1. As if and ‘as though’ are followed by the past form of the verb.
(1) He talked as if he has known everything. (He had known) (2) She behaves as if she is the principal. (she were)
(3) He seemed as though he has lost everything. (had lost) (4) It rains as though it is the dooms day. (as though it were) 2. ‘In order that ‘ and ‘so that’
After ‘in order that’ and ‘so that’---- ‘may’, ‘might’, ‘shall’ and ‘should’ are generally used.
‘Will’ is not used.
(1) He takes an umbrella in order that he will not get lost (may not get) (2) Let us start early so that we will not miss the train. (we may not) 3. ‘Such as’ indicates the result.
(1) His ambitions were so as to offend everyone. (such as) 4. ‘No other’ is followed by than
(1) She has no other helper but you (than you) (2) She has no other book but this. (than this)
5. ‘Unless’ means ‘if not’, ‘Not’ should not be introduced in the following clauses.
(1) Unless you do not give the keys of the safe you will be shot. (you give) (2) You will be suspended unless you do not pay your fees. (unless you pay) 6. ‘Lest’ means ‘so that not’ or ‘otherwise’.
‘not’ should not be used in the following clause.
The auxiliary verb ‘should’ may be used after ‘lest’.
(1) Take care lest you do not fall (lest you fall)
(2) Book early lest you do not miss the chance. (You miss) 7. ‘As is’ often confused with ‘like’
When there is a verb denoting some action ‘as’ is used.
When there is a noun or pronoun ‘like’ is used.
(1) He did like he was told. (as he was)
(2) Can you pour wine straight down your throat like they do in Spain (as they do) (3) He fought as a tiger in the battle. (like a tiger).
11. TYPES OF SENTENCES
A sentence is a group of words put together in a way that makes sense.
A sentence always has a subject and a verb.
Let's look at some examples of sentences : a. I love pizza.
b. Rahim is playing football.
The words in bold make up the subjects and verbs of these sentences.
There are four types of sentences:
• The declarative sentence
• The interrogative sentence
• The imperative sentence
• The exclamatory sentence
A. THE DECLARATIVE SENTENCE (Assertive sentence)
A declarative sentence is actually a statement. Its purpose is to provide information.
Declaratives usually follow this simple pattern : Subject + verb + predicate
Here is an example of a declarative sentence :
My brother is a soldier.
subject = My brother
verb = is
predicate = a soldier
Can you spot the subject, verb and predicate in each of these sentences?
a. We live in a small apartment in Yishun.
b. I am going on holiday soon.
c. They enjoyed their game of football.
d. She's going shopping on Saturday.
• The subjects of the sentences are we, I, they and she.
• The verbs are live, am going, enjoyed and is going.
• The predicates are apartment, holiday, game of football and shopping.
B. THE INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE
An interrogative sentence is actually a question.
There are two basic types of interrogative sentences :
• questions that start with wh- words
• questions that need a yes/no answer
Let's look at some examples of these question types:
Question (interrogative sentence) Answer (declarative sentence)
Who are you? My name is John.
What are they doing? They're baking a cake.
Where is the post office? It's opposite the bank.
Are you thirsty? Yes, I am.
Do you like lemonade? No, I don't.
Have you read this book? Yes, I have.
1. Wh- questions are formed with a wh- word followed by either a primary verb (be, have, do), or a modal verb (can, may, should, must etc) or a main verb.
For example :
a. Where are you going? (where + be) b. Why has he left so early? (why + have)
The question word how also follows the form of the wh- question.
For example :
a. How do you feel today? (how + do) b. How can I help you? (how + can)
Negative wh- questions follow the same form as well.
For example :
a. Why don't you come? (why + do + not)
b. Where mustn't we play? (where + must + not) Rules to form questions starting with ‘Wh-’ words
Rule 1: Wh- word + helping verb or main verb + …………. + ?
Example: What scratched you?
What = Wh word
Scratched = main verb
Rule 2: Wh- word + noun or pronoun or adj + helping verb or main verb
…. ?
Example: Which book are you reading?
Which = Wh word
book = noun
are = helping verb
2. Yes/no questions require the answers yes or no.
They are formed with helping verbs.
We put the primary or modal verb before the subject, and the main verb comes after the subject.
For example :
a. Is she tired? (be)
b. Have they arrived yet? (have) c. Do you like coffee? (do)
d. Can Lisa come to my party? (can)
The answers to the yes/no questions can either be yes or no, or an unsure statement like I don't know or I'm not sure.
We can answer yes/no questions with full sentences as well.
Let's look at possible answers to the yes/no questions : a. No, she isn't tired.
b. Yes, they arrived ten minutes ago.
c. No, I hate coffee.
d. I don't know.
e. Of course, it's the second door on the left.
f. Okay, let's go.
g. Yes, it will be a very interesting experience for you.
Negative yes/no questions simply add not after the primary verb or modal verb. For example :
a. Hasn't she arrived yet? (has + not) b. Can't you come? (can + not)
Rules to form questions starting with ‘helping verbs’
Rule 1: Helping verb + noun or pronoun + main verb …………. + ?
Example: Are you coming to class?
Are = helping verb
You = pronoun
Coming = main verb
C. THE IMPERATIVE SENTENCE E. The Imperative
The imperative form of a verb is used to give orders or instructions, and to make suggestions.
The imperative is made from the base form of the verb without using to.
Here are some examples of the imperative:
a. Open the window.
b. Have a lovely time.
c. Go home!
d. Do exercises one and two for homework.
e. Feel free to call at any time.
Imperatives are direct, aren't they?
We can make an imperative sentence sound more polite by using please.
a. Please clean up that mess.
b. Listen to your teacher, please.
We only use the imperative form when we are talking to another person or other people.
We do not need to include the personal pronoun you in our imperative sentences.
An imperative sentence gives a command, an order, directions, instructions or a request.
Imperative sentences use the infinitive form of the verb without to.
For example :
a. Command: Leave me alone!
b. Order: Don't touch the hot stove!
c. Directions: Turn left, then take a right.
d. Instructions: Take one teaspoon three times a day.
e. Request: Turndown the sound on the television, please.
Here are some more examples using orders and commands:
a. Don't lie to me!
b. Answer the door, please.
c. Let's go to the beach.
d. Close your books now.
When we write orders and commands, we sometimes put an exclamation mark at the end of them because they are often spoken in a raised voice.
In an imperative sentence, we usually drop the pronoun you.
D. THE EXCLAMATORY SENTENCE
An exclamatory sentence uses words that express strong feelings such as surprise, delight, excitement, horror and pain.
There are different ways to write exclamatory sentences.
Here are some examples:
1. Sometimes, they are made up of just one word.
Exclamatory sentences made up of just one word are also known as one-word interjections.
For example:
a. Great!
b. Fantastic!
c. Wow!
2. Sometimes, exclamatory sentences begin with question words like what or how.
For example:
a. What a clever person you are!
b. What beautiful weather!
c. How well you speak Spanish!
d. How kind of you!
e. How wonderful to see you!
3. Exclamatory sentences also look like questions when formed with primary verbs or modal verbs.
For example:
a. Wasn't it terrific!
b. Haven't you grown!
c. Did we have fun!
d. Am I hot!
Do you notice that all exclamatory sentences have something in common?
They all end with an exclamation mark!
We always put an exclamation mark at the end of exclamatory sentences because they are usually spoken in a raised voice to show our surprise, excitement, happiness, shock, pain etc.