Lesson 292 - Parts of the Sentence - Compound/Complex Sentences

View Lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause.

 

A compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses. Commas separate the clauses of a compound sentence. (A short sentence joined by and is sometimes combined without a comma.) A semicolon can take the place of the conjunction and comma. Only clauses closely related in thought should be joined to make a compound sentence.

 

Instructions: The following sentences are made up of two independent clauses with one or more dependent clauses. You are to identify the clauses telling what kind each is. The choices are independent clause, noun clause, adjective clause, or adverb clause.

1. Since we had gone only a mile from camp, we could return before dark, and we would not become lost.

2. After the tornado had hit, my house was gone, but my neighbor's house was not touched.

3. Mary heard the frightening noise again, and the sound was one that would frighten the bravest of people.

4. The route can be changed, but I know several people who will not like the change.

5. Dr. Mathews did what could be done, but it simply was not enough to save his life.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Since we had gone only a mile from camp = adverb clause

we could return before dark = independent clause

we would not become lost = independent clause

2. After the tornado had hit = adverb clause

my house was gone = independent clause

my neighbor's house was not touched = independent clause

3. Mary heard the frightening noise again = independent clause

the sound was one = independent clause

that would frighten the bravest of people = adjective clause

4. The route can be changed = independent clause

I know several people = independent clause

who will not like the change = adjective clause

5. Dr. Mathews did = independent clause

what could be done = noun clause

it simply was not enough to save his life = independent clause

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 91 - Parts of the Sentence - Subject/Verb

View Lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

A simple sentence is a group of words expressing a complete thought, and it must have a subject and a verb (predicate - some grammar books use the word predicate, but I will use verb).  A verb shows action or state of being.  The subject tells who or what about the verb.  When finding the subject and the verb in a sentence, always find the verb first and then say who or what followed by the verb.

     Example:
     The bell rang.
     Find the verb - rang
     Who or what rang?
     The bell rang, so bell is the subject.
     The bell rang.

     Example:
     The boy is here.
     Find the verb - is
     Who or what is?
     The boy is, so boy is the subject.
     The boy is here.

There are four (4) kinds of sentences: declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory.

1. A declarative sentence makes a statement.

     Example:
     The assignment is due tomorrow.

2. An imperative sentence gives a command or makes a request.

     Examples:
     Hand it in now. (understood you)
     Stop. (understood you)

3. An interrogative sentence asks a question.

     Example:
     Do you know the man?

4. An exclamatory sentence shows strong feeling. Declarative, imperative, or interrogative sentences can be made into exclamatory sentences by punctuating them with an exclamation point.

     Examples:
     The assignment is due tomorrow!
     Stop!
     Do you know the man!

Instructions: Find the subject and verb in the following sentences.

1. Karen went to the mall.

2. Carl didn't help his dad.

3. Mom cooks breakfast every morning.

4. I want a new bike for Christmas.

5. Ann has had a new baby girl.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Karen went to the mall.

2. Carl didn't help his dad.

     - verb phrase using a helping verb did

3. Mom cooks breakfast every morning.

4. I want a new bike for Christmas.

5. Ann has had a new baby girl.

     - verb phrase using a helping verb has

Note: These verbs are all action verbs.

Next Lesson
 

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 291 - Parts of the Sentence - Compound/Complex Sentences

View Lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause.

 

A compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses. Commas separate the clauses of a compound sentence. (A short sentence joined by and is sometimes combined without a comma.) A semicolon can take the place of the conjunction and comma. Only clauses closely related in thought should be joined to make a compound sentence.

 

Instructions: The following sentences are made up of two independent clauses with one or more dependent clauses. You are to identify the clauses telling what kind each is. The choices are independent clause, noun clause, adjective clause, or adverb clause.

