Some Hints On English Grammar

SUBORDINATE DEPENDENT CLAUSE ADJECTIVE A subordinate or dependent clause is a clause that does not make sense by itself, even though it has a subject and verb.. The dependent or subordin

SOME HINTS ON ENGLISH GRAMMAR

CLAUSES IN SENTENCES

Exercise Look at the clauses within the sentence and write down whether the sentence is: simple;

compound; complex; or compound-complex Remember the length of the sentence does not necessarily determine type It is the types of clauses in the sentence that matter.

1 A girl with brown eyes entered the room

2 Mai and Linh entered the room just as the bell rang

3 School starts on August 25th and I will be entering the 8th grade

4 When I purchased my new gym clothes, I gave away my old ones

5 Since there are so many students in my grade, English 8 will be held for Group A on Monday, Wednesday and Friday one week, and the next week, Group A will have it on Tuesday and Thursday

6 Công wrote his letter and sent it to his cousin

7 Linh, who is in my grade, will have gym on Fridays

8 Ngân ran to the store and she bought five lottery tickets

9 Flowers make beautiful gifts if they are bought from a florist

10 When Thu came, she walked into my bedroom and she placed the present on my bed

ANSWER KEY

Behind the answers are the clauses in the sentences that make the sentence that type of sentence, so that you can see why the answer is correct.

1 Simple - one independent clause - A girl with brown eyes entered the room

2 Complex - one independent clause - Mai and Linh entered the room One dependent clause - just as the bell rang

3 Compound two independent clauses

School starts on August 25th

I will be entering the 8th grade

4 Complex - one independent clause - I gave away my old ones One dependent clause - When I purchased

my new gym clothes

5 Compound-Complex two independent clauses

English 8 will be held for Group ! on Monday, Wednesday and Friday one week

the next week, Group A will have it on Tuesday and Thursday

Also, one dependent clause - Since there are so many students in my grade

6 Simple (with compound verb) - one independent clause: Công wrote his letter and sent it to his cousin

7 Complex - one independent clause - Linh will have gym on Fridays One dependent clause - who is in my grade

8 Compound two independent clauses

Ngân ran to the store

she bought five lottery tickets

9 Complex - one independent clause - Flowers make beautiful gifts One dependent clause: if they are bought from a florist

10 Compound-Complex two independent clauses

she walked into my bedroom

she placed the present on my bed

Also, one dependent clause - when Thu came

SUBORDINATE (DEPENDENT) CLAUSE (ADJECTIVE)

A subordinate or dependent clause is a clause that does not make sense by itself, even though it has a

subject and verb It needs the independent clause to make sense

The dependent or subordinate clause can be used as an adjective, an adverb or a noun in a sentence Therefore, you need to know what word in the independent clause the dependent (subordinate) clause modifies - if it is an adjective dependent (subordinate) clause or an adverb (subordinate) clause

This sheet is about taking the dependent (subordinate) clause as an adjective subordinate clause An adjective dependent clause will modify a noun or pronoun in the independent clause It is introduced by a relative pronoun or conjunctive adverbs The relative pronouns that introduce this clause are: who, whom, whose, which, that The conjunctive adverbs are: where, when

Exercise Directions: In all of the sentences below, the dependent (subordinate) clause is an adjective one.

Write the clause on your paper and then tell what noun or pronoun it modifies Remember, an adjective answers the questions: which one, what kind, how many - so the adjective clause will as well.

1 There are many cities that have nicknames

2 Dalat is a city that has the nickname of City of Flowers

3 There are many people whose inventions improved our lives

4 Madame Butterfly, which is an opera, was written by Puccini

5 The girl whom we elected as our representative has done a good job

6 The one who comes in first will win the prize

7 I went to the store which is on the corner of Dong Khoi Street to buy the ice cream

8 The place where we camp is about 10 miles from home

9 The school could not hire a man whose record was so doubtful

10 Do you know the time when the eclipse will occur?

ANSWER KEY

1 that have nicknames - modifies cities

2 that has the nickname of City of Flowers- modifies city

3 whose inventions improved our lives - modifies people

4 which is an opera - modifies Madame Butterfly

5 whom we elected as our representative - modifies girl

6 who comes in first - modifies the pronoun, one

7 which is on the corner of Dong Khoi Street - modifies store

8 where we camp - modifies place

9 whose record was so doubtful - modifies man

10 when the eclipse will occur - modifies time

SUBORDINATE (DEPENDENT) CLAUSE (ADVERB)

