Clause elements and clause patterns

Clause is the key element of syntax. It is as a unit that can stand alone. It is an expression of “a
complete thought”. A complete description of an event or a state of affairs.

She smiled sweetly

The students didn’t have lessons

Have you got an exam on Monday?

It was not time for his riddles

I gave Susan a birthday present

1)
Sara and Michael disappeared subject (S) + intransitive verb (Vi)
They’ve just arrived
Many people came

2) subject (S) + intransitive verb (Vi) + obligatory adverb Obl.Adv.

James went to the campus café + optional adverb (Opt.Adv.)
It rained across the state
She grew up in a ranch
They married yesterday
Laura came late

3)
Winnie is cute! subject (S) + copular or linking verb (Vc) (Vl) + subject predicative
The Viking boat was completely
rotten
It seems perfect!
The pie tastes delicious, mum!
The child remained silent

4)
Marc is in Buenos Aires. subject (S) + copular or linking verb (Vc) (Vl) + obligatory adverb
The books are on dad´s desk (Adv Oblig)
Our Summer holidays lasted till
March

1
I was in the kitchen

5) subject (S) + monotransitive verb (Vm) + direct object (DO)

She changed her dress
The couple bought a new house
The director hired a new
librarian

6)
Peter bought her girlfriend a subject (S) + ditransitive verb (V) + I.O (indirect object + D.O
diamond ring (direct object)
The teacher gave students an
unexpected exam
I cooked the kids dinner

7)
Peter bought a diamond ring for Subject (S) + ditransitive transitive verb (Vm) + direct object (Od)
her girlfriend + to / for indirect object (Di)
The teacher gave an unexpected
exam to students
I cooked dinner for the kids

8)
He put his hand on the child´s Subject (S) + complex transitive verb (Vc) + direct object (Od) +
shoulder adverb (Adv)
Laura bought her new purse in
Miami
Professor Smith put his umbrella
under his chair.

9)
I painted the door green Subject (S) + complex transitive verb (Vc) + direct object (Od) +
Everybody called Tom a liar object complement (Oc)
My sister named her daughter
Bella
He was given his money back

2
 SUBJECT + VERB (INTRANSITIVE)
1)

There are 2 kinds of intransitive verbs, linking verbs (or copular) and action verbs. An
intransitive verb has 2 characteristics; it is expresses an activity arrive, go, die, sit, sneeze, lie
and it does not take a direct object (Od), instead it can be followed by an adverb whether
obligatory or optional

PATTERNS FOR INTRANSITIVE VERBS

SUBJECT+ VERB+ ADVERB SUBJECT +VERB +ADVERB

SUBJECT + VERB (OPTIONAL) (OBLIGATORY)

They’ve just arrived My dad has just arrived from We went home
Mr. John Milton died Canada Jane came crying
The plane to Barcelona The old lady sat in silence The baby stood alone
took off The manager went to Brazil Earl fell off the ladder
The thief escaped Simon spoke first The turtle may live many years
Kathy’s baby girl was We could meet at the new Jordan drove to the hospital
born restaurant They lived in Paris
It snowed The girl was crying in the Karl left early
The audience laughed dark Rose ended up in tears
Everybody clapped They lived in Rome The kids remained in the dark
Something strange happened Mario didn’t appear until the
during the journey following morning

Common intransitive verbs

Act Leave Sit

Agree Lie (recline or tell an untruth) Skip
Appear Limp Sleep
Arrive Listen Slide
Become Live Smell
Belong Look Smile
Collapse March Snarl
Come Mourn Sneeze
Consist Move Soak

3
Cost Occur Spin
Cough Panic Spit
Cry Party Sprint
Depend Pause Squeak
Die Peep Stagger
Disappear Pose Stand
Emerge Pounce Stay
Exist Pout Stop
Explode Pray Swim
Fade Preen Swing
Fall Prove Turn
Fast Read Twist
Feel Recline Vanish
Float Relax Vomit
Fly Relent Wade
Get Remain Wait
Gallop Respond Wake
Go Result Walk
Grow Revolt Wander
Happen Rise Wave
Have Roll Whirl
Hiccup / hic-cough Run Wiggle
Inquire Rush Work
Jump Sail Yell
Kneel Scream
Knock (sound) Seem
Last (endure) Shake
Laugh Shout
Lead Sigh
Lean
Leap
Learn

EXAMPLES
1. Lucy disappeared
2. A new political system would emerge
3. Tom sighted
4. Her daddy shouted
5. Mr. Miller has just arrived.
6. They left.
7. The poor girl with tears in her eyes sighted.
8. The baby vomited.

4
 9. The teacher paused.
10. The kids smiled.

