Unit Two:

Phrases, Clauses, &

Sentence Structure
English Center Tutor Training
ESOL

Phrases

Combine the noun phrases

and verb phrases to make
complete sentences.

1. a noun (and its modifiers)

many culturally diverse
the City College book fair
students
my magically delicious Lucky
band
Charms
those
poisonous
red apples on
s
an interestingthe table
the drawer next to the bed
dream
talented and helpful
tutors

2. a verb (and the words that follow)

have been playing all night

attend this school
long
has been on my mind all day
will be in high demand
open
were for Snow White and not
for you
is always in October
were eaten by the boy next
door

Clauses

the
when
little
didnt
Ikitten
go to
understand
the
store
in the
the
hethey
stayed
cried
out
allsitting
night
shade
instructions
of the tree

A clause is a subject / verb combination. Clauses

can be dependent or independent (More
explanation on this later) First, lets practice
distinguishing phrases and clauses. Determine
which of the examples are phrases and which are
clauses.
Phrases

Clauses

Clauses
There are two types of clauses: independent and
dependent. An independent clause, or main clause, is a
subject/verb combination that makes a complete
sentence. A dependent clause cannot stand alone, and
must be attached to an independent clause.
In the following sentence, which one is the main clause?
Example 1: As soon as I woke up, I made the

coffee.
If you said I made the coffee, then you are correct!

Complete Sentences
A complete sentence includes:
1. Subject (noun)
2. Verb (may need a direct object or complement)
3. Complete Thought/Idea
3. Example 1: Marcel understands the importance of
attending class regularly.
subje
ct

ver
b

Example 2: Shu, Tony, and Ana studied together

after class.
subject

ver
b

Not all complete sentences have a stated subject.

The command form (also known as the imperative)
has you as the implied subject. This sentence
structure is not common in academic writing
except perhaps as a hook in an introductory
paragraph. For example: Be careful!
Moreover, certain authors and genres do not
adhere to traditional sentence structure and may
use phrases and dependent clauses as complete
sentences. For example: Because I said so.

Subjects
The subject may be

A single noun

College is challenging.

A noun phrase

A gerund (verb + -ing)

An infinitive (To + verb)

The English Center can help

you succeed.
A pronoun
It is open Monday through
Friday.
Two or more nouns,
Rose,noun
Todd,phrases
Humberto,
and Jess are all tutor
or pronouns

Online tutoring is available on w

To err is human.

.
7

Scene One
A students sentence is In the article says global health
is important. There are many ways to assist him in
correcting this error. Heres one:

Tutor: What is the subject of this sentence?

Student: Article.
Tutor: Not quite. What part of speech is in?
Student: A preposition.
Tutor: Correct. Prepositions need a noun for an object, and article is
the object of the preposition. So it cant be the subject of the
sentence. So what is the subject of the sentence? This is a trick
question.
Student: There isnt one.
Tutor: Thats right! So how can you correct this?
Student: I can take away the preposition and just write, The article says
global health is important.
Tutor: Excellent.

Scene Two
A students sentence is In the article says global
health is important. There are many ways to assist him
in correcting this error. Heres another:

Tutor: What is the subject of this sentence?

Student: Article.
Tutor: Not quite. What is the verb of the sentence?
Student: says.
Tutor: Correct. So what is the subject?
Student: Global health.
Tutor: Not quite. The subject has to go before the verb.
Student: There isnt a subject.
Tutor: Correct! So how can we change it?
Student: I can add it so that the sentence says In the article, IT
says global health is important.
Tutor: Perfect.

Verbs
There are different categories of verbs, some
of which require a direct object or
complement to make the sentence complete.
These are called transitive verbs. (Memory
trick: Transitive verbs are like a train; they
need a caboose.) Intransitive verbs do not
require a direct object or complement.
Note: ESOL students dont need to know
the terms transitive and intransitive.

Direct Objects
A direct object is the noun that is receiving
the action of the verb.
1.Some

verbs must take an object

*We
analyzed.

We analyzed the
data.

2. Some verbs may take an object. Its correct

with or without.

We wrote.
3. Some verbs cannot take an object

She disappeared.
*She disappeared the

Complements
A complement is a word or words that follow the verb but
arent direct objects. Depending on the verb, some are
obligatory.
Example 1: Rufus seems.
Example 1 is not a complete sentence because the verb
requires a complement. The example should be: Rufus

seems extraordinarily sleepy.

Example 2: Rufus walks.
This is a complete sentence. However, we can add a
complement if we want to be more precise. The example
could be: Rufus walks with vigor.

Complements
There are three types of phrases that can act as
complements.
1. A noun or noun phrase
1. George

Michael is a brilliant lyricist.

2. An adjective or adjective phrase

1. George

Michael is brilliant.

3. A prepositional phrase
1. George

Michael is on tour.

Its important to distinguish between direct objects and

complements as knowing which verbs take a direct object
is vital when forming the passive.
Example 1: Rufus is a good dog.

A good dog is not the direct object as it is not

receiving the action of the verb. Thus, it cannot be made

passive.
Example 2: Rufus fetched the ball.
Here, the ball is the direct object, and the sentence can
be made passive: The ball was fetched by Rufus.
(More explanation on this later.)

Complete Sentences?
1.

Choosing a major is an important decision.

2.

Because I study a lot.

3.

In my college have a cafeteria and several snack

areas.

4.

It is difficult to study on the weekend.

5.

There three things to do to be a successful

student.

6.

While I was in my ESOL 30 class.

7.

My college has many buildings, so easy to get

lost.

Types of Sentences
There are four types of sentences.
1. Simple Sentences

Roxie is a dog.
2. Compound Sentences

Roxie is a dog, and Rufus is

3. Complex
Sentences
her friend.
Rufus loves Roxie because she
4. Compound-Complex
Sentences
is adorable.
Rufus loves Roxie because she is
adorable, and she defers to him.

Simple Sentences
Simple sentences are single, independent clauses.
Subject + verb

Rufus runs.

Subject + verb + object or

complement

Roxie is a dog.

Compound Sentences
Compound sentences consist of two independent
clauses that are combined with a coordinating
conjunction.

Formula: IC, cc IC.

Coordinating
Conjunction = cc
Independent Clause = IC
I like ice cream, and Judy likes cookies.

IC

, c
c

IC.

Coordinating Conjunctions
F or = because

I like ice cream, for it is

delicious.
I like ice cream, and Judy likes
cookies.

A nd = more
information
Neither ice cream nor cookies are good
or
N
= two negative
for your health.
options
B ut = contrast I like ice cream, but I dont like
O r
Y et
So

cake.
= alternativeI could eat ice cream, or I could eat
carrots.
= contrast I could carrots, yet I wouldnt feel
happy.
I will eat ice cream, so I can feel
=result/consequence
happy.

Sentence Structure

Each of the sentences on the next slide has

a problem with sentence structure. Find
and correct the one sentence-structure
error in each of the sentences.

Correct the Sentence

Structure
1.
In my opinion, Error
speaking in English easier than
writing in English.

2.

is

Is a very interesting point you have raised.

It

3.

My summer internship, for example, it is one

way for me.

4.
am

At present, I am finishing a project, and I also

starting a new one.

5.

I felt happy. Because I moved to the U.S.

I felt happy because I moved to the U.S.