Subordinate or Dependent Clauses can also be used as an adverb would be used in a sentence Remember

that an adverb answers the questions: when, where, how, why, and to what extent or degree The whole dependent clause can also answer those questions When that dependent clause answers the questions: when, where, how, why, it will modify the verb in the independent clause When it answers to what extent or degree, it will codify either an adjective or an adverb in the independent clause

Adverb clauses are introduced by:

Conjunctive Adverbs - when, whenever, where, wherever, while, before (not the preposition here, but an

adverb), until, after, "as" and "since" in relation to time

Subordinate Conjunctions - as, if, as though, because, that, so that, in order that, if, unless, though,

although, than as (referring to manner or reason), since (referring to reason)

It is NOT important to identify the connective but it is important to know which word in the independent clause that is modified by the Adverb subordinate (or dependent) clause

e.g

e.g When we approached very quietly, the "ghost" disappeared.

The adverb dependent clause is: when we approached very quietly It answers the question, when It

therefore will modify the verb in the independent clause (disappeared).

e.g Forecasters use very sensitive equipment so that they can make accurate observations.

The adverb clause is: so that they can make accurate observations It answers the question, why It modifies

the verb in the independent clause: use.

Exercise Write down the dependent (or subordinate) adverb clause in the following sentences and tell what

word in the independent clause it modifies

1 Whenever I see an airplane, I want to fly to Hanoi

2 My sister follows me wherever I go

3 She acts as though I should take her everywhere

4 Mai cries because I will not take her

5 My older sister is more patient with her than I am

6 When the day is clear, I can see the top of the mountain

7 Huế is my goal because I have always wanted to go there

8 Residents can live as though winter does not exist

9 Rubber tree cultivation spread as Dong Nai Province grew

10 If the test results are approved, more oranges will be grown

ANSWER KEY

1 whenever I see an airplane - modifies "want"

2 wherever I go - modifies "follow"

3 as though I should take her everywhere - modifies "acts"

4 because I will not take her - modifies "cries"

5 than I am - modifies "patient"

6 when the day is clear - modifies "can see"

7 because I have always wanted to go there - modifies "is"

8 as though winter does not exist - modifies "can live"

9 as Dong Nai Province grew - modifies "spread"

10 if the test results are approved - modifies "will be grown"

SUBORDINATE (DEPENDENT) CLAUSE (NOUN)

In this practice, the dependent or subordinate clause is used as a noun - that is, it will be used in a sentence

as a noun can be used, as the subject, direct object, etc

e.g

a What he wrote was clear What he wrote - subject

b I don't know how he can be reached how he can be reached - direct object

c Give whoever answers the message whoever answers - indirect object

d I sent the notice to whoever was interested whoever was interested - object of preposition "to"

e This is what I intend what I intend - predicate noun

Words that introduce a noun clause:

if whatever wherever whichever whomever that when whether who, whom why

Many words that introduce a noun clause can introduce other kinds of subordinate/dependent clauses To tell them apart, determine how they are used in the sentence

e.g

Phú noticed that the phone was buzzing.

Phú noticed what? - that the phone was buzzing - direct object

b The phone that was buzzing was off the hook.

"that was buzzing" tells which phone was off the hook - thus, it is an adjective clause.

To decide whether to use "who" or "whom" in a noun clause, decide how the word functions in the noun clause As a subject in the noun clause, use "who" or "whoever." Use "whom" or "whomever" as the object

of the verb or the object of the preposition that is within the noun clause Look for how the relative pronoun

is used in the clause not how the clause is used in the sentence The use of the pronoun tells you whether to use who(ever) or whom(ever)

Exercise Write down the subordinate/dependent noun clause in each sentence and tell how it is used in the

sentence

1 You know that the telephone was ringing

2 What you say can be recorded

3 The sound waves carry the message to whoever is listening

4 Basically, this is how a telephone works

5 - 6 You can talk to whomever you like and say whatever you think (There are two noun clauses in 5, so make sure you get both.)

In this part of the exercise, identify the noun clause and tell which pronoun is correct.

