6. Grammar Focus

1. Sentence Structure: Subject, Verb, Object etc.

The parts of a sentence are the subject, verb, object, complement and adverbial. A statement begins with the subject and the verb. There are five main structures which we can use to make a simple statement. 1. SUBJECT VERB My arms are aching. Something happened. 2. SUBJECT VERB OBJECT I need a rest. Five people are moving the piano. The subject and object can be a pronoun (e.g. I) or a noun phrase (e.g. the piano). 3. SUBJECT VERB COMPLEMENT This piano is heavy. It was a big problem. The complement can be an adjective (e.g. heavy) or a noun phrase (e.g. a big problem). The complement often comes after be. It can also come after appear, become, get, feel, look, seem, stay or sound. 4. SUBJECT VERB ADVERBIAL It is on my foot. Their house is nearby. An adverbial can be a prepositional phrase (e.g. on my foot) or an adverb (e.g. nearby). 5. SUBJECT VERB OBJECT OBJECT It ’s giving me backache. David bought Melanie a present. We use two objects after verbs like give and buy. Adverbials We can add adverbials to all the five main structures. My arms are aching terribly. I really need a rest. Of course this piano is heavy. Fortunately their house is nearby. To everyone’s surprise, David actually bought Melanie a present yesterday.

B. Parts of the sentence

Mike and Harriet are on holiday. They have written a postcard to David and Melanie. Look at each underlined phrase and say what part of the sentence it is: subject, verb, object, complement or adverbial.

Example:

We’re having a great time. object .

The weather is marvellous. ________________________

We really enjoy camping ________________________

It’s great fun. ________________________

We’re on a farm. ________________________

We like this place. ________________________

The scenery is beautiful. ________________________

C. Sentence structure

After moving the piano, the five friends had a rest and a cup of tea. Look at this part of their conversation and then write the letters a) – e) in the correct place.

1. David: That was a difficult job.

2. Tom: I agree.

3. Mike: I’m on my deathbed.

4. David: Someone should give us a medal.

5. Harriet: I’ve made some more tea.

Subject + verb b .

1. Subject + verb + object _____________

2. Subject + verb + complement _____________

3. Subject + verb + adverbial _____________

4. Subject + verb + object + object _____________

D. Word order

Put the words in the correct order and write the statements.

Example:

is / Melanie / very nice Melanie is very nice.

1. football / likes / Tom

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2. an accident/ David / had.

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3. moved/ the piano /we

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4. a tall woman/ Harriet /is

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5. sat/ on the floor / everyone

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6. gave/ some help / Mike’s friends /him

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