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Introduction to basic sentence patterns.

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Introduction to basic sentence patterns.

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Sentence patterns: Refers to the order or arrangement of words in a sentence.

The English language has seven basic sentences patterns. Basic sentence patterns are related to the ‘obligatory elements’ in the sentence. These are called basic sentence. Even in a long sentence, you will see that it contains many ‘optional elements’ without which the sentence can still be grammatically complete. If you take these optional elements away, what remains is a basic pattern. For example, look at the following sentence:

1) After a long chase the hunter ultimately killed the lion with a precise gunshot.

You will notice that this long sentence can be reduced to the basic structure:

1)The hunter killed the lion.

The bold sentence is one basic pattern of sentences which consists of the subject, the verb and an object. Other patterns are similarly made of different obligatory elements. In all there are seven such patterns, which are sometimes also called ‘basic clause patterns’.

These seven basic sentence patterns are explained below:

1. SV/SIV

2. SVO

3. SVC

4. SVOC

5. SVOO

6. SVA

7. SVOA

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Noun phrase is a group of two or more words that functions like a noun.

“Noun phrase a word or group of words in a sentence that behaves in the same way as a noun, a subject, an object, a complement, or as the object of a preposition.”

How to identify a noun phrase?

1. A noun phrase can consist:

A noun, a conjunction, and a noun

A gerund and a noun

An article, an adjective and a noun

An article, a noun and a prepositional phrase

A determiner and a noun

Hints:-

1. noun- word that is used to represent a person, place, animal thing or idea

2. Conjunction- short word that is used to combine two or more words, phrases or clauses.

3. An article, such as ‘a’, ‘an’ and ‘the’ play the role of a modifier.

4. An adjective is a word that provides extra information about the noun or pronoun.

5. The term ‘gerund’ refers to words that are formed by the addition of an ‘ing’ to the root verb.

6. A prepositional phrase is a group of words that has a preposition followed by an object.

7. A determiner describes a noun and includes demonstrative adjectives such as this, that, these and those.

2. Example of "a noun, a conjunction, and a noun"

Rakesh and Seeta are from Chhattisgarh.

3. Examples of "a gerund, and a noun"

Reading books is my favourite pastime. (Noun phrase used as subject)

The only thing my brother does not like to do is solving trigonometric equations. (Noun phrase used as object)

4. Example of "an article, an adjective and a noun"

The new girl became known to the whole school in just a day. (Noun phrase used as subject)

5. Example of "an article, a noun and a prepositional phrase"

The building near the bus stand was taken down in order to expand the roads. (Noun phrase used as subject)

6. Example of "a determiner and a noun"

These books belong to Suman. (Noun phrase used as subject)

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Having learnt about phrases, you should have come across the different types of phrases. In this article, you will be introduced to what a noun phrase is, its meaning and definition, how to identify a noun phrase and how to use it in a sentence. You can also check out the examples of noun phrases given in the article to have a much deeper understanding of the same.

Table of Contents

What Is a Noun Phrase? - Meaning and Definition

A noun phrase, as the term suggests, is a group of two or more words that functions like a noun when put together. Like a noun, a noun phrase can also take the place of a subject or an object. According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, a noun phrase is defined as "a word or group of words in a sentence that behaves in the same way as a noun, that is, as a subject, an object, a complement, or as the object of a preposition."

The Cambridge Dictionary defines a noun phrase as "a group of words in a sentence that together behave as a noun", and according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a noun phrase is "a phrase formed by a noun and all its modifiers and determiners " and "any syntactic element (such as a clause, clitic, pronoun, or zero element) with a noun's function (such as the subject of a verb or the object of a verb or preposition)".

How to Identify a Noun Phrase?

Now that you know what a noun phrase is, identifying a noun phrase in a sentence should not be difficult. There is no particular rule that a noun phrase should contain a noun. The only thing that is required is for the phrase to perform the role of a noun in the sentence. Also, keep in mind that there can be any number of noun phrases in a sentence.

Knowing the different combinations that can aid in the formation of a noun phrase can help you better. So, take a look at the following points to see the various ways in which a noun phrase can be formed.

Components of a Noun Phrase

A noun phrase can consist of,

A noun, a conjunction and a noun

A gerund and a noun

An article, an adjective and a noun

An article, a noun and a prepositional phrase

A determiner and a noun

The above mentioned components are not necessarily the only elements that can make up a noun phrase. An adverb used with an adjective and a noun and many other combinations can also constitute a noun phrase.

Let us see what each of these components are, in short.

A noun is a naming word that is used to represent a person, place, animal, thing or idea.

A conjunction is a short word that is used to combine two or more words, phrases or clauses.

An article, such as 'a', 'an' and 'the' play the role of a modifier.

An adjective is a word that provides extra information about the noun or pronoun.

The term 'gerund' refers to words that are formed by the addition of an 'ing' to the root verb.

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that has a preposition followed by an object.

A determiner describes a noun and includes demonstrative adjectives such as this, that, these and those.

Examples of Sentences with Noun Phrases

Take a look at the following sentences and analyse how the noun phrases are used. See how the various components, when put together, function just like a noun.

Examples of Noun Phrases Containing a Noun, a Conjunction and a Noun

Rakesh and Seeta are from Chhattisgarh.

Music and dance interests me more than anything else does.

Schools and offices have been shut down due to the heavy rains.

In the above sentences, the noun phrases (marked in bold) containing a noun, a conjunction and a noun are seen to perform the role of the subject in the respective sentences.

We had bread and butter for breakfast.

My mom went to the grocery store to buy fruits and vegetables.

Most students find science and maths more interesting than history and geography.

In the above sentences, the noun phrases (marked in bold) containing a noun, a conjunction and a noun are seen to perform the role of the object in the respective sentences.

Examples of Noun Phrases Containing a Gerund and a Noun

Reading books is my favourite pastime. (Noun phrase used as subject)

Listening to music is her hobby. (Noun phrase used as subject)

The only thing my brother does not like to do is solving trigonometric equations. (Noun phrase used as object)

Examples of Noun Phrases Containing an Article, an Adjective and a Noun

The new girl became known to the whole school in just a day. (Noun phrase used as subject)

A three-legged puppy was found at the corner of the street last week. (Noun phrase used as subject)

My father bought my brother a smart watch for his birthday. (Noun phrase used as object)

We finally visited the well-known museum of arts today. (Noun phrase used as object)

Examples of Noun Phrases Containing an Article, a Noun and a Prepositional Phrase

The building near the bus stand was taken down in order to expand the roads. (Noun phrase used as subject)

The hypermarket at the end of the street is being renovated. (Noun phrase used as subject)

Did you meet the boy from London? (Noun phrase used as object)

Nobody seemed to know the way to the passport office. (Noun phrase used as object)

Examples of Noun Phrases Containing a Determiner and a Noun

These books belong to Suman. (Noun phrase used as subject)

That building is where I live. (Noun phrase used as subject)

What are you going to do with those oranges? (Noun phrase used as object)

Are you thinking of buying this dress? (Noun phrase used as object)

Check Your Understanding of Noun Phrases

Now that you have gone through a number of examples and seen the different ways in which noun phrases are formed and used, why not check how far you have understood the same?

Try out the following exercise. Go through the sentences given below and identify the noun phrase and also state if the noun phrase is used as a subject or an object.

1. Have you ever visited Paris or Spain?

2. Teena and Anu are my cousins.

3. Did you find the two-storeyed building on the fifth street?

4. Pasta and momos seem to be my mom's newly-found comfort food.

5. Nina helped her sister in finding the missing word in the crossword puzzle.

6. Did you find the answer to the question?

7. Those shoes are torn; I don't think I can use them anymore.

8. Adwaith and Sonia will be moving to Germany next year.

9. Christan was not able to finish the box of chocolates.

10. Do you know who was looking for this bag?

Have you identified the noun phrases? Check the answers given below to see if you have identified them correctly.

1. Have you ever visited Paris or Spain? - Object

2. Teena and Anu are my cousins. - Subject

3. Did you find the two-storeyed building on the fifth street? - Object

4. Pasta and momos seem to be my mom's newly-found comfort food. - Subject

5. Nina helped her sister in finding the missing word in the crossword puzzle. - Object

6. Did you find the answer to the question? - Object

7. Those shoes are torn; I don't think I can use them anymore. - Subject

8. Adwaith and Sonia will be moving to Germany next year. - Subject

9. Christan was not able to finish the box of chocolates. - Object

10. Do you know who was looking for this bag? - Object

Frequently Asked Questions on Noun Phrases in English

What is a noun phrase?

A noun phrase, as the term suggests, is a group of two or more words that functions like a noun when put together. A noun phrase can take the place of a subject or an object.

What is the definition of a noun phrase?

According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, a noun phrase is defined as "a word or group of words in a sentence that behaves in the same way as a noun, that is as a subject, an object, a complement, or as the object of a preposition." The Cambridge Dictionary defines a noun phrase as "a group of words in a sentence that together behave as a noun", and according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a noun phrase is "a phrase formed by a noun and all its modifiers and determiners" and "any syntactic element (such as a clause, clitic, pronoun, or zero element) with a noun's function (such as the subject of a verb or the object of a verb or preposition)".

What are the components of a noun phrase?

A noun phrase can contain multiple nouns, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositional phrases, gerunds, adverbs, adjectives, articles and determiners.

Give some examples of sentences containing noun phrases.

Given below are a few examples of sentences containing noun phrases for your

reference.

The building near the bus stand was taken down in order to expand the roads.

A three-legged puppy was found at the corner of the street last week.

The only thing my brother does not like to do is solving trigonometric equations.

Most students find science and maths more interesting than history and geography.

These books belong to Suman.

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Noun Phrase - Explore What It Is, How to Use Them and Examples

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Noun phrase: Do you know what a noun phrase is? Check out the article to learn the meaning, definition, components and usage of a noun phrase. Go through the examples and try out the practice questions for a deeper understanding of the same.

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Adjective phrase is a phrase that acts as an adjective by describing a noun.

Example: After shopping around for months, I finally found a reliable, yet affordable, used truck.

*We can delete the adjective phrase, and the sentence's meaning would stay the same

Examples of adj phrases:-

1. Incorporate comparative and superlative adjectives:

They saw only the brightest stars through their telescope.

2. Compound adjectives are often part of adjective phrases:-

The playlist was too slow-paced for the crowd that night.

3. Contain adverbs:-

It was a deliciously sensational play.

4. Incorporate prepositions:-

My old, slow, gas-guzzling minivan finally died.

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Adjective Phrase: Definition & Examples | Grammarly Blog

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Adjective phrases are one of the many kinds of phrases you use in your speech and writing every day. With adjectives, you describe nouns. With adjective phrases, you describe adjectives. Ultimately, adjective phrases provide more vivid descriptions for nouns and create richer sentences.

What is an adjective phrase?

To really understand what an adjective phrase is, let's break it down.