1. John went to school, but James remained at home because he had a sore throat.

2. If he changes his mind, we shall know for sure that Joe has learned his lesson, but only time will tell.

3. Those clouds promise rain; we should hurry before we get caught in a flash flood.

4. Here is the money that I owe you, and I am happy to be free of debt.

5. Were you ever in a storm that was full of lightning, or don't you recall?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. John went to school = independent clause

James remained at home = independent clause

because he had a sore throat = adverb clause

2. If he changes his mind = adverb clause

we shall know for sure = independent clause

that Joe has learned his lesson = noun clause

only time will tell = independent clause

3. Those clouds promise rain = independent clause

we should hurry = independent clause

before we get caught in a flash flood = adverb clause

4. Here is the money = independent clause

that I owe you = adjective clause

I am happy to be free of debt = independent clause

5. Were you ever in a storm = independent clause

that was full of lightning = adjective clause

don't you recall = independent clause

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Quiz for Lessons 86 - 90 - Parts of Speech - Review

View Quiz on Daily Grammar - Print Quiz

The eight parts of speech are verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.

Verbs show action or state of being.

Nouns are the names of persons, places, things, or ideas.

Pronouns take the place of nouns.

Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns and tell which, whose, what kind, and how many.

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs and tell how, when, where, and how much.

Prepositions must have an object and show a relationship between its object and some other word in the sentence.

Conjunctions join words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subject and verb).

Interjections show feeling and are punctuated with either a comma or an exclamation point.

If you need further clarification on any of the parts of speech, see the Daily Grammar archive (dailygrammar.com/archive.html). Remember that what part of speech a word is depends on how it is used in the sentence.

Instructions: Identify what part of speech each word is in the following sentences.

1. After she cleaned the room, Mrs. Johanson asked me if I would move the furniture and take out the trash.

2. Yes, we arrived safely in Canada, and we enjoyed the visit with the grandchildren although the weather was really cold and cloudy.

3. A good score comes from a great deal of careful work and effort.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. After - conjunction, she - pronoun, cleaned - verb, the - adjective, room - noun, Mrs. Johanson - noun, asked - verb, me - pronoun, if - conjunction, I - pronoun, would - verb, move - verb, the - adjective, furniture - noun, and - conjunction, take - verb, out - adverb, the - adjective, trash - noun.

2. Yes - interjection, we - pronoun, arrived - verb, safely - adverb, in - preposition, Canada - noun, and - conjunction, we - pronoun, enjoyed - verb, the - adjective, visit - noun, with - preposition, the - adjective, grandchildren - noun, although - conjunction, the - adjective, weather - noun, was - verb, really - adverb, cold - adjective, and - conjunction, cloudy - adjective.

3. A - adjective, good - adjective, score - noun, comes - verb, from - preposition, a - adjective, great - adjective, deal - noun, of - preposition, careful - adjective, work - noun, and - conjunction, effort - noun.

Next Lesson
 

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Quiz for Lessons 286 - 290 - Parts of the Sentence - Sentence Variety

View Quiz on Daily Grammar - Print Quiz

Having learned about phrases and clauses, let's now use the following phrases and clauses to give variety to our writing: participial phrases, adverb clauses, adjective clauses, compound sentences, or compound verbs.

First identify which of the above ways is used in the sentence, and then rewrite it using the three other ways identifying each of the methods used.

Example: 

Having finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = participial phrase

You must rewrite it using an adverb clause,  adjective clause, and either a compound sentence or a simple sentence with compound verbs.

1) I finished my lessons, sat back, and gloried in my effort. = compound verbs

2) After I had finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = adverb clause

3) I who had finished my lessons sat back and gloried in my effort. = adjective clause

Instructions: Identify the written sentence and rewrite it the other three ways.

1. The gardener who had sprayed the weeds with poison thought about the vacation planned for July.

2. When they saw the curtain go up, the audience gasped in surprise but started applauding loudly.

3. Having amassed a fortune, the man was looking forward to living an easy life.

4. She hurried down to the bank, withdrew all her savings, and hid them under her mattress.

5. The new recruits lined up rapidly, and the officers gave them their orders for the day.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The gardener who had sprayed the weeds with poison thought about the vacation planned for July. = adjective clause

1) Having sprayed the weeds with poison, the gardener thought about the vacation planned for July. = participial phrase

2) As he sprayed the weeds with poison, the gardener thought about the vacation planned for July. = adverb clause

3) The gardener sprayed the weeds with poison and thought about the vacation planned for July. = compound verbs

