SENTENCE
- Declarative sentence
- Interrogative sentence
- Imperative sentence
- Exclamatory sentence
- Optative sentence
- Simple sentence
- Compound sentence
- Complex sentence
- Compound-Complex or Double sentence
- Subject.
- Predicate
1. Subject: The name of the person or thing we speak about is called the subject.
2. Predicate: What is said about the subject is called the predicate.
Subject predicate
Bukola. is very beatiful
Man. is a social animal
He. Went to Abuja yesterday.
The sun. rises in the east.
Ibadan. is my birth place.
Note: The Subject is omitted in an imperative sentence.
Ex: Write your name. [You is left out]
Thank you. [I is left out]
A. SUBJECT
We have already notes that a sentence is a group of words which gives complete meaning and a sentence contains a subject and predicate.
The subject in a sentence may consist of one word or several words. But the subject must have a noun or a pronoun. The chief words. But the subject is called the subject word or simple subject.
Subject Word or Simple Subject: A noun or a word or a group of words that does the work of a noun is called the Subject Word.
1. Word used as subjects
(a) Noun
Man is a social animal.
(b) pronoun
We returned home in the evening.
(c) An adjective used as a noun
The old should be respected.
(c) To infinitive
To write letters is very difficult.
(e) Gerund
Teaching is a noble profession.
(f) Phrase
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
The subject word must be qualified by an adjective or an equivalent word and we call it an attribute or enlargement.
Several types of words can be used as an attribute or enlargement.
B. ENLARGEMENT OR ATTRIBUTE
A word or a group of words which does the work of an adjective or an adjective equivalent is known as an enlargement or attribute.
1. Words used as attributes
(a) Article.
A girl stood at the gate.
(b) Adjective
Foolish people can believe everything.
(c) A noun in possessive case or possessive adjective
Bukala's face is pretty.
My book is on the table.
(d) A noun or phrase in apposition
Mother Theresa, a great social worker, was a kind woman.
(e) An emphatic pronoun
She herself invited me to dinner.
(f) A participle used as an adjective
Barking dogs seldom bite.
(g) A preposition phrase
Birds of the same feather flock together.
(h) To infinitive
My desire to marry Bukola is a strong one.
(I) An adjective phrase
The Manager, considerate as ever, granted me leave.
C. PREDICATE
The essential word in the predicate is a verb and it is often modified by an adverb or an adverb equivalent which is called the extension of the verb or adverbial qualification.
1. Extension of the verb or adverbial Qualification: A word or a group of words which does the work of an adverb or an adverb equivalent is called the Extension or Adverbial Qualification.
2. Words used as adverbial Qualification
(a) Adverb
He spoke very clearly.
(b) Adverbial phrase
He ate the biscuit one by one.
(c) present and past participles used as adverbs
Iman went away smiling.
She looked worried.
(d) 'To' infinitive
He began to work.
(e) An adverbial object
They returned home.
(f) An absolute phrase
The rain, having stopped, we continued our work.
D. OBJECT
When a verb in the predicate is a transitive verb, it must have an object to give complete meaning.
Object: A word or a group of words which is used after a transitive verb I called an object.
1. Words used as Objects
(a) Noun
I wrote a letter.
(b) Pronoun
I liked him.
(c) An adjective used as a noun
We must love the helpless.
(d) 'To' infinitive
I wanted to go.
(e) Gerund
I love teaching.
(f) A phrase
I requested him to look after the child.
2. Kinds of Objective: There are two types of objects, namely:
- Direct Object
- Indirect Object
- Subject Complement
- Object Complement
We have already examined the various elements of a simple sentences. We can now analyse a sentence and divide it into individual parts. It may be said that there are several stages in the analysis of a simple sentence.
First stage
Note the analysis of the following sentences:
- The moon shines.
- The sun rises in the east.
- Bukola is very beautiful.
- The pedants named her Ana.
