Sentence Construction

 

Use the words listed below and the following patterns to create sentences. You can use a pronoun in place of a noun.

 

1.1.    Pro(noun) + Verb + Noun

 [back, bear, beat, boss, face, fear, grow, hear, help, hunt, keep, lend, need, pack, play, race, ride, sail, seek, sell, shoe, sing, spin, test, want, wear, yoke]

Examples:

I want help. We back Manchester United. They beat Chelsea. I boss mummy. They face danger. We fear tomorrow. I grow roses. They hear rumours. I help grandma. They hunt rabbits. We keep dogs. They lend books. You need assistance. We pack rice. I play cricket. We race pigeons. I ride horses. They sail yachts. I seek friends. She sells houses. I wear a sari.

 

1.2.    Pro(noun) + Verb + Noun  + 'to' Infinitive + Complement

[advise, allow, ask, beg, bind, call, expect, grow, hang, help, invite, love, need, order, remind, teach, urge, want, warn]

Examples:

I advise children to read story books.

They allow boys to play football on their lawn.

We ask children to be kind to anyone who is old.

I beg hikers to come with jerseys and warm clothes.

They bound parents to send their children to school.

I want everyone to help.

I expect friends to visit me when I am sick.

We love our children to make progress in life.

 

1.3. Pro(noun) + Verb + Noun + Adj.+ Inf. Phrase, etc.

[consider, find, suppose, believe, want, imagine, judge, prove, think, prefer]

Examples:

I consider everything completed as of now.

We find people hesitant to enter our shop.

I suppose stories which are made up to be similar to real life stories.

They believe money saved to be money that brings happiness.

I want everything ready by seven o'clock.

We imagine books on ancient Egypt to be very scarce.

I judge films that are cheaply made to be generally worthless.

It proves the point that children left idle will get up to mischief.

 

The verbs that are listed below generally require an indirect object to be used between a verb and its direct object. An indirect object tells to whom or for whom something is to be done.

 

build, buy, cook, draw, find, get, give, hand, keep, knit, lend, make, read, save, send, show, sold , sew , tell, warn

1.4. Pro(noun) + Verb + Noun + Adverbial etc.

[ bank, burn, call, cast, fear, feed, heat, help, keep, lose, mark, meet, mind, need, pack, play, read, ride, risk, roll, seek, sell, send, ship, take, tell, tend, test, wear, yoke, put, carry, throw, engage, follow, bring, treat, employ]

Examples:

We burn coal in our fireplace.

They call family members on every occasion.

We cast Richard in the role of Hamlet.

I fear enemies in lonely places.

They feed cattle outside the sheds.

We heat our rooms every winter evening.

I help dad when he mows the lawn.

I want the books on the table.

I bank money where the rates are highest.

I read Tom Sawyer when I feel unhappy.

I treat my pets with great tenderness.

 

1.5. Pro(noun) + Verb + Noun + that, etc

 

[admire, view, work, love, like, watch, drink, make, discover, enquire, inform, notify, collect, use, create, write]

 

Examples:

I watch movies that have an interesting story.

I read stories that relate to wild animals.

 

One notices gardens that are well maintained.

I drink juices that mum squeezes for me from fresh fruits.

I like doing work that stimulates my mind.

We make music that our friends like.

One admires buildings that are beautifully constructed.

They collect items that are of great sentimental value to them.

 

1.6. Pro(noun) + Verb + Noun + where, when, how, etc.

 

[back, beat, bite, burn, call, cast, cure, face, feed, film, fine, heat, help, host, keep, lead, make, meet, pass, play, ride, sail, sell, sing, show, tell, tour, ]

Examples:

I back the Proteas when they play against other countries.

Bafana Bafana beat Nigeria when they played in Johannesburg.

Directors will cast actors who speak good English.

Students call parents when they need funds.

Animals seek grazing where they can.

Teachers show learners how to conduct an experiment.

People make ends meet how they can.

We shall film where the scenery is most beautiful.

 

The basic parts of a sentence are: Subject, Verb, Predicate, Subject Complement, Direct Object, Indirect Object and Object Complement.

 

1.7. Pro(noun) + Verb + Subject Complement

[feel, hear, know, look, note, view, smell, taste]

Example:

I feel happy at school.

I hear noises at night.

I know doctors care greatly for their patients.

You look excited this morning.

Did you note a change in the weather?

I want to know whether it is dark.

They play football all the time.

We do our homework without any help.

She cooks the meals all on her own

They seem anxious about their results.

She likes poetry books best of all.

           

SUBJECT COMPLEMENT

 

The subject complement is a noun or adjective that comes after a linking verb such as am, is, are, was, were. There are other linking verbs also. These are related to our senses:  look, feel, smell, sound, taste. Yet other linking verbs are: appear, become, get, grow, prove, remain, run, stay, turn. 

 

I am so excited I feel like flying. I look so relaxed and I sound so happy that my mum says we should stay here forever. If only things would  remain the same or grow better!

More examples of a linking verb connecting a subject and its complement.

 

She looks happy.

The footballers seem tired.

The boys ran wild.

The paint has faded.

The soldiers stayed calm.

In every crisis dogs prove their worth.

The story sounds suspicious.

The doctor stayed confident.

We grew tomatoes and potatoes.

The moon looks beautiful tonight.

We tasted eastern delights.

Over the years they became great friends.

I shall get even with you.

They were remarkable athletes.

Animals remain where grazing is abundant.

Those who have perseverance will stay the course.

In my retirement I plan to run a corner shop.

When a lion appears the antelope become agitated.

Dad has promised to get me a bicycle.

Firm friends remain friends forever.

 

My stay in Cape Town will be brief. I will remain at home until things turn for the better. Visit me if you feel the mood has changed but if it appears that nothing has changed, turn back at once and do not look offended. Let time pass and things will become better. Those who are hostile now will be friendly and those who sound aggressive will be better disposed.

 

 

 

 

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