TUTORIAL- 1 - ENGLISH GRAMMAR

Grammar  rules  are  created  in  order  to  give  structure  to  the  language.  Rules  reflect  the  usual

behaviour  of  a  grammatically  constructed  pattern.  A  rule  does  not  necessarily  have  to  behave

absolutely the same every time, but will behave according to the rule  most of the time.

SENTENCE STRUCTURE

                       SUBJECT - VERB - COMPLIMENT - MODIFIER
                       Eg: MANU - WROTE - A STORY - LAST WEEK

Subject

• The subject is the actor of a sentence in active voice. It is the person or thing that performs, or is responsible for, the action of the sentence. It usually begins the sentence and precedes the verb.
•  Every sentence in English must have a subject. Commands will not have a visible subject, however, the subject [you] is understood. Example: Run quickly! = You run quickly!

The subject can be a single noun.

1. Cats chase mice.

2. Children  like candy.

The subject can also be a noun phrase, which is a group of words ending with a noun. A noun

phrase CANNOT begin with a preposition.

1. The car  is in the garage.

2. That hot red dress  looks fabulous.

Examples of subjects:

1. Tom  likes to go fishing.
2. The English teacher  is a very nice person.
3. Susan and Alex went to the movie together.
4. Those boys are good basketball players.
5. We actors are a happy group.

Verb

• The verb follows the subject when the sentence is declarative. A verb normally reveals the action of the sentence. Every sentence in English must have a verb.
• The verb can be a single word.

1. Mary likes chocolate cake.
2. They play soccer.

• The verb can also be a verb phrase. A verb phrase contains one, or more, auxiliary verbs and one main verb.
• The main verb is always preceded by the auxiliary verbs.

1. Martha has been talking to her new friend.
2. Terry is visiting  his aunt today.

Examples of verbs and verb phrases:

1. Jerry has returned from lunch.
2. The storm made a lot of noise.
3. George is playing  in a tournament tomorrow.
4. I will go to bed soon.
5. Sally was jealous of Lisa’s new dress.

Complement (Object)

• A complement (object) provides more information about the verb. Often, it consists of a noun, or noun phrase, and will usually follow the verb in a sentence relaying active voice.
• A complement (object) CANNOT begin with a preposition
• A complement (object) answers the question what? or whom?

Examples of complements:

1. Jack threw the stone far.        (What did Jack throw?)
2. The hungry bird ate a worm.        (What did the bird eat?)
3. He called Janice after the party.      (Whom did he call?)
4. She was chewing gum  in class.      (What was she chewing?)
5. The ball hit Mike during the game last night.  (Whom did the ball hit?)

Modifier

• A modifier tells the time, place, or manner of action. The modifier usually follows the complement. Not every sentence requires a modifier.
• Prepositional phrases are commonly used as modifiers

Examples of prepositional phrases:

under the house, after breakfast, in the morning

 

 

Adverbs and adverbial phrases are also used as modifiers, or modifiers of time. A modifier of

time will usually come last when more than one modifier is used.

 

Examples of adverbs and adverbial phrases:

yesterday, quickly,  last semester, overhead, quite awful

 

A modifier answers the question of where? When? or how?

 

Examples of modifiers:

1. She is earning her degree at Cornell University.   (Where is she earning her degree?)
2. John fell down the stairs        (Where did John fall?)
3. yesterday.          (When did John fall?)
4. The cheetah was running quite fast.      (How was the cheetah running?)
5. We have an appointment at ten o’clock tomorrow.   (When do we have an appointment?)
6. The soldier fired the gun repeatedly .       (How did the soldier fire the gun?)