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    Writing Skills: BY: Ifa Gereshu (MA in TEFL)

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    The document discusses clauses, sentences, and their classification. It defines clauses as groups of words containing a subject and verb, and identifies two types: independent clauses that can stand alone as sentences, and dependent clauses that cannot. It also defines sentences and their four classifications: declarative for statements, interrogative for questions, exclamation for strong emotions, and imperative for commands. The document provides examples to illustrate each concept.

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    Writing Skills: BY: Ifa Gereshu (MA in TEFL)

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    43 views16 pages
    The document discusses clauses, sentences, and their classification. It defines clauses as groups of words containing a subject and verb, and identifies two types: independent clauses that can stand alone as sentences, and dependent clauses that cannot. It also defines sentences and their four classifications: declarative for statements, interrogative for questions, exclamation for strong emotions, and imperative for commands. The document provides examples to illustrate each concept.

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    Basic Writing 1`

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    The document discusses clauses, sentences, and their classification. It defines clauses as groups of words containing a subject and verb, and identifies two types: independent clauses that can stand alone as sentences, and dependent clauses that cannot. It also defines sentences and their four classifications: declarative for statements, interrogative for questions, exclamation for strong emotions, and imperative for commands. The document provides examples to illustrate each concept.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    43 views16 pages

    Writing Skills: BY: Ifa Gereshu (MA in TEFL)

    Uploaded by

    habtamu
    The document discusses clauses, sentences, and their classification. It defines clauses as groups of words containing a subject and verb, and identifies two types: independent clauses that can stand alone as sentences, and dependent clauses that cannot. It also defines sentences and their four classifications: declarative for statements, interrogative for questions, exclamation for strong emotions, and imperative for commands. The document provides examples to illustrate each concept.

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    of 16

    SALALE UNIVERSITY

    COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES


    DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE &
    LITERATURE

    Writing Skills

    BY:
    Ifa Gereshu (MA in TEFL)

    JULY, 2021
    What are clauses?
     Clauses are the building blocks of sentences.
     It is a group of words that contains (at least) a subject and a verb
    (predicate).
    We learn clause:
     To write effective sentences that clearly shows the relationship
    between your ideas.
     To enrich our written and oral expression by adding details and
    making our meaning more exact.
     To combine ideas to show their relationship. This adds logic and
    cohesion, good things when you're trying to communicate.
     There are two types of clauses:
    1. Independent clause (main clause) contains a subject and a
    verb and expresses a complete thought.
    It can stand alone as a sentence by itself.
    Examples:
     I entered the class.
     The students were talking.
     The children studied hard.
     They could pass the exam.
     The teacher has got a reward.
     The students are well disciplined.
    Cont’d
     A dependent (subordinate) clause is part of a sentence; it cannot stand
    alone.
    • A dependent clause begins with one of subordinating Conjunctions
    and relative pronouns such as when, while, if, after, although,
    because, in order to, so that, that, or who etc.
     When the teacher entered the class, the students were talking.

     Because the children studied hard, they could pass the exam.

     If you tell us when John is arriving, we will give the presents to you

     After they wash and wax the car, they will drive you back to work.

     The teacher whose students are well disciplined has got a reward.

     The tree of which leaves are wide is getting dry.


    Cont’d
    OR
     The students were talking when the teacher entered the
    class.
     They could pass the exam because the children studied hard

     We will give the presents to you if you tell us when John is


    arriving.
     They will drive you to the office after you take your car for
    repairs.
    Definition of a sentence

     It is a group of words that contain a subject and a verb and it

    makes sense by itself.

     A sentence is a group of words that express a complete thought

    about something or someone.

     A sentence may have only one word, particularly of a verb that

    has an implicitly or indirectly stated subject.

    Examples:

    Come!

    Go!
     It is unquestionable that every English sentence should have two
    parts_ the subject and the predicate.
     The subject is a part of a sentence about which a statement is made.
    The predicate is the part of the sentence or clause, including the
    verb that explains what the subject is or does.
    Look at the examples given below:
    Examples:
     The women woke up early in the morning.
     The new applicants are taking the entrance exam.
     The students are coming to the campus.
     My friends are shopping at the mall this afternoon.
    Functional Classification of Sentences
     Based on their functions or purpose (the information they convey),
    sentences can be classified into FOUR categories. These are:
    A) Declarative C) Exclamation
    B) Interrogative D) Imperative
    A) Declarative sentences

     A sentence that makes a statement or states a fact is called a


    declarative sentence. A declarative sentence always ends with a
    period (.).
     In a declarative sentence, the subject is available and it precedes a
    verb.

    .
    Cont’d
    Examples:
    a) It is already light outside.
    b) My father talked to the principal.
    c) I always think of my profession.
    d) Gambling is an illegal activity.
    e) Ethiopia is a developing country.

    B) Interrogative Sentences
     An interrogative sentence asks a question. Such sentences always
    end with a question mark (?).
    Examples:
     Do you think we should wait for the others?
     Did you finish your English assignment?
     Are you going to the game tomorrow night?
     At what time does the class begin?
     Why was the boy taken to the hospital?
     I am providing you lectures, aren’t I?
     You’re buying some new clothes, aren’t you?
     They couldn’t help you at all, could they?
    C) Exclamation

    When you need to express a strong emotion, an exclamatory sentence is


    used. An exclamatory sentence usually ends with an exclamation mark
    (!).

    Examples:

     What a glorious sunrise that is!

     What an amazing story you have!

     I can't believe you're late again!

     How lucky you are to have joined this university!


     D) Imperative sentences

     An imperative sentence is used to give an order or a command. It usually

    ends with a period (.). If you are writing a sentence giving a strong
    command, the imperative sentence ends with an exclamation mark (!).

     Examples:

     Fasten your seat belt please.

     Don't drop those glasses!

     Get up, and take a walk with me.

     Please close the door quietly.

     You, open the door please!


    Activity 1
     Decide whether the following sentences are declarative,
    interrogative, exclamation, or imperative.
    1. How lucky they were to have won the lottery
    2. Please turn your books back to the library on time
    3. Are you taking the train or the plane?
    4. Chalachew was born in Shewa.
    5. What a nice view it is!
    6. That is a fantastic victory!
    7. She can speak both English and French.
    8. Did you see the new program on Channel 9 yesterday?
    9. Do not disturb the class!
    10.What an amazing lady she is!
    Summary and Conclusion
    Clause:
     A clause is a group of related words with both a subject and a predicate
    (verb). A clause can be dependent (subordinate) or independent (main).
    Independent Clause:
     An independent clause (also called a main clause) is a group of words that has
    a subject and a verb and does not start with a subordinating conjunction.
     It can stand alone as a sentence by itself.
    Dependent Clause:
     A dependent clause (also called a subordinate clause) is a group of words that
    has a subject and a verb and starts with a subordinating conjunction.
     A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand
    alone as a sentence by itself.
    Summary and Conclusion
     Every English sentence has two parts. These are the subject and the predicate
     Based on their functions or purposes, sentences can be classified as
    declarative, interrogative, exclamation, and imperative.
     Declarative sentences make statements. Sentences of this type end with full
    stop or period at the end.
     Interrogative sentences ask a question of something and question mark is
    placed at the end.
     Exclamation sentences, on the other hand, express strong emotion.
    Exclamation point is used at the end of such sentences. But, it is also possible
    to use exclamation for strong requests or commands.
     Imperative sentences give a command, a request, or prohibition. Period or
    full stop will be used at the end of the sentences.

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