I. The simple sentence

The basic pattern of a simple sentence in English is one subject-predicate unit, it has two main (principal) positions: those of the subject and of the predicate. It is the pattern of a two-member sentence. There are several variations of this basic pattern, depending mainly on the kind of verb in the predicate position. It may be intransitive, transitive, ditransitive or a link verb. The basic pattern may be unextended or extended. An unextended sentence contains two main positions of the basic pattern, that of the subject and tlie predicate.(Mary laughed.) An extended sentence may contain various optional elements (including attributes, certain kinds of prepositional objects and adverbial modifiers). (John ran quickly to me.) Obligatory extending elements are those which complete the meaning of other words, usually verbs, or pronouns. Obligatory elements are called complements.

One-member sentences in English are of two types: nominal sentences and verbal sentences. Nominal sentences are those in which the principal part is expressed by a noun. They state the existence of the things expressed by them. They are typical of descriptions. They can be: a) unextended.(Silence. Summer. Midnight.) b) e x t e n d e d. (Dusk - of a summer night.)

Verbal sentences are those in which the principal part is expressed by a non-finite form of the verb, either an infinitive or a gerund. Infinitive and gerundial one-member sentences are mostly used to describe different emotional perceptions of reality. (To think of that!)

A two-member sentence may be either complete or incomplete (elliptical). An elliptical sentence is a sentence in which one or more word-forms in the principal positions are omitted. Ellipsis here refers only to the structural elements of the sentence, not the informational ones. This means that those words can be omitted, because they have only grammatical, structural relevance, and do not carry any new relevant information.

There are several types of elliptical sentences.1. Sentences without a word-form in the subject position. (Looks like rain.) 2. Sentences without word-forms in the subject position and part of the predicate position. In such cases the omitted part of the predicate may be either a) an auxiliary verb (Going home soon?) or b) a link verb (Not bad.) 3. Sentences without a word-form only in part of the predicate position, which may be an auxiliary or a link verb. (You seen them?) 4. Sentences without word-forms both in the subject and the predicate position. Such ellipses occur in various responses. (What were you thinking about? - You.) 5. Sentences without a word-form in the predicate position. Such ellipses occur only in replies to questions. (Who lives there? - Jack.)

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