Make a sentences in english


Sentence Structure and Types of Sentences - Grammar

Definitions and Examples of Basic Sentence Elements

The Mastering the Mechanics webinar series also describes required sentence elements and varying sentence types. Please see these archived webinars for more information.

 

Key: Yellow, bold = subject; green underline = verb, blue, italics = object, pink, regular font = prepositional phrase

 

Independent clause: An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a subject and a verb and is a complete idea.

  • I like spaghetti.
  • He reads many books.

Dependent clause: A dependent clause is not a complete sentence. It must be attached to an independent clause to become complete. This is also known as a subordinate clause.

  • Although I like spaghetti,…
  • Because he reads many books,…

Subject: A person, animal, place, thing, or concept that does an action. Determine the subject in a sentence by asking the question “Who or what?”

  • I like spaghetti.
  • He reads many books.

Verb: Expresses what the person, animal, place, thing, or concept does. Determine the verb in a sentence by asking the question “What was the action or what happened?”

  • I like spaghetti.
  • He reads many books.
  • The movie is good. (The be verb is also sometimes referred to as a copula or a linking verb. It links the subject, in this case "the movie," to the complement or the predicate of the sentence, in this case, "good.")

Object: A person, animal, place, thing, or concept that receives the action. Determine the object in a sentence by asking the question “The subject did what?” or “To whom?/For whom?”

  • I like spaghetti.
  • He reads many books.

Prepositional Phrase: A phrase that begins with a preposition (i. e., in, at for, behind, until, after, of, during) and modifies a word in the sentence. A prepositional phrase answers one of many questions. Here are a few examples: “Where? When? In what way?”

  • I like spaghetti for dinner.
  • He reads many books in the library.

English Sentence Structure

The following statements are true about sentences in English:

  • A new sentence begins with a capital letter.
    • He obtained his degree.
  • A sentence ends with punctuation (a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point).
    • He obtained his degree.
  • A sentence contains a subject that is only given once.
    • Smith he obtained his degree.
  • A sentence contains a verb or a verb phrase.
    • He obtained his degree.
  • A sentence follows Subject + Verb + Object word order.
    • He (subject) obtained (verb) his degree (object).
  • A sentence must have a complete idea that stands alone. This is also called an independent clause.
    • He obtained his degree.

Simple Sentences

A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb, and it may also have an object and modifiers. However, it contains only one independent clause.

Key: Yellow, bold = subject; green underline = verb, blue, italics = object, pink, regular font =prepositional phrase

Here are a few examples:

  • She wrote.
  • She completed her literature review.
  • He organized his sources by theme.
  • They studied APA rules for many hours.

Compound Sentences

A compound sentence contains at least two independent clauses.   These two independent clauses can be combined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or with a semicolon.

Key: independent clause = yellow, bold; comma  or semicolon = pink, regular font; coordinating conjunction = green, underlined

Here are a few examples:

  • She completed her literature review, and she created her reference list.
  • He organized his sources by theme; then, he updated his reference list.
  • They studied APA rules for many hours, but they realized there was still much to learn.

Using some compound sentences in writing allows for more sentence variety.

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence contains at least one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Dependent clauses can refer to the subject (who, which) the sequence/time (since, while), or the causal elements (because, if) of the independent clause.

If a sentence begins with a dependent clause, note the comma after this clause. If, on the other hand, the sentence begins with an independent clause, there is not a comma separating the two clauses.

Key: independent clause = yellow, bold; comma = pink, regular font; dependent clause = blue, italics

Here are a few examples:

  • Although she completed her literature review, she still needed to work on her methods section.
    • Note the comma in this sentence because it begins with a dependent clause.
  • Because he organized his sources by theme, it was easier for his readers to follow.
    • Note the comma in this sentence because it begins with a dependent clause.
  • They studied APA rules for many hours as they were so interesting.
    • Note that there is no comma in this sentence because it begins with an independent clause.
  • Using some complex sentences in writing allows for more sentence variety.

