Is this a proper sentence?
Some verbs take an object. We call these "transitive". Other verbs do not take an object. We call these "intransitive." "Eloped" is always an intransitive verb. It never takes an object. Correct uses of the verb would include "They eloped", "they had eloped", "they would have eloped" and so on. "Married" can be a transitive verb. "He married her" and "She married him" and "The preacher married them" are all correct uses. A transitive verb can be used in a passive voice construction. Passive voice turns the object of the verb into the subject of the sentence. "The preacher married them" becomes "They were married (by the preacher)". It's perfectly fine to say "they were married" or "they got married" or "they were getting married." "They eloped" makes sense, but "something eloped them" doesn't. So, "they were eloped" or "they got eloped" or "they were getting eloped" -- these simply don't make sense. I'm afraid your mom got this one right.
Is this a proper topic sentence?
Domestic violence is a frequent problem in poorer communities due to [Insert brief list of problems common in poorer communities]. All acts of physical abuse directed toward one's spouse or a member in the family can be defined as domestic violence. The definition breaks the flow of the sentence, and distracts from your opinion (the point of the essay). If you must use it, include the definition in a later sentence, and make sure it does not sound redundant.
What is the proper way to use "RSVP" in a sentence?
You're right. You do not need to use the word "please" since it's included in the RSVP expression (Répondez, S’il Vous Plaît = answer, please). Usually, an invitation will look like this: For Given by Date Time Place Rsvp You can just put a phone number after the Rsvp and you can also put a date limit on it Rsvp 555-1234 by April the 20th You should give a precise date instead of just saying “by Friday” so it is less confusing. If you are using RSVP in a sentence, “RSVP to John by April the 20th…” is correct. Just make sure that the instructions are clear and correct.
What is a proper sentence?
We can make the following basic generalizations about a proper, or grammatical, sentence.(A) The words are all right, are in the appropriate form, and are all the appropriate syntactic category.Example: I will return after a week. (Wrong word: ‘after’)Revised: I will return in a week.Example: Many aircrafts have landed.( wrong word-form: ‘aircrafts’)Revised: Many aircraft have landed.Example: I am looking forward to meet you. (Wrong syntactic category: ‘meet’)Revised: I am looking forward to meeting you.(B) The words’ positions inside the phrases are all appropriate.Example: He saw the house white. (Incorrect)Reason: As a modifier of a noun inside a noun phrase, an adjective must precede the noun head.Revised: He saw the white house.(C) The clause elements constituting the sentence are ordered such that they fit one of the seven basic clause patterns (SV, SVA, SVO, SVOO, SVC, SVOC, SVOA) S=Subject, V=Verb, O=Object, C=Complement, A=AdverbialExample: I am go. (Incorrect)Reason: The sentence does not fit any of the valid sentence patterns.Explanation: As a linking verb, ‘am’ can be follwed by either a complement (SVC) or an adverbial (SVA), but not a verb.Revised: I am here.(D) The sentence is appropriately punctuated.CAVEAT: In writing, correctnees is a requirement, not achievement. Memorable prose is a different thing altogether.
Is this proper sentence, "I happen to see you there"?
This verb is a little tricky. Happen has this meaning: to take place; to occur. The accident happened last week.You also see the verb used in present tense: it happens every Spring.When you see a sentence like this one: I happened to run in to her at the supermarket - it carries the idea of ‘ not planned ‘.It is this element of not planned, not pre-determined that makes the sentence ‘ I happen to see you there - impossible because it seems to say that the speaker I is determining the action. You can say “I may happen to see you there" because by adding ‘may' the action is not determined.As I said, happen is one of our trickier verbs. You will see sentences like this: I happen to think he's a terrible lawyer. This usage has nothing to do with occurring or taking place. It's a figure of speech which adds no additional meaning. I think he's a bad lawyer and I happen to think he's a bad lawyer mean the same thing.
Is this a properly phrased sentence?
It's grammatical, but awkward. Likely, the fact that the building that Dan's entering is 'his newly moved to Greenwich Village apartment building' should have been made clear earlier in the story rather than interjected right after that thought of his. But is there a larger story of which this sentence is a part? If so, please post the paragraphs that surround the sentence, for then I and other Quorans can more accurately judge its propriety.
Is this a proper sentence for the word shirk?
Yes, I have seen it used that way, though it is more often used in the context of escaping work, duties, or responsibilities. Here is an example similar to yours: "When Kazan took off his broad-brimmed hat, Katara tried to shirk out from under my grip, but I held her still."
Is this sentence properly phrased or too long?
User-13795516472622150364's answer is a good re-write.I see two other options to clarify it.Go longer: "As he surfaced, he felt nothing like he had on that special day long ago."Or, if the rest of the context calls for a punchier pace, you can split it up into two, giving a little more insight to the feeling: "As he surfaced, he felt {whatever he is feeling}. Nothing like that special day long ago."HTHK
Is this a proper sentence, "You have to do this only."? Can you really write "only" at the end of a sentence?
The word only is a restrictive adverb which is usually used just before the word or phrase that you might like to emphasize. You can see the difference as you shift its position in the following sentences.Only she hugged him at the park yesterday.She only hugged him at the park yesterday.She hugged only him at the park yesterday.She hugged him only at the park yesterday.She hugged him at the park only yesterday.However, there is a practice to use it at the end of a sentence, in which case it stresses the whole sentence as in your sentence and in the other sentence below:You have to do this only.Rupees five thousand, five hundred and fifty-five only.