A is a group of words that's not a sentence but expresses a coherent idea. They fit into sentences to provide context and clarity. Here are a few quick examples of phrases:

An is a word that describes a noun. Adjectives include:

An adjective phrase is a phrase that contains an adjective, but there's more to it than that-as a whole, an adjective phrase is a phrase that acts as an adjective by describing a noun. Take a look at the bolded adjective phrases in these sentences:

As you see in these examples, an adjective phrase can go before or after the noun it's ultimately describing.

How to identify adjective phrases

When you need to pick out an adjective phrase in a sentence, look for the noun first. Identify who or what the sentence is about. Let's use this sentence as an example:
After shopping around for months, I finally found a reliable, yet affordable, used truck.
There are two nouns in this sentence: the speaker and the truck. Next, look for adjectives-the words that modify these nouns. In our example sentence, only one noun, the truck, is described: It's a truck.

But if you look a little closer, you'll see that it isn't just a used truck-more specifically, it's a reliable, yet affordable, used truck. The phrase "reliable, yet affordable, used" is an adjective phrase because it provides descriptive details about the noun "truck."

We could delete this adjective phrase, and the sentence's meaning would stay the same: After months of shopping, I finally found a used truck. But by including the full phrase, we're more deeply describing the exact kind of truck the speaker wanted, giving context for why they shopped around for so long.

Look for phrases that could be cut from their sentences without changing their meaning, but remain because they provide valuable context. Here are a few more bolded adjective phrases that serve this purpose:

I didn't enjoy the book because it was too long and convoluted for me to follow.

By design, an adjective phrase contains multiple words. As you can see from the examples above, more than one of them may be adjectives. When you're looking for an adjective phrase in a sentence, look for words that follow the Royal Order of Adjectives, the standard order English adjectives follow in sentences . Although you might not consciously think about the order adjectives need to follow in a sentence, you'll notice when they're out of order because the sentence will sound wrong.

Examples of adjective phrases

Adjective phrases come in many different forms. Some incorporate comparative and superlative adjectives , such as these examples:

Compound adjectives are often part of adjective phrases, too:

Adjective phrases can contain adverbs:

And they can incorporate prepositions:

Sometimes, an adjective phrase is just a series of adjectives:

No matter what an adjective phrase contains or where it appears in a sentence, it always makes the sentence more descriptive without changing the sentence's core meaning.

What's the difference between adjective phrases and adjective clauses?

A phrase is a group of words that can't stand on its own as a sentence because it doesn't have a subject and a predicate. A clause, on the other hand, contain a subject and a predicate and in some cases stand on its own as a sentence.

Adjective clauses and adjective phrases largely play the same role: to describe a noun. But while an adjective phrase is simply a few additional words that "bulk up" an adjective, an adjective clause reiterates the noun. Often, an adjective clause does this with a .

Here are a few examples of adjective clauses bolded within sentences:

In contrast, here are these same sentences with adjective phrases swapped in for the adjective clauses:

Perpetually hat-wearing Niko P. won't be joining us this year.

Adjective phrase FAQs

What is an adjective phrase?

An adjective phrase is a phrase that's headed by an adjective and provides context, clarity, or details that support that adjective.

How do you identify an adjective phrase?

To find an adjective phrase within a sentence, locate the adjective and then determine which words are describing or adding meaning to the adjective.

What is an example of an adjective phrase?

Here are three:

Communicate with confidence

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Adjective phrases are one of the many kinds of phrases you use in your speech and writing every day. With adjectives, you describe...

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An adverb phrase (or adverbial phrase) is any phrase that acts as an adverb in a sentence. It provides more information about the verb, adjective, or adverb that it modifies by answering how, where, when, why, or to what degree an action has occurred.

Example: The man ran as quickly as possible down the street.

The adverb phrase "as quickly as possible" provide additional context to how the man ran. Again, adverb modifies verb.

Types of adverb phrases:-

1. Adverb phrases of time: Tell us when something happens/how often.

Example: She goes to school every day.

2. Adverb phrase of place: Tell us where something took place.

Example: He was dancing on the table.

3. Adverb phrases of manner: Tell us how something happens or is done.

Example: She was painting very carefully.

4. Adverb phrases of reason: Tell us why something is happening.

Example: He kissed her head to show his love.

5. Adverb phrases format (3):

1. Prepositional phrases: A phrase consisting of a preposition and its object.

Example: I slid my bag across the table.

2. Infinitive phrases: one that begins with the infinitive form of a verb (containing the word 'to' e.g. 'to swim', 'to run').

Example: She went to Italy to learn how to cook pasta.

3. Adverb + intensifier phrases: Intensifier is a word we can place in front of adj or adv to make it stronger.

Example: He wrote in the card very carefully.

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Phrases are an essential part of the English language and are the building blocks of all sentences. There are five main types of phrases in English: noun phrases, adjective phrases, verb phrases, adverb phrases, and prepositional phrases. Adverb phrases are an often-overlooked part of English grammar, but they play a crucial role in providing more information about how, when, where, or to what extent an action took place.

From simple two-word adverb phrase examples like 'very quickly' to more complex phrases like 'in a manner consistent with his beliefs,' adverb phrases can add depth and nuance to our language.

Adverb definition

Before we dive straight into adverb phrases, let's first look at adverbs and how they work.

An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb by providing additional information.

The word 'quickly' is an adverb e.g. 'The man ran quickly down the street'. The adverb 'quickly' provides additional information about how the man was running.

As a general rule, adverbs will be an adjective + the letters 'ly' e.g. ' thoughtfully'. This isn't always the case, but it's a good tip to remember!

Now, let's explore how a group of words can provide additional information to a sentence, in the same way the adverb in the previous example did.

What is an adverb phrase?

An adverb phrase (or adverbial phrase) is any phrase that acts as an adverb in a sentence. It provides more information about the verb, adjective, or adverb that it modifies by answering how, where, when, why, or to what degree an action has occurred.

An example of an adverb phrase is:

The man ran as quickly as possible down the street.

The adverb phrase ' as quickly as possible' provides context to how the man ran. The adverb phrase modifies the verb 'ran' by providing additional context.

Adverb phrase examples

Here are a few more examples of adverb phrases:

I speak to Jane all the time.

' All the time' is an adverbial phrase because it modifies the verb 'speak', describing how frequently the action occurs.

A few weeks ago, James came over.

'A few weeks ago' is an adverbial phrase because it modifies the verb 'came', describing when the action occurred.

I went to the library to find out more.

'To find out more' is an adverbial phrase because it modifies the verb 'went', describing why the action occurred. This is also an example of an infinitive phrase acting as an adverbial phrase.

An infinitive phrase is a group of words containing an infinitive (to + verb).

My friends sat as far away as necessary.

'As far away as necessary' is an adverbial phrase because it modifies the verb 'sat', describing where the action occurred.

Types of adverb phrases

Adverb phrases can be categorised based on the extra information they provide. There are four main types of adverb phrases: a dverb phrases of time, adverb phrases of place, adverb phrases of manner, and adverb phrases of reason.

Adverb phrases of time

Adverb phrases of time tell us when something happens/happened or how often.

Adverb phrases of place

Adverb phrases of place tell us where something takes/took place.

Adverb phrases of manner

Adverb phrases of manner tell us how something happens or is done.

Adverb phrases of reason

Adverb phrases of reason tell us why something is happening'/happened.

Adverb phrases format

There are a few different ways we can form adverbial phrases, and there is no set rule. However, there are three common ways we can look at today; they are prepositional phrases, infinitive phrases, and adverb + intensifier phrases.

Prepositional phrases

A prepositional phrase is a phrase consisting of a preposition (e.g. i n, on, under, next to, across, in front of) and its object.

I slid my bag across the table.

In this example, 'across' is the preposition, and 'the table' is the object of the preposition. The prepositional phrase is acting as an adverbial phrase by providing information about where the bag (noun) is being slid (verb).

Infinitive phrases

An infinitive phrase is one that begins with the infinitive form of a verb (containing the word 'to' e.g. 'to swim', 'to run').

She went to Italy to learn how to cook pasta.

In this example, the infinitive phrase 'to learn how to cook pasta' is working as an adverb phrase of reason as it tells us why she moved to Italy.

Adverb + intensifier phrases

We can also create adverb phrases using an adverb (e.g. quickly, slowly, carefully) plus an intensifier. An intensifier is a word we can place in front of an adjective or adverb to make it stronger.

He wrote in the card very carefully.

Adverb phrases or adverb clauses?

Let's compare adverbial phrases with adverbial clauses.

We now know that an adverbial phrase is a group of words that act as an adverb in a sentence by answering how, where, when, why, or to what degree an action has occurred.

Adverbial clauses are similar to adverbial phrases. However, there are some key differences.

Adverb Clauses

What distinguishes clauses from phrases is this subject-verb element. Phrases do not have to contain a subject and a verb, whereas adverb clauses do.

An adverb clause is any clause that acts as an adverb in a sentence. The clause modifies the verb, adjective or adverb by answering how, where, when, why, or to what degree an action has occurred.

Clause: A clause is a group of words with both a subject and a verb.

Here is an adverb clause example similar to the first adverb phrase example:

The man ran as if his life depended on it down the street.

The adverb clause 'as if his life depended on it' provides information about how the man ran, while also containing a subject ( life) and a verb ( depended).

What separates an adverb clause from other types of clauses is that it is a dependent clause, meaning it cannot exist on its own as a complete sentence.

Adverb clause examples

Like adverb phrases, adverb clauses can be categorised by the information they provide. Some of the examples of how adverb clauses are used include:

How an action is performed:

She spilled the food despite carrying the box as carefully as possible.

How frequently an action is performed:

John went to his mother's once a week to spend time with her.

When an action is performed:

You can go to the party as soon as you finish your homework.

Why an action is performed:

They were both hungry because I had gone out to dinner without them.

Where an action happens:

I will show you the room you will be sleeping in tonight.

If a group of words acting as an adverb does not contain both a subject and a verb, then it is an adverb phrase. If the group of words does contain a subject and verb, it is an adverb clause.

Adverb Phrase - Key takeaways

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Discover the differences and examples of adverb phrases, groups of words that function as adverbs in a sentence, to master english grammar

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What are non finite clause?

Non-finite clause are clauses that do not have a finite verb, meaning they are not limited by tense and do not contain a subject.

They are subordinate clauses that do not express a complete thought and cannot function as a sentence on their own.

Non-finite clauses are used to indicate conditions, concession, purposes, reasons, and manners.

Non-finite clauses can serve five different functions in a sentence:

1. subject

2. direct object

3. object complement

4. subject complement

5. adverbial

There are different types of non-finite clause:

1. to-infinitive

2. bare-infinite

Let's dive into explanation for better understanding.

1. to-infinitive:

Using to-infinitives in non-finite clauses is a common way to express purpose, intention, or obligation in English.

To-infinitive clauses can function as the subject, object, complement, or modifier in a sentence

Example: I bought a present for you to apologise. (indicates purpose)

I have got work to do. (indicates necessity)

2. bare-infinitive:

A bare infinitive is a verb form that is used without the word “to”. It is also known as a bare verb or a bare-infinitive. For example, the verb “go” is a bare infinitive, whereas the verb “to go” is a to-infinitive.

