A concentrated unit on the traditional grammar that every comm and journalism major should know.

1. CM305 Editing
Understanding the English Sentence

2. Basic Sentence Parts
There are four…
• Subject
• Verb
• Direct Object
• Subject Complement

3. Intransitive Verbs
Some sentences express a complete idea
with nothing but a subject and verb.Verbs
that do not take direct objects or subject
complements are intransitive verbs.
Ex: Rivers flow.
Ex: Kim teaches.
Ex: Dusty writes.

4. Direct Objects
Most sentences have a third part that
identifies receiver of the action, which is
called the object of the verb or the direct
object.
Ex: Germany invaded Poland.
Ex: Kim teaches literature.
Ex: Ben manages a grocery store.

5. Transitive Verbs
Verbs that take a direct object to complete
the meaning of the sentence are transitive
verbs.

6. Linking Verbs
In some sentences, the verb is not an action
word. It is a state-of-being word. We call
these verbs linking verbs.
Words or phrases that follow linking verbs
are called subject complements.
Ex: Editors are leaders.
Ex: Editors are curious.

7. Subject Complements
Subject complements come in two
varieties: predicate nominatives and predicate
adjectives.
Predicate nominatives rename the subject.
Ex: Editors are leaders.
Predicate adjectives describe the subject.
Ex: Editors are curious.

8. Linking Verbs
Verbs followed by subject complements
include all forms of the verb to be:
am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been
In addition, some verbs can function as
either an action verb or a linking verb:
Ex: That lettuce looks wilted.

9. Linking Verbs
• look • appear
• feel • become
• sound • remain
• smell • stay
• taste • get
• grow
• prove
• seem

10. Assignment #1
1. Write 10 sentences with intransitive verbs.
2. Write 10 sentences with transitive verbs
(meaning with direct objects).
3. Write 10 sentences with to be verbs. Five should
take predicate nominatives and five should take
predicate adjectives.
4. Write 10 sentences with the substitute linking
verbs. In five they should be active verbs and in
the other five, true linking verbs.

11. Modifiers
Modifiers serve to change or identify other
parts of the sentence. Only two kinds of
modifiers: adjectives and adverbs.
Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns
(subjects, objects, and predicate
nominatives)
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other
advers.

12. Modifiers
Ex: Metallic paint shines brightly.
Serious problems exist today.
To find adjectives: What kind? Which one?
How many?
To find adverbs: How? When? Where? Why?
To what extent?

13. Pronoun Case
Is it important to know when a word is
used as an object and when it is used as a
subject complement?
Yes! Personal pronouns take one form for
the subject complement and a different
form for objects.
Subjects and predicate nominatives use
nominative case pronouns. Objects take
objective case pronouns.

14. Pronoun Case
Nominative Case Objective Case
• I • me
• you • you
• he • him
• she • her
• it • it
• we • us
• they • them

15. Pronoun Case
Subjects and predicate nominatives must
come from the nominative case list. Objects
must come from the objective case list.
Ex: It was ___ who complained.
Me and Ben took the pictures. (Nope!)
The winners were Jordan and ____.

16. Indirect Objects
Sentences with transitive verbs and direct
objects often have another complement
that receives the direct object called the
indirect object.
Ex: Ned brought me his article.
Becki gave Adrielle an A.
Ben sent us his résumé.

17. Indirect Objects
Remember:
• There can be no receiver of the direct
object unless there is a DO.
• Indirect objects take objective case
pronouns.
• When receivers of the direct object are in
prepositional phrases, they are no longer
indirect objects.
Ex: Ned brought his article to me.

18. Compound Sentence Parts
It is quite common for sentences to have
compound parts (S-V-O-SC) and compound
modifiers
Ex: President Bush lowered taxes and
increased the deficit.
Ex: Ethan is quite capable and responsible.
Ex: The Spec editors ate chili and crackers.
Ex: Brittanie and Dusty sent Shannon and
Shane their articles.

19. Compound Sentence Parts
Coodinate conjunctions join compound parts and
modifiers. They keep the combined parts equal
in importance.
and, but, or, nor, for, yet
Correlative conjunctions are always used in pairs.
either…or
neither…nor
both…and
not only…but also
whether…or

20. Assignment #2
1. Write five sentences with compound subjects. In
two sentences, use correlative conjunctions to
join your subjects.
2. Write five sentences with compound action
verbs. In two sentences, us intransitive verbs.
3. Write five sentences with compound direct
objects.
4. Write five sentences with compound subject
complements. In two sentences, use compound
predicate adjectives; in the other three,
compound predicate nominatives.
5. To any of the sentences above, add five adjectives
and five adverbs. Underline adjectives once.
Underline adverbs twice.

21. Assignment #2 (cont.)
6. Write five sentences with linking verbs. Make the
subject complement in each a predicate
nominate with a nominative case pronoun as the
complement.
7. Write five sentences transitive verbs. In two
sentences, include an objective case pronoun as
the indirect object of the sentence. In the other
three, use the objective case pronoun as the
direct object.

