4R Grammar Topics

4R GRAMMAR TOPICS
(i) PARTICIPLE CLAUSE KLB 138
A participle is a verb form that acts as an adjective.
There are two types of participles:

(a) The past participle – it is usually formed by adding –d, or -ed to the present tense.
Examples:
Fooled, the shopkeeper bought fake products.
(Fooled is a past participle modifying the noun phrase shopkeeper)
Shaken, he dashed to the police station.
(Shaken is a past participle modifying the pronoun he)
(b) The present participle – it is usually formed by adding -ing to the present tense of
any verb.
Examples:
Smiling, the conman stepped out of the shop.
(Smiling is a present participle modifying the noun phrase conman).
Using participles is a simple way of adding information to sentences and to vary sentences
beginnings.
The conman smiled as he stepped out of the shop.

Smiling, the conman stepped out of the shop.
A participle clause consists of a present or past participle and its modifiers, objects, or
complements. It always functions as an adjective.
STRUCTURE OF A SIMPLE SENTENCE

Subject-nouns, noun phrases or pronoun
Predicate-verbs-auxiliary verbs and main verbs
-objects: direct object and indirect
-complement-prepositional phrase or adverbs
John Paul wrote me a letter yesterday.
Examples:
1) Rounding the corner, the conman met two policemen.
(Rounding the corner is a present participle phrase modifying the noun conman).
2) Surprised by the appearance of the conman, the policemen started blowing their
whistles.
(Surprised by the appearance of the conman is a past participle clause modifying the
noun phrase policemen).
A participle or participle clause is not always at the beginning of a sentence. Sometimes it may
appear in the middle but it should be near the noun or pronoun it modifies.
Examples:
The skilled policemen arrested the conman.
The conman, losing control, fought the policemen fiercely.
Participle clauses function as subordinate clauses; they combine with main clauses to form a
complex sentence.
Reminder:
Though he is sick, he still came to work.
The underlined part is a subordinate clause. It combines with the main clause to form a complex
sentence.
Examples:
Determined to arrive on time, he took the early bus.

Wanting to apologize, he approached his boss.
Read the following sentences and write down the participle clause functioning as a
subordinate clause:
1. Annoyed by the treatment he received, he resigned from the club.
2. Leaping out of bed, Jane made for the door.
3. Feeling a little confused, Maurine asked the man for direction.
Participle clauses function as adjectives by modifying or giving more information about the
subject of the main clause.
Examples:
1. Excited about flying to the USA, the boys worked very hard.
The highlighted words modify the subject (noun phrase), the boys.
2. Angered by her, he called off their friendship
The highlighted words modify the subject (pronoun), he.
Read the following passage and identify the participle clauses

Some solutions to the water crisis are quite easy, seeing that rain water is plentiful during the
rainy season. We can harvest it and use it in the dry season, frustrated though we may become
when the rains fail. Encouraged by the success of this project, they now want to use the water to
irrigate their farms.
Points to note:
Both the gerund and the present participle are created by a adding -ing to the present tense of a
verb. To tell whether a word is a gerund or a participle depends on how the word is used in a
sentence.
(i) A participle is used as a modifier in a sentence.
Example:
Gaining courage, the conman attempted to escape.
(Gaining courage is a participial phrase modifying conman).
(ii) A gerund is used as a noun in a sentence.
Example:
Gaining courage made the conman look aggressive.
(Gaining courage is a gerund phrase, the subject of the verb made).
A GERUND AND GERUND PHRASE KLB 149-151

REVISION
The boy has driven the car

Subject-the boy
Direct object-the car
The Principal has given me the award

Subject- The Principal
Direct object-The award
Indirect object-me
He spoke to me yesterday
Subject-he
Direct object- none
Complement-prepositional phrase-to me, complement of the verb spoke
A gerund is a verb form used as a noun. It is formed by adding -ing to the present tense of a
verb. Gerunds can be used as subjects, direct objects, objects of prepositions, and complements.
Examples:
Subject: Fishing is a popular activity in Nyanza Province.

(Fishing is a gerund, the subject of the verb is)
Writing has never been my cup of tea.
(Writing is a gerund, the subject of the verb has)
Direct object: The sport involves riding.

(Riding is a gerund, the direct object of the verb involves)
The programme includes reading
(Reading is a gerund, the direct object of the verb includes)
Object of a preposition: The sport is similar to fencing.

(Fencing is a gerund, the object of the preposition to)
Complement
The most enjoyable activity is reading
(Reading is a gerund, a complement of the verb is)
A gerund phrase includes a gerund, its modifiers, objects or complements. It always functions as
a noun.
Examples:
Becoming a Tusker Project fame finalist was Msechu’s lifetime dream.
(Gerund phrase is the subject of the sentence.)
Msechu dreamt all his life about winning the top award.
(The gerund phrase is an object of the preposition about).
One of Msechu’s biggest disappointments was losing to Alpha.