Example: I do go to the store. (go is the bare-infinitive)

indicate that someone caused or helped to do something.

to show the manner in which something was done.

More examples: They helped clean the house.

I made him forget the ice cream by buying him a cotton candy.

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“Non-finite Clauses” in English Grammar 🇬🇧 LanGeek

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In this lesson we learn about non-finite clauses, which are essential groups of words that contain a verb form that does not show tense and do not act as the main verb in a sentence. Clear explanations and practice exercises to help you learn.

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A participial clause can be present participial or past participial clause. (They’re better known as participial phrase.) In a sentence, it functions as an adjective or adverb.

Examples:

Josh had palpitations while addressing the meeting. [Present Participial clause functioning as adverb]

Although groomed in the best possible way, the tycoon’s son struggled to take the business any further. [Past Participial clause functioning as adverb]

Look around and you’ll find many flatterers indulging in insincere praise for selfish motives. [Present Participial clause functioning as adjective]

Steve Jobs, credited with changing the fortune of Apple, made quite a few comebacks in his life. [Past Participial clause functioning as adjective]

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Non-finite clauses (with relative clauses)

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Non-finite clauses (with relative clauses)

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When the subject of a relative clause is the same as the subject of the main clause, the relative clause can be used as a non-finite clause.

Example:

The girl crying out loud is my classmate. (non-finite)

The girl who is crying out loud is my classmate. (finite)

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Finite clauses must contain a verb which shows tense.

Finite clauses can be main clauses (independent clause) or subordinate clauses(dependent clause).

Example: I spoke to Joanne last night. (past)

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When learning the basic sentence patterns, the SV/SIV pattern is the simplest sentence type because it only contains a subject and an intransitive verb.

What is intransitive verb?

Intransitive verb is a verb that do not need a direct object. For example, dance and sleep.

*This sentence pattern uses verbs that are in the base form and doesn’t need supporting information. This means that the thought of the sentence was already completed by the action of the verb.

Example:

1. She swims.

2. The book fell.

3. Evil exists.

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5 Basic Sentence Patterns in English: Rules and Structures You Must Know

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There are 5 basic sentence patterns in English you must know. Sentence patterns refer to the general order of words in the sentence. . .

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In this pattern the obligatory elements are the subject, the verb and the object.

In principle any type of word can be the object. But most commonly nouns take the position of objects.

How to differentiate between nouns as complements (see Pattern 3 ) and nouns as objects??

Nouns coming after ‘be’ or ‘become’ type verbs are complements, while nouns coming after other types of verbs are usually objects.

Use the 'test of passivisation". When you change a sentence into a passive form, the noun as the object will become the subject in the passive.

Example: The car(S) hit(V) the truck(O).

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The obligatory elements in this pattern include a complement in addition to the subject, the verb and an object.

This sentence pattern can also be identified as Subject-Linking Verb-Complement (S-LV-C). Linking verbs are the types of verbs that join the subject with an adjective or another noun. Some commonly used linking verbs include be, am, are, is, was, were, and seem.

What is complement?

A complement in grammar is a word, phrase, or clause that provides

additional information about the subject or the object in a sentence.

*The complement in this sentence pattern refers to the subject.

Example: She(S) looks(V) happy(C).

The complement "happy" refers to the subject "She".

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5 Basic Sentence Patterns in English: Rules and Structures You Must Know

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There are 5 basic sentence patterns in English you must know. Sentence patterns refer to the general order of words in the sentence. . .

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This sentence pattern includes a subject, transitive verb, direct object, and an objective complement.

Unlike subjective complements, objective complements describe a direct object.

The object complement in this sentence pattern refers to a specific description of the direct object being done by the subject, with the use of the verb. Generally, the Objective Complement in this pattern could be a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

Examples:

1. She(S) called(V) the boy(DO) attractive(C).

The complement attractive refers to the direct object "the boy".

2. They(S) painted(V) the house(DO) blue(C).

The complement blue refers to the direct object "the house".

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5 Basic Sentence Patterns in English: Rules and Structures You Must Know

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There are 5 basic sentence patterns in English you must know. Sentence patterns refer to the general order of words in the sentence. . .

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The obligatory elements in this pattern include two objects together with the subject and the verb.

One of the objects is considered the direct object and the other the indirect object. It is easy to identify the two objects. The object following a preposition is the indirect object. If there are no prepositions, then the first object after the verb is the indirect object. In other words, if the positions of the two objects are interchanged, the indirect object loses or gets a preposition.

Examples:

1. The woman(S) gives(V) the children(IO) useful gifts(DO).

2. She(S) sent(V) me(IO) some flowers(DO).

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What is the difference between direct object and indirect object?

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What is the difference between direct object and indirect object?

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Direct object: A direct object takes or receives the action of the verb.To put it simple, the subject of the sentence acts on the direct object.

Example: Matt eats pizza. (Pizza is the direct object)

Indirect object: An indirect object tells us to whom or for whom an action is done. To understand this concept, we need to come up with a longer sentence.

Example: Matt cuts the pizza(DO) for Nate(IO).

Pizza is the direct object because it takes the action of the verb.

Nate is the indirect object because it tells us for whom the action is done.

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In English, our sentences usually operate using a similar pattern: subject, verb, then object. The nice part about this type of structure is that it lets your reader easily know who is doing the action and what the outcome of the action is.

A subject performs the action in a sentence.

For instance, in the sentence, "Matt eats pizza," Matt is the subject because he is the one eating the pizza.

A verb is a word that usually indicates some type of action. There are two basic types of verbs in English: action verbs and linking verbs. An action verb represents something the subject of a sentence does, whereas a linking verb connects the subject to a specific state of being. In other words, a linking verb describes a subject instead of expressing an action. Linking verbs are also known at state of being verbs, and the most common one in English is the verb to be.

If we consider the above sentence, "Matt eats pizza," the verb is eats, which is an action verb because it tells us what Matt does - he eats.

In this sentence, "Matt is hungry," our verb is, which is a form of to be, a linking verb. Notice how Matt does not do anything in this sentence. Instead, the verb is describes how Matt feels - hungry. Is links Matt with hunger.

An object usually appears after the verb. There are two types of objects in the English language: direct and indirect.

A direct object takes or receives the action of the verb. In other words, the subject of the sentence acts on the direct object.
The direct object in our sample sentence "Matt eats pizza" is pizza. Matt eats what? Pizza.

An indirect object tells us to whom or for whom an action is done. To understand this concept, we need to come up with a longer sentence.

Our new sample sentence will be, "Matt cuts the pizza for Nate." In this sentence, our subject is Matt, our verb is cuts, the direct object is the pizza, and our indirect object is Nate. The pizza is cut for whom? Nate because Matt cuts the pizza for him.

So, remember, this is the basic pattern of an English sentence: SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT.
Contributor: Matthew Baker

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Basic Sentence Pattern in English | University Writing & Speaking Center

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In English, sentences usually operate using a similar pattern: subject, verb, then object. Learn more about this structure and its components.

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SVA stands for subject-verb-adverbial. Adverbial is like a helper that gives you extra information about how, when, where or why something happens in your story.

Example: The cat(S) purred(V) happily(A).

What is the difference between adverbs and adverbials?

Adverb: A type of word or part of speech that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or another adverb.

Adverbial: A sentence element or functional category. It is a part of a sentence that performs a certain function.

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In English grammar, an adverbial is an individual word (that is, an adverb), a phrase (an adverbial phrase), or a clause (an adverbial clause) that can modify a verb, an adjective, or a complete sentence.

Like almost any adverb, an adverbial can appear in many different positions in a sentence.

Examples and Observations

My sister usually visits on Sundays.

When she isn't working, my sister visits on Sundays.

My sister visits on Sundays when she isn't working.

The Difference Between Adverbs and Adverbials

"Adverbs and adverbials are similar but not the same. Though they share the same modifying function, their characters are different. An adverbial is a sentence element or functional category. It is a part of a sentence that performs a certain function. An adverb, on the other hand, is a type of word or part of speech. We can say that an adverb may serve as an adverbial, but an adverbial is not necessarily an adverb." (M. Strumpf and A. Douglas, The Grammar Bible. Owl, 2004)

"I want to [draw] a distinction between two terms: adverb and adverbial. The former term is a label for a syntactic category, covering familiar single-word items such as quickly, happily, and spontaneously. The latter term refers to a function. Linguistic elements that have this function include adverbs plus other linguistic elements such as phrases (on the table, at the bookstore, next week, last year, etc.) and clauses (e.g., after he saw the movie)." (Martin J. Endley, Linguistic Perspectives on English Grammar. Information Age, 2010)

Types of Adverbials

"[The class of adverbial] includes manner and degree adverbs (e.g. happily, clumsily, quickly, very), temporal adverbials (e.g. now, when, today), spatial adverbials (here, north, up, across), attitudinal adverbials (certainly, hopefully), modal adverbials (not, no, probably, etc.), expectation adverbials (only, even, again), and textual adverbials (firstly, finally)." (W. McGregor, Semiotic Grammar. Oxford University Press, 1997)

"In most cases when we talk about adverbial classes as classes exhibiting syntactic characteristics, the classes get a label that suggests a semantic basis of the classification. Picking randomly from different classifications and ordering them roughly from syntactically higher to lower adverbials, there are speaker-oriented speech act adverbials (frankly) and speaker-oriented evaluative ones (fortunately), evidential adverbials (evidently), epistemic adverbials (probably), domain adverbials (linguistically), subject-oriented or agent-oriented adverbials (deliberately), temporal adverbials (now), locative adverbials (here), quantificational adverbials (frequently), manner adverbials (slowly), degree adverbs (very), etc." (Jennifer R. Austin, Stefan Engelberg, and Gisa Rauh, "Current Issues in the Syntax and Semantics of Adverbials." Adverbials: The Interplay Between Meaning, Context, and Syntactic Structure, ed. by J.R. Austin et al. John Benjamins, 2004)

Placement of Adverbials

"In reality, adverbials are very free in their placement, appearing in different positions in the sentence, not just sentence final:

sentence initial-[Yesterday], I ran a marathon.

sentence final-I ran a marathon [yesterday].

preverbal-I [always] run well in the heat.

postverbal-I handed the baton [quickly] to the next runner.

within the verb group-I have [never] won a race.

The various types of adverbials behave differently, however; while all can occur sentence finally, time adverbials are acceptable sentence initially and sometimes preverbally, place adverbials are clumsy sentence initially, and manner adverbials frequently occur preverbally but are less good sentence initially. One position which is impossible for adverbials is between the verb and the direct object." (Laurel J. Brinton, The Structure of Modern English. John Benjamins, 2000)

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What Is an Adverbial in English Grammar?

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An adverbial is a word, phrase, or clause that performs the function of an adverb. These are examples and observations on their use.

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SVOA refers to subject-verb-object-adverbial. In this pattern, the adverbial comes after the object.