22. Correct Verb Usage
Most English verbs can be used as either
transitive or intransitive verbs. However, three
pairs of particularly troublesome verbs can be
used in only one way. The key to using them
correctly lies in knowing which way they are
being used – transitively or intransitively.

23. Correct Verb Usage
Intransitive (No direct object)
Present Pres. Part. Past Past Part.
lie (recline) lying lay (has) lain
sit (rest) sitting sat (have) sat
rise rising rose (has) risen
Transitive
lay laying laid have laid
set setting set (had) set
raise raising raised (has) raised

24. Assignment #3
1. Write five sentences using the intransitive verb
to lie. Write two sentences in the present tense.
Write three sentences in the past tense.
2. Write five sentences using the transitive verb to
lay. Use the present tense in three of your
sentences. Use the past tense in the other two.

25. Clauses
Clauses are subject-verb groups of words that
act as part of a sentence.
The independent clause carries the main idea of a
sentence. Two or more independent clauses in a
sentence comprise a compound sentence.
Ex: Shannon is interviewing LaMonte, but
Allison is taking photos.
Ex: Ben and Dusty like Meat Lovers pizza;
however, Ronaldo and I prefer Hawaiian.

26. Compound Sentences
Independent clauses can be joined into
compound sentences in two ways:
1. Two independent clauses can be joined by
coordinating or correlative conjunctions and a
comma.
2. Two independent clauses can be joined by
conjunctive adverbs and a semicolon.

27. Conjunctive Adverbs
accordingly indeed
certainly likewise
consequently meanwhile
conversely moreover
finally nevertheless
furthermore nonetheless
hence otherwise
however similarly
therefore

28. Assignment #4
1. Write five compound sentences joined with
coordinating conjunctions or correlative
conjunctions.
2. Write five more compound sentences joined
with conjunctive adverbs and a semicolon.

29. Clauses
Subordinate clauses are subject-verb word
groups that act as a single part of speech
(adjective, adverb, or noun only) or a single part
of a sentence, i. e., a subject, subject
complement, or object.
Subordinate clauses never contain the main idea
of the sentence. For that reason, always find the
independent clause first.

30. Adverb Clauses
Adverb clauses are subordinate clauses that
function as an adverb in the sentences.
REMEMBER: Adverbs usually modify verbs, but
they also modify adjectives and other adverbs. If
a clause is an adverb clause, it will answer one
of the adverb questions: How? When? Where?
Why? Under what conditions? To what extent?

31. Adverb Clauses
Exs: England entered the war after Germany
invaded Poland.
When Dusty submitted his story, Eric edited his
copy.
The board will not approve a new dormitory
unless the money has already been raised.
The words after, when, and unless are
subordinating conjunctions. Even when they
appear at the beginning of the sentence,
subordinating conjunctions join the two clauses.

32. Subordinating Conjunctions
cause, effect as, because, since so, so that, in order that
condition if, even if, if only, unless
contrast although, even though, despite
comparison as if, as though, than, whereas, while
choice rather than, than, whether
after, as , as long as, before, once, since, until,
sequence
when, whenever, while
space where, wherever

33. Punctuation Rule
When an adverb clause precedes the
independent clause, separate the clauses with a
comma. No comma is needed when the adverb
clause follows the independent clause.

34. Assignment #5
Write 10 sentences with adverb clauses.
1. Place five of the adverb clauses before the
independent clause and five of them after the
independent clause. Punctuate accordingly.
2. Use the following subordinating conjunctions
once: because, as long as, since, whenever, and
where. Use subordinating conjunctions of
your choice for the other five.

35. Adjective Clauses
Adjective clauses are subordinate clauses that
modify nouns or pronouns. Most often, the
adjective clause is immediately preceded by the
noun or pronoun that is being modified.
Exs: Betsy Shaffer, who edits the campus life
pages, wrote that feature story.
The student who edits the campus life pages
wrote that feature story.
The book that the bookstore received was not
the book that I ordered.

36. Adjective Clauses
Adjective clauses begin with relative pronouns.
These pronouns are “relatives” or substitutes
for the noun or pronoun being modified.
The relative pronoun in an adjective clause is
almost always the subject, predicate
nominative, or direct object within the adjective
clause.

37. Relative Pronouns
who which
whom that
whose what
whoever whichever
whomever whatever
whosoever

38. Punctuation Rule
Whether or not an adjective clause is
punctuated depends upon the clause’s
importance to the clarity of the entire
sentence. When the clause is necessary to make
a completely understood statement, it is
restrictive or essential; commas are not needed.
When the clause merely adds extra
information, it is nonrestrictive or nonessential,
and commas are required.

39. Assignment #6
1. Write five sentences with restrictive adjective
clauses. Begin the sentences with the relative
pronouns who, whose, which, that, and whoever.
2. Write five sentences with nonrestrictive
adjective clauses. Use the same relative
pronouns as the preceding five sentences.
Punctuate correctly.

