Task 1
Give the characteristic form of the three main sentence types of English.
Key
Declarative sentences have normal word order with the subject before the verbal – (the SV order). Example: She likes it.
Interrogative sentences have inverted word order with an auxiliary before the subject – (the vSV order). Example: Does she like it? What does she like?
If the question word is the subject, we have normal word order: Example: Who stole the painting?
Imperative sentences often drop the subject: Example: Read carefully before use, but may include it. Example: Somebody open the window/You do as I say.
Task 2
Label these sentences as either declarative, interrogative or imperative? Put in suitable punctuation marks. Which of the three types are interactive? One example below can be understood as a rhetorical question. Which? How do you know?
- The bomb scare was a hoax
- How would you like to have it cooked, sir
- I don’t particularly like his approach
- Have you seen his latest show
- Send for more information now
- Who was elected American president late in 1999
- Do help yourself to some more cake
- Never have I heard such nonsense presented at a serious meeting
- Who wouldn’t want a ticket for a Bruce Springsteen show
- Nobody move
Key
- Declarative: The bomb scare was a hoax.
- Wh-interrogative: How would you like to have it cooked, sir?
- Declarative: I don’t particularly like his approach.
- Yes-No interrogative: Have you seen his latest show?
- Imperative: Send for more information now.
- Wh-interrogative: Who was elected American president late in 1999?
- Imperative: Do help yourself to some more cake! (insistent)
- Declarative: Never have I heard such nonsense presented at a meeting.
- Wh-Interrogative: Who wouldn’t want a ticket for a Bruce Springsteen show? (Rhetorical)
- Imperative: Nobody move!
Task 3 (advanced)
The material below outlines the advantages of online dating. It is drastically reduced from the original at this website: http://www.match.com/matchus/index.aspx?TrackingID=514294&BannerID=536903
ONLINE DATING AT MATCH.COM
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people find love on Match.com. Match.com pioneered the Internet dating industry, launching in 1995 and today serving millions of singles in 24 countries. Search free through all of our online personals. Literally, hundreds of thousands of single men and single women right in your area have posted personal ads on Match.com.
THE MATCH.COM SINGLES COMMUNITY
Who's on Match.com? Your neighbors, co-workers and more. Every day, 20,000 singles join our growing community. Match.com members form a diverse, global community of singles who share common goals - to meet other singles, find dates, form romantic relationships and meet life partners. Young and old alike, gay and straight, from everywhere around the world, singles come to Match.com to flirt, meet, date, have fun, fall in love and to form meaningful, loving relationships.
“Match.com is like Baskin-Robbins' 31 flavors: blondes, redheads, Egyptians and probably a set of Siamese twins if you were to search long enough.”
-Glamour Magazine
FREE DATING SEARCHES
Like what you've seen on Match.com? Now, take the next step and become a member. First, create a Free profile and tell us a little about yourself and what you're looking for in a partner and relationship. In addition to creating a Free profile, members can post photos and send winks all for free.
FIND YOUR LOVE
Begin by telling us the type of person you're looking for in your next relationship and start looking for love right from our homepage. It's free and it's easy. With millions of singles online, Match.com is so sure you'll find someone special within six months, we're willing to guarantee it with our Make Love Happen guarantee.
ONLINE DATING CONNECTIONS
Okay, so you've searched through available singles and you've seen someone you think you may connect with; you like their photo, you've read their Profile, filled out yours and you've uploaded a photo. Now, it's time to subscribe, because flirting is fun, but email is where the real love connections are made.
ONLINE DATING FOR THE COST OF A SINGLE DATE
Think about how much you spend on a night out at a bar. Or how much you spend on a movie and a bag of popcorn. How quickly would you give up one of these for a lifetime of love with someone special? Is it worth it? Get started now and find out for yourself!
Questions
a) Identify interrogative and imperative sentences in this material.
b) What is the effect of using such sentence types?
c) What meaning and effect does the quote from Glamour Magazine have in this context?
d) What does Baskin-Robbins’ 31 flavors refer to?
e) In the paragraph called FIND YOUR LOVE there is mention of a guarantee. Write a short
text where you comment on this type of guarantee.
Key
a)
Interrogative sentences:
Who’s on Match.com?
Like what you’ve seen on Match.com? (shortened form for Do you like what…?)
How quickly would you give…?
Is it worth it?
Imperative sentences:
Search free through….
Now, take the next step and become a member (two imperatives)
First create a profile and tell us… (two imperatives)
Find your love
Begin by telling… and start looking…(two imperatives)
Think about….
(Or) how much you… (shortened for Think about how much you spend…)
Get started now and find out for yourself. (two imperatives)
b)
The effect of using such sentence types is that the text becomes interactive and feels like it communicates directly with a reader, here referred to by the personal pronoun YOU. This effect is further strengthened by its use of informal language.
c)
The effect of the quote from Glamour Magazine is that Match.com is made to appear as a dating community where people can find partners of all sorts, no matter their preferences.
d)
Baskin Robbins’ 31 flavors is an American brand name, a high-profiled chain of ice-cream outlets, where you can choose from (at least) 31 flavours.
e)
No answer.