Example: The cat chased the mouse playfully.

(The adverbial ‘playfully’ comes after the object ‘the mouse’).

How to differentiate SVOA and SVOC?

We can detect its difference by looking at the forth element which in this case are adverbial and complement. Let’s take a look in detail:

Adverbial: Extra information about the action, such as how, when, where, or why.

Complement: Extra information that completes the meaning of the sentence.

Examples:

1) The cat chased the mouse playfully.

(The word ‘playfully’ here is an adverbial because it answer the question how the cat chased the mouse).

2) She painted the wall blue.

(The word blue here is a complement because it completes the sentence).

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Direct speech is a word-to-word repetition of what the speaker or writer has conveyed. In other words, it is a way in which you can report the exact words of the speaker.

Direct speech is used to convey something that is being said in the present or to tell someone about something that might happen.

Rules when using direct speech:

1. The first point that you have to remember is that direct speech is the repetition of the exact words of the speaker and so you do not have a choice to add or remove words to and from what is said.

2. For the same reason, these words spoken by the speaker have to be enclosed within quotation marks or speech marks.

3. When using direct speech, you can follow the formula given below.

Name of the speaker, ".........".

4. You can also use words like replied, asked, screamed, etc. to state what the speaker said according to the emotion in which it is being spoken.

5. Immediately after one of the above-mentioned verbs, add a comma followed by open quotation marks, the words of the speaker (capitalise the first letter of the first word) followed by a period, question mark or exclamation mark and the close quotation marks.

6. Also, make sure you close the quotation marks after the punctuation mark (full stop/question mark/exclamation mark).

7. Finally, keep in mind that you cannot change the words, or paraphrase what has been said by the speaker when you are using direct speech.

Examples:

1. Devi said, “I am teaching French for first year and second year college students.”

2. Freeda asked her brother, “Can you pick me up on your way home?”

3. “My friends are finally coming home this weekend," said Sheena.

4. The students replied, “We are ready!”

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In English grammar, the term 'speech' refers to the process of communicating or expressing one's thoughts. It is an exchange of ideas or even a conversation. There are two ways in which you can report speech - direct speech and indirect speech. Direct speech is used to report or rather repeat the words spoken by the speaker or writer in the way it is told by the speaker, whereas indirect speech is the way in which you convey what someone said to another person, not necessarily using the exact words of the speaker.

In this article, you will learn the meaning and definition of direct speech. Also, go through the rules to be followed when using the direct speech and the examples given to understand how to use them accurately.

Table of Contents

What is Direct Speech?

Direct speech is a word-to-word repetition of what the speaker or writer has conveyed. In other words, it is a way in which you can report the exact words of the speaker. Direct speech can be used to convey something that is being said in the present or to tell someone about something that is to happen at a later point of time. Let us now take a look at how various dictionaries define direct speech to further understand what it is.

Definition of Direct Speech

According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, direct speech is defined as "a speaker's actual words." According to the Cambridge Dictionary, "when you use direct speech, you repeat what someone has said using exactly the words they used." The Collins Dictionary defines direct speech as "speech which is reported by using the exact words that the speaker used" and according to the Macmillan Dictionary, direct speech is defined as "the exact words that someone has said."

Rules to be Followed When Using Direct Speech

Like every other grammar topic, there are rules to be followed when using direct speech. Let us look at each one of them to know how direct speech can be used accurately and effectively.

The first point that you have to remember is that direct speech is the repetition of the exact words of the speaker and so you do not have a choice to add or remove words to and from what is said.

For the same reason, these words spoken by the speaker have to be enclosed within quotation marks or speech marks.

When using direct speech, you can follow the formula given below.

Name of the speaker says/said, "Exact words of the speaker."

You can also use words like replied, asked, screamed, etc. to state what the speaker said according to the emotion in which it is being spoken.

Immediately after one of the above-mentioned verbs, add a comma followed by open quotation marks, the words of the speaker (capitalise the first letter of the first word) followed by a period, question mark or exclamation mark and the close quotation marks.

Also, make sure you close the quotation marks after the punctuation mark (full stop/question mark/exclamation mark).

Finally, keep in mind that you cannot change the words, or paraphrase what has been said by the speaker when you are using direct speech.

Tips to Practise Direct Speech

You can become an expert in using direct speech if you practise well. Here are some ways you can do it.

Try reading short stories and converting it into a dialogue. Change the lines of every character into direct speech.

Write a story on your own. Use direct speech to convey all the dialogues.

Narrate or write about an incident or a day in your life using direct speech.

Examples of Direct Speech

Now that you know the rules to be followed, take a look at the following examples to have a better idea of how it is done.

Devi said, "I am teaching French for first year and second year college students."

Freeda asked her brother, "Can you pick me up on your way home?"

"My friends are finally coming home this weekend", said Sheena.

The students replied, "We are ready!"

Gayatri siad, "My father has been working as a doctor for ten years. "

"What are you going to do with the broken mirror?", asked Mridula.

Carol said, "I have planned to wear a grey dress for the prom."

The teacher says, "You have to make your submissions before 8 a.m. on Monday."

The little boy said excitedly, "That was wonderful!"

Maduri said, sitting on the sofa, "I am really happy I finally took time to come see you."

Test Your Understanding of Direct Speech

Rearrange the following sentences to form direct speech and punctuate them appropriately.

1. vishal / my / is / in / brother / participating / race / said / the / running

2. asked / i / devi / like / maths / problems / solving / free time/ your / in / do / you

3. friends / said / wearing / we / my / are / red / for / dresses / wedding / the / reception

4. responded / teacher / nobody / when / have / completed / the / you / project / many / of / how / asked / the

5. reach / says / tonight / bangalore / he / will / i

6. guest / the / danced / children / the / chief / said / beautifully

7. mom / Finn's / they / all / said / singing / favourite / are / songs / his

8. Bellas / susan / are / the / said / live / performing / world / the / acapella / at / raiser / curtain

9. love / father / said / i / my / you

10. sing / asked / you / with / maria / her / me / will

Now, if you finished rearranging the sentences, check if you have done it correctly from the answers given below.

1. Vishal said, "My brother is participating in the running race."

2. I asked Devi, "Do you like solving maths problems in your freetime?"

3. My friends said, "We are wearing red dresses for the wedding reception."

4. Nobody responded when the teacher asked, "How many of you have completed the project?"

5. He says, "I will reach Bangalore tonight."

6. The chief guest said, "The children danced beautifully."

7. Finn's mom said, "They are singing all his favourite songs."

8. "The Bellas are performing live at the World Acapella Curtain Raiser", said Susan.

9. My father said, "I love you."

10. Maria asked, "Will you sing with me?"

Frequently Asked Questions on Direct Speech in English

What is direct speech?

Direct speech is a word-to-word repetition of what the speaker or writer has conveyed. In other words, it is the way in which you report the exact words of the speaker. Direct speech can be used to convey something that is being said in the present or to tell someone at a later point of time.

What is the definition of direct speech?

According to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, direct speech is defined as "a speaker's actual words." According to the Cambridge Dictionary, "when you use direct speech, you repeat what someone has said using exactly the words they used." The Collins Dictionary defines direct speech as "speech which is reported by using the exact words that the speaker used" and according to the Macmillan Dictionary, direct speech is defined as "the exact words that someone has said."

What is the formula of direct speech?

When using direct speech, you can follow the formula given below.
Name of the speaker says/said, "Exact words of the speaker."

How do you punctuate the sentence when using direct speech?

Immediately after the phrase mentioning who said the particular sentence, add a comma followed by open quotation marks, the words of the speaker (capitalise the first letter of the first word) followed by a period, question mark or exclamation mark and the close quotation marks.

Give some examples of direct speech.

Here are a few examples of direct speech that you can refer to.

The teacher says, "You have to make your submissions before 8 a.m. on Monday."

The little boy said excitedly, "That was wonderful!"

Maduri said, sitting on the sofa, "I am really happy I finally took time to come see you."

Devi said, "I am teaching French for first year and second year college students."

Freeda asked her brother, "Can you pick me up on your way home?"

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What is Direct Speech? - Learn the Meaning, Definition, Rules and Usage with Examples

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Direct Speech: In this article, you will be introduced to direct speech, its meaning and definition. You will also learn the rules to be followed and how to use it correctly. Also, go through the examples for a much better understanding of the same.

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Reported speech puts the speaker's words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. In reported speech, the reader does not assume that the words are the speaker's exact words; often, they are a paraphrase of the speaker's words.

Verb tense that is used in reported speech:

When you are reporting about what someone said in the past, you usually shift back a verb tense from the tense the speaker used.

Example:

1. simple present to simple past:

"I am hungry". (Quotation)

She stated that she was hungry. (Reported speech)

2. Past to past perfect:

"I saw them leaving". (Quotation)

Aidan said that he had seen them leave. (Reported speech)

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There are two ways to report what someone says or thinks:

Direct Speech

Direct speech shows a person's exact words. Quotation marks ("....") are a sign that the words are the exact words that a person used.

Example

Hai asked, "Where are you going?"

Manny replied, "I'm going home."

Reported Speech

Reported speech puts the speaker's words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. Noun clauses are usually used. In reported speech, the reader does not assume that the words are the speaker's exact words; often, they are a paraphrase of the speaker's words.

Example

Hai asked Manny where he was going.

Manny said he was going home.

Note: Use of the word "that" is optional in reported speech. Both of the following sentences are correct:

The child said that they were lost.

The child said they were lost.

Verb Tense in Reported Speech

When you report what someone said in the past, you usually shift back a verb tense from the tense the speaker used. These are some examples of verb shifts:

simple present to simple past

past to past perfect

present perfect to past perfect

*If the reported information is still true, you may use the same tense.

Questions in Reported Speech

Word order: The word order in a reported question is the same as in a statement. The subject comes before the verb.

Question: Are you ready?

Statement: I am ready.

Question in reported speech: She wanted to know if I was ready.

Punctuation: If the sentence is a statement, end it with a period even if it contains a reported question.

Statement containing a reported question: She asked me what I thought of the book.

Question containing a reported question: Did she ask what you thought of the book?

Yes or No Questions

To change a yes/no question to a noun clause in reported speech, introduce the noun clause "if" or "whether." "Whether or not" may also be used.

Information Questions

To change an information question to a noun clause in reported speech, begin the noun clause with the question word and remember to use sentence word order.

Pronouns

The person who is reporting what someone said is usually different from the person who made the original statement. As a result, pronouns in reported speech often change.

Place and Time

Changes in the situation between direct and reported speech can result in changes to words indicating place and time.

Recommend and Suggest

The subjunctive, or base, form of the verb (no tense, without "to") is used in reported speech when the main verb is "recommend" or "suggest."

Infinitives

Infinitives (to + the simple form of the verb) may sometimes be used instead of noun clauses, especially in commands and in requests for action or permission.

