Learning About
Sentence Construction
Words must be combined in a certain way to form sentences.
This is known as syntax. In the previous chapter it was
established that each sentence must contain a subject (noun
or pronoun) and a finite verb (showing person, number and
tense). However, your writing will be very monotonous if
you use only this pattern and do not vary your sentence
construction. There are many different forms you can use.
Sections of your sentences that contain finite verbs and are
linked together are calledclauses. There are two types –
main and subordinate. They will be explained in detail later.
Analysing the simple sentence
A sentence that consists of a subject and a finite verb is
known as asimple sentence. This is a grammatical term and
has nothing to do with the content of the sentence. It may
contain additional words or phrases (groups of words that do
not contain a finite verb). It consists of one main clause.
Looking at the subject and predicate
The simple sentence can be divided into two parts – the
subjectand the rest of the sentence called thepredicate.
2
27