Compound-Complex Sentences

Sentence types can also be combined. A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Key: independent clause = yellow, bold; comma  or semicolon = pink, regular font; coordinating conjunction = green, underlined; dependent clause = blue, italics

  • She completed her literature review, but she still needs to work on her methods section even though she finished her methods course last semester.
  • Although he organized his sources by theme, he decided to arrange them chronologically, and he carefully followed the MEAL plan for organization. 
  • With pizza and soda at hand, they studied APA rules for many hours, and they decided that writing in APA made sense because it was clear, concise, and objective.
  • Using some complex-compound sentences in writing allows for more sentence variety.
  • Pay close attention to comma usage in complex-compound sentences so that the reader is easily able to follow the intended meaning.

Sentence Structure Video Playlist

Related Resources

Knowledge Check: Sentence Structure and Types of Sentences

Run-On Sentences and Sentence Fragments - Grammar

Run-On Sentences

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (also known as complete sentences) are connected improperly.

Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time.

There are two complete sentences in the above example:

Sentence 1: I love to write papers.
 
Sentence 2: I would write one every day if I had the time.

 


One common type of run-on sentence is a comma splice. A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with just a comma.

Example of a comma splice: Participants could leave the study at any time, they needed to indicate their preference.
Sentence 1: Participants could leave the study at any time.
 
Sentence 2: They needed to indicate their preference.

 

Some comma splices occur when a writer attempts to use a transitional expression in the middle of a sentence.

Example of a comma splice: The results of the study were inconclusive, therefore more research needs to be done on the topic.
Sentence 1: The results of the study were inconclusive
 
Transitional expression (conjunctive adverb): therefore
 
Sentence 2: More research needs to be done on the topic

To fix this type of comma splice, use a semicolon before the transitional expression and add a comma after it. See more examples of this on the semicolon page.

Revision: The results of the study were inconclusive; therefore, more research needs to be done on the topic.

You can correct a run-on sentence by connecting or separating its parts correctly. There are several easy ways to connect independent clauses.

Correcting Run-On Sentences

A run-on sentence can be fixed by connecting its parts correctly. There are several ways to connect independent clauses.

  1. Use a period. The easiest way to fix a run-on is to split the sentence into smaller sentences using a period. This revision works especially well with longer sentences. Check, however, to make sure that this solution does not result in short, choppy sentences.
    Revision example: I love to write papers. I would write one every day if I had the time.
  2. Use a semicolon. Inserting a semicolon between independent clauses creates a grammatically correct sentence. Using a semicolon is a stylistic choice that establishes a close relationship between the two sentences.
    Revision example: I love to write papers; I would write one every day if I had the time.
  3. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction. A comma, paired with a coordinating conjunction (e.g., "and," "but," or "or"), corrects a run-on sentence. This method emphasizes the relationship between the two clauses.
    Revision example: I love to write papers, and I would write one every day if I had the time.
  4. Use a subordinating conjunction. Turn one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause. A subordinating conjunction (e.g., "because," "unless," and "although") connects two clauses to create a complex sentence. This option works to cement the relationship between the two parts of the sentence and may improve the flow of the clauses.
    Example: Because I love to write papers, I would write one every day if I had the time.

However you decide to revise for run-on sentences, remember that maintaining sentence variety helps to keep the writing clear and interesting for your readers.

Sentence Fragments

A sentence fragment is a string of words that does not form a complete sentence; there is a  necessary component of a complete sentence missing. This missing component may be a subject (usually a noun) or a predicate (verb or verb phrase) and/or when the sentence does not express a complete idea.

Here is an example of a fragment with a missing subject.

Example of a fragment: Shows no improvement in any of the vital signs.

The sentence above is a fragment since there is no subject (Who shows no improvement?). Fragments can be corrected by identifying the missing element and including it.

Revision: The patient shows no improvement in any of the vital signs.

Here is an example of a fragment with a missing predicate, or action:

Example of a fragment: The doctors, who were using peer-reviewed research articles that contributed to the body of knowledge in their fields, which was obstetrics.

Notice here that although the sentence is quite long, it still contains no action (What are the doctors doing?). Once identified, the sentence can be corrected easily.

Revision: The doctors, who were using peer-reviewed research articles that contributed to the body of knowledge in their field, improved their knowledge of obstetrics.

Run-On Sentences and Sentence Fragments Video Playlist

Note that these videos were created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines.

 


Common Error: Run-On Sentences and Sentence Fragments (video, 4:14)
Transcript


Common Error: Fragments (video, 4:14)
Transcript


Compound Sentences (video, 4:01)
Transcript


Complex Sentences (video, 4:38)
Transcript


Combining Sentences (video, 2:02)
Transcript

Related Resources

Knowledge Check: Run-On Sentences and Sentence Fragments

Sentence construction

The rules for constructing sentences in English are quite strict. Unlike the Russian language, there is a clear word order here. If you know the basic construction of an English sentence, you can build any phrase.

The members of a sentence in English, as in Russian, are divided into main and secondary.

The main members of the sentence are those due to which the grammatical basis of the utterance is formed. Without them, the proposal would not make sense. The main members are the subject and the predicate.

Examples:

(Who?) They (what were they doing?) thought. — They thought.

Who?) The cat (what is he doing?) is coming. – The cat is going.

(What?) The apple (what will it do?) will fall. — The apple will fall.

Subject

As a rule, the subject is expressed by a noun or pronoun, this is the main character of the sentence, answering the questions “who?”, “What?”.

The noun is used in its standard dictionary form, singular or plural.

Examples:

a product - products (product - products)

a magazine - magazines (magazine - magazines)

a university - universities (university - universities)

The article may be definite, indefinite, or absent at all, depending on the object/person implied.

As for pronouns, personal pronouns in the nominative case are most often used as the subject: I (I), we (we), you (you), he (he), she (she), it (this / it), they (they).

And also some indefinite and negative pronouns: someone/somebody (someone), no one/nobody (nobody), everyone/everybody (everyone), something (something), nothing (nothing), everything (everything) , each (each).

In colloquial speech, it can be replaced by this (this), that (that).

In an affirmative sentence, the subject comes at the beginning of the sentence before the predicate.

Predicate

This part of the sentence is expressed by a verb and is the key to building sentences in English, because it shows at what time the action happened, is happening or will happen. The predicate answers the question “what to do?”.

There can be two verbs in the predicate, auxiliary and semantic.

Auxiliary verb - a verb that is used to express time. As such, it does not have such a meaning in itself and is not translated into Russian in any way. However, his presence is necessary if the temporary form requires it.

Examples:

For Present Simple - do / does
For Past Perfect - had
For Future Continuous - will be

The main or semantic verb is a verb that expresses an action performed by the subject.

Examples:

She runs. - She is running.

We went. - We are going.

I want to be there. - I want to be there.

Secondary members of the sentence are those that explain the main ones. Without them, the sentence will still make sense, since they are not the grammatical basis of the sentence. The secondary members include definition, addition and circumstance.

Definition

This sentence member answers the questions “which?” and "whose?". The definition stands next to the subject or object and describes its properties; it can be expressed in almost any part of speech.

In most cases, the definition is expressed as:

  • Adjectives: nice (cute), brave (brave).
  • Participles: sold (sold), crying (crying).
  • Participle turnovers: made of plastic (made of plastic), laughing out loud (laughing out loud).
  • Numerals: first (first), thirty (thirty).
  • Noun in the possessive case: Nick's (Nick), Diana's (Diana).
  • Personal pronouns in the objective case: my (my), your (your).

Examples:

I see a beautiful girl next to him. - I see (what?) a beautiful girl next to him.