Commands

Commands can be reported two ways:

A noun clause with a modal (usually "should")

An infinitive

Requests for Action or Permission

Requests for action or permission can be reported two ways:

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Direct Speech Direct speech shows a person's exact words. Quotation marks ("....") are a sign that the words are the exact words that a person used. Reported Speech Reported speech puts the speaker's words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. Noun clauses are usually used.

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Word order: The word order in a reported question is the same as in a statement. The subject comes before the verb.

Question: Are you ready?

Statement: I am ready.

Question in reported speech: She wanted to know if I was ready.

Punctuation: If the sentence is a statement, end it with a period even if it contains a reported question.

Statement containing a reported question: She asked me what I thought of the book.

Question containing a reported question: Did she ask what you thought of the book?

1. How about yes or no questions?

To change a yes/no question to a noun clause in reported speech, introduce the noun clause "if" or "whether." "Whether or not" may also be used.

Examples:

"Did you turn off the coffee pot?" (Quotation)

I asked Evelyn if she had turned off the coffee pot. (Reported speech)

2. Information questions:

To change an information question to a noun clause in reported speech, begin the noun clause with the question word and remember to use sentence word order.

Examples:

"Where do they live?" (Quotation)

Abdul wanted to know where they live. (Reported speech)

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There are two ways to report what someone says or thinks:

Direct Speech

Direct speech shows a person's exact words. Quotation marks ("....") are a sign that the words are the exact words that a person used.

Example

Hai asked, "Where are you going?"

Manny replied, "I'm going home."

Reported Speech

Reported speech puts the speaker's words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. Noun clauses are usually used. In reported speech, the reader does not assume that the words are the speaker's exact words; often, they are a paraphrase of the speaker's words.

Example

Hai asked Manny where he was going.

Manny said he was going home.

Note: Use of the word "that" is optional in reported speech. Both of the following sentences are correct:

The child said that they were lost.

The child said they were lost.

Verb Tense in Reported Speech

When you report what someone said in the past, you usually shift back a verb tense from the tense the speaker used. These are some examples of verb shifts:

simple present to simple past

past to past perfect

present perfect to past perfect

*If the reported information is still true, you may use the same tense.

Questions in Reported Speech

Word order: The word order in a reported question is the same as in a statement. The subject comes before the verb.

Question: Are you ready?

Statement: I am ready.

Question in reported speech: She wanted to know if I was ready.

Punctuation: If the sentence is a statement, end it with a period even if it contains a reported question.

Statement containing a reported question: She asked me what I thought of the book.

Question containing a reported question: Did she ask what you thought of the book?

Yes or No Questions

To change a yes/no question to a noun clause in reported speech, introduce the noun clause "if" or "whether." "Whether or not" may also be used.

Information Questions

To change an information question to a noun clause in reported speech, begin the noun clause with the question word and remember to use sentence word order.

Pronouns

The person who is reporting what someone said is usually different from the person who made the original statement. As a result, pronouns in reported speech often change.

Place and Time

Changes in the situation between direct and reported speech can result in changes to words indicating place and time.

Recommend and Suggest

The subjunctive, or base, form of the verb (no tense, without "to") is used in reported speech when the main verb is "recommend" or "suggest."

Infinitives

Infinitives (to + the simple form of the verb) may sometimes be used instead of noun clauses, especially in commands and in requests for action or permission.

Commands

Commands can be reported two ways:

A noun clause with a modal (usually "should")

An infinitive

Requests for Action or Permission

Requests for action or permission can be reported two ways:

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Direct Speech Direct speech shows a person's exact words. Quotation marks ("....") are a sign that the words are the exact words that a person used. Reported Speech Reported speech puts the speaker's words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. Noun clauses are usually used.

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The subjunctive, or base, form of the verb (no tense, without "to") is used in reported speech when the main verb is "recommend" or "suggest."

Examples:

"You should arrive early" (Quotation)

Alex recommended that we arrive early. (Reported speech)

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There are two ways to report what someone says or thinks:

Direct Speech

Direct speech shows a person's exact words. Quotation marks ("....") are a sign that the words are the exact words that a person used.

Example

Hai asked, "Where are you going?"

Manny replied, "I'm going home."

Reported Speech

Reported speech puts the speaker's words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. Noun clauses are usually used. In reported speech, the reader does not assume that the words are the speaker's exact words; often, they are a paraphrase of the speaker's words.

Example

Hai asked Manny where he was going.

Manny said he was going home.

Note: Use of the word "that" is optional in reported speech. Both of the following sentences are correct:

The child said that they were lost.

The child said they were lost.

Verb Tense in Reported Speech

When you report what someone said in the past, you usually shift back a verb tense from the tense the speaker used. These are some examples of verb shifts:

simple present to simple past

past to past perfect

present perfect to past perfect

*If the reported information is still true, you may use the same tense.

Questions in Reported Speech

Word order: The word order in a reported question is the same as in a statement. The subject comes before the verb.

Question: Are you ready?

Statement: I am ready.

Question in reported speech: She wanted to know if I was ready.

Punctuation: If the sentence is a statement, end it with a period even if it contains a reported question.

Statement containing a reported question: She asked me what I thought of the book.

Question containing a reported question: Did she ask what you thought of the book?

Yes or No Questions

To change a yes/no question to a noun clause in reported speech, introduce the noun clause "if" or "whether." "Whether or not" may also be used.

Information Questions

To change an information question to a noun clause in reported speech, begin the noun clause with the question word and remember to use sentence word order.

Pronouns

The person who is reporting what someone said is usually different from the person who made the original statement. As a result, pronouns in reported speech often change.

Place and Time

Changes in the situation between direct and reported speech can result in changes to words indicating place and time.

Recommend and Suggest

The subjunctive, or base, form of the verb (no tense, without "to") is used in reported speech when the main verb is "recommend" or "suggest."

Infinitives

Infinitives (to + the simple form of the verb) may sometimes be used instead of noun clauses, especially in commands and in requests for action or permission.

Commands

Commands can be reported two ways:

A noun clause with a modal (usually "should")

An infinitive

Requests for Action or Permission

Requests for action or permission can be reported two ways:

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Direct Speech Direct speech shows a person's exact words. Quotation marks ("....") are a sign that the words are the exact words that a person used. Reported Speech Reported speech puts the speaker's words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. Noun clauses are usually used.

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Requests for action or permission can be reported two ways:

A noun clause with "if"

An infinitive

Examples:

Action: "Will you carry the box for me?" (Quotation)

Reported speech: She asked if I would carry the box for her.

Permission: "Can I make an appointment?" (Quotation)

Reported speech: Durand asked to make an appointment.

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There are two ways to report what someone says or thinks:

Direct Speech

Direct speech shows a person's exact words. Quotation marks ("....") are a sign that the words are the exact words that a person used.

Example

Hai asked, "Where are you going?"

Manny replied, "I'm going home."

Reported Speech

Reported speech puts the speaker's words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. Noun clauses are usually used. In reported speech, the reader does not assume that the words are the speaker's exact words; often, they are a paraphrase of the speaker's words.

Example

Hai asked Manny where he was going.

Manny said he was going home.

Note: Use of the word "that" is optional in reported speech. Both of the following sentences are correct:

The child said that they were lost.

The child said they were lost.

Verb Tense in Reported Speech

When you report what someone said in the past, you usually shift back a verb tense from the tense the speaker used. These are some examples of verb shifts:

simple present to simple past

past to past perfect

present perfect to past perfect

*If the reported information is still true, you may use the same tense.

Questions in Reported Speech

Word order: The word order in a reported question is the same as in a statement. The subject comes before the verb.

Question: Are you ready?

Statement: I am ready.

Question in reported speech: She wanted to know if I was ready.

Punctuation: If the sentence is a statement, end it with a period even if it contains a reported question.

Statement containing a reported question: She asked me what I thought of the book.

Question containing a reported question: Did she ask what you thought of the book?

Yes or No Questions

To change a yes/no question to a noun clause in reported speech, introduce the noun clause "if" or "whether." "Whether or not" may also be used.

Information Questions

To change an information question to a noun clause in reported speech, begin the noun clause with the question word and remember to use sentence word order.

Pronouns

The person who is reporting what someone said is usually different from the person who made the original statement. As a result, pronouns in reported speech often change.

Place and Time

Changes in the situation between direct and reported speech can result in changes to words indicating place and time.

Recommend and Suggest

The subjunctive, or base, form of the verb (no tense, without "to") is used in reported speech when the main verb is "recommend" or "suggest."

Infinitives

Infinitives (to + the simple form of the verb) may sometimes be used instead of noun clauses, especially in commands and in requests for action or permission.

Commands

Commands can be reported two ways:

A noun clause with a modal (usually "should")

An infinitive

Requests for Action or Permission

Requests for action or permission can be reported two ways:

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Direct Speech Direct speech shows a person's exact words. Quotation marks ("....") are a sign that the words are the exact words that a person used. Reported Speech Reported speech puts the speaker's words or ideas into a sentence without quotation marks. Noun clauses are usually used.

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More informations (request in reported speech)

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More informations (request in reported speech)

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When someone asks another person to do something, that request is not reported like statements nor questions.  Instead, the request is shortened to: ask [person] to [base verb] plus the rest of the content.

DIRECT: “Could you kindly close the door please?” he said.
>> REPORTED: He asked me to close the door.

DIRECT: “Could you watch the children on Saturday?” Naomi asked.
>> REPORTED: Naomi asked me to watch the children on Saturday.

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Reported speech: When a speaker reports what someone else has said without quoting their exact words.

In reported speech, statements are indirect representations of what someone has said. There are some changes made when when we use reported speech. In contrast to direct speech, reported speech do not use the exact words of the speaker.

*When transforming a sentence from direct speech into reported speech, you will have to change the pronouns, tense and adverbs of time and place used by the speaker.

1. Change of pronouns:

I ------ He, she

Me ------ Him, her

We ------ They

Us ------ Them

You ------ He, she, they

You ------ I'm, her, them

My ------ His, her

Mine ------ His, hers

2. Change of adverbs of place and adverbs of time:

This ------ That

These ------ Those

Here ------ There

Now ------ Then

Today ------ That day

Tomorrow ------ The next day

3. Change of tense:

Simple present to simple past

Present continuous to past continuous

Present perfect to past perfect

Present perfect to past perfect continuous

Simple past to past perfect

4. Change of modal verbs:

Will ------ would

May ------ might

Can ------ could

Shall ------ should

Has/Have ------ Had

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Reported speech or indirect speech is the form of speech used to convey what was said by someone at some point of time. This article will help you with all that you need to know about reported speech, its meaning, definition, how and when to use them along with examples. Furthermore, try out the practice questions given to check how far you have understood the topic.

Table of Contents

What Is Reported Speech?

Reported speech is the form in which one can convey a message said by oneself or someone else, mostly in the past. It can also be said to be the third person view of what someone has said. In this form of speech, you need not use quotation marks as you are not quoting the exact words spoken by the speaker, but just conveying the message.

Now, take a look at the following dictionary definitions for a clearer idea of what it is.

