Create a two-word sentence by combining a subject and a verb.
Students threw.
Add an object (to receive the action of the verb).
Students threw books.
Add one word that modifies a noun.
(A “modifier” can provide information about any element of language; can
itself be a clause, a phrase, or an individual word; and can include other
subjects, verbs, objects, and modifiers.)
Unhappy students threw books.
Add one word that modifies a verb.
Unhappy students angrily threw books.
Add a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun.
Unhappy students in Wheatley Hall angrily threw books.
Add a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb.
Unhappy students in Wheatley Hall angrily threw books at the wall.
Add a dependent clause that modifies a noun.
Unhappy students in Wheatley Hall angrily threw books at the wall, which split
asunder.
Add a dependent clause that modifies a verb.
When they were not allowed to memorize their most beloved grammatical terms,
unhappy students in Wheatley Hall angrily threw books at the wall, which split
asunder.
Add an independent clause.
When they were not allowed to memorize their most beloved grammatical terms,
unhappy students in Wheatley Hall angrily threw books at the wall, which split
asunder; through the gap strode a merciful angel who instantly transformed each
student into a grammarian of the highest order.
Create a two-word sentence by combining a subject and a verb.
Fathers brought.
Add an object.
Fathers brought nation.
Add individual words that modify nouns.
Our fathers brought a new nation.
Add one word that modifies a verb.
Our fathers brought forth a new nation.
Add a phrase that modifies a verb.
Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth a new nation.
Add a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb.
Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new
nation.
Add a phrase that modifies a noun.
Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new
nation, conceived and dedicated.
Add prepositional phrases that modify verb forms (functioning as adjectives).
Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new
nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition.
Add a dependent clause that modifies a noun.
Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new
nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are
created equal.
(The same treatment for another famous opening sentence is below. But first…)
Create a two-word sentence by combining a subject and a verb.*
mother deserves
Add an object.
mother deserves flowers
Add one word that modifies a noun.
every mother deserves flowers
Add one word that modifies a verb.
every mother truly deserves flowers
Add a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun.
every mother truly deserves flowers from the garden
Add a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb.
every mother truly deserves flowers from the garden on her birthday
Add a dependent clause that modifies a noun.
every mother who treats her children welltruly deserves flowers from the garden
on her birthday
Add a dependent clause that modifies a verb.
every mother who treats her children well, and who does so regularly, truly
deserves flowers from the garden on her birthday
Add an independent clause.
Every mother who treats her children well, and who does so regularly, truly
deserves flowers from the garden on her birthday; however, mothers who don’t
treat their children well don’t deserve anything.
*The red answers to the questions in black were provided by class members
during our meeting on 9/29/14
Create a two-word sentence by combining a subject and a verb.
Respect requires.
Add an object.
Respect requires that they should declare the causes.
Add one word that modifies a noun.
A decent respect requires that they should declare the causes.
Add a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun.
A decent respect to the opinions requires that they should declare the causes.
Add another prepositional phrase that modifies a noun.
A decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare
the causes.
Add a dependent clause that modifies a verb.
When it becomes necessary, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires
that they should declare the causes.
Add a prepositional phrase that modifies an adjective.
When it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands, a
decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the
causes.
Add two dependent clauses that modify nouns.
When it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which
have connected them with another, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind
requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Add two phrases including an infinitive verb form and its object.
When it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which
have connected them with another, and to assume the station, a decent respect to
the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which
impel them to the separation.
Add words that modify a noun.
When it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which
have connected them with another, and to assume the separate and equal station,
a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the
causes which impel them to the separation.
Add a dependent clause that modifies a noun.
When it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which
have connected them with another, and to assume the separate and equal station
to which the Laws entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind
requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
Add prepositional phrases that modify a noun.
When it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which
have connected them with another, and to assume the separate and equal station
to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect
to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which
impel them to the separation.