CHAPTER II
SIMPLE SENTENCE IN ENGLISH
2.1. Some Definitions of Simple Sentence in English
The sentences that the writer has been studying so for in this chapter are about simple sentences in English. Generally, the simple sentence has one subject and one predicate beginning with a verb
“ We can divide a simple sentence into two parts :
The Subject, often a noun or pronoun, which usually
Comes before the predicate consists of the verb and
The rest of the sentence”,
( Tan Cheng lim, practical English Grammar, P. 276 )
“A simple sentence is syntactic pattern consisting of
One-main clause without any subordinate or co
Ordinate clauses”,
( Hartman and Stork, Dictionary of Language and Linguistics, P. 209 )
“A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause”,
( Randolph
From those definitions above, the simple sentences can be contain of only one clause. So, it can be as short as one word. If it has only one word, the word must be the verb.
Example : 1). GO !
2). Read !
But normally, the simple sentence has a subject which it appears at beginning of a sentence, while a predicate comes. After it and both of them may have modifiers. A simple sentence also does not need any subordinate or co - ardinate clauses. It means or coordinators as the connections of a sentence in usage.
As in the following chart which all sentences are simple sentences, because each contains only one clause :
No.
|
Subject
|
Predicate
|
1
2
3
|
Birds
The Sun
The warden of a building
|
Sing
Gives light
Checks every with great care
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From the chart above, the subject consists of one word or several words and the predicate also consist of one word or several words. The subject is often a noun or noun – equivalent.
In sentence 1 and 2, the subject ‘birds and the sun’ are nouns.
In Sentence 3, the subject ‘the worden’ is a noun with an adjective please ‘of the building’.
As for the predicate, it may has one word or more.
Futhermore, tan cheng (2002 : 189) explains when the predicate consists of several word, the main word must be the verb : other may be the object if the verb is transitive, or adverb / adverb – equivalent.
As in sentence 1, the predicate is theverb ‘sing’.
In sentence 2, the predicate is the verb ‘gives’ and the adjective ‘light’.
In sentence 3, the predicate is the verb ‘checks’ the object ‘every visitor’, and the adverb phrsde ‘with the great care’.
2.1. The Simple Sentence Patterns in English
From the preceding explaination, the simple sentence pattern is not only formulated by subject and predicate, but both subject and predicate may have modifiers.
According to Wishon (1980 : 89), there are eleven simple sentence patterns in English,
They are :
- Subject + Predicate / Verb
- Subject + Verb + Object
- Subject + Verb + Direct Object + Objective Complement
- Subject + Verb + Direct Object + to-infinitive
- Subject + Verb + Direct Object + bare infinitive
- Subject + Verb + to-infinitive
- Subject + Verb + Adverb
- Subject + Verb + Prepositional Phrase
- Subject + Linking Verb + Adjective
- Subject + Linking Verb + Adverbial
- Subject + Linking Verb + Noun
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2.2.1. Pattern 1 : or
This is the simplest sentence pattern in English. This simple sentence consists of subject or noun and predicate or verb. For this pattern, Wren (1990 : 367) says the verb that the subject follow is always intransitive verb, which expresses complete sense without the help of any other words (the verb that takes no object).
Examples :
Noun / Subject
|
Verb / Predicate
|
Fire
The baby
She
|
Burns
Cries
Sings
|
|
|
This simple sentence patter consists of three elements ; subject, predicate, and object. Gatherer (1986 : 134) says simple sentence pattern can contain a noun phrase called the object, which follows the predicate. The verb group may be followed by one object ; a noun, a pronoun, or a noun phrase.
Example :
Noun / Subject
|
Verb / Predicate
|
Noun / Object
|
He
She
They
|
Opens
Married
Hate
|
The car door
A young engineer
Him
|
Note : The object is the person or thing affected by the action or situation, called ‘direct object’. So, the object in the pattern above.
Furthermore, Gatherer (1986) adds that this simple sentence pattern can also contain an adjunct which consists of adverb or adverbials. It is also supported by Wishon (1980 : 25) says that the noun + verb noun sentence pattern may be Followed by an adverb, which follows the object.
Examples :
|
1) They take the questions to the librarian
(S) (V) (Od) (Adv)
2) Little girl loves dolls passionately
(S) (V) (Od) (Adv)
3) She asks her about a new book
(S) (V) (Od) (Adv)
In simple sentence, a verb (transitive) may be followed by two object ;
‘direct and indirect object’
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The pattern : or
Examples :
Noun / Subject
|
Verb
|
Noun / Pronoun
|
Noun / Od
|
They
He
The letter
|
Ask
Brings
Gives
|
The teacher
Her
Him
|
Some questions
a gift
the details
|
Note : Oi = indirect Object
Od = Direct Object
Moreover simple sentence pattern may also be written with a preposition without changing its meaning. With the pattern consists of the direct object follow the verb and the indirect object is placed behind the preposition and the direct object.
