The practice exercises on this page are designed to help you understand the concepts in this chapter more fully. These include both interactive exercises and more complex exercises. The table below lists a variety of interactive practice exercises for Chapter 3, covering the key concepts. If you have any questions about the exercises, or the answers, please contact your teacher for explanation.
The English language is messy, and many times analyzing for grammatical elements is not always as obvious as the simple examples that we use on the content pages. So to assist your ability to analyze all the different texts you may encounter as you read, we want to offer a few more sample analyses of more difficult texts. For these more complicated examples, we review some or all of the key features discussed in Chapter 3. Please review these examples closely, trying to understand the choices made for the analysis. As always, if you have any questions, please ask your instructor or start a conversation in your work group. Analyzing for Clause Types – Example #1Adapted from Call of the Wild by Jack London: At the Pelly one morning, as they were harnessing up, Dolly, who had never been conspicuous for anything, went suddenly mad. She announced her condition by a long, heartbreaking wolf howl that sent every dog bristling with fear, then sprang straight for Buck. He had never seen a dog go mad; yet he knew that here was horror. For this example, we’ll analyze all of the clause types in the passage. Remember to identify the main verb phrases first by looking for tense: At the Pelly one morning, as they were harnessing up, Dolly, who had never been conspicuous for anything, went suddenly mad. She announced her condition by a long, heartbreaking wolf howl that sent every dog bristling with fear, then sprang straight for Buck. He had never seen a dog go mad; yet he knew that here was horror. Clauses
Note on Other Elements
Analyzing for Clause Types – Example #2Adapted from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens: I had led this life about a month, when the man with the wooden leg began to stump about with a mop and a bucket of water, from which I inferred that preparations were making to receive Mr. Creakle and the boys. I was not mistaken; Mr. Mell and me were so continually in the midst of dust that I sneezed almost as much as if Salem House had been a great snuff-box. For this example, we’ll analyze all of the clause types in the passage. Remember to identify the main verb phrases first by looking for tense: I had led this life about a month, when the man with the wooden leg began to stump about with a mop and a bucket of water, from which I inferred that preparations were making to receive Mr. Creakle and the boys. I was not mistaken; Mr. Mell and me were so continually in the midst of dust that I sneezed almost as much as if Salem House had been a great snuff-box. Clauses
A Type V clause appears similar to a Type IV clause, except now we are dealing with transitive verbs. Transitive verbs – unlike intransitive verbs or linking verbs – require a direct object (nominal function slot)- or a second nominal that completes the action of the verb. Consider the following examples:
In sentences (1) and (2), the verb needs something to follow it in order to make sense, which is accomplished through the direct object (underlined in each example). We can think of the direct object as answering the what or whom of the action.
Do not confuse Type V clauses with Type IV clauses. The first, and most important, difference is the Main Verb: Type V has a transitive Main Verb, while Type IV has a BE/linking Main Verb. Still, they can be similar as the nominal complement also answers what or whom; however, the direct object in a Type V clause does not refer back to the subject. Compare the following:
The difference between the two sentences is (1) is a Type IV clause—the complement renames the subject (she and expert survivalist are synonymous). Sentence (2) is a Type V clause because the second noun phrase does not refer back to the subject. She is aware of the survival skills, but they do not define her. There is one exception where the direct object refers back to the subject, and that is with reflexive or reciprocal pronouns:
In the above examples, the direct object and the subject technically refer to the same thing; however, since the Main Verb is transitive, we treat the reflexive or reciprocal pronouns as “different” from the subject. Again, the Main Verb is key: BE/Linking Main Verb followed by a nominal in the predicate function slot is a Type IV; Transitive Main Verb followed by a nominal in the predicate function slot is a Type V.
Type V Variation: Indirect ObjectsSometimes we find a Type V clause with three nominals that each have a different referent. In such situations, we have the subject, the direct object, and an indirect object—the recipient of the direct object:
Determining which noun phrase is the direct object and which is the indirect object can be tricky; however, the indirect object typically precedes the direct object and refers to a person or an entity that is to receive the direct object.
In the examples, the direct object is underlined and the indirect object is in italics. In sentence (1), she transfers plans (direct object) to the organization (indirect object). In sentence (2), he told the truth (direct object) to his troops (indirect object). In sentence (3), he gave the benefit of the doubt (direct object) to himself. Notice how we can typically determine the indirect object by asking “to whom.” And, in most cases, the indirect object will immediately precede the direct object, so if you have two nominals in a row following a transitive verb, suspect that one is an indirect object.
Type V Variation: Object ComplementsWith Type V clauses, we sometimes have nominals or adjectivals in the predicate that complement the direct object by describing or renaming it. We call these object complements.