40. Noun Clauses
Noun clauses can be used wherever a noun is
used – that is, as a subject, predicate nominative
or object in an independent clause.
NOTE: Since a noun clause is actually a basic
part of the independent clause and not just a
modifier, the independent clause does not make
a complete sentence with the subordinate noun
clause.

41. Noun Clauses
Examples
David said that he was telling the truth.
That Titanic is a lousy movie is rarely disputed.
Writing is what Jordan does best.
The EMT did what he could, but it wasn’t
enough.
Closer analysis revealed that the clause was
acting as the direct object.

42. Noun Clauses
Noun clauses, like adjective clauses, begin with
relative pronouns, but it is uncommon for the
relative pronoun in a noun clause to be the
subject or object within the clause. However, as
the third example showed, it can happen.
That is the most common relative pronoun
used to start noun clauses, but the following
are also used: what, where, how, if, when, why,
whether, lest.

43. Assignment #7
Write 10 sentences with noun clauses.
• In sentences 1–3, use the noun clause as
subject.
• In sentences 4–7, use the noun clause as DO.
• In sentences 8–10, use the noun clause as a
predicate nominative.

44. Phrases
A phrase is a word group that begins with a
preposition or a verb form that acts as a single
part of speech.

45. Prepositional Phrase
A prepositional phrase is a word group that
begins with a preposition followed by a noun or
pronoun object (and any modifiers of that
object).
Prepositional phrases are always adjective
phrases or adverb phrases.
NOTE: (1) Prepositional phrases can function as
predicate adjectives. (2) Noun clauses often act
as the object in a prepositional phrase.

46. Prepositions
about by of
above down off
after during on
against except onto
among following over
around for past
at from since
before in than
behind inside through
beneath into to
between like towards

47. Prepositional Phrases
Examples
Tate ran around the table and returned to his
chair.
Each of the editors from the Spectator received
advice about punctuating clauses.
The referee told Coach Swartzendruber to talk
to the commissioner about problems he had
with his calls.

48. Assignment #8
1. Write sentences (any number) that include a
total of 10 prepositional phrases functioning
as adverbs.
2. Write sentences (any number) that include a
total of 10 prepositional phrases functioning
as adjectives.

49. Verbal Phrases
A verbal phrase is a word group that begins with
a verb form and that acts as a single part of
speech.
Because verbal phrases begin with a verb form,
they often take objects. The objects receive the
action expressed by the verbal, just like a direct
object.
NOTE: Noun clauses can serve as the object in
a verbal phrase.

50. Verbal Phrases
There are three types of verbal phrases:
1. Gerunds – Gerunds are always nouns.
2. Participles – Participles are always adjectives.
3. Infinitives – Infinitives can be adjectives,
adverbs, or nouns.

51. Verbal Phrases
The verb forms used as verbals are based upon
the principal parts of verbs:
Present Past
Infinitive Past
Participle Participle
to run running ran (have) run
to talk talking talked (have) talked

52. Gerund Phrases
Gerund phrases always begin with present
participles (-ing verb forms) and always function
as nouns in sentences or clauses.
Ex: Playing flag football is a popular intramural
sport.
Liz objected to my inviting him to the party.
Benjy likes singing country songs in the sauna.
Jordan’s favorite pastime is playing volleyball.

53. Usage Rule
Since gerunds are nouns, they are often
preceded by possessives. (See example 2,
previous slide.) Thus, “me inviting” would be as
wrong as “me car” or “me book.
Use possessive pronouns, not personal pronouns,
before gerunds.

54. Assignment #9
Write ten sentences that include gerund
phrases.
• In sentences 1–3, use gerund phrase as
subject.
• In sentences 4–7, use gerund phrase as DO.
• In sentences 8–10, use gerund phrase as an
object of the preposition.

55. Participial Phrases
Participial phrases begin with either a present
participle or a past participle (-ing or -ed verb
form) and always function as adjectives in
sentences or clauses.
Ex: Students selecting easy courses may later
regret their choices.
All students elected to SGA must attend
orientation.

56. Assignment #10
Write 10 sentences with participial phrases.
• Sentences 1–5, use the present participle.
• Sentences 6–10, use the past participle.

57. Infinitive Phrases
Infinitive phrases are word groups that almost
always begin with infinitives (to + verb form).
They can function as nouns, adjectives, or
adverbs.
Exs: To edit copy carefully requires attention to
detail.
To provide necessary funds for student
journalism, SGA increased the Spec budget.
The need to find alternative energy sources is
growing daily.

58. Assignment #11
Write 10 sentences with infinitive phrases.
• In sentences 1–3, use the infinitive phrase as a
noun.
• In sentences 4–7, use the infinitive phrase as
an adjective.
• In sentences 8-10, use the infinitive phrase as
an adverb.