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Examples :
1). The doctor prescribes some medicine for me
(S) (V) (Od) (prep) (Oi)
2). He makes some bookcases For his sister
(S) (V) (Od) (prep) (Oi)
3). They ask some questions to the teacher
(S) (V) (Od) (prep) (Oi)
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2.2.3. Pattern 3 : or
This pattern consists of four elements ; Subject, verb, direct object, and objective complement. The predicate of the simple sentence may requires a verb (transitive) group, an object, and a complement. Here, the complement describes the object, called ‘objective Complement’
Furthermore, Lim (2002 : 190) says complements, however, can e objective, when they refer to objects and make the meaning of each object Complete.
Examples :
1) I believe him to be honest.
2) I find this book of great value.
3) They choose him the leader of this party
The objective complement in a simple sentence may sentence of a noun or an adjective.
Moreover, Wishon (1980 : 57) emphasizes if the objective complement in simple sentence pattern is in a noun, there is two nouns in the pattern placed after the verb which are really two different names for the same person or thing. The first noun after the verb in the pattern is the direct object, while the second one is objective complement. The second noun as objective complement is necessary renames the first and adds to its meaning, because the objective complement is necessary to complete the sentence and to complete the meaning of the direct object.
Examples :
Subject
|
Verb
|
Direct Object
|
Objective Complement
|
Noun
|
Noun / Pronoum
|
Noun
| |
We
She
He
|
Elect
Considers
Makes
|
Their new home
Her speech
Them
|
Different
Peculiar
Less critical
|
2.2.4.
Pattern 4 :
|
This simple sentence pattern consists of four elements ; subject, verb, direct object and to-infinitive. Wren (1990 : 371) says the direct object of the simple sentence can be followed by to-infinitive.
Examples :
1) I suggest you to stay
2) We ask him to go
3) I can’t allow to smoke
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This pattern consists of subject, verb, direct, and bare infinitive. The direct Object of simple sentence pattern can be followed by ‘bare infinitive’ or without ‘to’ (Wren, 1990 : 373).
Examples :
1) He lest me go
2) We hear her sing
3) The man feel someone touch his arm.
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In this simple sentence pattern, the presence of to-infinitive is directly after the verb. Here, to-infinitive is as the object of the verb (Wren : 1990 ).
Examples :
1) I forget to post the letter
2) He fears to speak
3) She decides to visit the museum
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2.2.7. Pattern 7 :
This pattern consists of subject, verb, and adverb. Wishon (1980 : 9) says adverbs normally follow the verb.
Examples :
1) He works all day
2) She dines quietly
3) My father drives fast
|
Simple sentence pattern can be formulated by adding prepositional phrase here, the prepositional phrases has the function as adverbs (Wishon, 1980 : 15).they show place (where), manner (how), time (when, how long), and reason or purpose (why). So, the prepositional phrases telling why about the verb (expressing reason) usually follow adverbs of place and time.
Examples :
Subject
|
Verb
|
Prepositional Phrase
|
He
They
The passengers
|
Arriver
Fly
Wait
|
At the airport
For three hours
In the terminal
|
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This simple sentence pattern consists of four elements ; subject, linking verb, and adjective. Wishon (1980 : 69) says a linking verb in simple sentence pattern connect to a complement (Subjective Complement) which tells something about the subject.
The complement in this pattern is in an adjective. The most common linking verb is ’Be’; is, are, am, must be, however, remain, stay, become, appear, continue, feel, grow, seem, and taste may used as linking verbs.
Examples :
Subject
|
Linking Verb
|
Subjective Complement
|
Noun
|
Adjective
| |
Natural resources
Water
Food
|
Are
Can be
Is
|
Precious.
Dangerous
Necessary
|
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2.2.10. Pattern 10 :
The linking verb in this simple sentence pattern is also ‘Be’. While, the adverbial may be either an adverb or a prepositional phrase. Only time and place adverbials are used in this pattern and they come after the linking verb or be.
Examples :
Subject
|
Linking Verb
|
Subjective Complement
|
Noun
|
Adverbial (s)
| |
You
The cat
She
|
Must be
Is
Is not
|
There soon
In the corner
Here now
|
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This is the last simple sentence pattern, which consists of three elements ; subject, linking verb, and noun. In this pattern, a linking verb connects a subject to a complement, which tells something about, or renames, the subject. The complement in this pattern is a noun or pronoun, and is often called the subjective complement.
Examples :
Subject
|
Linking Verb
|
Subjective Complement
|
Noun
|
Noun
| |
He
She
I
|
Won’t become
Is
Am
|
Anything
a doctor
a student
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