1. Sentence Structure Every sentence should have at least one main clause. This clause must contain: a subject a subject a verb phrase a verb phrase a predicate a predicate

2. Sentence Structure: examples Subject The system malfunctioned. The system malfunctioned. The outdated, old system I told you about last Friday malfunctioned. The outdated, old system I told you about last Friday malfunctioned.

3. Verb phrase The system malfunctioned. The system malfunctioned. The system may have been malfunctioning. The system may have been malfunctioning. Sentence Structure: examples

4. Predicate (= everything else after subject+verb) Can be direct objects egHe made a mistake egHe made a mistake Can be indirect objects egWe gave all our money to the bank egWe gave all our money to the bank Can be ‘complements’ egWe are late egWe are late Siam is the old name Siam is the old name

5. Make sentences more interesting by adding clauses A subordinate clause (= tells us more about the main clause) I bought the tickets with some reservations I bought the tickets with some reservations I bought the tickets even though they cost more than I wanted to pay I bought the tickets even though they cost more than I wanted to pay

6. A noun clause (linked with a question word, if/whether, that) I don’t know when she’s coming I don’t know when she’s coming I don’t know if/whether she’s coming I don’t know if/whether she’s coming I am pleased that you were able to come I am pleased that you were able to come

7. A relative clause (to provide information or describe someone or something already specified) I like working with students who appreciate what I do (who = the students) I like working with students who appreciate what I do (who = the students) relative clauses allow us to combine without repeating: I tried to repair a system. The system was failing. I tried to repair a system. The system was failing. I tried to repair a system which was failing. I tried to repair a system which was failing.