10 th edition, © 2011, cengage learning chapter 3 sentences: elements, patterns, types, faults

10th Edition, © 2011, Cengage Learning

Chapter 3

Sentences: Elements, Patterns,

Types, Faults

Chapter 3, Guffey-Seefer, Business English, 10e, Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning, All Rights Reserved 3-2

A sentence is a group of words that includes a subject and a predicate and

expresses a complete thought.

SUBJECT

• A simple subject is a noun or a pronoun that tells who or what the sentence is about.

• A complete subject includes all modifiers.


PREDICATE• A simple predicate is a verb or verb

phrase that tells or asks what the subject is doing or what is being done to the subject.

• A complete predicate includes modifiers, objects, and complements.

COMPLETENESSIn addition to having subjects and predicates, sentences must be complete.


A set of guidelines was developed. (This sentence has a subject and a predicate and is complete.)

To be used in ordering computer supplies. (This fragment, broken off from another sentence, is incomplete and doesn’t make sense.)

Locating SubjectsLocating SubjectsTo locate a sentence subject, ask

Who or what is being discussed?◦The manager hires all new employees. Who is being discussed?

◦Training programs educate new employees.What is being discussed?


Ignore prepositional phrases.◦The manager of the program for all new hires in our division called a meeting. Who is being discussed?

Sentences may have multiple subjects.◦The manager, sales director, and vice president gave their approval. Who is being discussed?


Reword inverted sentences to locate the subject.◦Sitting in the front row is Rachel.

Reword: Rachel is sitting in the front row.

◦Did any other candidates qualify?

Reword: Other candidates qualify.


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Phrases and ClausesPhrases and Clauses

A phrase is a group of related words WITHOUT a subject and a verb.

① Kim came to the interview in the morning.

She had been told to arrive at 10 a.m.

CompleteSentences ClausesPhrases

Chapter 3, Guffey-Seefer, Business English, 10e, Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning, All Rights Reserved

3-9

Phrases and ClausesPhrases and Clauses

A clause is a group of related words WITH a subject and a verb.

Independent clauses can stand alone. Dependent clauses rely on independent

clauses for their meaning.

When she arrived, she introduced herself.

If she was afraid, she didn’t show it.

CompleteSentences ClausesPhrases


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Four Sentence VarietiesFour Sentence Varieties Simple sentences have one

independent clause―that is, one clause that can stand alone.

Compound sentences have two or more independent clauses.

Each interviewee sent a résumé.

Kim spent many hours preparing her résumé, and she practiced her

answers to typical interview questions.


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Four Sentence VarietiesFour Sentence Varieties Complex sentences have one

independent clause and one dependent clause. When Kim arrived for the interview, she

introduced herself to the receptionist.


Compound-complex sentences have two or more independent clauses and one dependent clause.

Because she had prepared well, Kim felt confident; she answered all questions fully

and enthusiastically.

Four Sentence PatternsFour Sentence Patterns

Pattern No. 1: Subject—Verb. The most basic sentence pattern is one in which the subject is followed by its verb.

◦Courtney called.◦She is working.◦All employees work.


Four Sentence PatternsFour Sentence PatternsPattern No. 2: Subject—Action

Verb—Object. In this pattern the subject is followed by an action verb and its direct object. The object usually answers the questions What? and Whom?

ComStar created a Web site.A law office hired her.


Four Sentence PatternsFour Sentence PatternsPattern No. 3: Subject—Linking

Verb—Complement. In this pattern the subject is followed by a linking verb and its complement.

Complement: Noun, pronoun, or adjective that renames or describes the subject. Completes the meaning of the subject.


Complement ExamplesComplement ExamplesOur receptionist is Patricia.

(Noun complement)The winner of the award is he.

(Pronoun complement)Their Web site is attractive.

(Adjective complement)


Four Sentence PatternsFour Sentence Patterns

Pattern No. 4: Inverted Order. Verbs may occasionally precede subjects.

◦Chairing the committee is Renee Cornell.

◦Have you read your e-mail?◦Here are the materials.


Punctuating Four Sentence Punctuating Four Sentence TypesTypes Statements make assertions and

end with periods.E-mail is an essential communication channel.

Questions are concluded by question marks.

Can you avoid e-mail while on vacation?



Commands end with periods or, occasionally, with exclamation points.

Check your e-mail at least twice a day. (The subject is understood to be you.)

Exclamations show surprise, disbelief, or strong feelings.

Oh, no! I made a huge mistake!

Punctuating Four Sentence Punctuating Four Sentence TypesTypes

Sentence FaultsSentence Faults Fragments


• A fragment is an incomplete sentence and should not be punctuated as if it were complete.

• It may be broken off from a preceding or following sentence.


Run-on SentenceWhen two complete thoughts are run together, a run-on (fused) sentence results.

Comma SpliceWhen two complete sentences are incorrectly joined with a comma, a comma splice results.


FRAGMENT Because we have all come to

depend on e-mail. That’s why we must find a solution.

REMEDY Because we have all come to

depend on e-mail, we must find a solution.


REMEDIES• Instant messaging is popular. It’s even used in

offices. • Instant messaging is popular; it’s even used in

offices. • Instant messaging is popular, and it’s even used

in offices.

COMMA SPLICEInstant messaging is popular, it’s even used in

offices.


REMEDIES• Instant messaging was once used by teenagers;

now it’s also used by business professionals. Instant messaging was once used by teenagers.

Now it’s also used by business professionals. Instant messaging was once used by teenagers,

but now it’s also used by business professionals.

RUN-ONInstant messaging was once used by teenagers

now it’s also used by business professionals.

10 th edition, © 2011, cengage learning chapter 3 sentences: elements, patterns, types, faults

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