2. When they saw the curtain go up, the audience gasped in surprise but started applauding loudly. = adverb clause

1) Seeing the curtain go up, the audience gasped in surprise but started applauding loudly. = participial phrase

2) The audience saw the curtain go up, gasped in surprise, and started applauding loudly. = compound verbs

3) The audience who gasped in surprise and started applauding loudly saw the curtain go up. = adjective clause

3. Having amassed a fortune, the man was looking forward to living an easy life. = participial phrase

1) The man who had amassed a fortune was looking forward to living an easy life. = adjective clause

 

2) The man had amassed a fortune and was looking forward to living an easy life. = compound verbs

 

3) After he had amassed a fortune, the man was looking forward to living an easy life. = adverb clause

4. She hurried down to the bank, withdrew all her savings, and hid them under her mattress. = compound verbs

1) Hurrying down to the bank, she withdrew all her savings and hid them under her mattress. = participial phrase

2) After she had hurried down to the bank and withdrawn all her savings, she hid them under her mattress. = adverb clause

3) She hurried down to the bank and withdrew all her savings which she hid under her mattress. = adjective clause

5. The new recruits lined up rapidly, and the officers gave them their orders for the day. = compound sentence

1) Having lined up rapidly, the new recruits were given their orders for the day by the officers. = participial phrase

2) After the new recruits had lined up rapidly, the officers gave them their orders for the day. = adverb clause

3) The new recruits who lined up rapidly were given their orders for the day by the officers. = adjective clause

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 90 - Parts of Speech - Review

View Lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

The eight parts of speech are verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.

Verbs show action or state of being.

Nouns are the names of persons, places, things, or ideas.

Pronouns take the place of nouns.

Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns and tell which, whose, what kind, and how many.

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs and tell how, when, where, and how much.

Prepositions must have an object and show a relationship between its object and some other word in the sentence.

Conjunctions join words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subject and verb).

Interjections show feeling and are punctuated with either a comma or an exclamation point.

If you need further clarification on any of the parts of speech, see the Daily Grammar archive (dailygrammar.com/archive.html). Remember that what part of speech a word is depends on how it is used in the sentence.

Instructions: In the following sentences tell the part of speech of each italicized word as used in the sentence.

1. Joe has been here since yesterday.

2. I will do what I can since you want it.

3. I looked behind for any cars.

4. Will you stand behind me?

5. That is a fine horse you have.

6. The policeman gave me a fine.

7. I will fine you for your action.

8. I shall mine the gold.

9. The coal mine was no longer used.

10. That coat is mine.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. since - preposition

2. since - conjunction

3. behind - adverb

4. behind - preposition

5. fine - adjective

6. fine - noun

7. fine - verb

8. mine - verb

9. mine - noun

10. mine - pronoun

Next Lesson

 

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 290 - Parts of the Sentence - Sentence Variety

View Lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

Having learned about phrases and clauses, let's now use the following phrases and clauses to give variety to our writing: participial phrases, adverb clauses, adjective clauses, compound sentences, or compound verbs.

First identify which of the above ways is used in the sentence, and then rewrite it using the three other ways identifying each of the methods used.

Example: 

Having finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = participial phrase

You must rewrite it using an adverb clause,  adjective clause, and either a compound sentence or a simple sentence with compound verbs.

1) I finished my lessons, sat back, and gloried in my effort. = compound verbs

2) After I had finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = adverb clause

3) I who had finished my lessons sat back and gloried in my effort. = adjective clause

Instructions: Identify the written sentence and rewrite it the other three ways.

1. The camper sighed heavily, strained under the weight of his load, and carried it into camp.

2. Waiting for the signal to enter, the children played happily around the entrance to the park.

3. When she had performed her daily tasks, the old lady lit a fire and warmed herself for the evening.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The camper sighed heavily, strained under the weight of his load, and carried it into camp. = compound verbs

1) Sighing heavily, the camper strained under the weight of his load and carried it into the camp. = participial phrase

2) While he strained under the weight of his load, the camper sighed heavily and carried it into camp. = adverb clause

3) The camper who strained under the weight of his load sighed heavily and carried it into camp. = adjective clause

2. Waiting for the signal to enter, the children played happily around the entrance to the park. = participial phrase

1) The children waited for the signal to enter as they played happily around the entrance to the park. = adverb clause

2) The children waited for the signal to enter and played happily around the entrance to the park. = compound verbs

3) The children who played happily around the entrance to the park waited for the signal to enter. = adjective clause

3. When she had performed her daily tasks, the old lady lit a fire and warmed herself for the evening. = adverb clause

1) Performing her daily tasks, the old lady lit a fire and warmed herself for the evening. = participial phrase

2) The old lady that had performed her daily tasks lit a fire and warmed herself for the evening. = adjective clause

3) The old lady performed her daily tasks, and she lit a fire and warmed herself for the evening. = compound sentence

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 89 - Parts of Speech - Review

View Lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

The eight parts of speech are verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.

Verbs show action or state of being.

Nouns are the names of persons, places, things, or ideas.

Pronouns take the place of nouns.

Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns and tell which, whose, what kind, and how many.

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs and tell how, when, where, and how much.

Prepositions must have an object and show a relationship between its object and some other word in the sentence.

Conjunctions join words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subject and verb).

Interjections show feeling and are punctuated with either a comma or an exclamation point.

If you need further clarification on any of the parts of speech, see the Daily Grammar archive (dailygrammar.com/archive.html). Remember that what part of speech a word is depends on how it is used in the sentence.

Instructions: In the following sentences tell the part of speech of each italicized word as used in the sentence.

1. We need to learn about our past.

2. Your friend just went past.

3. The past event will be remembered forever.

4. The fall colors are outstanding this year.

5. The leaves fall all over the ground.

6. The branches broke his fall from the tree.

7. The spring is full of mud.

8. Spring into action before it is too late.

9. Don't come near me!

10. Do you think he is near?

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. past - noun

2. past - adverb

3. past - adjective

4. fall - adjective

5. fall - verb

6. fall - noun

7. spring - noun

8. spring - verb

9. near - preposition

10. near - adverb

Next Lesson
 

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 289 - Parts of the Sentence - Sentence Variety

View Lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

Having learned about phrases and clauses, let's now use the following phrases and clauses to give variety to our writing: participial phrases, adverb clauses, adjective clauses, compound sentences, or compound verbs.

First identify which of the above ways is used in the sentence, and then rewrite it using the three other ways identifying each of the methods used.

Example: 

Having finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = participial phrase

You must rewrite it using an adverb clause,  adjective clause, and either a compound sentence or a simple sentence with compound verbs.

1) I finished my lessons, sat back, and gloried in my effort. = compound verbs

2) After I had finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = adverb clause

3) I who had finished my lessons sat back and gloried in my effort. = adjective clause

Instructions: Identify the written sentence and rewrite it the other three ways.

1. Standing nervously in the wings of the theater, Jeanne practiced her lines quietly and waited to go on stage.

2. The detective searched carefully through the old desk as he recounted in his mind the importance of the will.

3. The small black dog which looked weak and harmless leaped suddenly at the stranger.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

Note - There are other ways in which to write these sentences.

1. Standing nervously in the wings of the theater, Jeanne practiced her lines quietly and waited to go on stage. = participial phrase

1) Jeanne stood nervously in the wings of the theater and practiced her lines quietly while she waited to go on stage. = adverb clause

2) Jeanne stood nervously in the wings of the theater, practiced her lines quietly, and waited to go on stage. = compound verbs

3) Jeanne who practiced her lines quietly stood nervously in the wings of the theater and waited to go on stage. = adjective clause

2. The detective searched carefully through the old desk as he recounted in his mind the importance of the will. = adverb clause

1) The detective searched carefully through the old desk, and he recounted in his mind the importance of the will. = compound sentence

2) Recounting in his mind the importance of the will, the detective searched carefully through the old desk. = participial phrase

3) The detective who searched carefully through the old desk recounted in his mind the importance of the will. = adjective clause

3. The small black dog which looked weak and harmless leaped suddenly at the stranger. = adjective clause

 

1) Looking weak and harmless, the small black dog leaped suddenly at the stranger. = participial phrase

 

2) Although he looked weak and harmless, the small black dog leaped suddenly at the stranger. = adverb clause

3) The small black dog looked weak and harmless but leaped suddenly at the stranger. = compound verbs

 

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 88 - Parts of Speech - Review

View Lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

The eight parts of speech are verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.

