Introduction to English Grammar

Sentences

The basic element of English grammar is the sentence.  A sentence, simply put, contains a subject and a predicate, and expresses a complete thought.

Sentences can be quite complex, but in a simple sentence, someone or something performs an action.  The subject of the sentence is the person or thing that performs the action.  The predicate of the sentence is the action that is performed.

Consider the following examples:

He runs.
 Subject:     He
 Predicate:     runs

Joe ate dinner.
Subject:     Joe
Predicate:     ate dinner

I am hungry.
Subject:     I
Predicate:     am hungry

Tuktoyaktuk is in the Arctic.
Subject:     Tuktoyaktuk
Predicate:    is in the Arctic

Sometimes the subject can be left out, if the sentence is giving a command.  In the following examples, the subject is "you," and it is implied:

Stop.

Go away.

Help me!

Nouns and Verbs

Nouns

A noun is a person, place, thing, idea, or feeling.  Here are some examples of nouns:

People

John Smith
lady
teacher

Places

New York City
library
corner

Things

Mount Everest
pencil
ear

Ideas

democracy
honor

Feelings

rage
confusion

Proper Nouns

A proper noun is the name of a specific person, place, or thing.  Proper nouns must be capitalized.  Here are some examples of proper and regular nouns:

    Proper Noun            Regular Noun
    William Shakespeare    writer
    London                         city
    Big Ben                       clock
   

Verbs

Verbs are action words.  Verbs are the words you use to say that someone or something is doing something.  Here are some verbs that describe actions:

run
sleep
eat
bounce

Some verbs are more subtle, describing things that hardly seemed like actions.  "Be" is a verb, as are “have,” "become," and "believe."

Verb Tenses

The three main verb tenses are past, present, and future.  The present tense is the simplest form of the verb.  Often, the past tense is formed by adding "ed" to the end of the verb.  For other verbs, the past tense has its own unique form.

Examples of regular verbs using "ed"

Present Tense       Past Tense
jump                        jumped
climb                       climbed
walk                        walked

Examples of irregular verbs

Present Tense    Past Tense
am                    was
sleep                 slept
eat                    ate
run                    ran

The future tense of verbs is usually formed by adding the verb "will" before the main verb.  It is also possible to use "would," "shall," or "should."  Here are some examples:

Present Tense    Future Tense
I jump                I will jump
I climb               I will climb
I am hungry        I will be hungry
I sleep               I shall sleep
I run to the store    I should run to the store

Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives

Adjectives describe or modify nouns.  Usually, the adjective comes right before the noun.  Here are some examples:

It is a big house.

She has a big red ball.

Sometimes, the noun is followed by the verb "to be," and then by the adjective.  There are some examples:

The ball is big and red.

The new car is shiny.

Possessive adjectives describe ownership:

Your sister is talking to my brother in our kitchen.

Demonstrative adjectives describe "which one:"

This book was written by that man.

Interrogative adjectives ask "which one:"

What book are you reading?  Which wine goes best with fish?

Adverbs

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.  Here are some examples of adverbs that modify verbs:

She walks slowly.

We ate well.

Here are some examples of adverbs that modify adjectives:

The ball was very big and mostly red.

Here are some examples of adverbs that modify adverbs:

She walks very slowly.

The ball was not very big.

Clauses

A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a predicate.  An independent clause can form a sentence all by itself.  Every sentence contains at least one independent clause. A sentence can also contain one or more subordinate clauses.  Two independent clauses can even be linked together in one sentence.

Independent Clauses

An independent clause can stand on its own as a complete sentence.  Here are some simple examples:

It is warm outside.

I am done my work.

I am going for a walk.

Independent clauses can be linked together with a semicolon or with coordinating conjunctions.  Coordinating conjunctions are words like "and," "but," and "yet."

It is warm outside, and I am done my work.

It is even possible to link more than two independent clauses in one sentence:

It is warm outside, I am done my work, and I am going for a walk.

Dependent Clauses

A dependent clause cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence.  Usually, the dependent clause begins with a linking word that makes it dependent.  If the first word was removed, the dependent clause could stand on its own as an independent clause.  Here are some examples of dependent clauses:

Although it is early

Because of the summer sun

While the sun is up

Here are some examples of a dependent clause linked to an independent clause:

Although it is early, I am done my work.

It is warm outside because of the summer sun.

I am going for a walk while the sun is up.


Sentences in English can be simple, brief, and clear, or they can be elaborate and marvelously complex.  Make sure that each sentence expresses a complete thought, and enjoy the wonderful range of choices that English offers.
Did you like this article? Read my other Knols, the Guide to Proofreading and Editing, and the The Essentials of Writing in English, and A Guide to Business English.
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