Page 142 - Grammar for Great Writing B

Grammar Forms

10.1 Simple Sentences

A simple sentence contains only one independent clause. That independent clause must express a
complete idea and have at least one subject and one verb.

Independent clauses

1 subject + 1 verb A stalk of celery contains only about 10 calories.
S V

1 subject + 2 or more verbs Celery helps the stomach digest food and reduces blood pressure.
S V V
2 or more subjects + 1 verb Celery and kale reduce blood pressure.

S S V
Celery, kale, and other leafy greens reduce blood pressure.
S S S V

Imperative form of verb Notice the difference in color in the two liquids.
V

Notes
1. A simple sentence has only one clause, which means one subject–verb combination. A simple sentence can have
two subjects or two verbs, but there is only one subject–verb relationship.
2. Use a comma between three or more items in a series. Do not use a comma between two items.
Japan, China, and Cambodia import oil.
Japan and China import oil.
3. The basic word order of simple sentences is one of the four below:
a. S + V + direct object (for action verbs with direct objects)
Many children do not eat celery very often.
b. S + V (+ prepositional phrase) (for nonaction verbs that do not take direct objects)
William Shakespeare died in 1616.
c. S + be + adjective/noun phrase
Vegetables are nutritious.
d. S + V + noun phrase
Curing the common cold is still a challenge for scientists.
4. Prepositional phrases can be added to basic sentence patterns. When a prepositional phrase is at the beginning of a
sentence, use a comma.
There are 12 months in the solar calendar.
In the solar calendar, there are 12 months.

132 Unit 10 Writing Simple and Compound Sentences

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