Definition of Reported Speech

Reported speech, according to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, is defined as "a report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words." The Collins Dictionary defines reported speech as "speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person's actual words." According to the Cambridge Dictionary, reported speech is defined as "the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words." The Macmillan Dictionary defines reported speech as "the words that you use to report what someone else has said."

Rules to be Followed When Using Reported Speech

Reported speech is a little different from direct speech. As it has been discussed already, reported speech is used to tell what someone said and does not use the exact words of the speaker. Take a look at the following rules so that you can make use of reported speech effectively.

The first thing you have to keep in mind is that you need not use any quotation marks as you are not using the exact words of the speaker.

You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported speech.

Subject said that (report whatever the speaker said)

You can use verbs like said, asked, requested, ordered, complained, exclaimed, screamed, told, etc. If you are just reporting a declarative sentence, you can use verbs like told, said, etc. followed by 'that' and end the sentence with a full stop. When you are reporting interrogative sentences, you can use the verbs - enquired, inquired, asked, etc. and remove the question mark. In case you are reporting imperative sentences, you can use verbs like requested, commanded, pleaded, ordered, etc. If you are reporting exclamatory sentences, you can use the verb exclaimed and remove the exclamation mark. Remember that the structure of the sentences also changes accordingly.

Furthermore, keep in mind that the sentence structure, tense, pronouns, modal verbs, some specific adverbs of place and adverbs of time change when a sentence is transformed into indirect/reported speech.

Transforming Direct Speech into Reported Speech

As discussed earlier, when transforming a sentence from direct speech into reported speech, you will have to change the pronouns, tense and adverbs of time and place used by the speaker. Let us look at the following tables to see how they work.

Table 1 - Change of Pronouns

Table 2 - Change of Adverbs of Place and Adverbs of Time

Table 3 - Change of Tense

Table 4 - Change of Modal Verbs

Tips to Practise Reported Speech

Here are some tips you can follow to become a pro in using reported speech.

Select a play, a drama or a short story with dialogues and try transforming the sentences in direct speech into reported speech.

Write about an incident or speak about a day in your life using reported speech.

Develop a story by following prompts or on your own using reported speech.

Examples of Reported Speech

Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written. Check them out.

Santana said that she would be auditioning for the lead role in Funny Girl.

Blaine requested us to help him with the algebraic equations.

Karishma asked me if I knew where her car keys were.

The judges announced that the Warblers were the winners of the annual acapella competition.

Binsha assured that she would reach Bangalore by 8 p.m.

Kumar said that he had gone to the doctor the previous day.

Lakshmi asked Teena if she would accompany her to the railway station.

Jibin told me that he would help me out after lunch.

The police ordered everyone to leave from the bus stop immediately.

Rahul said that he was drawing a caricature.

Check Your Understanding of Reported Speech

Transform the following sentences into reported speech by making the necessary changes.

1. Rachel said, "I have an interview tomorrow."

2. Mahesh said, "What is he doing?"

3. Sherly said, "My daughter is playing the lead role in the skit."

4. Dinesh said, "It is a wonderful movie!"

5. Suresh said, "My son is getting married next month."

6. Preetha said, "Can you please help me with the invitations?"

7. Anna said, "I look forward to meeting you."

8. The teacher said, "Make sure you complete the homework before tomorrow."

9. Sylvester said, "I am not going to cry anymore."

10. Jade said, "My sister is moving to Los Angeles."

Now, find out if you have answered all of them correctly.

1. Rachel said that she had an interview the next day.

2. Mahesh asked what he was doing.

3. Sherly said that her daughter was playing the lead role in the skit.

4. Dinesh exclaimed that it was a wonderful movie.

5. Suresh said that his son was getting married the following month.

6. Preetha asked if I could help her with the invitations.

7. Anna said that she looked forward to meeting me.

8. The teacher told us to make sure we completed the homework before the next day.

9. Sylvester said that he was not going to cry anymore.

10. Jade said that his sister was moving to Los Angeles.

Frequently Asked Questions on Reported Speech in English

What is reported speech?

Reported speech is the form in which one can convey a message said by oneself or someone else, mostly in the past. It can also be said to be the third person view of what someone has said. In this form of speech, you need not use quotation marks as you are not quoting the exact words spoken by the speaker, but just conveying the message.

What is the definition of reported speech?

Reported speech, according to the Oxford Learner's Dictionary, is defined as "a report of what somebody has said that does not use their exact words." The Collins Dictionary defines reported speech as "speech which tells you what someone said, but does not use the person's actual words." According to the Cambridge Dictionary, reported speech is defined as "the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words." The Macmillan Dictionary defines reported speech as "the words that you use to report what someone else has said."

What is the formula of reported speech?

You can use the following formula to construct a sentence in the reported speech.
Subject said that (report whatever the speaker said)

Give some examples of reported speech.

Given below are a few examples to show you how reported speech can be written.

Santana said that she would be auditioning for the lead role in Funny Girl.

Blaine requested us to help him with the algebraic equations.

Karishma asked me if I knew where her car keys were.

The police ordered everyone to leave from the bus stop immediately.

Lakshmi asked Teena if she would accompany her to the railway station.

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Reported Speech - Definition, Rules and Usage with Examples

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Reported Speech: In this article, you will be introduced to reported speech, its meaning and definition, how and when to use it. You can also check out the examples given for a much better understanding of reported speech.

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When conveying advice given by someone else, changes are made to reflect the indirect nature of reporting. Generally, the verb "to advise" is often used in the reported verb.

Example:

1. Direct speech: She said, "You should study for the exam."

Reported speech: She advised me to study for the exam.

Key points here:

The reporting verb "advised" is commonly used.

The pronouns and verb tenses are adjusted accordingly.

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When reporting someone's intention or purpose, the reporting verb might include terms like "intend," "plan," or "aim."

Example:

Direct Speech: "I am going to visit my grandparents."

Reported Speech: She said that she intended to visit her grandparents.

Key Points:

The reporting verb reflects the intention or purpose, such as "intended," "planned," or "aimed."

Pronouns and verb tenses are adjusted as needed.

To conclude, changes are made accordingly to the situations.

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More understanding about reported speech

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More understanding about reported speech

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1. We often use backshift in reported speech.

'Backshift’ refers to the changes we make to the original verbs in indirect speech because time has passed between the moment of speaking and the time of the report.

Can we not use backshift?

Yes, in certain circumstances, we are allowed to not use backshift. We don’t need to change the tense in indirect speech if what a person said is still true or relevant or has not happened yet.

2. Typical errors:

The word order in indirect reports of wh-questions is the same as statement word order (subject + verb), not question word order:

She always asks me where [S] [V]I am going.

Not: She always asks me where am I going.

We don’t use a question mark when reporting wh-questions:

I asked him what he was doing.

Not: I asked him what he was doing?

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Reported speech: indirect speech - English Grammar Today - a reference to written and spoken English grammar and usage - Cambridge Dictionary

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Differences between direct speech and indirect speech

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Differences between direct speech and indirect speech

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1. Direct speech: We use direct speech when we simply repeat what someone says, putting the phrase between speech marks

Indirect speech: When we want to report what someone said without speech marks and without necessarily using exactly the same words.

2. Example:

Direct speech: He said, "I live in the city centre".

Indirect speech: He said he lived in the city centre.

3. Using 'say' or 'tell'.

As an alternative to using ‘say’ we can also use ‘tell’ (‘told’ in the past) in reported speech, but in this case you need to add the object pronoun. For example:

He told me he was going to call Alan.

4. Changing time expressions.

We need to change the time expressions when you are speaking about the past and the time reference no longer applies.

Direct speech: “I’m seeing my brother tomorrow.”

Indirect speech: She said she was seeing her brother the following day.

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There are many occasions in which we need to describe an event or action that happened, and very often that includes repeating what someone said. Such occasions can include a social situation as well as in a work email or presentation. In order to describe what people said there are two different types of speech - direct speech and indirect speech (or reported speech). Read on to find out more about these forms and improve your English storytelling skills.
Direct Speech

When we want to describe what someone said, one option is to use direct speech. We use direct speech when we simply repeat what someone says, putting the phrase between speech marks:

Paul came in and said, "I'm really hungry."

It is very common to see direct speech used in books or in a newspaper article. For example:

The local MP said, "We plan to make this city a safer place for everyone."

As you can see, with direct speech it is common to use the verb 'to say' ('said' in the past). But you can also find other verbs used to indicate direct speech such as 'ask', 'reply', and 'shout'. For example:

When Mrs Diaz opened the door, I asked, "Have you seen Lee?"

She replied, "No, I haven't seen him since lunchtime."

The boss was angry and shouted, "Why isn't he here? He hasn't finished that report yet!"

Indirect Speech

When we want to report what someone said without speech marks and without necessarily using exactly the same words, we can use indirect speech (also called reported speech). For example:

Direct speech: "We're quite cold in here."

Indirect speech: They say (that) they're cold.

When we report what someone says in the present simple, as in the above sentence, we normally don't change the tense, we simply change the subject. However, when we report things in the past, we usually change the tense by moving it one step back. For example, in the following sentence the present simple becomes the past simple in indirect speech:

Direct speech: "I have a new car."

Indirect speech: He said he had a new car.

All the other tenses follow a similar change in indirect speech. Here is an example for all the main tenses:

The same rule of moving the tenses one step back also applies to modal verbs. For example:

Using 'say' or 'tell'

As an alternative to using 'say' we can also use 'tell' ('told' in the past) in reported speech, but in this case you need to add the object pronoun. For example:

Changing Time Expressions

Sometimes it's necessary to change the time expressions when you report speech, especially when you are speaking about the past and the time reference no longer applies. For example:

Here are some other examples:

Reporting Questions

When you report a question you need to change the interrogative form into an affirmative sentence, putting the verb tense one step back, as with normal reported speech.

There are two types of questions that we can report - questions that have a yes/no response, and questions that begin with a question word like 'what', 'where', 'who' etc. When we report a yes/no question, we use 'if'. For example:

Direct speech: "Do they live here?"

Indirect speech: You asked me if they lived here.

As you can see, in the reported version of the question, 'do' is eliminated because it is no longer a question, and the verb 'live' becomes 'lived'.

For questions starting with question words like 'what', 'where', 'when', 'who', etc., we report the question using the question word but change the interrogative form to the affirmative form. For example:

Direct speech: "Where do they live?"

Indirect speech: You asked me where they lived.

Direct speech: "When are you leaving?"

Indirect speech: He asked us when we were leaving.

Direct speech: "How will they get here?"

When we report a question we normally use the verb 'ask'. As with the verb 'to tell', the verb 'to ask' is normally followed by an object pronoun, though it is possible to omit it.

Reporting Orders and Requests

When you give someone an order, you use the imperative form, which means using just the verb without a subject. For example:

To report an order we use 'tell' and the infinitive of the verb. For example:

When you make a request, you normally use words like 'can', 'could', or 'will'. For example:

"Could you call me back later?"

"Will you have a seat?"

"Can you not do that please?"

