English Grammar - Sentence Structures
Here we will practice building effective sentences. After reviewing the basic parts of speech, we'll work with more advanced structures: adjective and adverb clauses, appositives, participial phrases, and absolutes. Finally, we will focus on ways to correct some common problems (fragments and run-ons) to ensure that our sentences are clear and complete.
Basic Sentence Structures
One of the keys to good writing is understanding the countless ways in which basic sentence structures can be combined and arranged. Let's begin, then, by identifying those basic sentence structures and considering how to use them effectively.
One of the keys to good writing is understanding the countless ways in which basic sentence structures can be combined and arranged. Let's begin, then, by identifying those basic sentence structures and considering how to use them effectively.
What Is Grammar?
"Descriptive grammar" refers to the structure of a language as it is actually used by speakers and writers. "Prescriptive grammar" refers to the structure of a language as certain people think it should be used.
"Descriptive grammar" refers to the structure of a language as it is actually used by speakers and writers. "Prescriptive grammar" refers to the structure of a language as certain people think it should be used.
Why Does Grammar Matter?
From the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), a lucid and sensible position statement on the value of teaching grammar in American schools.
From the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), a lucid and sensible position statement on the value of teaching grammar in American schools.
The Standard of Usage in English, by Thomas R. Lounsbury (1908)
These excerpts from the opening and closing pages of Thomas R. Lounsbury "The Standard of Usage in English" (1908) demonstrate that concern about the decline of language has had a long history in English. But as Lounsbury points out, such efforts to "save" and "fix" the language have never succeeded--and doubtless never will.
These excerpts from the opening and closing pages of Thomas R. Lounsbury "The Standard of Usage in English" (1908) demonstrate that concern about the decline of language has had a long history in English. But as Lounsbury points out, such efforts to "save" and "fix" the language have never succeeded--and doubtless never will.
Top 24 Grammatical Terms You Should Have Learned in School
If you're in the mood to brush up on your grammar, this page is for you: brief definitions and examples of the two dozen most common grammatical terms.
If you're in the mood to brush up on your grammar, this page is for you: brief definitions and examples of the two dozen most common grammatical terms.
The Parts of Speech
One way to begin studying basic sentence structures is to consider the nine parts of speech. Here you will learn the names and basic functions of these sentence parts.
One way to begin studying basic sentence structures is to consider the nine parts of speech. Here you will learn the names and basic functions of these sentence parts.
Subjects, Verbs, & Objects
Here you will learn how to identify and use subjects, verbs, and objects--which together form the basic sentence unit.
Here you will learn how to identify and use subjects, verbs, and objects--which together form the basic sentence unit.
Introduction to Sentence Combining
An introduction to the basic principles and methods of sentence combining.
An introduction to the basic principles and methods of sentence combining.
Forming the Past Tense of Regular Verbs
Because all regular verbs in the past tense have the same ending, these verb forms are the easiest to remember.
Because all regular verbs in the past tense have the same ending, these verb forms are the easiest to remember.
The Present-Perfect Tense: Using Auxiliaries with the Past Participle
Once you understand how to form the past tense of regular verbs, you shouldn't find it difficult to use verbs in the present-perfect tense. All you'll need to add is an auxiliary verb--"has" or "have."
Once you understand how to form the past tense of regular verbs, you shouldn't find it difficult to use verbs in the present-perfect tense. All you'll need to add is an auxiliary verb--"has" or "have."
Irregular Verbs
Although fewer than 200 verbs are classified as "irregular," these include some of the most common words in English. Here we look at the principal parts of irregular verbs.
Although fewer than 200 verbs are classified as "irregular," these include some of the most common words in English. Here we look at the principal parts of irregular verbs.
Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs A-G
Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs - Present & Past & Past Participle Forms of Irregular Verbs (from A to G).
Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs - Present & Past & Past Participle Forms of Irregular Verbs (from A to G).
Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs H-S
In this table you will find the principal parts of the most common irregular verbs in English (H to S).
In this table you will find the principal parts of the most common irregular verbs in English (H to S).
Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs S-W
In this table you will find the principal parts of the most common irregular verbs in English (from S to W).
In this table you will find the principal parts of the most common irregular verbs in English (from S to W).
Proofreading for Errors in Verb Tense
After you have reviewed our pages on regular and irregular verbs, give these five proofreading exercises a try.
After you have reviewed our pages on regular and irregular verbs, give these five proofreading exercises a try.
Adding Adjectives and Adverbs to the Basic Sentence Unit
A common way of expanding the basic sentence is with modifiers--words that add to the meanings of other words. The simplest modifiers are adjectives and adverbs.
A common way of expanding the basic sentence is with modifiers--words that add to the meanings of other words. The simplest modifiers are adjectives and adverbs.
Adding Prepositional Phrases to the Basic Sentence Unit
Acting like adjectives and adverbs, prepositional phrases add meaning to the nouns and verbs in a sentence.
Acting like adjectives and adverbs, prepositional phrases add meaning to the nouns and verbs in a sentence.
Arranging Prepositional Phrases
Here we'll consider how to arrange prepositional phrases effectively--and, at times, how to condense or even eliminate them to cut the clutter.
Here we'll consider how to arrange prepositional phrases effectively--and, at times, how to condense or even eliminate them to cut the clutter.
Identifying Prepositional Phrases
This exercise, adapted from a paragraph by novelist John Steinbeck, will give you practice in recognizing prepositional phrases.
