Clause Structure (Grammar Terms) Summary of Practices Basics Function / Category: what it does vs what it is called Clause Elements ("constituents") Subject / Predicate: recognize basic content and function in a clause A Clause: examine the parts that make up a clause Noun Terms A Noun: recognize how it can function in a clause Word Forms: recognize meanings of noun, verb, adjective and adverb forms Negatives: express absence, doubt, denial, prohibition and more Verb Terms Verbs : recognize a primary vs a secondary verb in a clause Verb Group : recognize form and function in a clause Verb Phrase : recognize its included parts Auxiliary Verbs: recognize how they express tense, aspect and mood Finite and Nonfinite Clause Finite / Nonfinite: recognize two clause categories (primary/secondary verbs) Sentence Logic Complete Thought: combine a topic and controlling idea Run-on Sentences: recognize poorly coordinated and excessively lengthy sentences Cleft Clauses: shift emphasis to other sentence parts by moving content with it or what Sentence Diagrams because Justin wore his winter pants because it was snowing (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) coordinator We walk and we talk present The wind blows / The wind blows leaves / The wind is strong / The wind blows in the winter (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) pres progressive Isabela is working tonight / Helen is jogging around the track (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) gerund-participle Starting a sentence with a gerund is common (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) gerund-participle Charlie dislikes sitting all day (nonfinite clause) (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) if clause We take an umbrella if it is raining (prep + clause) infinitive clause To start a sentence with an infinitive is awkward (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) It / an extraposed subject It is hard for him to sit all day (infinitive clause with a subject) verb + infinitive Ed needs to get some help (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) verb + object + infinitive Ed persuaded Frida to the painting Ed intended Frida to the painting (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) auxiliary verbs Charlie was raising his hand (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) modals Charlie will raise his hand We will be leaving at noon subject Clever Charlie next to you raised his hand (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) predicate Charlie suddenly raised his hand high in the air (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) rather than We walked home rather than drove home / We walked home rather than get stuck in traffic (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) so that / such that The meteor was so beautiful that we watched it all night / It was such a beautiful meteor storm that we watched it all night (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) because Justin wore his winter pants because it was snowing (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) We walk because we like exercise She married at thirteen because she had no other options dative verbs You bought me a gift (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) (w/ indirect object) participle clause / adjunct modifier clause) The man who is seated beside the host is the guest The man seated beside the host is the guest (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) participle clause (nonfinite clause) Congress which consists of two houses in on a break / Congress consisting of two houses is on a break (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) participle clause The building sitting on Alcatraz Island was a federal prison (nonfinite clauses as modifiers) participle clause (nonfinite clauses as modifiers) The Golden Gate Bridge located in SF Bay was designed by Strauss (Click "Grammar Notes" arrow to see diagram.) prepositional phrase We walk in the morning