ACTIVITY . WRITE SENTENCES USING THE FOLLOWING VERBS . SHOUT. EXPLODE. STOP. VANISH. CRY. DIE.
LEAVE. SCREAM. COLLAPSE. MOVE. SUJECT + VERB (INTRANSITIVE )

2.
SUBJECT + INTRANSITIVE VERB + ADVERB (OBLIGATORY )

SOME INTRANSITIVE VERBS NEED AN OBLIGATORY ADVERB TO COMPLETE THE IDEA

1. She appears upset about the announcement.
2. The eggs smell rotten.
3. He went red after tripping on the rug.
4. Your plans for the wedding sound nice.
5. You look exhausted after studying all night.
6. Tom acted nervous when the teacher found the note.
7. The audience fell silent when the conductor walked on stage.
8. Dreams come true when we believe in them.
9. The crowd stayed calm in spite of the imminent threat.
10. All the children seem satisfied with the bouncy castle.
11. Bob felt sleepy after eating the whole pizza.
12. The cinnamon rolls taste heavenly.
13. Building the house proves difficult for them.
14. The spectators remained silent after the injury on the field.
15. He became suspicious when he saw the safe was open.
16. The theater gets dark when the show is about to begin.
17. Some couples are lucky enough to grow old together.
18. I feel worthy when the boss compliments me.
19. The embers turn ashy as they cool.
20. Mary waxed nostalgic on her 50th birthday.

ACTIVITY WRITE SENTENCES WITH THE VERBS : APPEAR, STAY, GO, TURN, GET, STAND, LIVE, WALK, WORK.
SUBJECT + VERB+ ADVERB

5
 SUBJECT + COPULAR VERB + SUBJECT PREDICATIVE
3.

Copular verbs are divided into; a) state of existence verbs, b) verbs of perception,
and c) result copular.

a) State of existence verbs. To be is far the commonest English verb, also seem,
appear, remain, keep, stay. The subject predicative is either a noun phr. or
adjective phr.

MARK SUBJECT + BE + NOUN PHR. / ADJECTIVE PHR.

It’s a lovely day!

Oh, my dad was a great guy, too.

When at school, Ann was excellent at Math

You’re so kind!

That’s our backyard

The kernel is the part of the plant of greatest value

The church was old

They have been best friends for a while

Is Lola Mary’s and John’s daughter?

These issues are worthy to mention

SUBJECT + BE + NOUN PHR.

1. Many people's favorite movie genre is action or drama.

2. Mario Garcia has been councilman for five years.
3. A teenager's favorite food must be hot dogs.
4. My homes have been a basement apartment, a trailer, and a house.
5. Dinner can be whatever you find in the refrigerator.

6
 6. Kathy has been my neighbor since I moved in.
7. J. K. Rowling may be one of the best writers ever.
8. My hobby is singing
9. An honest man should have been the leader of the country.
10. He is a real help to his mother.
11. Before the competition, they were the favorites to win.
12. BMWs and Mercedes are luxury cars.
13. For many of us on the team, the fans were an embarrassment.
14. When I was younger, my favorite pastime was reading.
15. At the end of the tournament, my daughter was the leader.

ACTIVITY COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH A NOUN PHRASE AS SUBJECT PREDICATIVE

1. Susan was __________________________________________________________________
2. My favorite books are _________________________________________________________________
3. Lucy and her husband have been _______________________________________________________________
4. I’m ___________________________________________________________
5. The new school-mistress is _______________________________________________
6. When young Janet’s hobby was ___________________________________________________________________
7. Are you __________________________________________ ?
8. It would be _________________________________________
9. Media isn’t _________________________________________________
10. The Red Death is _______________________________________________________________________________
11. Dorothy Parker was __________________________________________________________________
12. Summer is __________________________________________________________________________
13. Edgar Allan Poe was _______________________________________________________________
14. Hamlet Prince of Denmark is _________________________________________________________________
15. Middle English was ________________________________________________________________________________
16. Shakespeare was_________________________________________________________________________
17. Was Elizabeth I __________________________________________________________________________?
18. Education is ______________________________________________________________________________

7
 19. Learning a foreign language isn’t ______________________________________________________
20. Is it _____________________________________________ ?
21. The day has been _________________________________________________________________________
22. Spending a day out in the countryside would be ________________________________________________
23. All his life has been _______________________________________________________________________________
24. A hobbit-hole is___________________________________________________________________
25. Literature is ____________________________________________________________________________

*Noun phrases (nouns, that-clauses, relative clauses, gerunds, noun infinitives. See further lessons on
each)

SUBJECT +BE + ADJECTIVE PHRASE

She is quite nice

That’s right

It would be easier, quicker and cheaper

Tendencies aren’t significant

Her shoes are smart and expensive

*Many of the most frequent predicative adjectives occur with a prepositional phrase, to infinitive
clause, or a that-clause that complements their meaning.