My red cat is lying on the windowsill. - (Whose?) My (what?) red cat lies on the windowsill.

A definition can be placed before the subject or object.

Examples:

Her wavy hair is so beautiful. Her wavy hair is so beautiful.

I have read a great book. — I read a wonderful book.

The adjective expressed by the participial phrase usually comes after the subject and object.

Example: The girl singing on stage is my sister. The girl singing on stage is my sister.

Complement

According to the construction of sentences in English, the complement is placed after the predicate. It can be expressed as a noun or pronoun, answers case questions.

Examples:

I see a girl with him. - I see (who?) a girl (who?) with him.

She is reading a book to the children. She reads (what?) a book (to whom?) to children.

There are two types of add-on:

  • Direct - an object that does not answer questions of the accusative case "whom?", "What?".
  • Indirect - an addition that answers all other case questions "who?", "what?", "to whom?", "what?".

If two types of object are used at once in one sentence, the direct one is used first, and then the indirect one.

Example: I play a computer game with her. — I play a computer game with her.

Circumstance

This part of speech denotes place, cause, time, manner of action, and the like. The circumstance is related to the predicate, but it can be used both at the beginning and at the end of the sentence. The first option is less common. The circumstance informs “where?”, “When?”, “How?”, “Why?” some action has taken place.

Examples:

My red cat lies on the windowsill. — My red cat lies (where?) on the windowsill.

Yesterday I saw her with him. — (When?) Yesterday I saw her with him.

He behaved differently. - He behaved (how?) differently.

The circumstance can be expressed as:

  • Adverb: today (today), slowly (slowly).
  • Noun with a preposition: in Paris (in Paris), behind the scenes (behind the scenes).

There are two main word orders in English: direct and reverse. The direct is used in affirmative and negative sentences, the reverse is used in questions.

The English sentence differs from the Russian one in word order. In Russian it is free, in English it is strictly defined.

Example: Mother was cleaning the frame. - Mom washed the frame. / Mom washed the frame. / Mom washed the frame.

The structure of affirmative and negative sentences

The direct word order in an English sentence is as follows: the subject comes first, the predicate comes second, and the object comes third. In some cases, circumstance may come first. In an English sentence, the main verb may have an auxiliary verb.

Affirmative sentence word order:

1. Circumstance.
2. Subject (possibly with a definition).
3. Predicate.
4. Addition (possibly with a definition).
5. Circumstance.

Examples

Yesterday I learned English words - Yesterday I learned English words.

Yesterday (adverb) I (subject) learned (predicate) English words (addition with definition).

My little sister will visit me in three days - My little sister will visit me in three days.

My little sister (subject with definition) will visit (predicate) me (addition) in three days (circumstance).

The word order in the negative English sentence is also direct. In order to show negation, the particle not is used, which corresponds to the Russian particle “not”. Also, in a negative sentence there is always an auxiliary verb, it is to it that not adjoins.

Negative sentence word order:

1. Circumstance.
2. Subject (possibly with a definition).
3. Auxiliary verb + not.
4. Main verb.
5. Addition (possibly with a definition).

Examples

Yesterday I did not learn English words

Yesterday (adverbial) I (subject) did not (auxiliary verb + not) learn (main verb) English words (addition with definition).

My little sister will not visit me in three days - My little sister will not visit me in three days.

My little sister (subject with definition) will not (auxiliary verb + not) visit (main verb) me (object) in three days (circumstance).

The structure of interrogative sentences

When a question is asked in Russian, sometimes it can be determined only by the intonation of the speaker that it is a question. When constructing English sentences in the form of a question, the subject and predicate are reversed - the reverse word order is used. But only a part of the predicate is placed in the first place - the auxiliary verb, and the main verb still comes after the subject.

Example

They live in the city. — They live in the city.

Do they live in the city? — Do they live in the city?

