Basic Grammar Rules in English

 

Basic Grammar Rules in English

With an understanding of the fine parts that make a study of English grammar possible, let's roll up our sleeves and get into the rules.

Subjects Are Vital

The subject is the star of the sentence; it's the person, place, animal, thing, or idea that's being described or performing the action. Not every sentence needs a subject. An example might be, "Run!" Still, you're going to find them in much of your reading and writing. Here are some examples:

Morocco boasts some of the most fabulous resorts.

The coffee shop features the most tantalizing aromas.

Her hair changes color every week.

Predicates Express Action

The predicate expresses the action the subject is taking or shares something more about the subject. Take a look:

Morocco is multicultural and beautiful.

The coffee shop bakes fresh croissants.

Her hair appears to be purple.

Sentences Need Structure

Some of the most basic and important English grammar rules relate directly to sentence structure. These rules specify that:

A singular subject needs a singular predicate.

A sentence needs to express a complete thought.

Another term for a sentence is an independent clause:

Clauses, like any sentence, have a subject and predicate too. If a group of words does not have a subject and predicate, it's merely a phrase.

If a clause can stand alone and make a complete thought, then it is independent and can be considered a sentence.

If clauses do not express a complete thought, they are called dependent clauses. An example of a dependent clause, which is not a sentence, is "...when I finish my work." A dependent clause needs an independent clause to make it whole.

Multiple Parts of Speech May Be Used

As we can see, a single sentence can be filled with many different parts of speech. But, at its core, a basic positive sentence in English will generally adhere to the following formulas:

subject + predicate

subject + verb + direct object

Of course, not every sentence requires a direct object. "She reads," or "He ran," are two examples of complete sentences that didn't require a direct object.

When predicates are involved, they're providing more information about the subject. Another example is, "The apartment is cozy." In this case, "...is cozy" is providing more information about the subject of the sentence, "apartment." Predicates often work with linking verbs.

Also, these parts of speech may be used in any of the four types of sentences: