Modern Grammar - Some Practice Sentences James Madison University

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: Here are some sentences that you can use to practice determining the constituency of sentences, drawing trees that represent that constituency, and/or identifying construction types. Some of these sentences focus on challenging combinations of some of the more complex sentence structures we've covered, so look at them carefully. Answer sheets will be available outside my office door by the late afternoon Monday, 5/2. I'll also be happy to answer any questions at the review session (Tuesday, 5/3, 4pm-??, KEEZELL G9 -- **CONFIRMED). Please note though that practicing these sentences should NOT be thought of as a substitute for studying notes, previous assignments, etc! The sentences on the test will not necessarily be exactly like these...

Tree Diagramming:

1. The moon is full.
2. A piece of the puzzle disappeared.
3. This sounds like a complete sentence.
4. The very precocious child invented a better mousetrap.
5. The sweet, little lamb with the soft, woolly coat belongs to Mary.
6. The runner collapsed at the end of the race.
7. I may have been dreaming.
8. Every good boy deserves fudge.
9. The scientist hid his secret notes in the largest beaker on the highest shelf in his lab.
10. The children examined the elephant's big, floppy ears carefully.
11. The overly serious man laughed in the end, and this was very good for him.
12. All men are mortal, but some words are immortal.
13. The drunk claimed that the monster watched the very old man with enormous eyes. (Structurally ambiguous with 2 possible trees!)
14. The small, rather meek prince hoped the strong princess would save him.
15. My friends have a cat and two dogs but they would prefer a potbellied pig or a goat.
16. The driver asked if the officer was joking or being serious when she said she would ticket him.
17. Everyone was astonished that Quayle knew the national anthem.
18. That time heals all wounds might be an overstatement.
19. When we saw Mona Lisa's smile, we understood the claim that art reveals human nature.
20. The landlord preferred that her tenants give the rent to her weekly.
21. If you do not know the answer, we believe that you should think about it for ten minutes before you take a guess.
22. That this is the last sentence on the list is a shame.