Interrogative sentence word order:

Auxiliary verb.
Subject (possibly with a definition).
Main verb.
Supplement (possibly with definition)
Circumstance.

Examples

Did I learn English words? — Did I learn English words?

Did (auxiliary verb) I (subject) learn (main verb) English words (object with definition)?

Will my little sister visit me in three days? Will my little sister visit me in three days?

Will (auxiliary verb) my little sister (subject with attribute) visit (main verb) me (object) in three days (circumstance)?

You can use a short answer when answering a question. But in English you can't just say Yes/No, such an answer can be considered rude or unfriendly in some cases. A well-formed short answer should, in addition to Yes/No, contain a subject and an auxiliary verb.

Examples

Question: Do they work in the office? Do they work in an office?

Answer: Yes, they do. / No, they don't. - Yes. / No.

Question: Has he visited the British Museum? / Did he visit the British Museum?

Answer: Yes, he has. / No, he hasn't. - Yes. / No.

Question: Will you call me? - Will you call me?

Answer: Yes, I will. / No, I won't. - Yes. / No.

Question: Do you like tea? — Do you like tea?

Answer: Yes, I do. / No, I don't. - Yes. / No.

Alternative grammatical constructions of English sentences

The construction of English sentences may in some cases deviate from the norm. Modern English is extremely rich in grammatical structures. Some of them are not the norm in the generally accepted sense, but reflect modern language trends. These include contraction (reduction), ellipsis (omission), insert (insert), preface and tag (introduction and tag).

Contraction - abbreviation

This phenomenon is quite familiar and understandable in most cases.

Examples: can't = cannot, don't = do not, I'm = I am

Abbreviations are considered a sign of conversational style, however, the above forms are the norm, that is, their use does not contradict the established grammatical rules. According to the rules of colloquial English, it is possible to combine auxiliary verbs with modal ones when abbreviated, even with a negative particle not.

Examples: Mike couldn't've known about it. Mike didn't know about it. You shouldn't've gone there. You shouldn't have gone there.

In colloquial speech, abbreviation can be used if there is a subject expressed by several nouns.

Examples: Mark and Jenny've passed the exam. Mark and Jenny passed the exam. The President and his team're going to the summit. — The President and his team are going to the summit.

Ellipsis

In colloquial speech, a part of a traditional English sentence structure can be omitted if the meaning of the utterance is preserved. This phenomenon saves time and makes speech more fluent. Most often, words are skipped at the beginning of a sentence or not far from it.

You can omit:

  • Auxiliary verb

    Example: How are you doing? - How are you? Ellipsis: How are you doing? - How are you?

    Example: I'm alright, thanks. - I'm fine, thank you. Ellipsis: Alright, thanks. - OK, thank you.

  • Subject + be/will

    Example: I'll see you later. - See you later. Ellipsis: See you later. - See you later.

    Example: I'm not sure about that. — I'm not sure about that. Ellipsis: Not sure about that. - Not sure.

  • Parts of the interrogative form (often with the verbs see, hear, think)

    Example: Are you going with us? - Are you coming with us? Ellipsis: Going with us? - Are you coming with us?

    Example: Would you like some lemonade? - Would you like some lemonade? Ellipsis: (Some) lemonade? — Lemonade?

    Example: Do you want some water? - Do you want water? Ellipsis: Want some water? - Do you want some water?

    Example: Have you got a little time? — Do you have some time? Ellipsis: Got a little time? - Do you have time?

    Example: Do you like it? - Do you like it? Ellipsis: Like it? - Like?

  • noun

    Example: I can't complain. — I can't complain. Ellipsis: Can't complain. - Not complaining.

    Example: I don't know. - I don't know. Ellipsis: Don't know. - Don't know.

  • Article

    Example: The delivery man's here. - The courier is here. Ellipsis: Delivery man's here. - The courier is here.

  • It and there

    Example: It might get colder tomorrow. - It might get colder tomorrow. Ellipsis: Might get colder tomorrow. - It might get colder tomorrow.