- My sister sent me a greeting.
| S. No. | Subject | Predicate |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | The moon | shines |
| 2. | The sun | rises in the east |
| 3. | Fatima | is very beautiful |
| 4. | The parents | name her shema'u |
| 5. | My sister | sent me greeting |
Second stage
- I gave Kairat a book
- She taught a music
- We sent them greeting.
- She showed me the photography
- He lent her the money.
- I wrote Amaka a letter.
| S. No. | Subject | Predicate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verb | Indirect Object |
Direct Object | ||
| 1. | I | gave | Kairat | a book |
| 2. | She | taught | me | music |
| 3. | We | sent | them | greeting |
| 4. | She | Showed | me | the photo |
| 5. | He | lent | her | the money |
| 6. | I | wrote | Habib | a letter |
Third stage
- The sky turned cloudy.
- Amaka is a teacher.
- The girl looks disappointed.
- Your sister is here.
- His brother is to come.
- My health is in a poor condition.
| S. No. | Subject | Predicate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attribute | Subject | Verb | Subject Complement | |
| 1. | The | sky | turned | cloudy |
| 2. | Auwal | is | a teacher | |
| 3. | The | girl | looks | disappointed |
| 4. | Your | sistet | is | here |
| 5. | My | brother | is | to come |
| 6. | My | health | is | in a poor condition |
Fourth stage
- The court declared him guilty.
- Her parents named her Rabi'atu.
- They kept me waiting.
- I found Hafsat clever.
- My father forced me to marry.
- My foolishness placed me in a danger.
| S. No. | Subject | Predicate | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attribute | Subject | Verb | object | Complement | |
| 1. | The | court | declared | him | guilty |
| 2. | Her | parents | named | her | Ngozi |
| 3. | They | kept | me | waiting | |
| 4. | I | found | Amira | clever | |
| 5. | My | father | forced | me | to marry |
| 6. | My | foolishness | placed | me | in danger |
Fifth stage
- My sister's naughty daughter teased me in many ways.
- The doctor examined the sick patient carefully.
- All the members elected him their lease.
- My father's remark made my mind very dim yesterday.
- I have been teaching Abba English.
- She looked very tired after the work.
- Find out the principal clause.
- Find out the subordinate clauses.
- Identify each sub-clause, adjective clause and adverb clause.
- Explain how each sub-clause is related to the principal clause.
- And finally analyse both the principal and sub-clause as you analyse a simple sentence.
2. As long as I am in the company of Hafsat, I feel very happy but I become sad when she is away from me.
(a) I feel very happy - principal Clause
(b) But I become sad. - Another principal clause co-ordinates with Clause I.
(c) As long as I am in the company of Hafsat. - Adverb clause of time modifying the verb 'feel' in clause I.
(d) When she is away from me. - Adverb clause of time modifying the verb 'become' in clause II.
3. The first girl that I loved in my was Am aka who inspired me with her brilliant and she was a school teacher.
(a) The first girl was Amaka. - Principal clause
(b) That I loved in my life. - Adjective Clause qualifying the noun 'girl' in clause I.
(c) Who inspired me with her brilliance. - Another adjective clause qualifying the noun 'Amaka' in clause II.
(d) And she was a school teacher. - Another principal clause co-ordinates with clause I.
4. I still remember the day when Fatima came to me and offered me cake on the occasion of her birthday and it was the most remarkable incident in my life.
(a) I still remember the day. - principal Clause
(b) When Fatima came to me and offered me a piece of cake on the occasion of her birthday. - Adjective clause qualifying the noun 'day' in clause I.
(c) And it was the most remarkable incident in my life. - Another principal clause co-ordinates with clause I.
5. The poetry that he read in his childhood showed a great influence on him and he had started taking a keen interest in literature since then.
(a) The poetry showed a great influence on him. - Principal Clause
(b) That he read in his childhood. - Adjective clause qualifying the noun 'poetry' in clause I.
(c) And he had started taking a keen interest in literature since then. - Another principal clause co-ordinates with clause I.
SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCES
Synthesis means combining two or more simple sentence into a single simple, complex or compound sentence, it is the opposite of analysis.
A. FORMATION OF SIMPLE SENTENCE
Let us now discuss the various method of combining two or more simple sentences into one simple sentence.
1. By using a participle
(a) I was tire of walking. I wanted to take a rest.
Being tired of walking, I wanted to take a rest.
(b) I passed the exam with distinction. I applied for civil service.
Having passed the exam with distinction, I applied for civil service.
2. By using an absolute phrase
(a) The examinations were over. All the students left the college.
The examination being over, all the students left the college.
(b) His wife left him. He brought up the child with love and care.
His wife having left, he brought up the child with love and care.
(c) It is very cold. We stayed at home.
It being very cold, we stayed at home.
3. By using an infinitive
(a) I have some letters. I must write them today.
I have some letters to write today.
(b) You should love and understand your wife. It is your duty. It is your duty to love a'd understand your wife.
(c) This poem is very difficult. I cannot explain it to you.
This poem us too difficult for me to explain to you.
(d) I knew about Amaka's marriage. I was delighted.
I was delighted to know about Amaka's marriage.
4. By using preposition with a noun or gerund.
(a) He sells newspapers. He earns money in this way.
He earns money by selling newspapers.
(b) He read the poem several times. He did not learn it by heart.
In spite of reading the poem several times, he did not learn it by heart.
(c) They come to the end of the street. They stopped there.
They stopped at the end of the street.
(d) His daughter died in the air-crash. He heard it. He broke down.
On hearing he death of his daughter in the air-crash, he broke down.
(e) He had a sweet dream. He married Kauras in the dream.
He had a sweet dream of marrying Kausar.
(f) He was a physically handicapped person. He was highly educated.
In spite of being a physically handicapped person,he was highly educated.
5. By using a noun or phrase in apposition
(a) Amaka is a school teacher. She lives in Abeokuta. It is an industrial city.
Amaka, a school teacher, lives in Abeokuta, a' industrial city.
(b) Damilola was a poetess. People called her prolific. She wrote the poem "The Cobweb'.
The poetess Damilola, prolific, wrote the poem "The Cobweb'.
(c) Komolafe is a novelist. He is a Nigerian. He wrote 'The Guide".
Komolafe, the Nigerian novelist, wrote "The Guide".
6. By using an adverb/adverb phrase
(a) Amaka is very beautiful. It is a evident.
Amaka is evidently beautiful.
(b) He will get first rank. It is certain.
He will certainly get first rank.
(c) She is punished. It is unjust.
She is punished unjustly.
(d) it was evening. He did not type the letter.
He did not type the letter by evening.
(e) She convinced her husband. It was clever of her.
She convinced her husband cleverly.
(f) Kausar described her adventures in the forest. She did it fascinatingly.
Kausar described her adventures in the forest fascinatingly.
(g) He killed his wife. He did it with intention
He killed his wife intentionally.
(h) He accepted my proposal. He did it with happiness.
He accepted my proposal happily.
B. FORMATION OF COMPOUND SENTENCE
Two or more simple sentences can be combined into a single compound sentence with the help of co-ordinating conjunctions.
1. By using and, both-and, not- but also, as well as
(a) Laurat woke up early. She prepared lunch for guests.
LA ur at woke up early and prepared lunch for guests.
(b) Amina has beauty. Amina has intelligence.
Amina has both beauty and intelligence.
(c) Bukola loved me. Kausar loved me.
Bukola as well as Kauras loved me.
I speak English. I speak Hausa.
I speak not only English but also Hausa.
2. By using but, yet, where as, nevertheless
(a) He is poor. He is happy.
He is poor but he is happy.
(b) He is uneducated. He is clever.
He is uneducated, yet he is clever.
(c) The poem is simple. He does not understand it.
The poem is simple but he does not understand it.
