Constructing Sentences (Sentence Structure)

Our “parts of sentences” (subjects and predicates) lesson yesterday should have been relatively easy for you, as it was technically a review of concepts that you should have learned about in elementary school. Today we’re going to take that knowledge, and use it to help us understand the concept of “sentence structure” – which will hopefully be a review for some of you as well. All of these lessons are leading up to the next of our “Six Traits of Writing” – sentence fluency. As you must understand the parts of sentences and how they work together in order to modify sentences and create different versions of them in your writing.

To understand how sentences are structured (or constructed), we must first understand what the term “clause” means. A clause is a group of words that contains a subject (simple or complete) and a predicate (simple or complete). So any time a subject and predicate are working together, a clause exists.

Types of Clauses There are two types of clauses: 1) Independent clauses (sometimes called “main clauses”) 2) Dependent clauses (sometimes called “subordinate clauses”)

Independent Clauses An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. (Think about it…what does the word “independent” mean when we use it to describe someone? Same concept!) Examples: The students went on a field trip. That car is shiny.

Dependent Clauses A dependent clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb, but cannot stand alone or make sense by itself. A dependent clause needs to be connected to an independent clause to make sense – otherwise, it’s considered to be a fragment. Examples: After the students went on a field trip, they ate lunch. We’ll just have to wait here until the teacher comes back. (Notice: The dependent clauses – shown in orange – wouldn’t make sense if they were separated from the other part of the sentence.)

Identification practice On the spaces provided in your notes, please state whether the following clauses are independent or dependent. We watched the movie at his house. But not on Saturdays. Whenever she comes home. He gave me a present for Valentine’s day. (Notice: For each of these questions, your notes asks for an explanation. Be sure to write out how you know that it’s either independent or dependent.)

answers 1) We watched the movie at his house. Independent – the sentence makes sense on its own. 2) But not on Saturdays. Dependent – the sentence doesn’t make sense on its own. 3) Whenever she comes home. 4) He gave me a present for Valentine’s day.

Now that we know what the two types of clauses are, let’s see how they affect the way we build sentences in our writing.

Three ways to build a sentence In the English language, there are three basic sentence structures: Simple sentences Compound sentences Complex sentences

Simple Sentences A simple sentence contains one independent clause. In other words, these sentences just have a complete subject that’s been combined with a complete predicate. It can be short or long. (One independent clause = one simple sentence) Examples of simple sentences: She ate. The student was tardy. The boy delivered the pizza. My grandmother’s neighbor from across the hallway ate a whole pot of spaghetti and meatballs by herself.

COMPOUND SENTENCE Examples of compound sentences: A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses. Each independent clause has its own subject and predicate, and though these clauses make sense on their own (apart), they’ve been combined using a comma and a conjunction. Compound sentences DO NOT have dependent clauses. (One independent clause + a comma + conjunction + another independent clause = a compound sentence) Examples of compound sentences: 1) Erin went shopping, and Molly went to a concert. 2) Austin cheered for UT football, while Mrs. Burgess cheered for OU football.

COMPLEX SENTENCE A complex sentence consists of one independent clause that’s been paired up with one or more dependent clauses. If we separated the clauses of a complex sentence, one clause would make sense on its own, but the other wouldn’t (One independent clause + one dependent clause = one complex sentence ) Examples of complex sentences: We’ll just have to wait here until the bus comes. Whenever I hear that song, I think about my best friend.

Practice – sentence structures On the spaces provided in your notes, please state whether the following sentences are simple, compound, or complex. Adventure books fill the reader with suspense. ___________________ 2) No one knows the origin of the harp, but it is very ancient. ________________ Whenever I eat, my stomach expands to the since of a watermelon. __________________ (Notice: Once again, each question requires an explanation. Be sure to write out how you know that it’s either simple, compound, or complex.)

4) The violin has four strings, but a guitar usually has six 5) Whenever I see that movie, it makes me cry. ___________________ 6) Let’s eat lunch outside. _____________

Answers 1) Adventure books fill the reader with suspense. Simple – it contains one independent clause. No one knows the origin of the harp, but it is very ancient. Compound – it contains two independent clauses. Whenever I eat, my stomach expands to the since of a watermelon. Complex – it contains an independent clause that’s been paired up with a dependent clause.

4) The violin has four strings, but a guitar usually has six. Compound – it contains two independent clauses. 5) Whenever I see that movie, it makes me cry. Complex – it contains an independent clause that’s been paired up with a dependent clause 6) Let’s eat lunch outside. Simple – it contains one independent clause.