In both sentences, the direct object is underlined and the object complement is in italics. In sentence (1), we have the nominal phrase expert that follows himself. While you may be quick to consider one of these to be a direct object and the other an indirect object, we need to ask a few basic questions: is there an action that can be received? Can we ask “who” is receiving the action? In both cases, the answer is no. But if you notice, himself and expert have the same referent: they refer to each other. As for sentence (2), we have a nominal and an adjective in the predicate. Compared to dealing with two nominals, it is easier to see the connection between the two. First, we know that since we have a Type V clause, surviving must be a gerund and functioning as the direct object (since we have to have something to complete the action). Furthermore, easy is an adjective that modifies surviving—it describes surviving. Thus, we can determine that easy acts in the capacity of an object complement.
Type IV clauses are quite similar to Type III structures, except rather than an adjectival subject complement (function slot), there is a nominal subject complement (function slot). It fulfills a similar role as the subject complement in a Type III clause; however, in this case, it is always a nominal or something that is functioning nominally. Furthermore, the nominal subject complement has the same referent as the subject. Review the following examples:
In sentences (1) through (3), the linking verb is followed by a nominal, which serves to rename the subject. In sentences (1) and (3), the subjects (the engagement and the outcome) refer to the same events as their complements (a disaster and a tragedy). The same is true for sentence (2), although an infinitive phrase fills the complement slot, functioning nominally to rename the battle. In analyzing for Type IV clauses, a BE/linking verb and a nominal in the function slot that serves as the subject complement must be present. Overall, as described by the Clause Types analytical strategy, the KEY MARKERS for Clause Types II-IV are the presence of a BE Main Verb (as linking verb) with the different required subject complements in the predicate. It is important to remember that our language is complex and clauses can fill any of the function slots as easily as words or phrases. In other words, most all elements will be operating (functioning) on a variety of levels. Seeing and understanding this depth is an important consideration when analyzing in context.
In this clause type, the function slot that follows the linking verb is reserved for a subject complement (an adjectival function slot), which modifies or describes the subject, but also completes the verb. In the case of a type III clause, the subject complement is always adjectival. Consider the following:
Sentences (1) through (3) all exemplify Type III clauses. Sentence (1) is prototypical, with a clear adjective; however, sentence (3) is a bit more difficult to break down. We have the linking verb look, but a clause is in the complement slot. In this case, we can determine if the clause is acting adjectivally by attempting to replace the entire clause with a single adjective, such as prepared. We can do the same for sentence (2) by replacing the prepositional phrase with a happy.
In analyzing for Type III clauses, we look for the BE/linking verb, followed by an adjectival (word, phrase, or clause) in the function slot.
AND ONE FINAL NOTE: you will be expected to “type” all clauses in
a particular sentence. Sentences (1) and (2) have only one clause, but
sentence (3) would require that you “type” both clauses:
While Type I clauses do not require anything to follow the verb, linking verbs require a complement to complete it. In the case of Type II clauses, a BE main verb [linking] verb is required, along with a required adverbial complement – which completes the predicate and indicates time or place.
Type II clauses are the least common of the clause types, primarily because both of these elements are REQUIRED for a clause to be Type II.
The adverbial complement includes adverbs of time or place (e.g. here, there, outside, inside, far, away). Prepositional phrases of time or place (e.g in the morning or at the stronghold) and nominal phrases, although rare, (e.g. tomorrow, Friday) may also fill the complement slot. The following sentences demonstrate the variation in Type II clauses:
If there is more than one adverbial phrase that follows the linking BE verb, one of the phrases will be considered the complement while the other will be an optional adverbial modifier (which can be omitted):
The soldiers will be at the stronghold tomorrow.
In comparing the two sentences, at the stronghold is required, so it is the adverbial complement. Tomorrow is an optional adverbial modifier.
In analyzing for Type II clauses, a BE/linking verb and an adverbial of time or place are required and both must be present.