Verbs show action or state of being.

Nouns are the names of persons, places, things, or ideas.

Pronouns take the place of nouns.

Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns and tell which, whose, what kind, and how many.

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs and tell how, when, where, and how much.

Prepositions must have an object and show a relationship between its object and some other word in the sentence.

Conjunctions join words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subject and verb).

Interjections show feeling and are punctuated with either a comma or an exclamation point.

 

If you need further clarification on any of the parts of speech, see the Daily Grammar archive (dailygrammar.com/archive.html). Remember that what part of speech a word is depends on how it is used in the sentence.

Instructions: Identify what part of speech each word is in the following sentences.

1. Both the big girl and a small boy were happy with the results.

2. If you do not like it, the boss will speak with you tonight on the phone.

3. Whew! This weather is very warm for this time of year.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Both - conjunction, the - adjective, big - adjective, girl - noun, and - conjunction, a - adjective, small - adjective, boy - noun, were - verb, happy - adjective, with - preposition, the - adjective, results - noun.

2. If - conjunction, you - pronoun, do - verb, not - adverb, like - verb, it - pronoun, the - adjective, boss - noun, will - verb, speak - verb, with - preposition, you - pronoun, tonight - adverb, on - preposition, the - adjective, phone - noun.

3. Whew - interjection, This - adjective, weather - noun, is - verb, very - adverb, warm - adjective, for - preposition, this - adjective, time - noun, of - preposition, year - noun.

Next Lesson
 

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.

Lesson 288 - Parts of the Sentence - Sentence Variety

View Lesson on Daily Grammar - Print Lesson

Having learned about phrases and clauses, let's now use the following phrases and clauses to give variety to our writing: participial phrases, adverb clauses, adjective clauses, compound sentences, or compound verbs.

First identify which of the above ways is used in the sentence, and then rewrite it using the three other ways identifying each of the methods used.

Example: 

Having finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = participial phrase

You must rewrite it using an adverb clause,  adjective clause, and either a compound sentence or a simple sentence with compound verbs.

1) I finished my lessons, sat back, and gloried in my effort. = compound verbs

2) After I had finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = adverb clause

3) I who had finished my lessons sat back and gloried in my effort. = adjective clause

Instructions: Identify the written sentence and rewrite it the other three ways.

1. The engineer knew the train was on time, leaned against the side, and sighed with relief.

2. Hoping to have the seating in place by evening, the committee for the Olympics hurriedly set up bleachers along the main road.

3. Mark took a quick, refreshing swim in the mountain lake before he returned to the cabin for breakfast.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The engineer knew the train was on time, leaned against the side, and sighed with relief. = compound verbs

 

1) Knowing the train was on time, the engineer leaned against the side and sighed with relief. = participial phrase

2) The engineer who knew the train was on time leaned against the side and sighed with relief. = adjective clause

3) When the engineer leaned against the side and sighed with relief, he knew the train was on time. = adverb clause

2. Hoping to have the seating in place by evening, the committee for the Olympics hurriedly set up bleachers along the main road. = participial phrase

1) The committee for the Olympics hoped to have the seating in place by evening and hurriedly set up bleachers along the main road. = compound verbs

2) The committee for the Olympics that hoped to have the seating in place by evening hurriedly set up bleachers along the main road. = adjective clause

3) Because they hoped to have the seating in place by evening, the committee for the Olympics hurriedly set up bleachers along the main road. = adverb clause

3. Mark took a quick, refreshing swim in the mountain lake before he returned to the cabin for breakfast. = adverb clause

1) Having taken a quick, refreshing swim in the mountain lake, Mark returned to the cabin for breakfast. = participial phrase

2) Mark who had taken a quick, refreshing swim in the mountain lake returned to the cabin for breakfast. = adjective clause

3) Mark took a quick, refreshing swim in the mountain lake and returned to the cabin for breakfast. = compound verbs

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.