7 (Whoever, Whomever) they choose will probably accept

8 Tell me (who, whom) is likely to run for that office

9 I will vote for (whoever, whomever) will do the best job

10 The candidate chosen was exactly (who, whom) you predicted

ANSWER KEY

1 that the telephone was ringing - direct object

2 what you say - subject

3 whoever is listening - object of preposition

4 how a telephone works - predicate noun

5 - 6 whomever you like - object of preposition; and, whatever you think - direct object

7 whomever they choose

8 who is likely to run for that office

9 whoever will do the best job

10 whomever you predicted

RECOGNIZING ALL SUBORDINATE CLAUSE USES

Remember that a subordinate/dependent clause is one that does not make sense by itself and needs the independent clause to make sense Remember also that a subordinate/dependent clause can be used as an adjective, an adverb or as a noun clause

If you need a review of what they are, please return to the exercises on each of these uses of a subordinate/dependent clause before you do the following exercise

Exercise Write the subordinate/dependent clause in the following sentences Next to each one, write

whether it is an adjective clause, adverb clause or a noun clause If an adjective or adverb clause, tell what word in the independent clause is modified by that clause If a noun clause, write how it is used in the sentence that is, whether it is the subject, direct object, object of preposition, indirect object or predicate noun.

1 Ancient Egyptians designed houses that were meant to be cool

2 The architect who is my brother designed my home

3 Before a proper foundation is designed, a soil test is done

4 People who like tiny dogs have a choice of about fifteen kinds

5 Whoever likes Shetland Sheepdogs will be happy with their choice

6 Many people go to Saigon because there is always plenty to do

7 Whenever I see an airplane, I want to travel

8 Another question may be what the major issues are

9 The skyline was spectacular as the sun set

10 One group is made up of dogs that are bred as bird dogs

ANSWER KEY

1 that were meant to be cool - adjective (which?) - modifies houses

2 who is my brother - adjective (which?) - modifies architect

3 before a proper foundation is designed - adverb (when?) - modifies verb phrase "is done."

4 who like tiny dogs - adjective (which?) - modifies people.

5 whoever likes Shetland Sheepdogs - noun - subject

6 because there is always plenty to do - adverb (why?) - modifies verb, go.

7 Whenever I see an airplane - adverb (when?) - modifies verb, want.

8 what the major issues are - noun - predicate noun

9 as the sun set - adverb (when?) - modifies verb, was.

10 that are bred as bird dogs - adjective (which?) - modifies dogs

SENTENCES

A sentence is a group of related words with a subject and verb that makes sense by itself

Types of Sentences by Function:

1 Declarative (or telling) sentence - A sentence that is a statement It is followed by a period Example: Bill

gave his report to the teacher

2 Interrogative sentence - A sentence that is a question It is followed by a question mark Example: Did

you know the answer?

3 Imperative sentence: A sentence that is a command or request it is followed by a period The subject is

always "you" understood Example: Close the door Please eat your food

4 Exclamatory sentence: A sentence that expresses a feeling It is followed by an exclamation mark or a

period Example: Wow! What a great surprise!

Exercise Write down the type of each sentence There are no end punctuation on these sentences because

that may give you the answer Decide by the function of the sentence and mark down the end punctuation.

1 Are you aware of the appointment tomorrow

2 Eat your supper

3 Oh, what a beautiful morning

4 Today is my birthday

5 What gifts did you receive for your birthday

6 Pay the bill

7 Shh, don't make any noise

8 Have you finished your homework

9 Debby, turn off the light

10 Brian participated in the baseball tournament

ANSWER KEY

1 Are you aware of the appointment tomorrow? (interrogative)

2 Eat your supper (imperative)

3 Oh, what a beautiful morning! (exclamatory)

4 Today is my birthday (declarative)

5 What gifts did you receive for your birthday? (interrogative)

6 Pay the bill (imperative)

7 Shh, don't make any noise! (exclamatory)

8 Have you finished your homework? (interrogative)

9 Debby, turn off the light (imperative)

10 Brian participated in the baseball tournament (declarative)

CONJUNCTIONS

A conjunction is a word that joins words, phrases or clauses.

Types of Conjunctions:

1 Coordinating Conjunctions - These conjunctions join words, phrases or clauses of equal function, like: 2

or more subjects, 2 or more verbs, 2 or more direct objects, etc They can join 2 or more phrases, or 2 or more clauses, like 2 independent clauses or 2 or more dependent clauses They are generally just a few of these conjunctions and, if you memorize them, you will know when you see them and also know when you see subordinating ones

The coordinating conjunctions are: and, or, nor, but, yet and sometimes, for (For is generally a preposition so be careful.)

