A summary of all the grammar components necessary for the Grade 12 CAPS NSC English Home Language examinations. Includes direct and indirect speech, active and passive voice, phrases and clauses, sentence types, punctuation and other important concepts.
Sentence Types
There are four types of sentences:
1. Statements - supply information
2. Questions - ask for information
3. Exclamations - express specific emotions
4. Commands - give orders or instructions
Simple Sentences:
A simple sentence has one finite verb and deals with one idea.
Eg: Anna reads a book.
Compound Sentences:
A compound sentence has two or more finite verbs. It is made up of two or more simple sentences joined
by a co-ordinating conjunction.
Eg: Dan plays soccer at school and works on his computer at home.
*Co-ordinating conjunctions: joins two ideas of equal weight
For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS)
Complex Sentences:
A complex sentence contains one main clause and one sub-ordinate clause which provides additional
information. The clauses are joined by a subordinate conjunction.
Eg: Candice received her results while she was recuperating in hospital.
*Sub-ordinating conjunctions: joins a main idea to a sub-ordinate idea
Although, unless, if, after, because, before
Subject and Predicate:
Subject: reflects who or what the sentence is talking about
Predicate: the rest of the sentence from the verb onwards
Eg: The students in Grade 7 were happy to go to school.
Clauses and Phrases
Clauses:
A clause is a group of words containing a subject and verb.
Always contains a finite verb
See the Parts of speech notes for more information on finite and non-finite verbs
Main Clause
A main clause is a simple sentence.
It can stand on its own.
Eg: The van came to a halt after it had run out of petrol.
Dependant Clause
Contains a verb but cannot stand alone.
It needs an main clause to complete a sentence and give its full meaning.
, Eg: While the engine was running, the man jumped out of the car.
Dependant clauses can be divided into the following groups:
Noun clause:
The Perform the same functions as nouns.
Answers the who or what of the sentence (it will be the subject or object).
Eg: What they learned at school helped them in the work place.
Adjectival clause:
It gives meaning to a word or words in the main clause.
Similar to additional information given in brackets.
Usually begins with who, which, that, whom or whose.
Eg: The girl who had the longest hair won the beauty competition.
Adverbial clause:
Perform the same function as the adverb.
Answers when, where, how, why.
Eg: They jumped up and down when the sun set.
Eg: They jumped up and down because it was raining.
Phrases:
A phrase is a group of words without a finite verb
It is used as a single part of speech.
Can never stand alone
Adjectival Phrases:
Tell us more about the noun
Eg: The model with the dazzling smile came from Durban.
Noun Phrases:
Answers who or what is in connection with the noun
Eg: Everyone in the courtroom stood when the judge entered.
Adverbial Phrases:
Answer how, when, where and why in connection with the verb.
Eg: The girl, wanting to read, entered the room. (why?)
Eg: The girl entered the room happily and confidently. (how?)
Punctuation
Commas:
Commas are used to create a pause.
Used to separate a list of items
Shows where one clause or phrase ends another begins
Shows where additional information has been added
Follows introductory words in direct speech
Comma Splice: Do not use a comma between two main clauses; rather use a semi-colon, full stop or
coordinating conjunction.
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