11. Simple sentence (final remarks)

 

Position of adverbial modifiers.

 

Exercise 11.1. Put the adverbial modifier in the proper place and comment upon the rules.

 

RULE

1.       We slowly ascended a drive. (now) 2.       Helen heard Jack to the end. (patiently) 3.       He knew the principles of “pyramiding” and “kiting”. (instinctively) 4.       The new laundry men arrived. (on Tuesday night) 5.       A furnace was blowing flame. (down in the yard) 6.       He led the guests. (into the library) 7.       They only stayed. (about an hour, there) 8.       No one loved me. (ever) 9.       She was on the point of telling him the truth. (always) 10.   He can leave her. (never) 11.   They would tell us about their adventures. (often) 12.   I agree with you. (entirely) 13.   He has forgotten about the concert. (quite) 14.   She leaned against his shoulder. (lightly) 15.   She has been leaning against his shoulder. (lightly) 16.   I have asked the question. (distinctly)

 

Exercise 11.2. Put the adverbial modifier in the proper place, give several variants if possible.

 

1. 1.       She turned away and pulled off her overcoat. (with a sudden gesture)

2. 2.       She displayed all her charms and accomplishments. (lavishly / for my pleasure)

3. 3.       Aileen blazed to a furious heat. (at once)

4. 4.       She had arrived home. (just)

5. 5.       He dropped off his horse. (wearily)

6. 6.       His face was flushed and swollen with anger. (for the moment)

7. 7.       He discovered that life was beastly. (afresh / every afternoon)

8. 8.       Johnson was off duty that morning, and devoted the time to Mr.Polly. (very generously)

9. 9.       She had experienced such a profound satisfaction of anger and hatred. (never)

10. 10.   I want to get away. (from home / for a certain reason / for a time)

 

Detached parts of the sentence.

 

Exercise 11.3. Point out the detached parts of the sentence.

 

1. Now their laughter joined together, seized each other and held close, harmoniously, intertwined through each other's fabric and substance. 2. Huckleberry Finn was there, with his dead cat. 3. We reached the station, with only a minute or two to spare. 4. Blind and almost senseless, like a bird caught in a snare, he still heard the sharp slam of the door. 5. As he strode along he was conscious, within himself, of a deep, pervading sense of power. 6. With his hands by his sides, he strolled very slowly and inconspicuously, down the border. 7. One summer, during a brief vacation at Knocke, his visit had come to the notice of Harrington Brande. 8. We are very poor, señor, with many mouths to feed, and these fish would make a good meal for us. 9. Unbelievingly, his eyes fixed, lips tightly compressed, Brande stared at the advancing youth. 10. He remembered her brave and hardy, with a small-boned eager face, enriched with weather and living. 11. The girls had met and were strolling, arm in arm, through the rose arbor.

 

Independent elements of the sentence:

 

1. 1.      interjection

2. 2.      direct address

3. 3.      parenthesis:

•          modal words (indeed, perhaps, actually, etc.)

•          adverbs-transitions (firstly, secondly, thus, anyway, still, besides, etc.)

•          prepositional phrases (in short, in my opinion, on the other hand, etc.)

•          infinitive and participial phrases (to begin with, frankly speaking, etc.)

 

Exercise 11.4. Point out all the independent elements and say what they are expressed by.

 

1. In the morning, however, there was a comforting excitement in leaving the train. 2. Maybe, after all, there was something in that wild idea of Albertine's. 3. They gave him, in fact, a pleasant feeling of vicarious fatherhood. 4. Nicholas, unfortunately, had passed an unquiet night. 5. Nevertheless, despite this reasoning there remained in his breast that strange sense of jealousy. 6. How fortunate to have such a reliable couple in the house. Naturally, he counted on the Burtons as an official standby. 7. I am a human being, señor, and must take advantage of my opportunities. Frankly, l am accustomed to good wine. 8. He was surprised, evidently, to find Sally so much at home and bustling about like that. 9. She was quite unconcerned, as a matter of fact, about being left alone in the camp. 10. Perhaps, her colonial upbringing had something to do with it. 11. It was still too early for his ride, but he did not go back to bed, he wasn't deeply worried, to be sure, but he knew that he wouldn't be able to sleep.

 

Use commas in a simple sentence for:

 

1.             Long introductory adverbial word group:

Near a small stream at the bottom, we discovered a shelter.

2.             Introductory or absolute participial phrases:

Excited about the move, Alice and Don began packing.

3.             Homogenous members, even joined by AND:

They ordered cornflakes, English muffins with peanut butter, and cherry Cokes.

4.             Nonrestrictive elements:

The helicopter, obviously a war veteran, circled above.

5.             Detached and independent elements:

He didn’t know our language; moreover, he was unfamiliar with our customs.

6.             To avoid incorrect grouping:

Patients who can, walk up and down the halls several times a day.

 

Do not use commas for:

 

7.             Short introductory adverbial word group: