of the Irish National Theater.
3.London and Paris provide the setting for A Tale of Two
Cities.
4. The director determined who would design the set.
5. A state that was orderly, reflected the pattern of the
universe.
April 14, 2011
 Diagram the following sentences.
1. Rachael Ray explained how cookies are
made, and we practiced her techniques
at home.
2. I would have used the recipe that Kari
gave me, but her cookies taste funny.
3. Because we had lots of cookies, we had
a party, and our guests ate the freshly
baked treats.