The Simple Sentence

THE SIMPLE SENTENCE

Clause patterns
7.1
Simple and complex sentences

It was pointed out in 2.4 that elements such as V(erb) and O(bject) were constituents of sentences and also of clauses within sentences. From now on, we shall speak of clauses and clause structure whenever a statement is true both for sentences and for the clauses of which it is composed: quickly shut the door before the animal could escape
7.2
Clause types
Concentrating on those elements that are normally obligatory, we can usefully distinguish seven clause types which we may desingnate in italics
7.3
(1) SVA S Mary is V intens Apiace in the house

(2) SVA S Mary is V intens Cs { kind a nurse}

(3) SVO S Somebody caught V monotrans Od the ball

(4) SVOA SI Vput complex trans Od the plate A place on the table

(5) SVOC S we have proved him V complex Od Co{ wrong a fool}

(6) SVOO S She Vditrans gives O1 Od me expensive presents

(7) SV S The child V intrans laughed

7.3
Complementation
The elements Od, C, and A in the above patterns are obligatory elements of clause structure in the sense that they are required for the complementation of the verb. By this we mean that, given the use of a particular verb in a particular sense, the sentence is incomplete if one of these elements is omitted : * I put the book (Type SVOA) and *He resrmbled
7.4
Optional adverbials
The patterns of 7.2 can be expanded by the addition of various optional adverbials; cf 2.10 For example (optional adverbials are bracketed):
SV:
(Sometimes) she sings (beautifully)
SVA:
(In America) most students are (now) on vacation
SVOO:
She (kindly) sent us some photographs
7.5
Transformational relations