The Main Parts of the Sentence
As a rule, every English sentence consists of the subject and the predicate. They are called principal parts of a sentence. In declarative sentences the word order is strict:
(ATTRIBUTE) SUBJECT - PREDICATE – (ATTRIBUTE) OBJECT(S) - ADVERBIAL MODIFIER
THE SUBJECT
It can denote a living being, a lifeless thing or an idea.
The subject can be expressed by:
1. a noun in the common case
e.g. The table is in the room.
2. a pronoun
- personal. He can’t do it.
- demonstrative. This is a pen.
- indefinite. Someone was singing an Italian tune.
- negative. Nobody can help him.
- interrogative. What depends on them?
3. a numeral
e.g. Ten were present.
4. an adjective and a substantivized adjective
e.g. Red is an expressive colour. The wounded were in bed.
5. an infinitive
e.g. To live is to work.
6. a gerund
e.g. Watching TV is his hobby.
Exercise 2. Point out the subject in the following sentences and state what it is expressed by. Translate into Russian.
1. You couldn’t define it more precisely!
2. It never rains, but it pours!
3. Two plus two makes four.
4. There was a tall lamp-post beside the packing house.
5. What is the meaning of all this?
6. People don’t easily recognize their faults.
7. Dark blue is not your colour for a costume.
8. Who will be the second in command?
9. Which of them is the President?
10. To be or not to be, that is the question,
11. Smoking is not allowed.
12. One can’t be too sure.
13. How much do they offer?
14. The third may be not taken into account.
15. Will half of the sum be enough?
16. The brave won’t lay down their arms.
17. Never is a long time.
THE PREDICATE
There are three kinds of the predicate: simple verbal, compound verbal and compound nominal.
| Predicate |
| Simple Verbal |
| Compound |
| Nominal |
| Verbal |
| Aspect |
| Modal |
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The simple verbal predicate is expressed by a finite form of the verb in a simple or compound verb form and it denotes an action.
e.g. He gets up at 7 o’clock in the morning. They have been working for half an hour already.
The compound verbal predicate can consist of:
1. A modal verb and an infinitive – a compound verbal modal predicate
e.g. I can speak English well.
2. A verb expressing the beginning, repetition, duration or cessation of the action and an infinitive or a gerund - a compound verbal aspect predicate
e.g. He began doing his homework at 5 o’clock.
The compound nominal predicate consists of a link-verb and a predicative. It denotes a state or a quality of a person or thing expressed, or the class the person or thing belong to.
e.g. He is a doctor. The day was sunny. I am only seventeen. He turned pale.
There are two types of link-verbs:
1. of being and remaining: to be, to remain, to keep, to look
2. of becoming: to become, to turn, to grow, to get
The predicative can be expressed by:
1. a noun. My brother is a student. This housed is her aunt’s.
2. an adjective. The taste was bitter.
3. a pronoun. These books are hers. What is he?
4. a word expressing a category of state. She was afraid of cats.
5. an infinitive. To go there was to kill time.
6. a gerund. My job was typing documents.
7. Participle II. Dave looked hurt.
Exercise 3. Point out the predicate in each of the following sentences and state its type.
1. It is good.
2. I can do it.
3. His story was true.
4. That is a good idea.
5. I have finished my work.
6. It is raining.
7. It is not real coffee.
8. I shall write a postcard to Doctor Wing now.
9. I understand that he is a writer.
10. “She is a wonderful woman,” said the girl softly.
Exercise 4. Point out the predicate in each of the following sentences and state its type.
1. But I must be going now.
2. “Why should we go down to dessert twice a day?” said Venice.
3. You will have to do as you were told.
4. Your mother must have gone through a good deal of suffering.
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5. They may have telephone communication.
6. Who could have done such a thing?
7. Jack ought to have stayed for tea with them.
8. The man grinned from ear to ear and began to play a lively tune.
9. I kept walking, busy with my thoughts.
10. Aloysius Royce continued to work quietly as the other two talked.
11. He burst out laughing.
12. They ceased to speak eyeing the newcomer suspiciously.
13. The tanks began moving towards the bridge.
14. The roof of the cottage was high and pointed.
15. The argument grew hot.
16. You men, you’re all alike!
17. They remained silent for a while.
18. Why have you become so absent-minded, my dear fellow?
19. It is getting dark, will you turn on the light?
20. Her voice sounded very strange.
21. Something has gone wrong with the starter.
22. Mary’s cakes taste always delicious.
23. Mr. Dempster waited until the conversation died.
24. For a full three minutes Daisy’s mouth continued to laugh.
25. They were trying to calm her.
26. He couldn’t go on living there alone.
27. She kept eyeing Henry with interest.
28. I dared not utter a word.
29. The plane is to take off in a matter of minutes.
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