1. Chapter 4 Basics of English Grammar
Business Communication
Chapter 4
Basics of English Grammar
Copyright South-Western Cengage Learning

2. Parts of Speech Noun Adverb Pronoun Preposition Adjective Conjunction
Interjection
4.1 Parts of Speech and Sentences

3. Sentence Parts Sentence subjects Sentence predicates
Objects and subject complements
Direct objects
Indirect objects
Subject complements
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Using well-structured sentences will help you communicate clearly.
4.1 Parts of Speech and Sentences

4. Clauses, Phrases, and Fragments
Clause: a group of words with a subject and a predicate
Phrase: a group of related words with no subject or predicate
Fragment: an incomplete sentence that may or may not have meaning
4.1 Parts of Speech and Sentences

5. Sentence Structure Simple sentences Compound sentences
Example: Theodore sings and acts.
Compound sentences
Example: Erin loves to ride horses; Manuel loves to draw horses.
Complex sentences
Example: Although it is important to proofread a written message, many people feel they do not have the time.
4.1 Parts of Speech and Sentences

6. Nouns Noun: a word used to name people, places, or things Common nouns
Proper nouns
Singular and plural nouns
Collective nouns
Possessive nouns
4.2 Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives

7. Pronouns Pronoun: a word used in the place of a noun Personal pronouns
Nominative case
Objective case
Possessive case
Intensive and reflective pronouns
Interrogative and demonstrative pronouns
4.2 Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives

8. Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Pronoun antecedent: a noun or phrase that is replaced by a pronoun
Pronouns and antecedents should agree in:
Person
Number
Gender
Compound antecedents
Indefinite pronoun agreement
4.2 Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives

9. Adjectives
Adjective: a word that describes or limits nouns and pronouns
Articles
Nouns and pronouns used as adjectives
Compound adjectives
4.2 Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives

10. Adjectives Comparison of adjectives Absolute adjectives
Positive degree
Comparative degree
Superlative degree
Absolute adjectives
4.2 Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives

11. Verbs
Verb: a word that expresses action, a state of being, or a condition
Types of verbs
Action verbs
Linking verbs
State of being verbs
4.3 Verbs and Adverbs

12. Verbs Tenses Simple tenses Perfect tenses Present Past Future
Present perfect
Past perfect
Future perfect
4.3 Verbs and Adverbs

13. Verbs Transitive verbs Intransitive verbs Voice Active voice
Passive voice
4.3 Verbs and Adverbs

14. Subject and Verb Agreement
Number
Intervening phrases
“A number,” “the number”
Names of companies
Amounts
Compound subjects
4.3 Verbs and Adverbs

15. Adverbs
Adverb: a word that modifies an action verb, an adjective, or another adverb
Conjunctive adverbs
Comparison of adverbs
Positive degree
Comparative degree
Superlative degree
4.3 Verbs and Adverbs

16. Prepositions
Preposition: a word that connects a noun or pronoun to other words to form a phrase
Prepositions introduce phrases
Prepositional phrases may modify:
Nouns (acting as adjectives)
Action verbs
Adjectives
Adverbs
4.4 Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections

17. Conjunctions
Conjunction: a word or phrase that joins two or more words, phrases, or clauses
Coordinate conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions
Subordinate conjunctions
Parallel construction
4.4 Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections

18. Interjections
Interjection: a word or phrase used primarily to express strong emotion
Have no grammatical relationship with other words in the sentence
4.4 Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections

19. Vocabulary active voice adjective adverb clause collective noun
conjunction
direct object
fragment
indirect object
interjection
noun
passive voice
phrase
possessive noun
predicate
preposition
pronoun
pronoun antecedent
sentence
subject
verb
verb tense