2 Correlative Conjunctions - These conjunctions are paired conjunctions (See the word, relative, in the

word, correlative? To be a relative, you need someone else, like a mom needs a daughter or son; grandma needs grandchildren, etc So these conjunctions need the two or paired conjunctions.) They are used together, and they are used in the same positions as the above coordinating conjunctions

The correlative conjunctions are: either or; neither nor; both and; not only but; not only but also; whether or; just as so

3 Subordinating Conjunctions: These conjunctions join clauses of unequal function, like an independent

clause and a dependent (or subordinating) clause There are many of these, but here are a few of them: after, although, as, as if, as long as, as though, because, if, since, so that, than, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, while

Write down the conjunctions in each sentence and then tell the type of conjunction either coordinating, correlative, or subordinating.

1 When the snow falls, school is closed

2 The tree is dead, and you can tell that by its yellow leaves

3 Both Mai and Linh are going to the theatre tonight

4 Read about the Civil War when you go to the library

5 Either Mai or Linh will get the newspaper today

6 While I climbed the tree to get the cat, Châu called Mom

7 Linh looked sad because he hurt his wife’s feelings

8 Hùng will prepare for the party, but he won't be able to attend it

9 The fruit was very ripe, yet I ate it

10 The tickets were given to Minh and Du

11 I was certain that I would go to the dance, but the odds did seem to be against me going

12 Fruits are especially plentiful in the summertime, and I like the peaches, cantaloupe and watermelon (2)?

13 Go on the stage as if you knew the part well

14 Wherever she goes, she brings sunshine

15 Both German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers have the instinct to "shepherd" and keep other animals in order

ANSWER KEY

1 When - subordinating conjunction 2 and - coordinating conjunction

3 Both, and - correlative conjunction 4 when - subordinating conjunction

5 Either, or - correlative conjunction 6 While - subordinating conjunction

7 because - subordinating conjunction 8 but - coordinating conjunction

9 yet - coordinating conjunction 10 and - coordinating conjunction

11 but - coordinating conjunction 12 and - coordinating conjunction (also a second "and" –

coordinating conjunction)

13 as if - subordinating conjunction 14 wherever - subordinating conjunction

15 Both, and - correlative conjunction (Also, "and" - coordinating conjunction)

INTERJECTIONS

[HÔ TỪ, THÁN TỪ]

An interjection is a word or group of words that express feelings Here are some of the common ones: wow,

ah, bravo, good grief, hey, goodness, hooray, hurrah, oh, oh dear, oh my, oh yes/no, okay, ouch, ow, phew, pow, shh, ugh, well, whee, whoops.

Sometimes the interjection, if very strong, will be followed by an exclamation mark and then the first word following it will start with a capital letter Other times, the interjection will not be so strong and thus it will

be followed by a comma and the next word would not be capitalized

Exercise Write down the interjections in these sentences.

1 Hey, do you know her name?

2 Wow! That ballet dancer is really good

3 Gee, I would never be able to dance like Jenny

4 Bravo! Our baseball team won the pennant

5 Shh, be quiet

6 Oh no! Our team lost that game!

7 Good grief, Charlie Brown is playing!

8 Hurray, we won anyway

9 Whoops, I lost the key

10 Goodness, the school basketball team is quite good this year

ANSWER KEY

1 Hey, do you know her name?

2 Wow! That ballet dancer is really good

3 Gee, I would never be able to dance like Jenny

4 Bravo! Our baseball team won the pennant

5 Shh, be quiet

6 Oh no! Our team lost that game!

7 Good grief, Charlie Brown is playing

8 Hurray, we won anyway

9 Whoops, I lost the key

10 Goodness, the school basketball team is quite good this year

KINDS AND FUNCTIONS OF PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

A prepositional phrase is a group of related words that begin with preposition and end with the object of a

preposition

A Kinds of prepositional phrases

Adjectival or adjective phrase: A prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun and answers the

questions, which one, what kind, how many

e.g Bob, in room 8, is my brother

Prepositional phrase: in room 8 - it is telling which Bob the person is talking about The one in room 8.

That phrase modifies the noun, Bob

Adverbial or adverb phrase: A prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, an adjective or another adverb

and answers the questions, when, where, how, (sometimes, why) and to what extent or degree When the

adverb phrase answers the questions, when, where, how or why, it will modify the verb in the sentence When it answers the question, to what extent or to what degree, it will modify an adjective or another adverb e.g In 2009, Mai will celebrate her forty-eighth birthday

Prepositional phrase: In 2009 is telling when Mai will celebrate by modifying the verb, will celebrate.

e.g The paintings are famous for their beauty.

Prepositional phrase: for their beauty is telling, to what extent famous (or why famous), therefore it

modifies the predicate adjective, famous and thus it is an adverb prepositional phrase

Exercise Write down the prepositional phrase and what type of prepositional phrase it is Write either

adjectival or adjective phrase, or adverbial or adverb phrase.

