Grammar 1 -_sentence_structure_and_word_types

Sentence Types.
Simple sentences are used for clarity and impact:Simple sentences are used for clarity and impact:
His house was so quiet now.His house was so quiet now.
Compound sentences join two clauses.Compound sentences join two clauses.
I cleared away the dirty plates and stood in the kitchenI cleared away the dirty plates and stood in the kitchen
listening to their chatter and laughter.listening to their chatter and laughter.
Complex sentences have a main (independent) andComplex sentences have a main (independent) and
subordinate (dependent) clause.subordinate (dependent) clause.
She was coughing again, wheezing and spitting into herShe was coughing again, wheezing and spitting into her
handkerchief.handkerchief.

Embedded clauses
Instead of writing a compound sentence:Instead of writing a compound sentence:
Ben was the winner of the race and won a goldBen was the winner of the race and won a gold
medal.medal.
We can embed a clause:We can embed a clause:
Ben, the winner of the race, was given a goldBen, the winner of the race, was given a gold
medal.medal.

Nouns
Nouns are used for people, places and thingsNouns are used for people, places and things
((‘naming’ words).‘naming’ words).
The names of people or places areThe names of people or places are proper nouns;proper nouns;
they always begin with a capital letter, regardless ofthey always begin with a capital letter, regardless of
where in the sentence they appear.where in the sentence they appear.
Ben won a gold medal at the London Olympics.Ben won a gold medal at the London Olympics.
Ben, London and Olympics (although thatBen, London and Olympics (although that’’s an event)s an event)
are proper nouns; medal is a regular noun.are proper nouns; medal is a regular noun.

Verbs
Verbs are actions (‘doing words’).
To vary your sentence structure, you can start your sentence with a verb.
For example instead of:
Ben won the race and got a gold medal.
You could try:
Having won the race, Ben received a gold medal.

Adjectives
Adjectives describeAdjectives describe nounsnouns (they are not just(they are not just ‘describing‘describing
words’).words’).
They add detail and interest to your writing, as well asThey add detail and interest to your writing, as well as
clarifying your meaning.clarifying your meaning.
The elated students reached their target.The elated students reached their target.
Or,Or,
Elated, the students reached target.Elated, the students reached target.

Adverbs
Adverbs describe verbs; they say how and when somethingAdverbs describe verbs; they say how and when something
is done. Often they are words ending inis done. Often they are words ending in ‘ly’‘ly’
The mouse quietly crept across the floor.The mouse quietly crept across the floor.
oror
Quietly, the mouse crept across the floor.Quietly, the mouse crept across the floor.

Prepositions
Prepositions say where something is done:
In, at, above, under, behind, outside, among, etc.
Again, they are used to clarify and add interest, meaning and detail;
So,
The aircraft was cold because of the air conditioning.
Can become:
Inside the aircraft, it was cold because of the air conditioning.

Re-write the following sentences
to make them more interesting.
It was a nightmare finding a good restaurant. The town was in theIt was a nightmare finding a good restaurant. The town was in the
middle of nowhere.middle of nowhere.
The bar was right next to the pool and it served food.The bar was right next to the pool and it served food.
Kenya is situated on the east coast of Africa. It is very near to theKenya is situated on the east coast of Africa. It is very near to the
equator.equator.
I was amazed that I didnI was amazed that I didn’t get bitten more than once by a mosquito the’t get bitten more than once by a mosquito the
whole holiday.whole holiday.

Paragraphs
Are your friends. You need to use them!!Are your friends. You need to use them!!
Vary their lengths – do not be afraid to use a very shortVary their lengths – do not be afraid to use a very short
paragraph.paragraph.
Paragraphs should be about one topic. DonParagraphs should be about one topic. Don’t ramble.’t ramble.
Make a point, explain or analyse it considering yourMake a point, explain or analyse it considering your
evidence if required. New point; new paragraph!evidence if required. New point; new paragraph!
Make them fluent – they must have some order:Make them fluent – they must have some order:
chronological, by topic, by place.chronological, by topic, by place.
Planning the structure of your essay or writing is reallyPlanning the structure of your essay or writing is really
important; use the 5 stage drafting process.important; use the 5 stage drafting process.

Semi Colons
AA semi colonsemi colon looks like this ;looks like this ;
It is used:It is used:
To separate two clauses of a sentence when they are closely related.To separate two clauses of a sentence when they are closely related.
To separate items in a list when the items are long phrases.To separate items in a list when the items are long phrases.
For example:For example:
Elephants live in hot countries. They cool off by bathing.Elephants live in hot countries. They cool off by bathing.

These sentences are closely related, so could be joined by a semi colon. These sentences are closely related, so could be joined by a semi colon.
Elephants live in hot countriesElephants live in hot countries;; they cool off by bathing.they cool off by bathing.

Another example:
Ysgol Aberconwy is an excellent school. This includes the quality of theYsgol Aberconwy is an excellent school. This includes the quality of the
teaching, especially in English. Also, its success is due to the excellence ofteaching, especially in English. Also, its success is due to the excellence of
the buildings and the wonderful cafeterias and the intelligence andthe buildings and the wonderful cafeterias and the intelligence and
helpfulness of the pupils. helpfulness of the pupils.
In this list we have used lots ofIn this list we have used lots of ‘ands’. BORING. Why not write it like this?‘ands’. BORING. Why not write it like this?
Ysgol Aberconwy is great for many thingsYsgol Aberconwy is great for many things:: the quality of the teaching,the quality of the teaching,
especially in Englishespecially in English;; the excellence of the buildingsthe excellence of the buildings;; the wonderfulthe wonderful
cafeterias, serving an array of healthy foodcafeterias, serving an array of healthy food;; the intelligence and helpfulnessthe intelligence and helpfulness
of the pupils.of the pupils.
(See how a colon has been used to introduce my list too?)(See how a colon has been used to introduce my list too?)

Re-write these sentences, adding colons
and semi colons.

Grammar 1 -_sentence_structure_and_word_types

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