To report a request, we use the verb 'to ask' and the infinitive form of the verb. For example:

Now you've seen how we use direct and indirect speech, practice using them yourself. An excellent and easy way to see how they are used is by reading a short story in English or a news article online, because stories and articles contain many examples of reported speech.

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To describe what people said there are two types of speech - direct speech and indirect (or reported) speech. Learn more with these English exercises.

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1. Change the interrogative form into an affirmative sentence.

2. There are two types of questions that we can report:

Yes/no questions

-When we report a yes/no questions, we use "if".

-Example: You asked me if they lived here.

Questions that begin with a question word like what, where, who, etc.

we report the question using the question word but change the interrogative form to the affirmative form. For example:

-Direct speech: "Where do they live?"

-Indirect speech: You asked me where they lived.

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There are many occasions in which we need to describe an event or action that happened, and very often that includes repeating what someone said. Such occasions can include a social situation as well as in a work email or presentation. In order to describe what people said there are two different types of speech - direct speech and indirect speech (or reported speech). Read on to find out more about these forms and improve your English storytelling skills.
Direct Speech

When we want to describe what someone said, one option is to use direct speech. We use direct speech when we simply repeat what someone says, putting the phrase between speech marks:

Paul came in and said, "I'm really hungry."

It is very common to see direct speech used in books or in a newspaper article. For example:

The local MP said, "We plan to make this city a safer place for everyone."

As you can see, with direct speech it is common to use the verb 'to say' ('said' in the past). But you can also find other verbs used to indicate direct speech such as 'ask', 'reply', and 'shout'. For example:

When Mrs Diaz opened the door, I asked, "Have you seen Lee?"

She replied, "No, I haven't seen him since lunchtime."

The boss was angry and shouted, "Why isn't he here? He hasn't finished that report yet!"

Indirect Speech

When we want to report what someone said without speech marks and without necessarily using exactly the same words, we can use indirect speech (also called reported speech). For example:

Direct speech: "We're quite cold in here."

Indirect speech: They say (that) they're cold.

When we report what someone says in the present simple, as in the above sentence, we normally don't change the tense, we simply change the subject. However, when we report things in the past, we usually change the tense by moving it one step back. For example, in the following sentence the present simple becomes the past simple in indirect speech:

Direct speech: "I have a new car."

Indirect speech: He said he had a new car.

All the other tenses follow a similar change in indirect speech. Here is an example for all the main tenses:

The same rule of moving the tenses one step back also applies to modal verbs. For example:

Using 'say' or 'tell'

As an alternative to using 'say' we can also use 'tell' ('told' in the past) in reported speech, but in this case you need to add the object pronoun. For example:

Changing Time Expressions

Sometimes it's necessary to change the time expressions when you report speech, especially when you are speaking about the past and the time reference no longer applies. For example:

Here are some other examples:

Reporting Questions

When you report a question you need to change the interrogative form into an affirmative sentence, putting the verb tense one step back, as with normal reported speech.

There are two types of questions that we can report - questions that have a yes/no response, and questions that begin with a question word like 'what', 'where', 'who' etc. When we report a yes/no question, we use 'if'. For example:

Direct speech: "Do they live here?"

Indirect speech: You asked me if they lived here.

As you can see, in the reported version of the question, 'do' is eliminated because it is no longer a question, and the verb 'live' becomes 'lived'.

For questions starting with question words like 'what', 'where', 'when', 'who', etc., we report the question using the question word but change the interrogative form to the affirmative form. For example:

Direct speech: "Where do they live?"

Indirect speech: You asked me where they lived.

Direct speech: "When are you leaving?"

Indirect speech: He asked us when we were leaving.

Direct speech: "How will they get here?"

When we report a question we normally use the verb 'ask'. As with the verb 'to tell', the verb 'to ask' is normally followed by an object pronoun, though it is possible to omit it.

Reporting Orders and Requests

When you give someone an order, you use the imperative form, which means using just the verb without a subject. For example:

To report an order we use 'tell' and the infinitive of the verb. For example:

When you make a request, you normally use words like 'can', 'could', or 'will'. For example:

"Could you call me back later?"

"Will you have a seat?"

"Can you not do that please?"

To report a request, we use the verb 'to ask' and the infinitive form of the verb. For example:

Now you've seen how we use direct and indirect speech, practice using them yourself. An excellent and easy way to see how they are used is by reading a short story in English or a news article online, because stories and articles contain many examples of reported speech.

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To describe what people said there are two types of speech - direct speech and indirect (or reported) speech. Learn more with these English exercises.

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An independent clause is a clause that can stand alone as a sentence (i.e., it expresses a complete thought).

*Remember!! Every clause must have subject + verb

Example:

1. The patrol had spotted the sniper, who was hiding in an attic.

The patrol had spotted the sniper - An independent clause because the clause can stand on its own and have a complete thought.

2. When it rains, the daffodils bow their heads.

the daffodils bow their heads - An independent clause because the sentence can stand on its own and have a complete thought.

In conclusion, independent clause can stand on its own and have a complete thought.

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search our site by Craig Shrives

What Is an Independent Clause? (with Examples)

An independent clause is a clause that can stand alone as a sentence (i.e., it expresses a complete thought). A dependent clauses (or subordinate clause) is one that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence (i.e., it does not express a complete thought).

Remember that a clause has a subject and a verb.

Easy Examples of Dependent and Independent Clauses

In all the examples, the independent clauses are highlighted, and the dependent clauses aren't. Also, in each clause, the subject is underlined and the verb is in bold.

When it rains, the daffodils bow their heads.

Notice how the shaded clauses could all stand alone as sentences. They are independent clauses.

Here is a video summarizing this lesson on independent clauses:
Some Real-Life Examples of Dependent and Independent Clauses

If you've heard this story before, don't stop me, because I'd like to hear it again. (Groucho Marx)
imperative sentence), and the subject "you" is implied. We'll discuss the comma before "because" later.)
never Go, and darken my towels again. (Groucho Marx)
(These are both imperatives. The subject "you" is implied in both.)
Do not confuse clauses and phrases. The non-highlighted texts in the example below are not dependent clauses. (With no subjects and verbs, they're not clauses. They're adverbial phrases.)
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, . (Groucho Marx)

The Link between an Independent Clause and a Dependent Clauses

An independent clause is linked to a dependent clause with a subordinating conjunction (common ones are "after," "although," "as," "because," "before," "even if," "even though," "if," "provided," "rather than," "since," "so that," "than," "though," "unless," "until," "whether," "while," "how," "that," "what," "when," and "where") or a relative pronoun (common ones are "which," "who," "whom," "whose," "why," "whoever," and "whosever.") Look at these examples:

If I held you any closer, I would be on the other side of you. (Groucho Marx) (The dependent clause is linked to the independent one with the subordinating conjunction "if.") (The dependent clause is linked to the independent one with the relative pronoun "who.")
Dependent Clauses inside Independent Clauses. Grammarians are divided on whether a dependent clause can be a component of an independent clause. Some say yes, and some say no. The no-camp claims that a dependent clause must be linked with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun to an independent clause.
Whoever named it necking was a poor judge of anatomy. (Groucho Marx) (According to the yes-camp, "whoever named it necking" is a dependent clause despite being the subject of the independent clause.)
Types of Dependent Clause. Let's quickly look at dependent clauses. They can function as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.

Adjective Clause
I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. (Groucho Marx)
(The dependent clause "that would have me as a member" describes the club. It's an adjective clause.)

Adverbial Clause
I find television very educating. When it' s on, go into the other room and read a book. (Groucho Marx)
(The dependent clause "When it's on" modifies the verb "go." It is an adverbial clause.)

Noun Clause
A black cat crossing your path signifies that the animal is going somewhere. (Groucho Marx)
(According to the yes-camp, "that the animal is going somewhere" is a dependent clause despite being part of the independent clause.)

The Types of Sentence Structure. The number of independent clauses and dependent clauses in a sentence determines the sentence-structure type. There are four.

There's only one reason to care about independent and dependent clauses: comma placement.

There are three, well, four at a push, noteworthy points linked to comma placement.

(Point 1) Use a comma before an "and" that links two independent clauses.

If your "and" links two independent clauses, precede it with a comma. This rule does not apply only to "and." It applies to any coordinating conjunction (e.g., "but," "or"). Put another way, the rule is "use a comma before a conjunction that joins the independent clauses in a compound sentence."

Yesterday tomorrow I I'm going to be happy in it. have just today, and hasn't arrived yet. is dead, and (Groucho Marx)

in your case I never I will be glad to make an exception. forget a face, but (Groucho Marx)

I have a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it. (Groucho Marx)
(There is no comma before the "and" because "beat you over the head with it" is not an independent clause. This is a simple sentence, i.e., it's one independent clause with one subject.)
In Hollywood, brides keep the bouquets and throw away the groom. (Groucho Marx)
(There is no comma before the "and" because "throw away the groom" is not an independent clause.)

(Point 2) Use commas with nonessential dependent clauses that start with "who" or "which" (or any relative pronoun for that matter).

If a dependent clause functioning as an adjective is essential to specify its noun, it's not offset with commas. ( NB: In these examples, the dependent clauses are shaded.)

My sister who lives in London was arrested.

My sister, who lives in London, was arrested.

The first thing which which I neither time nor eternity can bring diminution to, began. My mind loses itself in these depths. can record concerning myself is that I was born. This life, (Groucho Marx)

Anyone who says he can see through women is missing a lot. (Groucho Marx)
(Here, the clause is essential to specify "anyone.")
When used to head an adjective dependent clause, "which" and "who" are relative pronouns. Such clauses are often called "relative clauses."
Remember that this rule does not apply only to "who" and "which." It applies to any relative pronoun (e.g., "whose," "why"). Read more about relative pronouns.

(Point 3) Use a comma after an adverbial dependent clause that sits before the independent clause. Don't use a comma before the clause if it follows the independent clause.

Using a comma after a fronted adverbial dependent clause is such a common style, it's becoming increasingly safe to call it a rule. The purpose of the comma is to aid reading. It shows your readers where the clause ends. Omitting a comma isn't a hideous crime (and lots of writers do it, even prefer it), but omitting the comma can cause your readers to stumble as they try to find the end of the dependent clause.

Can you read these without stumbling?

When the witch cooked her cat lurked by her feet.

While cleaning the water can steam.

Here are some examples with commas. ( NB: In these examples, the independent clauses are shaded.)

If it is meant to be, it will be.

Whenever I see you next, remind me not to talk to you. (Groucho Marx)

Before I speak, I have something important to say. (Groucho Marx)
(As the adverbial dependent clauses are at the front, they are offset with commas.)
With the clause at the back, there's no comma.

It will be if it is meant to be.

Remind me not to talk to you whenever I see you next.

I have something important to say before I speak.

(Point 4) There's more to Point 3.

Let's complicate the issue a bit. The rule that states "do not use a comma when the adverbial clause follows the independent clause" is not really the rule. In fact, the rule for post-positioned adverbial clauses is the same as for post-positioned adjective clauses (see Point 2). In other words, use a comma if the adverbial clause is nonessential. The problem is that it's way more difficult to decide whether an adverbial clause is essential or nonessential than it is with an adjective clause. As the vast majority of adverbial clauses are essential, it's pretty safe, but not entirely safe, to declare that a post-positioned adverbial clause isn't preceded by a comma.

