Unit One Basic Definitions& Common Errors 1.1 Phrases, Clauses& Fragments: A_ What is a phrase? ** A phrase is a group of words that do not contain a subject or a verb and do not convey a complete thought yet deliver information about such things as where, when, why, how, to what extent, or which one. In this sense, phrases can act as modifiers. - in the kitchen - at six O' clock - in a brotherly way B_ What is a clause? ** A clause is a group of words that contain a subject and a verb. Clauses are either INDEPENDENT or DEPENDENT/ SUBORDINATE. ** An INDEPENDENT CLAUSE has a subject and a verb and can, all by itself, convey a clear meaning. - I had lunch in the kitchen, today. - I was supposed to meet Maha at six O'clock. - He advised me about my studies in a brotherly way. P a g e 1
** A DEPENDENT CLAUSE has a subject and a verb but cannot, all by itself, convey a clear meaning; it, similar to phrases, delivers information about such things as when, why, how, to what extent, or which one. In this sense, dependent clauses can act as modifiers. - I could not go to work today because I felt sick in the morning. ( why? ) - Mom had already set the table for lunch before dad came from work. ( when? ) - The exam was so long that I got a severe headache. ( to what extent? ) - The book I picked at the library turned out to be not so interesting. ( which one? ) P.S. _ Clauses can function as either subjects or objects (NOUN CLAUSES) inside larger clauses. V. M.V. - [Where Kid The Pirate hid the treasure] is still a mystery. M. M. M.V. V. - No one knows [where Kid The Pirate hid the treasure]. Obj. Exercise 1: Identify each of the following as either a phrase (ph.) or a clause (c.): 1- She was able to make her point clear to everyone present. 2- Not one of the teachers who attended the meeting was satisfied with what the principal said about the salary decrease. 3- About the accident. 4- She wasn't aware of the current disaster. 5- In some parts of the world. P a g e 2
Exercise 2: Identify each underlined structure as either independent clause (ic) or dependent clause (dc): 1- Dad pays a lot of money for my education in order that I could have a bright future. 2- The storm will pass soon. 3- Anyone can be successful only if he or she exerts enough effort. 4- Those who are against the idea must state so now. 5- Although she is my best friend, I cross her a lot. Exercise 3: Underline the noun clauses in the following sentences and state whether the noun clause functions as subject (S.) or object (O.): 1- Only his mother knows why he behaves so strangely. 2- That some teachers are short of the knowledge and training required for professional performance is so sad a situation. 3- Whether or not they are telling the truth is never verifiable. 4- I just do not know why she is being so mean to me. 5- What people like to wear is strictly a matter of personal taste. P a g e 3
C_ What is a sentence fragment? ** A sentence fragment is, grammatically speaking, not a complete sentence because it lacks the verb part, although might, most of the time, sound like a complete thought. Subject - Martin Luther King Junior, a great world figure in the fight for human rights especially against racial discrimination. (Notice that a complete thought about King can be understood from the fragments although the sentence has no verb) P.S Fragments in the exam follow certain constructions, as follows: Subject + Ing. Subject+ P.P. Subject+ To inf. ing. phrase _ Dr. Adel living next door and is one of the most famous cardiologists in the whole city of Cairo. _ Dr. Adel of Cairo. p.p. phrase Known to be one of the most famous cardiologists in the whole city NO P a g e 4 _ Some of the most famous novels by Dickens to inf. phrase to be found in the school library. VERB
Subject+ noun phrase _ Dr. Adel noun phrase one of the most famous cardiologists in the whole city of Cairo. Subject+ relative clause relative clause _ Dr. Adel who is one of the most famous cardiologists in the whole city of Cairo and is one whom you have to contact at least two months before you can get to see him. (Notice that in all fragments above almost complete thoughts can be understood) Exercise 4: Identify each of the following as either a complete sentence or a fragment: 1- The movie released three years ago and was put out in almost all grand theaters all over the world. P a g e 5
2- Some of the guys at the club found fighting over a chess game which had been going on for more than two hours. 3- The weather forecast predicted severe rain over the area for the coming twenty four hours. 4- Some of the trees which were found dead in the middle of the forest because of acid rain that had been pushed to the area from the nearby industrial cities. 5- Mrs. Johnsons working in the pharmacy round the corner of twenty- one and Farrel, and it takes her about 25 minutes by bus to get to work. 6- William Shakespeare, probably the greatest English playwright of all times and a very controversial phenomenon as some critics claim that he couldn't have produced all those works with the little formal education he is known to have had. 7- Mr. Kamal who taught us American Literature and used to shout at all the students who did not find the subject interesting, although he himself did not seem very much interested in what he was doing. P a g e 6
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