(The gerund phrase is a complement of the verb was).
The game involves jumping over hurdles.

(Object of the verb involves).
Exercise 4
Underline the gerund or gerund phrases in the following sentences and label each one subject,
direct, object, object of preposition, or complement.
Form gerunds from the underlined verbs and use them to rewrite the following sentences
1) He needs to exercise in order to keep fit.
2) It is fun to bake.
3) If you swim, you will save your life.
4) I like to fish
5) His greatest dream was to win an international title
6) He began to play with professionals at the age of sixteen.
INVERSION pg 162-163
Consider the following sentences:
1) Up went the plane.
2) The plane went up.
What do you conclude?

Is there any difference?
One may argue that the first sentence has more emphasis. What has been emphasised?
To illustrate how important the place where the plane has gone is, the adverb is given
prominence by appearing at the start of the sentence:
Therefore, INVERSION when the word order of the subject, verb and object is changed from
their usual positions, inversion is created. When this occurs in a sentence, inversion is created.
Three Types of Inversion
1) The subject-main verb
In this situation, the subject and the main interchange their positions.
a) The dog ran out
b) Out ran the dog
c) The teacher walked in
d) In walked the teacher
2) Subject-auxiliary Inversion
When a statement is converted into a question, the subject switches position with the (first)
auxiliary verb.
a) He has gone out.
b) Has he gone out?
c) Eric could have left.
d) Could Eric have left?
It is also possible to have statement-auxiliary inversion as seen below:
I have never met the suspect.
Never have I met the suspect.
ACTIVITY
Rewrite the following sentences to show inversion.
a) Someone is knocking at the door.

b) The giant fell down with a thud.
c) The reckless driver shot away.
d) The people went off in different directions.
e) They are seldom late.
f) You haven’t seen this one before.
g) He is being interviewed right now.
h) Nothing good comes from lying.
3) Inversion in question tags
The basic rule about question tags state that if the statement is positive, the question tag becomes
negative. Secondly, inversion occurs between the subject and the auxiliary verb, then negated
where possible. If the subject of the statement is a noun, in the question tag it will be replaced
with a pronoun.
Consider:
a) You have done well, haven’t you?
b) The woman is bright, isn’t she?
When the question tag is a conclusion/confirmation of what the speaker has said, it will be in
positive just like the statement that precedes it.
Consider:
a) This is a new phone, is it?
b) They are bright, are they?
Imperative statements (commands or requests), the question tags remain positive.
Consider:
a) Move out, will you?
b) Let us pray, shall we?
Activity
Rewrite the following sentences adding question tags:
a) The vehicle was not speeding.

b) You don’t ever intend to take drugs.
c) Let me take some.
d) They should have come by now.
e) Mwema can do this sum.
f) It isn’t a pleasant sight.

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4R GRAMMAR TOPICS

(i) PARTICIPLE CLAUSE KLB 138

A participle is a verb form that acts as an adjective.

There are two types of participles:

The conman smiled as he stepped out of the shop.

STRUCTURE OF A SIMPLE SENTENCE

Determined to arrive on time, he took the early bus.

Read the following passage and identify the participle clauses

A GERUND AND GERUND PHRASE KLB 149-151

The boy has driven the car

The Principal has given me the award

Subject: Fishing is a popular activity in Nyanza Province.

Direct object: The sport involves riding.

Object of a preposition: The sport is similar to fencing.

One of Msechu’s biggest disappointments was losing to Alpha.

The game involves jumping over hurdles.

3) If you swim, you will save your life.

5) His greatest dream was to win an international title

6) He began to play with professionals at the age of sixteen.

Consider the following sentences:

1) Up went the plane.

2) The plane went up.

What do you conclude?

Three Types of Inversion

1) The subject-main verb

a) The dog ran out

b) Out ran the dog

c) The teacher walked in

d) In walked the teacher

a) He has gone out.

b) Has he gone out?

c) Eric could have left.

d) Could Eric have left?

It is also possible to have statement-auxiliary inversion as seen below:

I have never met the suspect.

Never have I met the suspect.

Rewrite the following sentences to show inversion.

a) Someone is knocking at the door.

c) The reckless driver shot away.

d) The people went off in different directions.

e) They are seldom late.

f) You haven’t seen this one before.

g) He is being interviewed right now.

h) Nothing good comes from lying.

3) Inversion in question tags

a) You have done well, haven’t you?

b) The woman is bright, isn’t she?

a) This is a new phone, is it?

b) They are bright, are they?

Imperative statements (commands or requests), the question tags remain positive.

a) Move out, will you?

b) Let us pray, shall we?

Rewrite the following sentences adding question tags:

a) The vehicle was not speeding.

c) Let me take some.

d) They should have come by now.

e) Mwema can do this sum.

f) It isn’t a pleasant sight.

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