This issue typically crops up with "because" that explains a negative.

Jack didn't win because he was the best player. He won because he paid the referee.

Jack didn't win, because he was the worst player.
(In this example, Jack lost, as you'd expect the worst player to.)
The comma distances the dependent clause from "didn't win." In the two examples above, the contexts make the meaning clear, but what about this example:

Jack didn't win because he was rich.

The take-away point here is that a comma before a post-positioned adverbial clause distances it from the verb in the independent clause. It makes the clause nonessential.

He died as you'd expect a young officer to.

He died, as you'd expect a young officer to.
(This could mean he died because he was useless or because it was statistically likely.)
If you ever find yourself relying on the comma before a post-positioned adverbial clause for clarity, don't. Reword.
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An independent clause is one that can stand alone as a sentence. An independent clause will typically include a subject and a verb and will express a complete idea. In the sentence 'He likes cakes but not pies,' the words 'He likes cakes' is an example of an independent clause.

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A dependent clause is a clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought.

A dependent clause supports the main clause of a sentence by adding to its meaning. Like any clause, a dependent clause has a subject and a verb.

Example:

The villagers lived happily until the wolves appeared.

Until the wolves appeared is a dependent clause because it is not a complete thought and cannot stand on its own.

In conclusion, a dependent clause cannot stand on its own and do not have a complete thought.

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Dependent Clause: Explanation and Examples

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A dependent clause is one that cannot stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause will function as an adjective, and adverb, or a noun. A dependent clause includes a subject and a verb in the clause.

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An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun.

The house where he was born has been made a national shrine. (adj. clause modifies house)

She is one who earned her honours. (adj. clause modifies one)

The assignment, which I did last week, received a grade of C.(adj. clause modifies assignment)

Key points:

1. Adjective clause follows noun.

2. Often start with relative pronouns (that, which, who, whom, whose).

Two kinds of relative clause:

1. Restrictive vs non-restrictive

2. Defining vs non-defining

Defining: Explain which person or thing you are talking about.

Example: I met the woman who lives next door.

Non-defining: Gives further info which is not needed to identify the person, thing, or group you are talking about.

Example: I saw Datuk Najib Tun Razak, who was visiting our college.

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A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun.

Ex:

1. Whoever wins the election will have many problems. (noun clause as a subject)

2. This is what she does. (noun clause as C)

3. Do you know what the score is?(noun clause as D.O.)

4. Here is a copy of what I said. (noun clause as object of preposition)

Key points:

1. A noun clause may begin with an indefinite relative pronoun: that, what, whatever, who, which, whoever, whichever.

2. A noun clause may begin with an indefinite relative adjective: whose, which, whichever.

3. A noun clause may begin with an indefinite relative adverb: where, when, how, etc.

Noun clause as subject: That it snowed surprised me.

Noun clause as subj complement: The question was how to

cross the bridge.

Noun clause as object of preposition: You give the drum to

whoever wants it.

summary: Noun clause can be subject, object, object of preposition,

complement, appositive.

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Adverb clause modify adjectives or other adverbs.

an adverb clause begin with a subordinating conjunction (after, as, even if, that, though, while, etc)

Adverb clauses modifying verbs can move around the sentence.

Example: Whenever it rains, my sister loves to jump in the puddles. / My sister loves to jump in the puddles whenever it rains.

Adverbs clauses modifying adj or adverbs must come after the word modified.

Example: Playing football is dangerous if you don't have the

right equipment.

Example: She is confident(adj) that she will win(AC). (modifies adj confident)

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Relative clause is a type of dependent clause that typically functions to provide additional information about a noun in the main clause.

Example: The woman who is wearing a red dress is my sister. ("who is wearing a red dress" is a relative clause providing additional information about the woman).

We use relative pronouns (who, which, whom, that, whose, etc) to introduce relative clauses.

Relative clauses tell us more about people and things.

There are two kind of relative clauses:

1. We use relative clauses to make clear which person or thing we are talking about:

This is the house which Jack built.

2. We also use relative clauses to give more information about a person, thing or situation:

Lord Thompson, who is 76, has just retired.

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The relative pronouns are:

We use relative pronouns to introduce relative clauses. Relative clauses tell us more about people and things:

Lord Thompson, who is 76, has just retired.
This is the housewhich Jack built.
Marie Curie is the womanthat discovered radium.

We use:

Two kinds of relative clause

There are two kinds of relative clause:

1. We use relative clauses to make clear which person or thing we are talking about:

Marie Curie is the woman who discovered radium.
This is the housewhich Jack built.

In this kind of relative clause, we can use that instead of who or which:

Marie Curie is the woman that discovered radium.
This is the housethat Jack built.

We can leave out the pronoun if it is the object of the relative clause:

2. We also use relative clauses to give more information about a person, thing or situation:

Lord Thompson, who is 76, has just retired.
We had fish and chips,which I always enjoy.
I met Rebecca in town yesterday,which was a nice surprise.

With this kind of relative clause, we use commas (,) to separate it from the rest of the sentence.
Level: intermediate
whose and whom

This is George, whose brother went to school with me.

We sometimes use whom as the object of a verb or preposition:

but nowadays we normally use who:

This is George, who you met at our house last year.
This is George's brother,who I went to school with.

Relative pronouns with prepositions

When or which have a preposition, the preposition can come at the beginning of the clause:

I had an uncle in Germany, from who(m) I inherited a bit of money.
We bought a chainsaw,with which we cut up all the wood.

or at the end of the clause:

I had an uncle in Germany, who(m) I inherited a bit of money from.
We bought a chainsaw,which we cut all the wood up with.

But when has a preposition, the preposition always comes at the end:

I didn't know the uncle that I inherited the money from.
We can't find the chainsawthat we cut all the wood up with.

when and where

We can use when with times and where with places to make it clear which time or place we are talking about:

England won the World Cup in 1966. It was the year when we got married.
I remember my twentieth birthday. It was the daywhen the tsunami happened. Do you remember the place where we caught the train?
Stratford-upon-Avon is the townwhere Shakespeare was born.

We can leave out when:

England won the World Cup in 1966. It was the year we got married.
I remember my twentieth birthday. It was the daythe tsunami happened.

We often use quantifiers and numbers with relative pronouns:

She has three brothers, two of whom are in the army.
I read three books last week,one of which I really enjoyed.
There were some good programmes on the radio,none of which I listened to.

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Learn about relative pronouns and relative clauses and do the exercises to practise using them.

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A prepositional phrase is a group of words consisting of a preposition, its object, and any words that modify the object.

-Most of the time, prepositional phrase modifies a verb or a noun.

At a minimum, a prepositional phrase consists of one preposition and the object it governs. The object can be a noun, a gerund (a verb form ending in -ing that acts as a noun), or a clause.

Example: He arrived in time.

After adding prepositional phrase: He arrived in the nick of time.

There are 2 types of prepositional phrase which are adjectival phrase or adverbial phrase. How to differentiate these two? Easy, if the prepositional phrase acts upon noun(modify noun), we called it adjectival phrase because adjectives modify nouns.

Example: The cat in the middle is the cutest.

If the prepositional phrase act upon verb(modify verb), we say it behaving adverbially because adverbs modify verbs. A prepositional phrase that behaves adverbially is called an adverbial phrase.

Example: To find the person who stole the last cookie, look behind you.

Less frequently, prepositional phrases can function like nouns in a sentence.(When it is placed as subject). Remember, only a noun or a pronoun can be the subject.

Example: After the game will be too late for us to go to dinner.

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What Is a Prepositional Phrase and How to Use It? | Grammarly

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A prepositional phrase is a group of words consisting of a preposition, its object, and any words that modify the object. Most of the time, a prepositional phrase modifies a verb or a noun. These two kinds of prepositional phrases are called adverbial phrases and adjectival phrases, respectively.

Here's a tip: Want to make sure your writing always looks great? Grammarly can save you from misspellings, grammatical and punctuation mistakes, and other writing issues on all your favorite websites.

At a minimum, a prepositional phrase consists of one preposition and the object it governs. The object can be a noun, a gerund (a verb form ending in "-ing" that acts as a noun), or a clause.

To these two basic elements, modifiers can be freely added.

Some of the most common prepositions that begin prepositional phrases are to, of, about, at, before, after, by, behind, during, for, from, in, over, under, and with.

Prepositional Phrases That Modify Nouns

When a prepositional phrase acts upon a noun, we say it is behaving adjectivally because adjectives modify nouns. A prepositional phrase that behaves adjectivally is called, quite logically, an adjectival phrase.

In the first of these sentences, in the middle answers the question of which cat the writer thinks is the cutest. Similarly, on Main Street gives us information about which store the writer is describing, and by the lake tells us what kind of cabin the writer's mother is dreaming about. All of these adjectival phrases provide specificity to a noun in order to enhance our understanding.

Prepositional Phrases That Modify Verbs

When a prepositional phrase acts upon a verb, we say it is behaving adverbially because adverbs modify verbs. A prepositional phrase that behaves adverbially is called an adverbial phrase.

In the first sentence, behind you answers the question "Look where?" In the second, with fervor answers the question "Drank how?"

Prepositional Phrases Acting as Nouns

Less frequently, prepositional phrases can function like nouns in a sentence.

How to Avoid Excessive Prepositional Phrases

It is tempting to overuse prepositions and prepositional phrases. If you see more than one preposition for every ten or fifteen words in your writing, you should edit some of them out. You may be surprised at how much more elegant and economical your writing is when you make the effort to do this.

There is nothing grammatically incorrect about this sentence, but it has two "with" phrases, an "of" phrase, and an "in" phrase, which is a sure sign that it could be written more efficiently.

Here, it was possible to replace one of the prepositional phrases, with caution with the correlating adverb cautiously. Of Magneto was simply a possessive that can be easily converted into Magneto's. Four prepositional phrases have been reduced to two.

Another way to reduce prepositional phrases is to switch from a passive voice to an active voice. There is a famous example to illustrate this concept.

Clearly, the passive voice makes this sentence fussy and the prepositional phrase by the chicken seems a bit silly. It would be better written in an active voice, with the chicken in the driver's seat where it belongs.

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A prepositional phrase is a group of words consisting of a preposition, its object, and any words that modify the object. Most of the time, a prepositional phrase modifies a verb or a noun. These two kinds of prepositional phrases are called adverbial phrases and adjectival phrases, respectively.

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A statement is a sentence that provides information, expresses a fact, or conveys an idea.

Example: "The sun rises in the east."

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A request is a sentence that asks someone to do something or asks for something to be done. It often uses polite language.

Example: "Could you please pass me the salt?"

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A suggestion is a sentence that offers advice or recommends a course of action. It's often more polite and less direct than a

command.

Example: "Why don't we try the new Italian restaurant for dinner?"