Here are the answers and explanations for last week’s entries.
MONDAY – LET US LEARN ABOUT SENTENCES – Part 1
SIMPLE & COMPOUND SENTENCES
What is a sentence?
A sentence is a group of words with a subject and a predicate and which expresses a complete thought.
What are the necessary components of a complete sentence? Be very specific.
A sentence must have a subject and a verb. The subject usually is the doer of the action. The verb usually is the action done by the subject.
What is a clause?
A clause is a group of words with a subject and a predicate which may or may not express a complete action.
What is a simple sentence?
A simple sentence has one subject and one verb and it expresses a complete thought.
What is the difference between a clause and a simple sentence?
A clause may or may not express a complete thought. A sentence always expresses a complete thought.
What is a compound sentence?
A compound sentence is made up of two or more clauses that each express complete thoughts.
What is the name of the word that is used to join two clauses?
A conjunction is used to join clauses.
A coordinate conjunction joins clauses of equal value.
A subordinate conjunction joins clauses of unequal value.
Create a simple sentence.
“The cat sat on the mat.”
Create a compound sentence.
The cat sat on the mat and played with the skein of yarn.”
TUESDAY – LET US LEARN ABOUT SENTENCES – Part 2
The project is to identify each sentence as either simple or compound.
Cite a reason for each choice.
The second part is to identify the connecting words in the sentences. You must be very specific by stating what kind of joining words are being used. At the end, make a list of all the joining words you found.
1. I tried very hard and at last I succeeded.
This is a compound sentence joined by the coordinate conjunction “and”.
It is compound because both clauses are complete thoughts.
2. By this means much land is saved for cultivation.
This is a simple sentence because there is only one verb and one subject.
3. The boys cleaned the yard of leaves.
It is compound because both clauses are complete thoughts.
4. We wanted more milk so we went to the store.
This is a compound sentence joined by the coordinate conjunction “so”.
5. She liked him but she was afraid to talk to him.
This is a compound sentence joined by the coordinate conjunction “but”.
6. There was a fire, yet the bell did not ring.
This is a compound sentence joined by the coordinate conjunction “yet”.
7. We will win the race or we will die trying.
This is a compound sentence joined by the coordinate conjunction “or”.
8. Ice and snow covered the pond.
This is a simple sentence because there is only one verb and one compound subject.
9. The blankets were light but warm.
This is a compound sentence joined by the coordinate conjunction “but”. The subject is implied in the second clause.
10. I did not want to fight nor did I want to run away.
This is a compound sentence joined by the coordinate conjunction “nor”.
NOTE: the words “and”, “so”, “but”, “yet”, “or” and “nor” are coordinate conjunctions which join words, phrases or clauses of equal value.
WEDNESDAY – LET US LEARN ABOUT SENTENCES – Part 3
COMPLEX SENTENCES
What is a simple sentence?
A simple sentence has one subject and one verb and it expresses a complete thought.
What is a compound sentence?
A compound sentence is made up of two or more clauses that each express complete thoughts.
What is a complex sentence?
A compound sentence is a group of words with one principal clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
A principal clause is one that expresses a complete thought or can stand on its own.
A subordinate clause is one that does not express a complete and is dependant upon another to make its thought clear.
“She ran to the store.”
This is a simple sentence because there is one subject and one verb and it expresses a complete thought.
“She ran to the store and bought a loaf of bread.”
This is a compound sentence because there are two complete thoughts expressed.
“She bought a loaf of bread because she was hungry.”
This is a complex sentence because there is one principal clause and one subordinate clause.
“I came then.”
This is a simple sentence because there is one subject and one verb and it expresses a complete thought.
“I came when you called.”
This is a complex sentence because there is one principal clause and one subordinate clause.
I saw the car and I loved it.”
This is a compound sentence because there are two complete thoughts expressed.
THURSDAY – LET US LEARN ABOUT SENTENCES – Part 4
COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCES
The first step is to write a simple sentence.
The second step is to combine two or more simple sentences to create a compound sentence.
The third step is to create a complex sentence.
The fourth step is to combine all of the above and to create a compound-complex sentence.
The fifth step, which is really the first step, is to comprehend the terms used above.
There are four sentences below.
Identify each sentence as either simple, compound, complex or compound-complex.
1. I hunted everywhere for the lost kitten but I could not find it.
This is a compound sentence because there are two principal clauses or complete thoughts.
2. By using dikes, much land is saved for cultivation.
This is a simple sentence because there is one complete thought.
3. I know that you have given me good advice and I promise that I will not disappoint you.
This is a compound-complex sentence because there are two principal thoughts and two subordinate clauses.
4. Hockey is a game which I enjoy very much.
This is a complex sentence because there is one principal clause and one subordinate clause.
FRIDAY – LET US LEARN ABOUT SENTENCES – Part 5
SURPRISE TEST
Part A
1. What is a clause?
A clause is a group of words with a subject and a predicate and which may or may not express a complete thought. (1)
2. What is a simple sentence?
A simple sentence is a group of words with a subject and a verb and which expresses a complete thought. (2)
3. What is a conjunction?
A conjunction a word that joins two or more words, phrases or clauses. (3)
4. What is a compound sentence? (4)
A compound sentence is made up of two or more principal or independent clauses.
Part B
Look at the examples below and identify each as either a simple sentence, a compound sentence, a complex sentence or a compound-sentence. You must give a reason for each choice.
Identify all conjunctions in the examples below.
“His father owns the largest farm that is in the country.”
This is a complex sentence (5) because there is one principal clause and one subordinate clause.” (6) There is one conjunction, “that”. (7)
“This must be fertile soil, for the crops are abundant.”
This is a compound sentence (8) because there are two principal clauses. (9) There is one conjunction, “for”. (10)
“The children raked the leaves from the yard and the boulevard.”
This is a simple sentence (11) because there is one principal clause. (12) There is one conjunction, “and”. (13)
“He said that every man is the master of his own fate, but I think we must admit that chance does play a part.”
This is a compound-complex sentence (14) because there are two principal clauses (15) and three subordinate clauses (16). There are three conjunctions, “that”, “but” and “that”. (17)
The principal clauses are: “He said,” and “but I think”.
The subordinate clauses are: “That every man is the master of his own fate”; “(that) we must admit”; and “that chance does play a part”. (18, 19, 20)
The test is scored out of 20. The numbers in parentheses are the marks you can give yourself for your correct answers.
SO TRUE!
“Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
Martin Luther King Jr., an American civil rights leader who lived from 1929 to 1968, said this in 1963.
LAST WEEK’S WORDS
“Waspish” (adj.) means very irritable, bristly, snappish or argumentative.
“The waspish, old teacher was the scourge of the school and was avoided by all the students.”
“Finesse” (n.) refers to the skilful handling of a situation, tact, subtlety, delicacy or diplomacy.
“Finesse” can also be a verb meaning handling a situation with subtle skill.
“The finesse with which the maestro handled temperamental musicians was legendary and his concerts proved his ability.”
“Repudiate” (v.) means to renounce, to disregard, to ignore or to reject as having no authority.
“Repudiative” is the adjective form.
“Repudiation” is the noun form.
“Repudiator” is another noun form.
“The defence lawyer intends to repudiate all the prosecution’s arguments with skilful questioning of the witnesses.”
“Disquietude” (n.) refers to a state of anxiety, edginess or uneasiness.
“The disquietude in his soul was driven by a guilty conscience for his wasted life.”
“Bounteous” (adj.) means given freely, big-hearted, liberal, openhanded or benevolent.”
The Roman farmers thanked their gods with great festivals for the bounteous crops they reaped.”