1 Ninh Chử in Thuận Hải is a favorite vacation spot [Ninh Chử < Sino-Vietnamese = Majestic Beach]

2 Vũng Tàu Cape has beaches for sunbathers and swimmers

3 The area has a beautiful view of the lake

4 After some years, the house was finally ours.

5 According to the Bible, we must love each other

6 The long months of winter are sometimes dreary

7 Residents of the city love their busy lives

8 Relations between the employees and the boss were good

9 By evening, we will have finished the painting

10 Come sit beside me

ANSWER KEY

1 in Massachusetts - adjective - modifies the subject, Ninh Chử (tells which Ninh Chử)

2 for sunbathers and swimmers - adjective - modifies direct object, beaches (tells which beaches the ones for sunbathers and swimmer)

3 of the lake - adjective - modifies the direct object, view (tells what kind of view one of the lake)

4 After some years - adverb - modifies the verb, was (tells when)

5 According to the Bible - adverb - modifies verb, must love (answers the questions, why, we must love)

6 of winter - adjective - modifies the subject, months (tells which month)

7 of the city - adjective - modifies the subject, residents (tells which residents)

8 between the employees and the boss - adjective - modifies the subject, relations (tells which relations)

9 By evening - adverb - modifies the verb, will have finished (tells when)

10 beside me - adverb - modifies the verb, sit (tells where)

GERUND PHRASES

A gerund phrase is made up of a gerund and all the words that can modify it The words or phrases that can modify a gerund are an adjective, adverb, and a prepositional phrase, plus it can have a direct object.

Why can it have these modifiers?

Remember that a gerund is a verb form ending in -ing Because it is a VERB, it can have an adverb modifying it Also, it can have an adverb prepositional phrase modifying it Besides all that, it can have a direct object, just like any action verb can have

Why an adjective or adjective prepositional phrase modifying it? Remember that a gerund is a verb form used as a NOUN, therefore it can have an adjective or adjective prepositional phrase modifying it

e.g

1 The course's goal is providing students with knowledge of basic math.

The gerund phrase is providing students and is used as the predicate noun in the sentence The gerund is

providing and the direct object of that gerund is (providing whom?) students The prepositional phrase with knowledge modifies providing and the prepositional phrase of basic math modifies knowledge.

2 Frequently asking for funds may hinder receiving them.

The first gerund phrase is frequently asking for funds The gerund is asking Frequently answers, when?,

and thus is an adverb, modifying the gerund, asking For funds is an adverb prepositional phrase answering the question, why, asking? This entire phrase is the subject of the sentence

There is a second gerund phrase in this sentence It is receiving them This whole phrase is the direct object

in the sentence, answering the question, "may hinder what?" receiving funds Receiving is the gerund and funds is the direct object of the gerund Receiving what? funds.

Exercise Write down the gerund phrase and then tell how the entire phrase is used in the sentence: either

subject, direct object, predicate noun or object of the preposition (If it is object of the preposition, the preposition will be before the gerund.)

e.g The troop found different ways of raising money.

Gerund phrase as object of preposition, of what? - raising money

1 There are few people who question the benefits of encouraging teens

2 Walking the path in the woods is good exercise

3 The teacher ended Linh's disrupting behaviour

4 We should teach our children the necessity of helping others in need

5 You should try singing tenor

6 Liên's dream was singing in the local musical

7 Mai received an award for having perfect attendance

8 The chorus began singing the song

9 Some people enjoy mowing the lawn

10 Reading the classics is my goal this summer

ANSWER KEY

1 encouraging teens - object of preposition, of

2 Walking the path in the woods - subject

3 Linh's disrupting behaviour - direct object

4 helping others in need - object of preposition, of

5 singing tenor - direct object

6 singing in the local musical - predicate noun (renames her dream)

7 having perfect attendance - object of preposition, for

8 singing the song - direct object

9 mowing the lawn - direct object

10 Reading the classics - subject

PARTICIPLE

A participle is a verb form used as an adjective The present participle and the past participle of the verb

can be used These are two of the principal parts of a verb

e.g

Verb - walk

Base - (to) walk

Present participle: (is) walking

Past: walked

Past participle: (have) walked

Now the present or past participle can be used as adjectives Remember that adjectives answer the questions:

what kind? how many? which one? So, the participle will do the same thing.

e.g

A participle can come before or after the noun or pronoun it modifies Remember, too, that the participle is a

verb so you need to be careful that it is not part of a verb phrase in the sentence

e.g