    Example: Is anybody there ? - Is there anyone there? Ellipsis: Anybody there? - Is there anyone?

The grammatical structures in Russian and English do not match, so the difference between a full and an elliptical sentence is not always visible in the translation, which sometimes may not be literal.

It is also possible to omit words at the end of a sentence, especially in short answers.

Examples

Question: Will you be at the meeting? - Will you be at the meeting?

Answer: I should be. - Must.

Question: Are you singing at the gala concert? — Do you sing at the gala concert?

Answer: I hope to. - Hope.

Insert - insert

Inserting a word or expression in the construction of English sentences performs some communicative functions. For example, thinking out loud, emphasizing attention, agreeing, etc. Insertion usually helps speech sound more fluid and logical, it is not used in writing.

Insert examples:

  • Well - an expression of doubt or pause before returning to the subject of the previous discussion.

    Well, I haven't been there yet. Well, I haven't been there yet.

  • Right - attracting attention, persuading that the listener agrees with what is being said.

    Right. Can you switch off your phones, please? - So. Could you please turn off your phones?

    You're OK, right? "You're all right, right?"

  • I mean - paraphrase, explanation, clarification.

    I speak this language, I mean, English. — I speak this language, I mean English.

  • You know - the belief that the listener understands what is being said.

    I really liked French cuisine, you know, frogs' legs and so on. “I really liked French food, you know, frog legs and so on.

  • OK - the belief that the listener agrees with what was said, usually stands at the end of the statement.

    See you at 5, OK? See you at 5, okay?

  • Now - change the topic or return to the previous topic.

    That was interesting. Now, who wants to listen to another story? - It was interesting. Now, who wants to hear another story?

  • Like - a pause, an indication that the statement is not completed and further information on the topic follows.

    I didn't join them because it was, like, dangerous. “I didn't go with them because it was, well, dangerous.

Inserts can be used not only by the speaker, but also by the listener for one purpose or another.

Question: There's been another bank robbery. There was another bank robbery.

Answer: Really? - Is it true?

(insert used to show interest to the speaker)

Question: I’m sick and tired of his behaviour. “I'm fed up with his behavior.

Answer: Uh huh. - Well, yes.

(insert used by the listener to show tolerance, understanding what his interlocutor is saying)

Preface and tag

Preface - an introductory word or phrase. Tag is a word (phrase) following the main statement. Both phenomena are used to make sure that the listener follows the train of your thoughts, understands what is being said.

Introductory phrase example: That night club, what’s it called? - What's the name of that nightclub?

Example tagged: What is she doing, that girl? What is she doing, that girl?

An introductory phrase or word can also be used to introduce a new topic.

Example: Ireland, what a lovely country it is! Ireland, what a beautiful country!

Rules for constructing sentences in English

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There is no strict word order in a sentence in Russian. We can talk. We can speak. We can talk any way we want. The construction of sentences in English requires a certain word order. Let's figure out what and in what places is there.

English sentences: construction rules and members

English sentences are built according to the scheme:

Subject + verb + object + adverb of place + adverb of time

The circumstance of place can be replaced by the circumstance of time or the circumstance of the manner of action. These are perhaps the only variables in the formula.

In the case of English, there are rules to follow. Therefore, it is better to memorize the algorithm and not experiment with word order.

The subject requires the most careful attention. Without it, the proposal is simply impossible.

The Russian language easily admits the absence of a subject:

  • I shop on Black Friday every year.
  • I'm watching. I'm talking. I hear.

In English we say the same thing with the subject - it is always there:

  • I go shopping on Black Friday every year.
  • I see. I say. I hear.

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Main parts of a sentence - subject and predicate

Subject (the Subject) - the subject in question. The attention of all other members is directed to him.

