ESL Basic English Grammar Questions and Help

Re: Sentence arrangement

Clive — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:11:55 GMT

Hi,

Really, I think ' is the main clause, and '(that) these foods are not soft enough for me' is a subordinate noun clause. We can see that clearly in option (c).

1. These foods are not soft enough for me, I think. This word order makes it look like two clauses. The 'I think' seems parenthetical, and the comma acknowledges that.

2. I think, these foods are not soft enough for me. There is not reason here to use a comma.

3 I think these foods are not soft enough for me. As discussed.

Each sentence contains two main clauses.How can we tell they are arranged grammatically ?

'These foods' suggests you are focusing on different kinds of food. If not, just say 'This food'.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: Sentence arrangement

Mister Micawber — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:08:21 GMT

.
Each sentence, as in your previous posting, contains only one main clause. In #2 and #3 a zero-that (omitted that) exists as a subordinating conjunction (#2 is punctuated incorrectly). #1, on the other hand, contains an interjection-- a parenthetical disjunct called a comment clause. It cannot stand by itself (I think...??), but modifies the main clause (These foods....for me).

1. These foods are not soft enough for me, I think.

2. I think (that) these foods are not soft enough for me.

3 I think (that) these foods are not soft enough for me.

Sentence arrangement

bhikkhu1991 — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:54:50 GMT

1. These foods are not soft enough for me, I think.

2. I think, these foods are not soft enough for me.

3 I think these foods are not soft enough for me.

Hello Grammarian/Grammarians,

Each sentence contains two main clauses.How can we tell they are arranged grammatically ?

Thank you.

With best wishes.