2 Sentence Structure and Boundaries Free Online FlashCards

What makes a sentence complete?

A complete sentence contains at least one independent clause that expresses a complete thought.

What do the subject and predicate do?

The subject names who or what the sentence is about. The predicate tells something about the subject and includes a verb.

What is the understood subject in many commands?

In a command, the subject is often understood to be “you”: “Close the door” means “You close the door.”

What distinguishes an independent clause?

An independent clause has a subject and predicate, expresses a complete thought, and can stand alone.

Why can’t a dependent clause stand alone?

A dependent clause has a subject and predicate but does not express a complete thought on its own; it needs an independent clause.

How does a dependent clause’s position affect comma use?

Use a comma after an opening dependent clause. A comma is usually unnecessary when the dependent clause follows the independent clause.

What role does the object play in the S–V–O pattern?

In the S–V–O pattern, the object receives the verb’s action, as in “Nina opened the window.”

What does the complement do in the S–V–C pattern?

In the S–V–C pattern, a complement after a linking verb describes or identifies the subject, as “stuck” does in “The window seems stuck.”

What does the indirect object receive in S–V–IO–DO?

In S–V–IO–DO, the indirect object receives the direct object: in “Nina gave Leo a note,” Leo receives the note.

What defines a simple sentence?

A simple sentence has one independent clause. It may still have a compound subject or verb.

How are clauses combined in a compound sentence?

A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses, joined with a comma and coordinating conjunction or separated by a semicolon.

What clauses make up a complex sentence?

A complex sentence combines an independent clause with at least one dependent clause.