4 Basic Sentence structures Simple Compound Complex Compound-complex

First, phrases and clauses Phrase = lacks either a subject or a verb or both Ex: prepositional phrase, adjective phrase, verbal phrase, etc. Clause = contains both a subject and a verb Main/indep clause= can stand alone as a sentence Subordinate/dependent clause=begins with a subordinating word; clause cannot stand alone

4 Basic Sentence Structures Each sentence gives different emphasis to the main idea(s) and to supporting information in a sentence. Simple Compound Complex Compound-complex

Simple: 1 Independent clause Compound: 2+ Independent clauses Complex: 1 Indep. + 1+ Dependent Compound-complex: 2+ Indep + 1+ Dep.

Simple sentence 1 Independent clause Ex: Last summer was unusually hot. Even if the sentence contains a compound subject or a compound verb, it is still a simple sentence. Ex: Mr. Bartos and I cannot settle our dispute. The artist lives and works in the same town.

Compound sentence 2+ Independent clauses Ex: Last July was hot, but August was even hotter. How can I create a compound sentence? Link main clauses with a comma and coordinating conjunction [FANBOYS] Link main clauses with a semi-colon = ; Relate main clauses with a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb (followed by a comma)

Compound sentence= 2+ Ind Coordinating Conjunctions=FANBOYS For And Nor But Or Yet So Don’t forget: a comma precedes the coordinating conjunction

Compound sentence= 2+ Ind Semi-colon Ex: The side effects are not minor; some leave the patient quite ill. Conjunctive adverbs (p. 252) main clause ; conj adv, main clause Commonly used conjunctive adverbs: however, nevertheless, consequently, moreover, Ex: The increased time devoted to watching television is not the only cause of lower literacy rates; however, it is one of the important causes.

1 Independent + 1+ Dependent clauses Complex sentence 1 Independent + 1+ Dependent clauses In a complex sentence, one idea is subordinated or less important than the other. Ex: Rain finally came, although many had left the area by then.

1 Independent + 1+ Dependent clauses Complex sentence 1 Independent + 1+ Dependent clauses How can I create subordinate clause? Subordinate conjunction Relative pronoun (used as an adjective or noun clause) , acts like the subject in the clause Common subordinate conjunctions: because, although, when, while, as, if, see list in grammar book

Compound-complex sentence 2+ Independent + 1+ Dependent clauses Ex: Even though government aid finally came, many people had already been reduced to poverty, and others had been forced to move.

When to use these sentences structures? Simple: Use a simple sentence to focus on a single idea, describe a series of actions, or create a quick, even choppy rhythm. Compound: Use a compound sentence to connect similar or contrasting ideas of equal importance or to create a more fluid rhythm. Complex: Add subordinate clauses when you want to add details, build momentum, or show relationships between ideas.