XVIII. CLAUSES. SIMPLE SENTENCES
60. We have learned that a sentence must contain a subject and a predicate. We have another name for a combination of subject and predicate. We call it a clause.
61. When a sentence consists of but one clause, we call it a simple sentence; and we say that this clause is independent, because it can stand alone and make sense.
62. A simple sentence may have a compound subject or a compound predicate, or both, and yet so long as these subjects and predicates go together, we say that there is only one clause; as in the sentence, “The lion and the mouse helped each other and became friends.”
Summary.—A clause is any combination of subject and predicate.
An independent clause is one that can stand alone and make sense.
A simple sentence contains but one independent clause.
A simple sentence may have a compound subject or a compound predicate, or both.
Exercise.—Analyze the following simple sentences:—
Model.—Then a piece of mica, or a little pool, or even a highly polished leaf will flash like a heliograph.
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
The subject is a piece of mica, or a little pool, or even a highly polished leaf. The predicate is will flash like a heliograph then.
The subject is compound. The simple subjects are the nouns piece, pool, and leaf, which are joined by the conjunction or. Piece is modified by the prepositional phrase of mica and the adjective a. Pool, is modified by the adjectives little and a. Leaf is modified by the adjective element highly polished, and the adjectives a and even. The base word of the adjective element is the adjective polished, which is modified by the adverb highly.
The simple predicate is will flash. It is modified by the prepositional phrase like a heliograph, and the adverb then.
1. Through three good months the valley was wrapped in cloud and soaking mist.
2. In the very heart of London stands the great Bank of England.
3. Would not any boy respond to the sweet invitation of those ripe berries?
4. A fool and his money are soon parted.
5. A large, warm tear splashed down on the program.
6. In the sunny days the sucker lies in the deep pools, by some big stone or near the bank.
7. The feeling of a boy towards pumpkin pie has never been properly considered.
8. Shall the adventures of the Peterkin family be published?
9. No healthy boy could long exist without numerous friends in the animal kingdom.
10. No sound of joy or sorrow was heard from either bank.
11. At length has come the bridal day of beauty and of strength.
12. On one hot summer morning a little cloud rose from the sea and floated lightly and happily across the blue sky.
13. Donkeys, horses, negroes of every age, size, and shade, carts, crates, sacks, barrels, and boxes are mingled in seemingly inextricable confusion.
14. In the midst of the wild confusion the voice of the Boots was heard.
15. Then he strolled across the pasture, between the black stumps, the blueberry patches, the tangles of wild raspberry; pushed softly through the fringe of wild cherry and young birch saplings, and crept silently under the branches of a low hemlock.
16. The moss was supported by solid earth or a framework of ancient tree roots.
17. Alas! with every blow of the chisel the brick crumbled at my feet.
18. A dish of apples and a pitcher of chilly cider were always served during the evening.
19. I sat down in the middle of the path and never stirred for a long time.
20. The mayor and other civic authorities in London came down to Greenwich in barges.