PREPOSITIONAL NOUN PHRASE

SUBJECT + BE + ADJECTIVE PHRASE + PREPOSITIONAL NOUN PHRASE

Well, you’re good at remembering numbers

That’s nice of you

The schedule is tentative and subject to change

8
Justin is responsible for the project

Dad is good for it!

The ticket is good for one ride

ACTIVITY : MARK SUBJECT + BE + ADJECTIVE PHR. + PREPOSITIONAL NOUN PHR.

Stella is responsible to his boss

A calculator is good for adding

Peter feels guilty about not calling home

My son is similar to me

The new girl is good at math

Annie is good with children

Peter is good about helping

Good for you!

Are you afraid of the dark?

We were amazed by what she told us

Dad is annoyed with Tim because of his lies

Were they aware of the risks?

The boy is brilliant at football

*MUST REMEMBER THAT EACH ADJECTIVE COLLOCATES WITH A CORRESPONDING PREPOSITION

9
ACTIVITY WRITE SENTENCES USING THE ADJECTIVES BORED , KEEN, TIRED, EXCITED, FAMILIAR , GUILTY,
OPTIMISTIC , ALLERGIC , ENVIOUS , CROWED , IDENTICAL , CAPABLE , ASTONISHED , UPSET, FULL , EAGER ,
AWARE , WORRIED .

10
TO- INFINITIVE NOMINAL CLAUSE

SUBJECT + BE + ADJECTIVE PHR . + TO-INFINITIVE NOMINAL CLAUSE

A good translator is hard to find

He was ashamed to speak to her again

We were happy to see them

The little boy was afraid to jump

I’m glad to help you

Our company is pleased to offer you a job as a financial risk manager

We’re proud to announced their engagement

Aren’t you sad to hear that?

I’m sorry to disturb you

Common adjectives followed by to-infinitive as noun clause

afraid happy
amazed hesitant
anxious liable
ashamed likely
bound lucky
careful pleased
certain proud
content ready
delighted reluctant
determined sad
eager shocked
eligible sorry
fortunate surprised
glad

11
COMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH A SUITABLE TO-INFINITIVE NOMINAL CLAUSE

1. The nurse in charge of the Peter was extremely careful_______________________________________

2. My parents were glad ___________________________________________________________________________
3. Mrs. Jones has been very fortunate _________________________________________________________
4. The poor child was shocked ___________________________________________________________
5. We’ll be eager ______________________________________________________
6. Are you ready __________________________________________?
7. The prime minister was reluctant _______________________________________________________________
8. Professor Smith was hesitant ____________________________________________________________________
9. The girl from Kenia was proud _____________________________________________________________________
10. The group of climbers are determined ____________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY WRITE SENTENCES USING THE ADJECTIVES HESITANT , AMAZED, ANXIOUS, RELUCTANT , ELIGIBLE ,
CONTENT , LIKELY, PROUD TO- INFINITIVE NOMINAL CLAUSE

IT + BE (OR SEEM) + ADJECTIVE PHRASE + TO INFINITIVE NOUN CLAUSE

It would seem awkward to call her again

It was difficult to answer

It’s hard to accept

It won’t be easy to pass the exam

It was impossible to see

It wasn’t expected to happen

It is improbable to continue

It’s unhealthy to eat fats

ACTIVITY . WRITE SENTENCES USING PERFECT, CONVENIENT, ROMANTIC, PROBABLE, FANTASTIC, AMAZING,
DESPICABLE , WORTHLESS , INTERESTING , HARD + TO INFINITIVE NOMINAL

12
 IT + BE + ADJECTIVE PHR. + NOUN PHR. + TO- INFINITIVE NOUN CLAUSE

It was a difficult question to answer

It's a big house to clean

IT + BE (LINKING) +ADJECTIVE PHR . + FOR SOMETHING /SOMEBODY + TO-INFINITIVE NOUN CLAUSE

It looked impossible for me to finish on time

It is necessary for this door to be locked

IT+ BE + ADJECTIVE PHR. + OF SOMEBODY + TO-INFINITIVE NOUN CLAUSE

It is very kind of you to come with me to the embassy

It was stupid of him to press the emergency button

The structure It (be) ________of someone to do something is possible after the following adjectives.

nice clever

kind polite

mean careless

stupid generous

silly

Let's see the following examples

It was nice of you to bring me these beautiful flowers. Thank you very much

It was careless of Akhmad to drive the car beyond the speed limit

It's stupid of him to leave that smart beautiful girl

It was very generous of you to lend us the money

13
EXERCISE I

In this exercise you have to write sentences in another way.

