Elements of Grammar
ELEMENTS OF GRAMMAR
· Subjects and predicates
Large doses of alcohol act as a depressant. doses - A simple subject is the single noun or pronoun which identifies what the sentence is about or produces the action of the sentence act - The simple predicate is the main sentence verb
· Types of nouns
A noun identifies a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns are introduced with definite or indefinite articles, or with a limiting word (like a number, a demonstrative pronoun, or a relative pronoun). Some generic or abstract nouns take no introducing element at all.
a. [proper nouns] Judge Thompson ruled against Dan./ Proper nouns are capitalized and name a particular person, place or thing.
b. [common nouns] The judge ruled against Dan./ Common nouns refer to general persons, places, or things; they are not capitalized
c. [mass nouns] The air was fragrant with the smell of lilacs. / Mass nouns designate things which cannot be counted: water, air, dirt, sugar are all examples of mass nouns
d. [concrete nouns] Please place the clock on the mantle. / Concrete nouns name tangible objects
e. [abstract nouns] Ambition is a two-edged sword. / Abstract nouns designate intangible ideas, emotions, qualities
f. [collective nouns] The family went on vacation together. / Collective nouns are always singular in form (and take singular verb forms) but are plural in meaning or sense.
· Types of verbs
A verb is the main word in the predicate of a sentence, and it expresses an action, describes an event, or establishes a state of being.
a. [transitive verbs] George built a treehouse for his son. / Transitive verbs transfer action from an agent (the subject of the sentence) to a person, place, or thing which receives that action.
b. [intransitive verbs] Mona smiled slyly. / Intransitive verbs indicate action, but they act on nothing (there is no object)
c. [linking verbs] Joan seems content in her new position. / Linking verbs let the word or words following the linking
· Subjects and predicates
Large doses of alcohol act as a depressant. doses - A simple subject is the single noun or pronoun which identifies what the sentence is about or produces the action of the sentence act - The simple predicate is the main sentence verb
· Types of nouns
A noun identifies a person, place, thing, or idea. Nouns are introduced with definite or indefinite articles, or with a limiting word (like a number, a demonstrative pronoun, or a relative pronoun). Some generic or abstract nouns take no introducing element at all.
a. [proper nouns] Judge Thompson ruled against Dan./ Proper nouns are capitalized and name a particular person, place or thing.
b. [common nouns] The judge ruled against Dan./ Common nouns refer to general persons, places, or things; they are not capitalized
c. [mass nouns] The air was fragrant with the smell of lilacs. / Mass nouns designate things which cannot be counted: water, air, dirt, sugar are all examples of mass nouns
d. [concrete nouns] Please place the clock on the mantle. / Concrete nouns name tangible objects
e. [abstract nouns] Ambition is a two-edged sword. / Abstract nouns designate intangible ideas, emotions, qualities
f. [collective nouns] The family went on vacation together. / Collective nouns are always singular in form (and take singular verb forms) but are plural in meaning or sense.
· Types of verbs
A verb is the main word in the predicate of a sentence, and it expresses an action, describes an event, or establishes a state of being.
a. [transitive verbs] George built a treehouse for his son. / Transitive verbs transfer action from an agent (the subject of the sentence) to a person, place, or thing which receives that action.
b. [intransitive verbs] Mona smiled slyly. / Intransitive verbs indicate action, but they act on nothing (there is no object)
c. [linking verbs] Joan seems content in her new position. / Linking verbs let the word or words following the linking