Seminar 3

The Composite Sentence

Reading

1. Блох М. Я. Теоретическая грамматика английского языка. (Ch. XXVI – XXX, p. 283 – 351)

2. Иванова И.П., Бурлакова В.В., Почепцов Г.Г. Теоретическая грамматика современного английского языка. (3.2.3. “Сложное предложение”, c. 230 – 238)

3. Ilyish B. The Structure of Modern English. (Ch. XXXII – L, p. 254 – 331)

Points to discuss

1. The composite sentence vs. the simple sentence.

2. The compound sentence.

3. Coordination. Types of coordinating connectors.

4. The complex sentence.

5. Subordination. Types of subordinating connectors.

6. Asyndetic sentences.

7. Semi-composite sentences.

8. Mixed types of composite sentences.

Questions for discussion

1. What problems underlie the notion of the composite sentence?

2. What similar syntactic properties characterize the simple sentence and the composite sentence?

3. What principles can serve as the basis of a general classification of composite sentences?

4. What is a compound sentences?

5. How are clauses in a compound sentence connected?

6. What is a complex sentence?

7. What connectors can be used to join clauses of a complex sentence together?

8. What types of subordinate clauses are differentiated?

9. What is an asyndetic sentence?

10.Can asyndetic sentences be classified into compound and complex?

11.What semantic relations are possible between clauses of an Asyndetic sentence?

12.What sentences are referred to as semi-composite sentences?

13.What makes semi-composite sentences transitional structures?

14.What is a compound-complex sentence?

Practice Assignment

I. State the type of connectors in the following compound sentences:

1. The cognac tasted salty, but Rémy didn't care. (D. Brown)

2. “You’ve got to come, or else I’ll pull your hair”. (J. Galsworthy)

3. The rain was getting heavier now, and he tucked the cryptex deep in his right-hand pocket to protect it from the dampness. (D. Brown)

4. And, as a matter of fact, it wasn’t technically called a monastery, but only a seminary; nevertheless it shall be a monastery here despite its Victorian architecture or its Edward VII additions, or even its Woodrow Wilsonian, patented, last-a-century roofing. (F. S. Fitzgerald)

5. The stuff was like nitric acid, and moreover, in swallowing it one had the sensation of being hit on the back of the head with a rubber club. (G. Orwell)

6. “You keep your hands off my wife, or I’ll bust your pretty little nose”. (J. Cheever)

7. He knew himself to be old, yet he felt young; and this troubled him. (J. Galsworthy)

8. And this is reasonable, for upon the accuracy of his estimates the whole policy of his life is ordered. (J. Galsworthy)

9. We were locked together this way for maybe a couple of seconds; then the sound of the mill jumped a hitch, and something commenced to draw her back away from me. (K. Kesey)

10.It was Saturday, so they were early home from school: quick, shy, dark little rascals of seven and six, soon talkative, for Ashurst had a way with children. (J. Galsworthy)

II. Comment on the relations between clauses in the following asyndetic sentences:

1. He did not leave town; Irene refused to go away. (J. Galsworthy)

2. Teacher had heard the poem, he had known the answer. (D. Brown)

3. The Teacher recalled a small announcement sign he had seen on his way into the abbey. (J. Brown)

4. We had half imagined George was dead. (M. Spark)

5. She shivered slightly: they were like dead men. (F. S. Fitzgerald)

6. He still hoped she might once more become a comfort to himself. (J. Galsworthy)

7. You needn’t worry, I shall be careful all right. (A. Christie)

8. She had asked Phil to dinner many times; his invariable answer had been ‘Too busy.’ (J. Galsworthy)

9. I would not have spoken had I not been inspired to it. (M. Spark)

10.It was the piece of evidence they had all unconsciously been waiting for. (J. Galsworthy)

III. State the type of subordinate clauses in the following complex sentences:

1. On sunny afternoons, Londoners picnic beneath the willows and feed the pond's resident pelicans, whose ancestors were a gift to Charles II from the Russian ambassador. (D. Brown)

2. Since he had neglected to do it on first coming to the estate, their quitting his house might be looked on as the most suitable period for its accomplishment. (J. Austin)

3. As the Teacher approached the front passenger door of the parked limousine, Rémy leaned across and opened the door. (D. Brown)

4. Even if she hated him, he at all events ought not to put himself in the wrong by neglecting this ancient rite. (J. Galsworthy)

5. What she thought of her brother’s guests I can only imagine. (W. S. Maugham)

6. The grey light clung about the trees of the square, as though Night, like a great downy moth, had brushed them with her wings. (J. Galsworthy)

7. Though he had not seen the architect since the last afternoon at Robin Hill, he was never free from the sense of his presence—never free from the memory of his worn face with its high cheek bones and enthusiastic eyes. (J. Galsworthy)

8. But he put his knee over my ankles, so that I couldn’t move. (M. Spark)

9. He was looking at his wife’s face when he came to this conclusion. (J. Galsworthy)

10.The boy didn’t dare look at his father lest he should scold and punish him. (A. Cronin)

IV. State what makes the following sentences semi-composite:

1. Langdon nodded, feeling the first faint wisps of possibility materializing. (D. Brown)

2. Langdon read the words twice, his heart pounding wildly. (D. Brown)

3. I’ll never do anything as good as that. (W. S. Maugham)

4. Sophie was already stepping over the swag and moving forward. (D. Brown)

5. Nothing afforded him greater amusement than a drunken man. (J. Galsworthy)

6. They found my body and made me a boat of sticks and dragged me across the desert. (M. Ondaatje)

7. Young Jolyon sat down not far off, and began nervously to reconsider his position. (J. Galsworthy)

8. He was as pleasant, attentive, and soberly gay as usual. (W. S. Maugham)

9. Not constitutionally interested in amphibious sports, his visit had been one of business rather than pleasure, a client of some importance having asked him down. (J. Galsworthy)

10.The soft fullness of the coat made her face as small as a child’s. (J. Galsworthy)