Simple sentence (types and notions).
The notion of sentence has not so far received a satisfactory definition, which would enable us by applying it in every particular case to find out whether a certain linguistic unit was a sentence or not.
A simple sentence has the most basic elements that make it a sentence: a subject, a verb, and a completed thought.
The use of compound subjects, compound verbs, prepositional phrases (such as "at the bus station"), and other elements help lengthen simple sentences, but simple sentences often are short. The use of too many simple sentences can make writing "choppy" and can prevent the writing from flowing smoothly.
A simple sentence can also be referred to as an independent clause. It is referred to as "independent" because, while it might be part of a compound or complex sentence, it can also stand by itself as a complete sentence.
Types:
1. SUBJECT + VERB (only).
2. SUBJECT + VERB + NOUN PHRASE
3. SUBJECT + VERB + ADJECTIVE
4. SUBJECT + VERB + NOUN PHRASE + NOUN PHRASE
5. SUBJECT + VERB + NOUN PHRASE + ADJECTIVE
6. SUBJECT + VERB + to + BASE FORM OF VERB
Of course, we can add extra information if we want to.
The composite sentence
Structurally sentences are divided into simple (contains only 1 subject-predicate unit) or composite (more than one).
The composite sentence is a sentence consisting of 2 or more clauses. Clauses may be joined by means of coordination (a compound sentence-The door opened & 2 men came in) or subordination (a complex sentence ~ I have come to u, because I know that u can help me) or predication. Coordination is a way of linking grammatical elements to make them equal in rank. Subordination makes one of them dependent upon the other.
Composite sentences are generally subdivided into compound and complex.
Compound sentences consist of 2 clauses. The relations between the clauses are those of equality and relative independence.
Compound sentences will be used:
· to enumerate events denoted by elementary sentences. Copulative conjunctions (and, neither…nor, etc.) are generally used for the purpose: She raised her eyes and then she laughed.
But asyndetical (бессоюзная) coordination is also possible: A tram ran through it, bicycle bells rang.
· to indicate choice between the events expressed by elementary sentences. Disjunctive conjunctions (or, either …or) are employed here.
· to indicate opposition or contradiction (I went to the party but I wanted to stay at home) of the events expressed by elementary sentences. Adversative (противительные) conjunctions (but, yet, still, nevertheless) are used here.
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Complex sentences consist of 2 or more clauses joined by subordination (adverbial, object, attributive) or by predication (subject and predicative clauses). Complex sentence consist of a principal clause (главное предложение) and one or more subordinate clauses which are kind of modifiers to the principal clause.
Subject clause is used to express the theme, the topic described by the predicate:
· in the end of the sentence (it was a surprise to me that he had never left this city).
· in the front position (how you should act is for you to decide).
Predicative clause (she sounds as if she were angry); link verbs (of being (feel)/of becoming (get, grow)/of remaining (stay, keep)
Subject predicative (what I want is what I can never get)
Object clause is used to disclose the meaning of the predicate of the principal clause, to make it complete (I wonder if he’s going to do that; I find it a waste of time to talk to her; I see it as an insult when students miss my classes).
Attributive clauses is used to give some information concerning a component in the principal clause:
appositive (that/whether/how/why; antecedent-abstract (advice, agreement, decision, dream, fact..; news, information, knowledge); the impression that he’s rude is ridiculous.
relative (who, whom, whose, when, where; qualifies the antecedent, supplying more information about it; about things, people, animals); I like people who change my life.
In communication adverbial clauses will be used to express the circumstances of the event denoted in the principal clause. Adverbial clauses will indicate the following:
· adverbial clauses of time (conjunctions when, as, after, before, since, till, until) I'll go for a walk after I do my homework.
· adverbial clauses of place (conj. where) I am quite comfortable where I am.
· adverbial clauses of cause (conj. because, since, as, the phrases “for the reason that”, “considering that”)
· adverbial clauses of purpose (conj. so that, in order that)
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· adverbial clauses of result (conj. so, that, so…that)
· adverbial clauses of manner (conj. than, as…as, so…as, as if) she did exactly as he told her.
· adverbial clauses of concession (conj. even if, even though, though, although) I enjoyed that day, though we travelled slowly, though it was cold, though it rained.
· adverbial clauses of condition (conj. if, unless, suppose, on condition) If he is not here by the end of the week, I shall go after him.
· Adverbial clauses of comparison denote an action with which the action of the principal clause is compared. They are introduced by the conjunctions that, as, as... as, not so... as, as if, as though. We were going up the road as fast as we could
Word order
Word order in English is of much greater importance than in Russian. Due to the wealth of inflexions word order in Russian is rather free as the inflexions show the function of each Word in a sentence. As English words have hardly any inflexions and their relation to each other is shown by their place in the sentence and not by their form, word order in English is fixed. We cannot change the position of different parts of the sentence at will, especially that of the subject and the object.
The order of words in which the subject is placed after the predicate is called inverted order or inversion: Haven’t you any family?
Certain types of sentences require the inverted order of words. These are:
· Interrogative sentences. Where did they find her?
· Sentences introduced by there. There is nothing marvellous in what Jam is going to relate.
· Compound sentences, their second part beginning with so or neither. Their parents escaped unhurt, so did three of their sons.
· Simple exclamatory sentences expressing wish: Be it so!
The inverted order of words is widely used when a word or a group of words is put in a prominent position, i. e. when it either opens the sentence or is withdrawn to the end of the sentence so as to produce a greater effect. So word order often becomes a means of emphasis, thus acquiring a stylistic function. In this case inversion is not due to the structure of the sentence but to the author’s wish to produce a certain stylistic effect.
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Inversion occurs when the emphatic particle only, the adverbs hardly, scarcely (correlated with the conjunction when), the adverb no sooner (correlated with the conjunction than), or the conjunction nor open the sentence. Only once did he meet his match in tennis.
Inversion occurs when the sentence begins with the word here which is not an adverbial modifier of place but has some demonstrative force. “Here is my card, Sir,” replied Mr. Pickwick.
Inversion occurs when an object or an adverbial modifier expressed by a word-group with not a..., or many a... opens the sentence. Not a hansom did I meet with in all my drive.
Inversion often occurs when a predicative expressed by an adjective or by a noun modified by an adjective or by the pronoun such opens the sentence (in case the subject is a noun or an indefinite pronoun). Sweet was that evening.
The usual position of the object in declarative sentences is after the predicate. However, in exclamatory sentences the direct object may occupy the first place. What wonderfully blue eyes you have, Ernest! (Wilde)
This position of the object generally does not cause inversion, except in poetry, high prose, and negative exclamatory sentences.
The usual place of the attribute expressed by an adjective, noun, pronoun, or participle is before the word it modifies. What extraordinary ideas you have about the way to behave to a woman!
In some stock phrases the adjective is placed after the noun: wealth untold — несметные богатства, from times immemorial — с незапамятных времен, the first person singular — первое лицо единственного числа
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