Unit – 2

Basic writing skills

Q1) What is an independent clause? Give an example.

A1) An independent clause can stand alone and give complete meaning. It has a subject and a verb.

I like ice cream

He reads many stories.

Q2) Define the Prepositional Clause with example.

A2) Any phrase that has a preposition, and the object of the preposition, which will be a noun or a pronoun what we call a prepositional phrase. Such a phrase also at times consists of other modifiers describing the object of the prepositional phrase. Let us look at some examples,

Workers are instructed to be on time.

Kindly turn towards the left at the crossroads.

Q3)Explain simple, complex, compound sentences.

A3) Simple Sentences

Asimple sentence contains a subject and a verb, and it may also have an object and modifiers. However, it has only one independent clause.

Here are a few examples:

Complex Sentences

Acomplex sentence has at least one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Dependent clauses can mention to the subject (who, which) the sequence/time (since, while), or the causal elements (because, if) of the independent clause.

If a sentence starts with a dependent clause, note the comma after this clause. If, on the other hand, the sentence starts with an independent clause, there is not a comma separating the two clauses.

Here are a few examples:

Although he was rich, he is not happy.

She returned the T.V after she noticed it was damaged.

Compound Sentences

Acompound sentence has at least two independent clauses.  These two independent clauses can be combined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or with a semicolon.

Here are a few illustrations:

She completed her higher studies, and she started to apply for job.

The traffic was heavy and so he was late. 

Q4) What is a Noun clause? Give an example.

A4) These are the phrases have a noun- name, place or things and at least one modifier linked to the noun. The modifier can prefix or suffix the noun. The complete phrase will perform as a noun for that particular sentence. Here are some illustrations,

She was wearing a blue linen skirt.

They lived in a little, neat hut.

Alex rode her bike to their new school.

Q5) Define the Adjective Clause with example.

A5) Adjective Clause generally comes after the noun it qualifies and is made up of numerous words which, like all clauses, will contain a subject and a verb. It answers the adjective questions 'What kind? How many? or Which one?" For instance, "The note book which has a picture of Sachin is mine."The highlighted part is a clause that is performing as an adjective

Q6) Explain Adverb Clause with example.

A6) Adverb Clause is a group of words which has a Subject and Predicate of its own, and does the work of an adverb. It answers the adverb questions How? When? Where? Or Why? For instance, "You may stay wherever you want." The highlighted part is a clause that is performing as an adverb.

Q7) What is a Noun Phrase? Give an example.

A7) These are the phrases have a noun- name, place or things and at least one modifier linked to the noun. The modifier can prefix or suffix the noun. The complete phrase will perform as a noun for that particular sentence. Here are some illustrations,

She was wearing a blue linen skirt.

They lived in a little, neat hut.

Alex rode her bike to their new school.

Q8) Describe Verb Phrase by giving an example.

A8) Each sentence will generally have a verb. But rarely the action being explained requires a more nuanced multi-words verb phrase. The phrase has the main verb/verbs and then helping verbs. Some such verb phrases are as given below.,

The children have been learning since the last three weeks.

They must call their parents at once.

Q9) Explain Infinitive Phrases with an example.

A9) A phrase that includes an infinitive along with a simple verb is an infinitive phrase. There may also be modifiers added to the object in the phrase. It has a verb, so it plays the position of showing an action in the sentence. Infinitive phrases can act as a adjective or adverb, noun in a complete sentence.

Chris loves to read comics (functions as a noun here)

To be present at the evening lecture, I set my alarm for 6 pm. (noun form)

To maintain his puppies quiet, Sam turned on the music. (Functions as an adverb here)

Q10) Define Participle Phrase by giving an example.

A10) A participle phrase will start with a participle, which can be a present participle (ending with -ing) or a past participle (ending with -ed). There may be a few modifiers and linked words included in the phrase. One thing to keep in mind is that a participle phrase for all time takes the form of an adjective in a sentence. Some illustrations of the participle phrase are,

We got a courier from my aunt today telling us the good news.

The place was relentlessly spoiled by the flood.

kindly write the notes down without making noise.

Q11) Describe Gerund Phrase with an example.

A11) Now a gerund is a word that always ends with “-ing”, without exemption. So a gerund phrase is a phrase that has an ‘ing” word, with some modifiers in some cases. But participle phrases as well have a parallel pattern (-ing words), so how do you tell the variation between the two?

Well whereas participle phrases function as adjectives, Gerund Phrases completely function as nouns. Let us look at some illustrations,

He is at present writing her exam.

Cleaning the hall is Raju’s task.

Reading News paper is my father’s every day habit.

Q12) Differentiate the Clauses and Phrases.

A12) Clause:

Aclause is a group of words containing a subject and verb. An independent clause is a simple sentence. It can stand alone.

Examples:

She is rich.

I am not feeling well today.

Phrase:

Aphrase is a group of words without a subject-verb element, used as a single part of speech.

Examples:

Best teacher (this phrase acts as a noun)

Needing support (this phrase acts as an adjective; see Adjectives and Adverbs)

With the red pant (this prepositional phrase acts as an adjective; see Prepositions)

For forty weeks (this prepositional phrase acts as an adverb)

Q13)How do marks of punctuation play extremely significant role in giving anticipated meaning to the language?

A13) Marks of punctuation play extremely significant role in giving anticipated meaning to the language. Use of incorrect mark of punctuation or even wrong position of mark of punctuation can change the meaning of the sentence totally and sometimes even change the sentence to absolute nonsense.

Czar Alexander the third had one time sentenced a man to certain death by writing on the warrant-Pardon not possible, to be sent to Siberia. His wife, Czarina Maria, rescued the life of this man, by shifting position of comma as given above. Authorities freed the man.

The comma is considered a real villain among marks of punctuation. Incorrect position of comma can give different meaning to sentence depending upon where it is positioned.

Q14) Let us eat, daddy. & Let us eat daddy.

A14) Explain how the meaning differ because of commain these two sentences.

Let us see the following sentences:

In the primary sentence daddy is being called for dinner. On the other hand, in the next sentence, daddy himself has become a thing to be eaten. Slip of comma in this case has changed the primary sentence to absolute non sense.

Q15) Private- No swimming allowed.  Private? No. Swimming allowed.Explain the meaning of the above given sentences.

A15) In the second sentence, addition of a question mark and full stop has transformed personal possessions to public possessions.