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LiquidMidnight Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
A question about sentence structure, and one about tense.
Hello, I was wondering how I should go about writing a sentence that begins with an objective phrase.
For example: Underneath the moon were the trees. (Granted, that isn't a very strong sentence to begin with, but I just wanted to use a simple example)
Are there any special rules regarding this? Should I put a comma between moon and was? Should I try just to avoid sentences that begin with an objective phrase?
Also, I have a question about using the past tense of lie. If I'm writing a piece that's in past tense, should any verbs in the objective phrase (specifically forms of lie) also be used in the past tense?
For example: Even the cones of my eyes couldn’t decipher the passage the laid before me.
Thank you.
For example: Underneath the moon were the trees. (Granted, that isn't a very strong sentence to begin with, but I just wanted to use a simple example)
Are there any special rules regarding this? Should I put a comma between moon and was? Should I try just to avoid sentences that begin with an objective phrase?
Also, I have a question about using the past tense of lie. If I'm writing a piece that's in past tense, should any verbs in the objective phrase (specifically forms of lie) also be used in the past tense?
For example: Even the cones of my eyes couldn’t decipher the passage the laid before me.
Thank you.
Top answer
Hi LM, Can't think of any particular rules. Your example is an adverbial complement, so the subject and verb are inverted and no comma is correct-- which won't happen in such sentences as 'under the moon, the wet trees glowed like corposant'. Certainly do not avoid fronted phrases, nor on the other hand overuse them, but scatter them tastefully amongst the other sentences of your composition to create a pleasing variety of expression.
- Hi LM, Can't think of any particular rules.
- Your example is an adverbial complement, so the subject and verb are inverted and no comma is correct-- which won't happen in such sentences as 'under the moon, the wet trees glowed like corposant'.
- Certainly do not avoid fronted phrases, nor on the other hand overuse them, but scatter them tastefully amongst the other sentences of your composition to create a pleasing variety of expression.
- ' -- (I presume that you meant to type 'that' instead of 'the'?
- ) I hope I have understood your questions and answered them somewhat.
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2 Answers
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Hi LM,
Can't think of any particular rules. Your example is an adverbial complement, so the subject and verb are inverted and no comma is correct-- which won't happen in such sentences as 'under the moon, the wet trees glowed like corposant'.
Certainly do not avoid fronted phrases, nor on the other hand overuse them, but scatter them tastefully amongst the other sentences of
Can't think of any particular rules. Your example is an adverbial complement, so the subject and verb are inverted and no comma is correct-- which won't happen in such sentences as 'under the moon, the wet trees glowed like corposant'.
Certainly do not avoid fronted phrases, nor on the other hand overuse them, but scatter them tastefully amongst the other sentences of
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