Clause Type I contains a main verb phrase that is intransitive (MVP-int)—meaning that it does not require a complement to follow it, like a nominal or an adjectival phrase. In other words, all that is required for this clause is a nominal subject and a main verb phrase. The easiest way to identify an intransitive verb is if no other elements follow the main verb phrase, or if a prepositional phrase follows after the main verb phrase. This is a key marker to help you determine that the action of the main verb phrase is complete in the context of this clause. Consider the following examples:
Clauses (1) and (2) are simple in structure, containing only a subject and a main verb phrase. Clause (3) is similar; however, it seems to be missing something. This is because clause (3) contains a transitive verb, which requires a direct object to complete its action (e.g. He reported [something]) – He reported the outcome. You can’t use the [something] test with the first one: *she arrived [something]. You can, however, use this test for the second one: he ran [something] – He ran a marathon. This means that it’s important to keep in mind that many main verbs can be both intransitive OR transitive, depending on the context. For example (using the clause from above):
In the first clause, HE REPORTED THE FACTS, we have a clear direct object (THE FACTS), so we must analyze it as a Type V. In the final clause, WHAT HE REPORTED, the main verb stands alone, so in this context it must be analyzed as a Type I. The tricky part with an intransitive MVP is determining that everything in the predicate is not required. This means, basically, that in a Type I clause, you just need to make sure that no nominal (direct object) is present. In most cases, if a nominal (direct object) is not present, then everything else will be adverbial, and the clause cannot be a Type V. (We will discuss this in greater depth on Clause Type V page). Despite the seeming simplicity of the above examples, language in its natural environment is more complex—crawling with modifiers. The following sentences are also Type I:
Remember, a clause is NOT a sentence. A sentence may have only one clause, but your analysis, especially for this section, should focus only on the clauses, which means finding the Main Verb Phrases first and foremost. For example, we could combine the two sentences above into one sentence that contains two clauses: He arrived before the storm, and the reinforcements for the ambush finally arrived at base camp. Each clause is still a Type I. The underlined sections are adjectival and/or adverbial modifiers present in both sentences; however, they are not required. They provide additional details, but they are not essential to meaning:
Simplified, we find the underlying structure of a Type I in both examples. NOTE: the only structure that adverbial and/or adverbial phrases fill a mandatory slot is with the Type II clause, which we will look at next. ONE FINAL NOTE: in most cases, any Main Verb Phrase that is a Passive Structure should be considered a Type I.
As you can see, the FUNCTION SLOTS represent consistent structural patterns (who is hanging out with who) that you will recognize easily when you become more comfortable with the concept of clause types. More importantly, understanding the FUNCTION SLOTS of clause types provides a basic analytical strategy: First, find the Main Verb Phrase. When analyzing for clauses, you must begin by identifying the Main Verb Phrase. If you are having any trouble with this, please talk to your instructor or start a conversation in your work group. Second, after finding the main verb phrase, ask yourself this question:
There are a few exceptions (as always in the English language!), mostly for Type III or Type IV, when the Main Verb Phrase is an emotive verb or a verb like FEEL (I feel sick), but we’ll talk more about each of the Clause Types in more detail in upcoming pages. So, for now, use these flowcharts to guide your analysis and begin recognizing the different function slots in the five clause types.
We begin with the assumption that a clause is a key grammatical unit and that every clause in English requires a nominal subject and a main verb phrase/predicate, in that order. And, despite the complexity of our language, we can categorize almost every clause as one of five basic clause types. We use this categorization to recognize that our language occurs in consistent patterns, and that certain FUNCTION SLOTS appear in the same places, whether those slots are filled by a word, phrase, or even another clause. Basically, English has FIVE simple clause types. The structural differences in the main verb phrase and its predicate elements are what distinguish the five types.
Structurally, there are only two elements (two function slots) required in Clause Type I: nominal subject and main verb phrase [intransitive]. Not uncommonly, an adverbial can serve as a complement for this clause, but it is not required. Oftentimes, this optional adverbial will take the form of a prepositional phrase, so be aware if you see a prepositional phrase following a main verb phrase then it is most likely Type I
Structurally, there are three required elements (three function slots) in Clause Type II: nominal subject, main verb phrase [required BE Main Verb], and an adverbial of time or place. This clause type is much less common than you might think.
Structurally, there are three required elements (three function slots) in Clause Type III: nominal subject, main verb phrase [a linking verb that is most often a BE Main Verb], and an adjectival subject complement (that modifies the subject).
Structurally, there are three required elements (three function slots) in Clause Type IV: nominal subject, main verb phrase [a linking verb that is most often a BE Main Verb], and a nominal subject complement (that renames the subject).
Structurally, there are three elements (three function slots) required in Clause Type V: nominal subject, main verb phrase [transitive], and a nominal direct object (a nominal that is different from the nominal subject).
This variation on Clause Type V has four elements (four function slots): nominal subject, main verb phrase [transitive], a nominal indirect object, and a nominal direct object (each nominal is different from the other two).
This variation on Clause Type V has four elements (four function slots): nominal subject, main verb phrase [transitive], a nominal direct object, and a nominal object complement (although this might also be an adjectival object complement). The key to recognize is that the object complement is renaming or modifying the direct object, not the subject.
We will discuss each of these clause types in more detail. For now, understand that each clause type is made up of very specific FUNCTION SLOTS that will show up consistently again and again. The sooner you recognize the makeup of each clause type, the easier that analyzing clauses will be in the future.