Example: It is difficult to understand her

She is difficult to understand

It was very difficult to ride this motorcycle

It is safe to drink this water

It is difficult to explain some grammatical rules

It is difficult to find a good government employee in this country

It is not easy to abolish corruption

EXERCISE II

In this exercise you have to make sentences using the word in the bracket

Example: John offered to help me (kind)

It was kind of John to offer to help me

You make the same mistake (careless)

Jane gave me a birthday gift. (nice)

He makes a phone call while he drives (careless)

I told her I had another girl (stupid)

14
 b) Verbs of perception or sensory copular

verbs look, feel, sound, taste, smell

Verb Common adjectives Examples

Look Awful, different, happy, lovely, pale, puzzled, sad, Oh, he looks sad
small, surprised, terrible, tired, well, young, alike Quite frankly, she looked
terrible
You look lovely!

Feel Ashamed, bad, better, cold, good, guilty, sick, sure, It’ll make you feel better
tired, uncomfortable, uneasy My hands feel cold
I always feel guilty while
speaking with mam

Sound Good, nice, silly, stupid, interesting, awful, angry, sad, She doesn’t sound angry any
strange, more
He looked and sounded awful
Oh, nice that sounds good to me
I know it sounds stupid by I
wanted to go

Smell Awful, bad, funny, musty, odd, rotten, terrible, It smells funny in here
delicious, fresh, good, lovely, nice, Granny’s smelled lovely
Those onions smell awful

Taste Awful, horrible, mice, wonderful, It tastes awful

The desert tasted wonderful

Activity write sentences with ashamed, uncomfortable, guilty, strange, rotten, terrible, awful,
better, alike

15
Other adjectives for sensory verbs

It It feels … It looks… It It
tastes… smells sounds
… …

sweet prickly dark fresh loud

sour smooth shiny delicious noisy
bitter rough long bitter quiet
crunchy soft skinny rotten silent
salty hard fat salty squeaky
chewy silky thin smoky creaky
dry thick small sour melodic
juicy sticky large spicy fizzy
hot heavy speckled stale shrill
fizzy light light stinky deafening
tasteless bumpy bright sweet faint
delicious spiky dotted smelly

ACTIVITY. WRITE FEW SENTENCES DESCRIBING A DESERT OF YOUR PREFERENCE . YOU MAY STICK A PICTURE OF THE DESERT
IN YOUR ACTIVITY .

16
 c) Result copular verbs; become, get, go,
grow, prove, come, turn, turn out, end up,
wind up

Most frequent result copular verbs

Become Clear, apparent, It soon became clear that Henry was guilty
difficult, Raymond became aware that his strategy and
evident, hard work was paying dividends
important, I became silent overwhelmed suddenly by the
possible, aware great gulf between us

Get Ready, worse, Well, he’ll get better soon, the doctor said
angry, bigger, It’s getting colder outside
better, bored, Laura got dressed and left
cold, dressed The old lonely man got drunk and fell on the floor
(up), drunk, unconscious
lost, mad, mixed
Mum got mad when she knew that Tom broke the
(up), old, older,
window
pissed (off),
sick, tired, I’m getting pissed off with all your lies
upset, wet
Go Crazy, mad, The woman went crazy in love
wrong, bad, The pork went bad
cold, deaf, I will go crazy if I keep on seeing him
funny, limp, The boy went red when he was discovered lying
quiet, red, wild

WRITE SENTENCES USE HAS BECOME , GOT, WENT, COULD GET, DIDN’T BECOME, WILL GET , I’M GETTING
PISSED OFF

17
LESS COMMON RESULT COPULAR VERBS

come alive, awake, clean, loose, It literally is a dream come true

short, true, unstuck,
undone, unattached Be careful with that gift. If it comes undone, they'll be
able to see what is inside

grow Angry, big, bright, cold, We should grow old here together
dark, hot, large, old, pale,
She continued to lose weight and grew weaker
tall, tired, warm, weak,
bigger, darker, larger, As time passed the boy grew angry and started to fight
louder, older, shorter, The night grew darker
smaller, stronger, warmer, Voices across the country are growing louder on pests
weaker, worse impact

prove Costly, decisive, difficult, The genuine attar of roses is costly and it is frequently
fatal, necessary, popular, adulterate
possible, successful,
suitable, useful, wrong, If the afternoon dances prove popular, there are plans to
suited, troublesome, launch regular evening dances
problematical, arduous,
impractical In the future Korea may become an important source of
supply for Japan, especially if, as appears likely,
Korea proves suited to the cultivation of American cotton

Cloning is an arduous process, and using it to create

tailor-made replacement cells may prove impractical

turn Black, red, white, pale, She had turned pale and her voice shocked
awkward
The man turned red with anger

turn out Good, nasty, nice, (all) right, A lot of times they turned out wrong
wrong
The marriage will turn out all right

end up (describes a negative event) Danny ended up in tears, and I ended up really angry

He says Marilyn ended up pregnant after her affair with

president Kennedy

18