Sentences◗ Statements are straightforward sentences, e.g. I like to braidmy hair.◗ Directions or instructions tell someone what to do, e.g.Switch off your cellphones during the film.Do not leave candles burning when you go to bed.Turn left at the crossroads.◗ Imperatives are a stronger form of command, e.g.Don’t do that!◗ Exclamations express strong emotions, e.g.I thought that was great!◗ QuestionsThere are different ways of forming questions.1. Using question words such as who, which, why, how, where, e.g.Where is the nearest garage?Who would like some more supper?2. Changing the word order:He can speak two languages changes to a question like this:Can he speak two languages?3. Using question tags:Use a positive tag with a negative sentence, e.g.He can’t speak three languages, can he?Use a negative tag with a positive question, e.g.You will remember to bring the book, won’t you?◗ Simple, complex and compound sentences1. Simple sentences have only one clause, e.g.Lesedi likes curry. Lesedi likes hot curry.2. Complex sentences have clauses that tell us more aboutthe main clause. The subordinate clause is joined to the mainclause with a conjunction such as because, when or if, e.g.Lesedi likes curry, because he likes spicy food.(subordinate clause of reason)Lesedi eats curry when he is at his grandmother’s house.(subordinate clause of place)Lesedi likes curry if it is made with lots of chilli.(subordinate clause of manner)3. Compound sentences have two or more main clauses, e.g.Lesedi likes curry but his brother Thato prefers burgers.◗ Subject, object and predicate• Sentences always have a subject and a verb.The referee whistled loudly.subject verb• Sentences can have an object as well. The verb and objecttogether are called the predicate.The referee whistled at the offside player.subject verb objectpredicateThe player kicked the ball with his right foot.subject verb direct object indirect objectpredicate◗ Subject-verb agreementThis is also called concord. The form of the verb has to agreewith the subject. This is one of the most common mistakes.This is also often tested in language examinations.◗ Subject-verb agreement of regular verbsNotice that for regular verbs, the verb gets an –s if the subjectfalls into the category of third person singular.Subjectfirst person singular (I)plural (We)second person singular (You)plural (You)third person singular(He/She/any name)plural (They)DictionariesRead this extract from a dictionary:Headword Part of speech Pronounciation MeaningChicken (n) tshi-ken (1) A bird used in farming, for poultryor eggs. (2) The meat of this bird, eaten: We had chickenstew for supper. (3) (adj) cowardly (slang): The bullies weretoo chicken to confront anyone bigger than themselves.Example sentenceA thesaurus is a dictionary that gives synonyms. It does notexplain meaning. Read this extract from a thesaurus:Cold: chilly, freezing, frozen, icy, wintry, coolVerb formI wear smart clothes.We wear smart clothes.You wear smart clothes.You all wear smart clothes.He/She/Naledi wears smart clothes.They wear smart clothes.◗ Subject-verb agreement of irregular verbsNotice that for irregular verbs, the verb form changes completely.Subjectfirst person: singular (I)plural (We)second person singular (You)plural (You)third person singular (He/She)plural (They)Verb formI am in Form 2.We are in Form 2.You are in Form 2.You all are in Form 2.He/She/Naledi is in Form 2.They are in Form 2.◗ Relative clauses1. Relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns, e.g. whoif the clause refers to people, and that or which if the clauserefers to things or places, e.g. Our examination which/that waswritten on Monday was easy!2. We can usually use either that or which. But some grammariansprefer to be strict about this, and use which for less importantclauses. Those clauses should also be in commas, e.g.The day that I won the competition changed my life.Note: Use that because the clause is essential.My shoes, which are black, are made from leather. Use which andput the clause in commas, because the information about theshoes being black is extra to the meaning of the sentence.3. A common examination question is to ask you to explain thedifference between two relative clauses, e.g.My uncle, who lives in Francistown, is a doctor.My uncle who lives in Francistown is a doctor.The first sentence means the speaker only has one uncle, so thefact that he lives in Francistown is extra. The second sentencemeans the speaker has more than one uncle, and it is the one wholives in Francistown who is a doctor.Exploring English Exploring English Exploring English Exploring English in Action English Exploring English Exploring