The Four Sentence Structures Simple Compound Complex Compound-Complex

Quiz: What is a sentence? What is a clause? What is a phrase? Name the 7 Coordinating Conjunctions. Name 6 Subordinating Conjunctions. What is an independent clause? What is a dependent clause?

Answers: A set of words that is complete in itself, typically containing a subject and predicate, conveying a statement, question, exclamation, or command, and consisting of a main clause and sometimes one or more subordinate clauses. A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb. A phrase is a group of words that stand together as a single unit, typically as part of a clause or a sentence. A phrase does not contain a subject and verb and, consequently, cannot convey a complete thought. A phrase contrasts with a clause. A clause does contain a subject and verb, and it can convey a complete idea. Phrases can function in the sentence like nouns, adverbs, or adjectives.

Conjunctions 4. FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So 5. After, Although, As, As soon as, Because, Before, By the time, Even if, Even though, Every time, If, In case, Now that, Once, Since, So that, Than, The first time, Unless, Until, When, Whenever, Whether or not, While, Why

6. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand on its own as a sentence: it has a subject, a verb, and is a complete thought.  . Examples: He ran. He ran fast. I was late to work. The paper does not specify which type of format it must be in.  The instructor spent the class period reviewing the difference between independent and dependent clauses.

More examples Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep. The best defense against the atom bomb is not to be there when it goes off. I have enough money to last me the rest of my life, unless I buy something. Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. My one regret in life is that I am not someone else.

7. A dependent clause… …is a group of words that also contains a subject and a verb, but it is not a complete thought. Because it is not a complete thought, a dependent clause cannot stand on its own as a sentence; it is dependent on an independent clause to form a sentence. Examples: Because I woke up late this morning… (what happened?) When we arrived in class… (what occurred?) If my neighbor does not pay his rent on time… (what will happen?)

What Is the Predicate of a Sentence? The predicate is the part of a sentence (or clause) which tells us what the subject does or is. To put it another way, the predicate is everything that is not the subject. Elvis lives. Adam lives in Bangor. The telegram contained exciting news. The girls in our office are experienced instructors. They are experienced instructors, who acquired their experience in France.

Simple Sentences Simple sentences have just one clause. They may have additional phrases. Example I went to the park to eat a hamburger. Kyle, Keith, and Doug, my best friend from middle school, went to the playhouse and watched Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Compound Sentence Two or more clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction. Using commas between clauses is optional. Example I went home so I could get some sleep. Doug did his math work but he got some wrong, yet he didn’t mind.

Coordinating Conjunctions F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. For And Nor But Or Yet So

Complex Sentences Two or more clauses joined with a subordinating conjunction. If you begin a sentence with a subordinating conjunction, there MUST be a comma after the first clause. Unless you want trouble, you should stop. You should stop because I’m getting mad.

Subordinating Conjunctions Most common subordinators After Now that When Although Once Whenever As Since Where Because That Wherever Before Though While Even if Unless If Until

After In order that Unless Although Just as Until As Lest When As if Subordinating Conjunctions Continued… After In order that Unless Although Just as Until As Lest When As if Now Whenever As long as Now since Where As much as Now that Whereas As soon as Now when Where if As though Once Wherever Because Provided Whether Before Provided that Which Even Rather than While Even if Since Who Even though So that Whoever If Supposing why If only Than If when That If then Though In as much Till

Compound-Complex Sentences Has two or more independent clauses (main clause) and at least one dependent clause (subordinate clause). Examples – can you identify the different clauses? Because I paid attention, I got an A on the test and I was so happy. I went home because it was getting late, but I had to wait on the porch until my mom got home anyway.

examples Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with.  We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that we were wrong. When I grow up, I want to be a ballerina, and my mom is proud of me. I will get to watch television, but first, I have to clean up the dishes after we finish eating. We won the game, but my uniform was muddy because it rained the entire time. After our trip to the beach, school started back, and I was excited to see my friends. Sarah cried when her cat got sick, but he soon got better. The sun is shining through the clouds, so I think that we can go swimming.

Practice Read and analyze each sentence. Determine whether the sentence is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex. Write your answer.

1 The weather has been nice but it may snow again any day.

Compound

2 Ever since the big blowout, she and I haven’t gotten along.

Complex

3 Dad brought candy because he felt bad.

complex

4 If you want to go on the trip, you should bring your signed permission slip and I’ll collect it before we go.

Compound-complex

5 I left before the fight started.

complex

6 Candy rots your teeth and TV makes you lazy, but I still like them.

compound

7 He will call your home unless you are passing.

Complex