Simple Sentences

Simple sentences are independent clauses.

They contain a subject and a predicate.

(part 1)

Rule 1: Simple sentences can be very short, consisting of only one word             (a noun) for the subject and one word (a verb) for the predicate.             The noun is called the simple subject, and the verb is the simple                predicate.               e.g:  John laughed.

Rule 2:  Simple sentences can be long, although they still consist of one                 subject (a noun and modifiers) and one predicate                 (a verb and other elements).                           The noun is called the simple subject, and the verb is the simple                  predicate.         e.g: The tall, good-looking boy with the curly blond hair laughed uproariously        at his best friend’s suggestion.

Exercise A. Identify the subject and predicate in these simple sentences.

Circle the simple subject and underline the simple predicate.

1. My best friend in the whole world is coming over to my house to visit me

this afternoon.

2. Three beautiful little kittens looked up at me from inside a box of old

clothes.

3. At the stroke of midnight, the carriage turned into a huge orange pumpkin.

4. A really friendly old man with long white whiskers lives in the apartment

above my aunt’s and uncle’s apartment.

5. Several of her favourite romantic love songs were playing on the radio that 

afternoon in the park.

6. Cool, deep, dark blue water flowed through the rough limestone rocks in

the gorge.

7. One-hundred fifty-five dollars is certainly a lot of money for a young

     person living with his or her parents.

8. The large red book sitting on the hall table was a dictionary published by

     an encyclopedia company in the United States.

9. The three girls carried back packs filled with books, food, candy, clothes,

     make-up, pens, paper, hairbrushes, and other assorted items.

10. I don’t remember the name of that tall, thin actor with the sparkling blue

      eyes.

 

Answer Key

Exercise A

(subject / verb)

1. friend / is coming

2. kittens / looked

3. carriage / turned

4. man / lives

5. several / were playing

6. water / flowed

7. dollars / is

8. book / was

9. girls / carried

10. I / do remember

What is a proverb? (Part 2)

A proverb is a short saying or sentence that is generally known by many people. 

The saying usually contains words of wisdom, truth or morals that are based on 

common sense or practical experience. It is often a description of a basic rule 

of conduct that all people generally follow or should follow. 

Proverbs can be found in all languages.

~~Examples of proverbs~~

 

When in Rome do as the Romans do

When one is in a new place, country or situation he must adapt himself to

the new manners and customs.

When the cat is away the mice will play

When law enforcers are not present, certain public members will take the

opportunity to break the law.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

One usually desires another more when he or she is far away.

There's no smoke without fire

Rumors do not spread unless there is some element of truth in them.

Time and tide wait for no one

Time is precious, once it is past no one can go back and claim it thus everyone

should be mindful of how his time is spent.

To err is human, to forgive divine

 It is only normal for man to make mistakes and do wrong, but for one to forgive 

another for his wrong is indeed  great and gracious act.

What's done can't be undone

 In life there are some things once done or decisions once made cannot be changed; 

malicious words once uttered or harmful actions once done cannot be taken back.

Two heads are better than one

It is always better to get the view of another than to rely entirely on one's own judgment.

 

Jack of all trades and master of none

Is a person who can do almost anything, but he rarely excels in any of them.

Let bygones by bygones

One should consider forgiving one's and forget all the bad deeds done by others.

Let not the pot call the kettle black

 A person who has a fault should not point out the same fault in another; 

do not criticize another person as you may have the same weakness.

Let sleeping dogs lie

One should preferably avoid discussing issues that are likely to create trouble.

No news is good news

When there is no news, it is likely that everything is all right.