The English subject is expressed by the following parts of speech:

  • Noun: Some people prefer to drink coffee with milk. Some prefer to drink coffee with milk.
  • Pronoun (pronoun): I am fond of yoga. I'm into yoga.
  • Numeral: Four is believed to be an unlucky number in Canada. Four is considered an unlucky number in Canada.
  • Infinitive: To take care of the environment is my top priority. Caring for the environment is my top priority.
  • Gerund: Watching TikTok lifts my mood. Watching TikTok cheers me up.

In English, as in Russian, the subject answers the questions:

  • Who? Who? Maria is an influencer. Maria (who?) is an opinion leader (influencer, sometimes not translated).
  • What? What? The menu is on the bar counter. Menu (what?) - on the bar.

Since an English sentence without a subject is impossible, even impersonal sentences use elements that act as the subject: it and there . When translated into Russian, they are omitted.

Most often, impersonal sentences in English describe the weather, time, quantity, distance.

  • It is getting dark. It's getting dark.
  • It was summer. It was summer.
  • Sometimes it rains in this month of summer. It sometimes rains during this time of summer.
  • There were a lot of followers on this YouTube channel. This YouTube channel had a lot of subscribers.

The Predicate - describes the action, state, quality of the subject.

The predicate answers questions about the subject:

  • What does he do? She is watching Netflix. She (what is she doing?) is watching Netflix.
  • What's going on with him? The building was destroyed. The building was destroyed. (What happened to him?)
  • Who is the subject? Sheldon Cooper is a scientist. Sheldon Cooper is a scientist. (Who is he?)

The subject and predicate are the main members of the sentence, and the student is the main one in individual English courses at Skysmart. One-on-one lessons with a teacher will help you quickly improve your skills and gain confidence in speaking.

The Verbal Predicate and the Nominal Predicate

The verbal predicate describes the action of the subject. It is expressed as a verb in the personal form. Voice, tense and mood of the verbal predicate can be any.

Simple verbal predicate:

  • She ordered Chinese food for dinner. She ordered Chinese food for dinner.
  • Joey Tribbiani studies acting. Joey Tribbiani is studying acting.
  • We have been living in London for some years already. We have been living in London for several years now.
  • Carrie will move to Paris with her Russian. Carrie will move to Paris with her Russian.

The Compound Verbal Predicate forms its forms according to the following scheme.

Compound modal predicate the Modal Verbal Predicate:

Modal verb + infinitive.

  • He can touch the tip of the nose with his tongue. He can reach the tip of his nose with his tongue.
  • Parents must respect children’s choice. Parents should respect the choice of children.

The compound phase predicate the Aspect Verbal Predicate forms its forms according to the following scheme:

Verb (indicating the beginning, continuation, end of the action) + infinitive / gerund.

  • It continued raining . The rain continued.
  • He has finished reading a Game of Thrones. He finished reading Game of Thrones.
  • She began to study Spanish. She started learning Spanish.

Nominal predicate does not denote action. It denotes states, properties of the subject. Formed according to the formula:

Verb link + nominal part.

The table lists the main linking verbs - try to remember them.

Verbs of feeling Verbs of change Preservation verbs Presentation verbs
look - look become - become stay - stay seem - seem
seem - seem get - receive, become keep - save appear - seem to appear
smell - smell turn - turn around, become remain - remain
feel - feel grow - grow continue - continue
taste - to taste prove - turn out to be
sound - sound

The nominal part of the compound nominal predicate is: noun, pronoun, numeral, participle, infinitive, adverb, gerund.

How many English words do you already know?

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Addition (attribute)

This is a minor member of the sentence, which designates the object being affected. That is, the one on which we do something.

The complement answers questions that correspond to questions of oblique cases in Russian (everything except the nominative):
whom? whom?
what? What?
to whom? to whom?
by whom? by whom?
about whom? about whom?

Complement can be: direct, indirect and prepositional.