(d) Mubila is hostile. Her friend is co-operative and considerate.
Mubila is hostile whereas her friend is co-operative and considerate.
(e) There is little chance of recovery. The doctor has tried his best.
There is little cahnce of her recovery, nevertheless, the doctor tried his best.
3. By using or, either-or, nor, else, neither -nor, otherwise
(a) You may answer in English. Your may answer in your mother tongue.
You may answer in English or in your mother tongue.
(b) He is a politician. He is a social worker.
He is either a politician or a social worker.
(c) Madina does not like teaching. Madina does not like typing.
You must work hard, otherwise you will fail in the exam.
(e) He does not earn money. He does not save money.
He neither earns nor saves money.
(f) I love music. I love poetry.
I love music or poetry.
4. By using for and so
(a) She must be a teacher. She explains the poem very clearly.
She must be a teacher for she explains the poem very clearly.
(b) He has been working hard. He will get promotion.
He has been working hard, so he will get promotion.
C. FORMATION OF COMPLEX SENTENCE
Two or more simple sentences can be turned into one complex sentence by using a noun clause, an adjective clause or an adverb clause.
1. By using a Noun Clause
(a) I am interested in photography. It is known to all my friends.
That I am interested in photography is known to all my friends. (The subject of the sentence)
(b) Madina had liked me, she told me that.
Madina told me that she had like me. (The object of the verb 'told')
(c) How can I earn the money? That is the problem.
The problem is how I can earn the money. ( The object of the preposition 'at' )
(e) She had died in the fire accident. That fact hurts me much.
The fact that she had died in the fire accident hurts me much. (In apposition to the noun 'fact' )
2. By using an adjective Clause
The relative pronouns like who/Which/That or the relative adverbs like where/when/why may be used in the formation of Adjective Clauses.
(a) The woman was very kind. She helped the poor girl.
The woman who was very kind helped the poor girl.
(b) The beautiful girl loved me. Her name is Maryam.
The beautiful girl whose name is Maryam loved me.
(c) This is a best-selling book. You must read it.
This is a best-selling book that you must read.
(d) This is a large building. It was built by my uncle.
This a large building that was built by my uncle.
(e) This is the house. I met Maryam here.
This the house where I met Maryam.
(f) My father died. At that time I was a small boy.
At the time may father died, I was a small boy.
(g) She refused to marry me. I don't know the reason.
I don't know the reason why she refused to Marry me.
3. By using an Adverb Clause:
The subordinating conjunctions like when/as/since/till/where/if/though/unless/that/lest/whether and whereas can be used in the function of Adverb Clauses.
(a) I went there. She was cooking in the kitchen then.
When I went there, she was cooking in the kitchen.
(b) I have no ready cash. I cannot lend you money now.
As I have no ready cash, I cannot lend you money now.
(c) She has no desire to marry me. I don't like yo ask her about it.
Since she has no desire to marry me, I don't like to ask her about it.
(d) You finish writing the letter. I shall wait for you.
I shall wait for you, until you finish writing the letter.
(e) She may come here. I shall talk to Maryam then.
If Maryam comes here, I shall talk to her.
(f) She is beautiful. She is not still married.
Though she is beautiful, she is not married.
(g) You must show your ticket. Otherwise, I can't allow you in.
Unless you show your ticket, I can't allow you allow in.
(h) We help others. We want to receive help.
We help others that we may receive help.
(I) He saw the film. He did not want to miss the story.
He saw the film last he missed the story.
(j) She may have been married. I don't know that.
I don't know whether she has been married.
(k) Bukola is friendly. Her brother is impolite.
Where as Bukola is friendly, her brother is impolite.
I am very happy. Because you have got promotion.
I am very happy that you have got promotion.
(m) You know her name. Then, please tell me.
If you know her name, please tell me.
TRANSFORMATION OF SENTENCE
The transformation or conversation of a sentence means changing the structure or forms of the sentence into another grammatical structure or form.
