Grammar: The Hierarchy of Word Units

The hierarchy of word units is:


·     Word (e.g., Shark)

(A word is the smallest meaningful unit.)

 

·     Phrase (e.g., A seven-foot tiger shark)

(A phrase is a single piece of information made up of more than one word. It will not contain a subject and a verb.)

 

·     Clause (e.g., When a seven-foot tiger shark arrived...)

(A clause is a single piece of information made up of more than one word which contains a subject and a verb.)

 

·     Sentence (e.g., A seven-foot tiger shark arrived.)

(A sentence conveys a complete idea. It must contain at least one clause. Note: A clause that stands alone as a sentence is known as an independent clause.)

 

·     Complex Sentence (e.g., When a seven-foot tiger shark arrived, the crew stopped fishing.)

(A complex sentence is an independent clause supported by at least one other clause.)

 

·     Compound Sentence (e.g., A seven-foot tiger shark arrived, and the crew stopped fishing.)

(A compound sentence is a sentence made up of at least two independent clauses.)

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Grammar: Clauses

  1.       What is a clause? A clause is a statement or a question that generally consists of a SUBJECT and a VERB . e.g: The student studied in the library.           Jane studies biology   2.       There are two types of clauses i.                     Independent clauses ii.                   Dependant clauses 3.       What is an independent clause? An independent clause is a group of words that CAN STAND by itself to make a complete sentence and a complete thought.   Example: The research demonstrates that the new vaccine effectively eliminates viral load in patients. (Complete thought)   4.       What is a dependent clause? ...
Read more

The Writer's Effects – IGCSE English 0990 (Paper 1)

  Step-by-Step Technique 1. Read the Question Carefully Make sure you know: Which lines you are focusing on. What the question wants (e.g., “impressions of the setting” or “how the writer makes the scene dramatic”). ✅ Tip : Underline key instruction words like “how the writer uses language” or “what impressions…” . 2. Annotate the Extract As you read the lines: Highlight vivid words or phrases . Look for imagery, sound effects, sentence structure, or tone . 📌 Example: “The wind whipped viciously through the trees, howling like a pack of wolves.” You might underline: “whipped viciously” “howling like a pack of wolves” 3. Pick 3 Key Language Features For an 10-mark question, aim to analyse 3 strong quotations  for each paragraph . Look for: Figurative language : simile, metaphor, personification Sound effects : alliteration, sibilance, onomatopoeia Strong verbs/adjectives Imagery : visual, auditory, tactile, etc. 4. Use th...
Read more

Grammar: Complex-compound Sentences

  1. What is a Compound-Complex Sentence? A compound- complex sentence  has at least two  independent clauses  and at least one  dependent clause . In simple terms, an  independent clause  can be a sentence on its own while a dependent  clause  cannot.   2. What is it for? Compound-complex sentences help us express longer more complicated thoughts, with more parts than other sentences. They’re good tools for explaining complicated ideas or describing long chains of events.   3. Examples:   i.                     Kate doesn’t like cartoons   because they are loud , so  she doesn’t watch them .   Kate doesn’t like cartoons – Independent clause   she doesn’t watch them – Independent clause because they are loud – dependent clause   ii.        ...
Read more