The direct object names the object or person to whom the action passes. And the action is expressed by a transitive verb in a personal or impersonal form. According to the sentence construction scheme in English, the object follows the verb. The direct object answers the questions whom (whom) and what (what). Look carefully at the sentences with translation:

  • I am typing a tweet. I'm typing (what?) a tweet.
  • Ask her, please. Ask (who?) her, please.

In an English sentence, direct object is expressed:

  • Noun. Buy me an avocado - toast please. Buy me an avocado toast, please.
  • Pronoun. We saw her last night. We saw her last night.
  • Numerals. How many pizzas do you need to be happy? I need five . How many pizzas do you need to be happy. I need five.
  • Infinitive. I hate to wait . I hate to wait.
  • Gerund. I prefer texting instead of calling. I prefer texting rather than calling.

Indirect addition names the person to whom the action is directed. Such an object is used with transitive verbs and is often accompanied by a direct object.

Indirect complement questions:
to whom? to whom?
for what? for whom?
to what? what?

  • Show me the new jacket . Show me your new jacket.

Me is an indirect addition. The new jacket - straight.

An indirect object is expressed by a noun and a pronoun.

The prepositional object differs from the indirect object in that it is used with a preposition.

Preposition + noun/pronoun/gerund = prepositional object.

Prepositional object questions:
about whom? about whom?
about what? about what?
for whom? for whom?
with whom? with whom?
with what? with what?

Remember:

If there is a direct and an indirect object in a sentence, then the first one will always be direct.

A prepositional object is expressed:

  • Noun + preposition. Nobody objects to this software . Nobody is against this software.
  • Pronoun. You can be a Secret Santa to her . You can be a secret Santa for her.
  • Gerund with preposition. I am crazy about snowboarding . I'm addicted to snowboarding.

Your five in English.

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Definition (attribute)

Definition indicates the attributes of the subject.

Definition questions:
what? Which?
whose? whose?
which? which?

Definition is most often expressed as:

  • Adjective. We had a big birthday-party last Sunday. We had a big birthday party last Sunday.
  • Communion. Look at that swimming duck. It is really fast. Look at this swimming duck. She's so fast.
  • Numerals. My apartment is on the twentieth floor. My apartment is on the twentieth floor.
  • Pronoun. Do you like your new colleagues? Do you like your new colleagues?

Circumstance (an adverbial modifier) ​​

Indicates an action, condition, quality of a person or object.

Questions:
when? When?
where? Where?
how? How?
why? Why?

Expressed by: adverb, infinitive, gerund, noun with a preposition.

A circumstance in a sentence can mean: time, place, mode of action, reason, purpose, measure and degree, comparison, concession, exclusion condition. The most frequent of them are: time (when?), place (where?), mode of action (how?).

If there are several circumstances in the proposal, then they are arranged in the following order:

  1. Mode of action.

  2. Location.

  3. Time.

Remember:

Addresses, interjections and introductory constructions are not part of the sentence.

  • Noun + preposition. Nobody objects to this software . Nobody is against this software.
  • Pronoun. You can be a Secret Santa to her . You can be a secret Santa for her.
  • Gerund with preposition. I am crazy about snowboarding . I'm addicted to snowboarding.

Direct word order in English sentences

In order to avoid becoming a puzzle for a native English speaker, you need to know how to write sentences in English correctly.

In affirmative and negative sentences always direct word order:

Subject + predicate + adverb of place + adverb of time

English affirmative sentence word order:

Subject Predicate Supplement Circumstance of place Circumstance of time
I put on five kilos during lockdown last summer
My family will visit me in Moscow next winter

  1. I gained five kilos. during quarantine last summer.

  2. My family will visit me in Moscow next winter.

Negative English sentence word order:

Subject Auxiliary + not Main verb Supplement Circumstance
Donald Trump didn't win the elections this autumn

Donald Trump did not win the election this fall.

Word order in questions

In Russian, affirmative and interrogative sentences in writing can look exactly the same.


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