A. EXCLAMATORY SENTENCE INTO AN ASSERTIVE SENTENCE
| Exclamatory sentence | Assertive Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. What an excellent opportunity | It is really an excellent opportunity. |
| 2. O that i were a film star! | I wish i were a film star. |
| 3. How kind of Amaka to help me in my difficulty. | It is indeed very kind of Amaka to help me |
| 4. How great Mother theresa was! | Mother theresa was very great. |
| 5. What a great victory! | It is really a great victory. |
| 6. How foolish of you to resign the job! | It is undoubtedly foolish of yiu to resign the job. |
| 7. How blue her eyes are! | Her eyes are very blue. |
| 8. How long Amina's hair is! | Amina's hair is very long. |
| 9. What a great thing you have done! | You have really done a great thing. |
| 10. What a happy reunion it is! | It is an extremely Happy reunion. |
| 11. What a pity that she has lost her husband! | It is a pity that she has lost her husband. |
| Interrogative sentence | Assertive Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. Is education not more important than money? | Education is definitely morz important than money. |
| 2. Why worry about your future? | It is meaningless to worry about your future. |
| 3. i never asked kauras to help me. | Did i ever ask Kauras to help me? |
| 4. is there any meaning in what she has said? | There is no meaning in what she has said. |
| 5. What does it matter whether she loves or hates me? | It does not matter whether she loves or hates me. |
| 6. Who does not know that the earth moves round the sun? | Everybody knows that the earth moves round the sun. |
| 7. Is that the way that you should speak to your mother? | That is not the way that you should speak to your mother. |
| 8. What if you don't get a job in the company? | It matters very little whether you get a job in the company or not. |
| 9. Have you ever been photographed? | I have never been photographed. |
| 10. Can we achieve anything without hard work? | We can achieve nothing without hard wirk. |
| 11. Is prevention better than cure | Prevention is always better than cure. |
| Imperative sentence | Interrogative Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. Stop smoking | Will you stop smoking |
| 2. post the letter. | Will you post the letter? |
| 3. Please get me a taxi. | Will you please get me a texi? |
| 4. Wait for me. | Can you wait for me? |
| 5. Please lend me your dictionary. | Could you please lend me your dictionary? |
| 6. Give this letter to my sister. | Would you mind giving this letter to my sister? |
| 7. I can speak to the manager. | Can i speak to the manager? |
| 8. Tell Halimat to meet me this evening at the bus-stop. | Will you tell Halimat to meet me at the bus-stop? |
| 9. Please allow me to use your phone. | May i use your phone? |
| 10. Come here | Will you come here? |
| 11. I sit here. | Would you mind my sitting here? |
| 12. Send for tbe doctor. | Could you send foe the doctor? |
| 13. Fill up the application form. | Can you fill up the application form? |
| 14. Raed out the letter to me. | Can you read out the letter to me? |
| 15. Lend me fifty Naira. | Could you lend me fifty Naira? |
| Negative sentence | Affirmative Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. He is not uneducated. | He is educated. |
| 2. Susan is not so foolish as you think. | Susan is wiser than you think. |
| 3. Her decision is not without any reason. | Her decision is reasonable. |
| 4. I am not sure whether she will agree to help. | I am very doubtful whether she will agree to help. |
| 5. No one but a fool can believe such words. | Only a fool can believe such words. |
| 6. No one will deny that Kairat is a beauty queen. | Everyone will admit that kairat is a beauty queen. |
| 7. I don't want anything else. | This is all that i want. |
| 8. I shall not forget Umo's love and affection. | I shall always remember Umo's love and affection. |
| 9. There is no gain without pain. | Every pain has a gain. |
| 10. I am not a little afraid of my father. | i am very much afraid of my father. |
| 11. It is no small happy. | It is a matter of great importance. |
| 12. She is never happy. | She is always unhappy. |
| 13. No other language is so easy as English. | English is the easiest of all language. |
| 14. I had no sooner seen Amira than i employed her. | As soon as I saw Amira, i employed her. |
| 15. play nothing but cricket. | I play only cricket. |
DEGREES OF COMPARISON
Most adjectives and adverbs can be turned into other forms of comparison in many ways.
