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A Concise Guide to English Grammar

Phillip Haisley

Section 8.11 Homework: Basic Sentence Elements and Sentence Patterns

Subsection 8.11.1 Sentence Element Identification

Instructions.

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For each sentence, identify the requested elements.
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Example (completed).

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The talented chef from France prepared us an exquisite meal in the kitchen.
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Exercises.

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Exercise 1. Identify all objects and complements in each sentence. Label each as Direct Object (DO), Indirect Object (IO), Subject Complement (SC), or Object Complement (OC):
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a) The committee awarded the outstanding student a prestigious scholarship.
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b) The homemade soup tasted absolutely delicious.
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c) The judges declared the young contestant the winner.
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Exercise 2. For each highlighted element, indicate whether it is an argument (required by the verb) or an adverbial (optional modifier):
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a) She placed the documents on the desk.
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b) She found the documents on the desk.
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c) The professor is extremely knowledgeable about linguistics.
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d) The professor lectured extremely knowledgeably about linguistics.
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Subsection 8.11.2 Sentence Pattern Identification

Instructions.

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Identify the sentence pattern (1-6) for each sentence and explain your reasoning. Remember to set aside adverbials before determining the pattern.
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Sentence Patterns.

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  • Pattern 1: Intransitive (S + V)
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  • Pattern 2: Copular be (S + be + SC)
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  • Pattern 3: Linking verb (S + LV + SC)
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  • Pattern 4: Transitive (S + V + DO)
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  • Pattern 5: Ditransitive (S + V + IO + DO)
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  • Pattern 6: Ditransitive (S + V + DO + OC)
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Example (completed).

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The ancient lighthouse still stands on the rocky cliff.
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  • Pattern: Pattern 1 (Intransitive)
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  • Explanation: The main verb is “stands”. “On the rocky cliff” is an adverbial (optional—answers “where?”). “Still” is also an adverbial. Without the adverbials, we have “The ancient lighthouse stands”—a complete sentence with just a subject and intransitive verb. “Stands” does not require an object or complement.
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Exercises.

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Exercise 3. The exhausted marathon runner collapsed at the finish line yesterday.
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Exercise 4. My grandmother’s secret recipe remains a family treasure.
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Exercise 5. The committee considered the proposal inadequate.
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Exercise 6. The chef prepared the guests an extraordinary seven-course meal.
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Exercise 7. The situation grew increasingly tense during the negotiations.
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Subsection 8.11.3 Sentence Writing

Instructions.

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Write original sentences following each pattern. Label the key elements (Subject, Verb, Direct Object, Indirect Object, Subject Complement, Object Complement).
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Exercises.

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Exercise 8. Write a sentence following Pattern 4 (transitive: S + V + DO):
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Exercise 9. Write a sentence following Pattern 5 (ditransitive with IO + DO: S + V + IO + DO):
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Exercise 10. Write a sentence following Pattern 6 (ditransitive with DO + OC: S + V + DO + OC):
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Subsection 8.11.4 Sentence Tables and Diagrams

Instructions.

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For each sentence below, complete the labeling table (Role, Phrase, Word, POS) and draw a syntax tree diagram. Use role labels: Subject (Subj), Predicate (Pred), Direct Object (DO), Indirect Object (IO), Subject Complement (SC), Object Complement (OC).
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Exercises.

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Exercise 11. Complete each labeling table and draw a tree diagram.
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a) Pattern 1 (Intransitive): Birds sing.
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Role
Phrase
Word Birds sing
POS
b) Pattern 2 (Copular Be): The solution was simple.
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Role
Phrase
Word The solution was simple
POS
c) Pattern 3 (Linking Verb): The music sounded beautiful.
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Role
Phrase
Word The music sounded beautiful
POS
d) Pattern 4 (Transitive): The student finished the report.
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Role
Phrase
Word The student finished the report
POS
e) Pattern 5 (Ditransitive, IO + DO): The professor gave the class a deadline.
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Role
Phrase
Word The professor gave the class a deadline
POS
f) Pattern 6 (Ditransitive, DO + OC): The board declared the plan inadequate.
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Role
Phrase
Word The board declared the plan inadequate
POS
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Subsection 8.11.5 Analysis and Reflection

Instructions.

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Read the sentences below and answer the questions.
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Exercises.

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Exercise 12. The verb “put” is unusual because it requires TWO arguments beyond the subject. Analyze the following sentences:
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a) She put the book on the shelf.
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  • What happens if you remove “the book”? _____
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  • What happens if you remove “on the shelf”? _____
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  • What does this tell you about the valency of “put”? _____
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Exercise 13. Some verbs can be either linking or transitive depending on context. Analyze these pairs:
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a) The milk smells sour. vs. The detective smells trouble.
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  • Which sentence has a linking verb? Which has a transitive verb? _____
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  • How can you tell? (Hint: Apply the be substitution test.) _____
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Exercise 14. In 3-4 sentences, explain how you distinguish between an argument and an adverbial when analyzing sentences. Why does this distinction matter for identifying sentence patterns? Give an example to illustrate.
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