Syntax

Nouns adjectives, verbs and adverbs.

I assume you already know about this. If not, it may need explaining (again).

Sentences.
Let us start with a sentence.
A sentence makes perfect sense. It has a subject - someone who does it - and a verb. Often it has an
object too.
e.g. I love chocolate.
Write out three sentences using the words below Underline the subjects. Underline the verbs.
Crocodiles
Rhinos
Dinosaurs
Mrs Brown
The elephant
Do they make perfect sense in themselves?
Sentences are the most important parts of syntax. That is why they are honoured with a Capital
Letter and a Full Stop.
Sentences are joined together by conjunctions like and, but, however, nevertheless, on the other
hand.

Clauses.
Clauses, like sentences, have a subject and a verb and, quite often an object too. They are not so
important as sentences, though, because they do not make perfect sense in themselves.
e.g ,when I feel like it,
Write three clauses using the words below
who,
when,
where,
because,
although,
what,
if,
so that.
Clauses are honoured with a comma at the beginning and a comma at the end. Because they are not

very important, they do not start with a Capital Letter or end with a full stop.

Phrases.
Phrases are the least important. They do not make perfect sense. They do not have a subject. they do
not have a verb or even an object.
e.g. in the afternoon
Write three phrases using the following words:
in,
at,
on
along
through
Phrases are introduced by a preposition.
They are not honoured with a comma. They do not start with a capital letter. They are just left
standing there defenceless.

Making compound sentences:

Find your first three sentences. Make sure each is honoured with a Capital Letter and full stop.
It is now time to make them into first class compound sentences.
Using the words in the list, write out each sentence to include a clause. Honour each clause with its
commas. honour each sentence with its Capital Letter and full stop. (Don't be ridiculous though when full stops and capitals conflict, the more important wins).
Now write out each sentence (without a clause) to include a phrase. Do not honour the phrase with
capital letters and commas and other decorations - phrases are just not worth it.

More on Clauses
Adjectival clauses tell us more about the nouns in the sentence. They are introduced with who, and
which and what.
Adverbial clauses tell us about the verb in the sentence. They can tell us about why things happened
- because. Or if things happened - if. Or when things happened - when

Add an adjectival clause to this sentence

The elephant will eat the grass.
Now add an adverbial clause.

Homework: write ten lines on what you like doing best of all.
Heading: How about: What I like doing best of all?
Miss a line and indent.
How about beginning like this? My favourite way to spend my evenings is............
See how many clauses and phrases you can fit in. See if you can include an adjectival clause, an
adverbial clause, an adjectival phrase and an adjectival clause. Put in some adjectives and some
adverbs too.
Now read through and check that each is honoured with its decorations.