Sentence Structure Notes 7th English

Overview a clause contains both a subject and a verb Sentence Structure is how a sentence is set up. Sentence structure is important because we need sentence variety. Nobody likes writing that is boring and dull, and we want to avoid run-on sentences and fragments. There are three important points to remember with sentence structure: a clause contains both a subject and a verb an independent clause is a sentence a dependent (subordinate) clause cannot stand alone

1) Simple Sentence Definition: A simple sentence is one independent clause. A simple sentence has one subject verb pair. Picture it: Think it of like a “simple” sugar cookie! The sugar cookie is an independent clause!

Sugar Cookie = simple sentence

Example: I love to eat decorated sugar cookies during the holidays! Subject: ____________ Verb: ____________

A compound sentence has two subject verb pairs. Definition: A compound sentence is two independent clauses joined together with a comma and a conjunction (or a semi-colon). A compound sentence has two subject verb pairs. Picture it: Think of it like two cream- filled sugar cookies! Each cookie is an independent clause. The filling is the comma and conjunction holding the sentences together!

2 Cream filled sugar cookies = compound sentence

Example: I love to eat decorated sugar cookies during the holidays, but I often eat too many. Subject 1: ____________ Verb 1: ____________ Subject 2: ____________ Verb 2: ____________

3) Complex Sentence Definition: A complex sentence is made up of one independent clause attached to at least one dependent (subordinate) clause. A complex sentence has at least two subject verb pairs. Picture it: Think of it like a chocolate chip cookie! It’s a sugar cookie (independent) with chocolate chips (the dependent clause)! Could the chocolate chips make a cookie without the sugar cookie portion?

Chocolate chip cookie = complex sentence

Example: When I am at my grandma’s house, I love to eat chocolate chip cookies during the holidays! Subject 1: ____________ Subject 2: ____________ Verb 1: ____________ Verb 2: ____________ Signal (CLUE) words: These words let you know you are beginning a dependent clause! When Before After Because Whenever Although That If Even though Who As if Since Until