Lesson 2 / Handout 2a – KEY

 

Indicate the CLAUSE TYPE of the following sentences (including only the obligatory clause elements):

 

1.   He / has made / me /  very sad.   SVOC

 

2.   My friend Susan / usually laughs / very loudly.   SV

 

3.   A waitress / brought / soft drinks and something to grab.   SVO

 

4.   The receptionist / handed / him / his key.   SVOO

 

5.   She / seems to be / very happy.   SVC

 

6.   The traffic jam / made / me / very nervous.   SVOC

 

7.   My feet / hurt.   SV

 

8.   But / the hotel / was situated / on a very busy street.   SVA

 

9.   He / bought / the children / ice creams.   SVOO

 

10. I / asked / them / a simple question.   SVOO

 

11. It / sounded / really great!   SVC

 

12. I / really like / the man sitting in the corner.   SVO

 

13. She / has put / her bag / on the rack.   SVOA

 

14. The child / was yawning.   SV

 

15. I / ’ve just prepared / something to eat.   SVO

 

16. The cat / lay / under the chair.   SV

 

17. My husband / cleaned / the windows in the kitchen / three days ago.   SVO

 

18. Luckily, / she / arrived / yesterday.   SV

 

19. Later, /  you / can perhaps put / the dish / on the table.   SVOA

 

20. It / ’s turned out / a lovely day / again.   SVC   

 

The verb laugh (sentence 2) is an intransitive verb. The optional adverbial very loudly does not change the clause type or the verb class. The same applies to sentences 16 and 18 (verbs lie and arrive are also intransitive).

The verb clean (sentence 17) is a mono-transitive verb, it requires a direct object. The occurrence of an adverbial is only optional, it does not change the clause type or the verb class.

If you were asked to indicate optional clause elements (i.e. optional adverbials) as well, you should put them into brackets. Thus, for example, sentence 2 would then be S(A)V(A), sentence 16 SV(A) and sentence 18 (A)SV(A). 

Remember that obligatory adverbials typically refer to space (as in sentences 8, 13 and 19).