ESTRUCTURAS

Compound/Complex Sentences
The following sentences are made up of two independent clauses with one or more dependent clauses. You are to identify the clauses telling what kind each is. The choices are independent clause, noun clause, adjective clause or adverb clause.
1. John went to school, but James remained at home because he had a sore throat.
2. If he changes his mind, we shall know for sure that Joe has learned his lesson, but only time will tell.
3. Those clouds promise rain; we should hurry before we get caught in a flash flood.
4. Here is the money that I owe you, and I am happy to be free of debt.
5. Were you ever in a storm that was full of lightning, or don't you recall?

Answers
1. John went to school = independent clause, James remained at home = independent clause, because he had a sore throat = adverb clause
2. If he changes his mind = adverb clause, we shall know for sure = independent clause, that Joe has learned his lesson = noun clause, only time will tell = independent clause
3. Those clouds promise rain = independent clause, we should hurry = independent clause, before we get caught in a flash flood = adverb clause
4. Here is the money = independent clause, that I owe you = adjective clause, I am happy to be free of debt = independent clause
5. Were you ever in a storm = independent clause, that was full of lightning = adjective clause, don't you recall = independent clause


Compound/Complex Sentences
The following sentences are made up of two independent clauses with one or more dependent clauses. You are to identify the clauses telling what kind each is. The choices are independent clause, noun clause, adjective clause or adverb clause.
1. Since we had gone only a mile from camp, we could return before dark, and we would not become lost.
2. After the tornado had hit, my house was gone, but my neighbor's house was not touched.
3. Mary heard the frightening noise again, and the sound was one that would frighten the bravest of people.
4. The route can be changed, but I know several people who will not like the change.
5. Dr. Mathews did what could be done, but it simply was not enough to save his life.

Answers
1. Since we had gone only a mile from camp = adverb clause, we could return before dark = independent clause, we would not become lost = independent clause
2. After the tornado had hit = adverb clause, my house was gone = independent clause, my neighbor's house was not touched = independent clause
3. Mary heard the frightening noise again = independent clause, the sound was one = independent clause, that would frighten the bravest of people = adjective clause
4. The route can be changed = independent clause, I know several people = independent clause, who will not like the change = adjective clause
5. Dr. Mathews did = independent clause, what could be done = noun clause, it simply was not enough to save his life = independent clause


Compound/Complex Sentences
The following sentences are made up of two independent clauses with one or more dependent clauses. You are to identify the clauses telling what kind each is. The choices are independent clause, noun clause, adjective clause or adverb clause.
1. We enlarged our house, and after we had finished the work, we moved to Hawaii and never returned.
2. The vacation should be restful, but many people take vacations that are never restful.
3. James said that will be enough, and everyone agreed.
4. Dad went fishing, but Mom stayed home because she wanted to be there when Terri arrived.
5. Although the children were running everywhere, closer observation indicated that they were playing a game, and they had created it themselves.

Answers
1. We enlarged our house = independent clause, after we had finished the work = adverb clause, we moved to Hawaii and never returned = independent clause
2. The vacation should be restful = independent clause, many people take vacations = independent clause, that are never restful = adjective clause
3. James said = independent clause, that will be enough = noun clause, everyone agreed = independent clause
4. Dad went fishing = independent clause, Mom stayed home = independent clause, because she wanted to be there = adverb clause, when Terri arrived = adverb clause
5. Although the children were running everywhere = adverb clause, closer observation indicated = independent clause, that they were playing a game = noun clause, they had created it themselves = independent clause


Compound/Complex Sentences
The following sentences are either a simple sentence, a compound sentence, a complex sentence or a compound/complex sentence. Identify the sentences telling what kind each is.
1. Jim and his friend Ryan had planned to return to Canada.
2. Although we searched everywhere, Curtis could find no trace of his shoes.
3. Alaina wrote an original poem, and her mother corrected her spelling.
4. Since he was entrusted with the secret, Fred became very serious, and he was no longer a practical joker.
5. The real story is that he was injured while he was hiking.

Answers
1. simple
2. complex
3. compound
4. compound/complex
5. complex


Compound/Complex Sentences
The following sentences are either a simple sentence, a compound sentence, a complex sentence or a compound/complex sentence. Identify the sentences telling what kind each is.
1. None of the other jurors asked me to change my mind.
2. Barbara and Jeanne whispered and giggled all night.
3. That he is my cousin cannot be denied.
4. The boy who is speaking is my brother, and he will be staying with us.
5. I know you don't like him, but that doesn't matter.

Answers
1. simple
2. simple
3. complex
4. compound/complex
5. compound/complex

GRAMÁTICA

A noun phrase is either a single noun or pronoun or a group of words containing a noun or a pronoun that function together as a noun or pronoun, as the subject or object of a verb.
EXAMPLES OF NOUN PHRASES:

EG: John was late.
('John' is the noun phrase functioning as the subject of the verb.)

EG: The people that I saw coming in the building at nine o'clock have just left.
('The people ... nine o'clock' is a lengthy noun phrase, but it functions as the subject of the main verb 'have just left'.)

INGLES FÁCIL

Passive Voice

What this topic is about

This topic will help you understand what the passive voice is, why many professors and writing instructors frown upon it, and how you can revise your paper to achieve greater clarity. Some things here may surprise you. We hope this handout will help you to understand the passive voice and allow you to make more informed choices as you write.

Myths

So what is the passive voice? First, let's be clear on what the passive voice isn't. Below, we'll list some common myths about the passive voice:

1. Use of the passive voice constitutes a grammatical error.

Use of the passive voice is not a grammatical error. It's a stylistic issue that pertains to clarity—that is, there are times when using the passive voice can prevent a reader from understanding what you mean.

2. Any use of "to be" (in any form) constitutes the passive voice.

The passive voice entails more than just using a being verb. Using "to be" can weaken the impact of your writing, but it is occasionally necessary and does not by itself constitute the passive voice.

3. The passive voice always avoids the first person; if something is in first person ("I" or "we") it's also in the active voice.

On the contrary, you can very easily use the passive voice in the first person. Here's an example: "I was hit by the dodgeball."

4. You should never use the passive voice.

While the passive voice can weaken the clarity of your writing, there are times when the passive voice is OK and even preferable.

5. I can rely on my grammar checker to catch the passive voice.

See Myth #1. Since the passive voice isn't a grammar error, it's not always caught. Typically, grammar checkers catch only a fraction of passive voice usage.

Do any of these misunderstandings sound familiar? If so, you're not alone. That's why we wrote this handout. It discusses how to recognize the passive voice, when you should avoid it, and when it's OK.