Sentence Complexity and Embedding

Compounding

Review

Thus far we have considered the parts, or constituents, of a simple sentence. A quick recap of what we have looked at may be beneficial. We have learned that traditionally a sentence is defined as a group of words that expresses a complete thought. In order to express a thought, a sentence must consist of two main parts, a subject and a predicate. In order to be complete, both of these parts must be included, and we use the term clause to designate not only the presence of these two parts, but also the pairing between the two that must exist, as well, a pairing that is most typically demonstrated through subject-verb agreement. A simple sentence has only one of these subject-predicate pairings.

When we look closely at the predicate portion of a simple sentence, we see that it can vary quite substantially, and that the variations depend largely upon the verb of the sentence, which is always considered part of the predicate. Of greatest importance is whether the verb is an action verb or a linking verb, and of secondary importance is whether an action is transitive or intransitive. What comes after the verb depends on these distinctions. A linking verb may be followed by any of four different subject complements: 1) a predicate nominative, which is a noun phrase that refers back to the subject, 2) a predicate adjective, which is an adjective phrase that refers back to the subject, 3) a prepositional phrase, which again refers back to the subject, or 4) an adverb, which again refers back to the subject. A gerund phrase, an infinitive phrase, or a participle phrase may also serve as a subject complement.

An intransitive action verb may be followed by various adverbs and prepositional phrases, but has no direct or indirect objects. A transitive verb is always followed by at least a direct object, and possibly an indirect object as well or even an object complement. A transitive verb may also include various adverbs and prepositional phrases in the predicate after the objects. Direct objects and indirect objects typically consist of noun phrases, and noun phrases can show up in other locations in the predicate as the objects of prepositions and as object complements.

The subject of a sentence typically consists of a noun phrase, but could be a gerund phrase or an infinitive phrase, too. The structure of a noun phrase consists of a noun that functions as the head of the phrase and various modifiers of that noun. Modifiers may include determiners, quantifier phrases, adjective phrases, and prepositional phrases. Participle phrases may act as modifiers, too, and can be in the same location as an adjective phrase or as a prepositional phrase.

One thing to remember, however, is that no matter how long a sentence is or how many words are included in it, it is still a simple sentence if there is only one subject-predicate pairing in it. Pairings are marked through subject-verb agreement in the process of verb conjugation.

Activity 13.1: Subject-Predicate Pairings

Draw a line between the subject and predicate in each of the following simple sentences.

1. A strange businessman is sitting next to me on the plane.
2. His shoes have pointed toes.
3. Pointed toes are very unusual features on shoes in our culture.
4. Later on I'll try to see the color of his socks.
5. All over the world clothing is a distinguishing feature of culture.

Answers

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