This exercise, adapted from a paragraph by novelist John Steinbeck, will give you practice in recognizing prepositional phrases.
Sentence Building with Prepositional Phrases
In this exercise you will continue to apply the basic strategies outlined in Introduction to Sentence Combining.
In this exercise you will continue to apply the basic strategies outlined in Introduction to Sentence Combining.
Coordinating Words, Phrases, and Clauses
A common way to connect related words, phrases, and even entire clauses is to coordinate them--that is, connect them with a conjunction such as "and" or "but."
A common way to connect related words, phrases, and even entire clauses is to coordinate them--that is, connect them with a conjunction such as "and" or "but."
Sentence Building with Coordinators
In this exercise you will apply the strategies introduced in "Coordinating Words, Phrases, and Clauses."
In this exercise you will apply the strategies introduced in "Coordinating Words, Phrases, and Clauses."
Subordination with Adjective Clauses
To show that one idea in a sentence is more important than another, we rely on subordination--that is, treating one word group as secondary (or subordinate) to another. One common form of subordination is the adjective clause--a word group that modifies a noun.
To show that one idea in a sentence is more important than another, we rely on subordination--that is, treating one word group as secondary (or subordinate) to another. One common form of subordination is the adjective clause--a word group that modifies a noun.
Relative Pronouns and Adjective Clauses
Here we'll focus on the five relative pronouns that are used in adjective clauses.
Here we'll focus on the five relative pronouns that are used in adjective clauses.
Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Adjective Clauses
Here we'll learn to distinguish between the two main types of adjective clauses: restrictive and nonrestrictive.
Here we'll learn to distinguish between the two main types of adjective clauses: restrictive and nonrestrictive.
Sentence Building with Adjective Clauses
Now we're ready to practice building and combining sentences with adjective clauses.
Now we're ready to practice building and combining sentences with adjective clauses.
Building Sentences with Appositives
An appositive is a word or group of words that identifies or renames another word in a sentence. Appositive constructions offer concise ways of describing or defining a person, place, or thing.
An appositive is a word or group of words that identifies or renames another word in a sentence. Appositive constructions offer concise ways of describing or defining a person, place, or thing.
Practice in Using Appositives
These exercises offer practice in using appositives effectively.
These exercises offer practice in using appositives effectively.
Sentence Building with Appositives
Additional practice in building and combining sentences with appositives.
Additional practice in building and combining sentences with appositives.
Building Sentences with Adverb Clauses (part one)
Here we will practice building sentences with adverb clauses. Like an adjective clause, an adverb clause is always dependent on (or subordinate to) an independent clause.
Here we will practice building sentences with adverb clauses. Like an adjective clause, an adverb clause is always dependent on (or subordinate to) an independent clause.
Building Sentences with Adverb Clauses (part two)
Here we'll consider ways of arranging and revising sentences with adverb clauses.
Here we'll consider ways of arranging and revising sentences with adverb clauses.
Building Sentences with Adverb Clauses (part three)
Here we'll practice building and combining sentences with adverb clauses.
Here we'll practice building and combining sentences with adverb clauses.
Identifying Verbals
Verbals--which include participles, gerunds, and infinitives--are the forms of a verb that function as other parts of speech.
Verbals--which include participles, gerunds, and infinitives--are the forms of a verb that function as other parts of speech.
Creating and Arranging Participial Phrases
Participles can add vigor to our writing as they add information to our sentences. Here we will practice creating and arranging participial phrases.
Participles can add vigor to our writing as they add information to our sentences. Here we will practice creating and arranging participial phrases.
Building Sentences with Participial Phrases
These sentence-building exercises will give you a chance to apply the principles introduced in "Creating and Arranging Participial Phrases."
These sentence-building exercises will give you a chance to apply the principles introduced in "Creating and Arranging Participial Phrases."
Building Sentences with Absolute Phrases
Among the modifiers that add information to sentences, the absolute phrase may be the least common but one of the most useful.
Among the modifiers that add information to sentences, the absolute phrase may be the least common but one of the most useful.
Revising Sentences with Absolute Phrases
These exercises offer practice in revising sentences with absolute phrases, which are especially useful, compact, and flexible constructions.
These exercises offer practice in revising sentences with absolute phrases, which are especially useful, compact, and flexible constructions.
Correcting Phrase Fragments
This exercise will give you practice in writing clear, complete sentences by correcting unnecessary phrase fragments.
This exercise will give you practice in writing clear, complete sentences by correcting unnecessary phrase fragments.
The Teaching of English Grammar, by Oliver Farrar Emerson
In a paper read before the Michigan Schoolmasters' Club in November 1896, Dr. Emerson spoke confidently of "a revival of the study of English grammar" in our schools. But he wasn't advocating any sort of "back-to-basics" approach. As you read his three-point plan for improving the teaching of grammar, consider what lessons might still be drawn from it today.
In a paper read before the Michigan Schoolmasters' Club in November 1896, Dr. Emerson spoke confidently of "a revival of the study of English grammar" in our schools. But he wasn't advocating any sort of "back-to-basics" approach. As you read his three-point plan for improving the teaching of grammar, consider what lessons might still be drawn from it today.
"The Artistic Side of Grammar," by Darryl Bishop
Guest writer Darryl Bishop suggests ways to "make the connection between grammar and art."
Guest writer Darryl Bishop suggests ways to "make the connection between grammar and art."