A. TYPE I TWO PERSONS AND THINGS
[POSITIVE TYPE]
Positive Subject + Verb + As + positive + Adjective + As + Object
Comparative Subject + Verb + Not + Comparative Adjective + Than + Object
Ex:
1. Maryam is an brilliant as Ummy.
Ummy is not more brilliant than Maryam.
2. Money is as important as education.
Education is not more important than money.
3. She is as happy as her sister.
Her sister is not hippier than she is.
4. We are as rich as they are.
They are not richer than we are.
B. TYPE II NEGATIVE TYPE
Positive: Subject + Verb + Not + so + Positive Adjective + As + Object
Ex:
1. Nabilat is not attractive as Khairat.
Khairat is more attractive than Nabilat.
2. Money is not so useful as knowledge.
Knowledge is more useful than money.
3. My father is not so rich as my uncle is.
My uncle is richer than my father.
4. My brother is not so clever as I am.
I am cleverer than my brother.
C. TYPE III MORE THAN TWO PERSONS OR THINGS
Positive: No other + Subject + Verb + So + Positive Adjective +As + Object
Comparative: Subject + Verb + Comparative Adjective + Than any all other + Object
Superlative: Subject + Verb + The + Superlative Adjective + of all + plural Noun [Object]
Ex:
1. No other girl is so beautiful as Munirat.
Munirat is more beautiful than any other girl.
Munirat is the most beautiful of all girls.
2. No other woman was so kind as Mother theresa.
Mother theresa was kinder than any other woman.
Mother Theresa was the kindest of all women.
3. No other country is so poor as Soule island.
Saule island is power than any other country.
Soule island is the poorest of all countries.
4. Nothing is so important as education.
Education is more important than anything else.
Education is the most important of all things.
D. TYPE IV MORE THAN TWO PERSONS OR THINGS
Positive: Very few + subject + Verb + As + Positive + Adjective + As + Object
Comparative: Subject + Verb + Comparative Adjective + Than most other + Object
Superlative: Subject + Verb + one of + The + Superlative + Adjective + Plural Noun [Object]
Ex:
1. Very few girls are as brilliant as Khairat.
Khairat is more brilliant than most other girls.
Khairat is one of the brilliant girls.
2. Very few countries in the world are as rich as America.
America is richer than most other countries in the world.
America is one of the riches countries in the world.
3. Very few women are as kind and considerate as my mother.
My mother is kinder and more considerate than most other women.
My mother is one of the kindest and most considerate women.
4. Very few languages are as easy as English.
English is easier than most other languages.
English is one of the easiest languages.
5. Very few philosophers are as great as Azikiwe in the world.
Azikiwe is greatest than most other philosophers in the world.
Azikiwe is one of the greatest philosophers in the world.
E. TYPE V MORE THAN TWO PERSONS OR THINGS
Positive Same + Plural Noun [Subject] + Verb + At least + As + positive Adjective + As + Object
Comparative: Subject + Verb + Not + Comparative Adjective + Than some other + Plural Noun [Object]
Superlative Subject + Verb + Not + The + Superlative Adjective + of all + Plural Noun [Object]
Ex:
1. Some Nigerians are at least as great as Abba.
Abba is not greater than some other Nigerians.
Abba is not the greatest of all Nigerians.
2. Some poets are at least as lovely as the rose.
The rose is not lovelier than some other flowers.
The rose is not the loveliest of all flowers.
4. Some heroes are at least as handsome as Kayode.
Kayode is not handsomer than some other heroes.
Kayode is not the handsomest if all heroes.
5. Some dailies are at least as popular as The Daily Express.
The Daily Express is not more popular than some newspapers.
The Daily express is not the most popular of all dailies.
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