Understanding Sentence Structure

With an understanding of sentence structure, you should be able to: - identify and name the parts of a sentence - rearrange the parts of a sentence - use all types of sentence structures - write more skillfully

A list of the structures Phrases noun verb prepositional adverbial Clauses independent dependent subordinate adverbial relative Sentences simple compound complex compound-complex

Phrases and Clauses Two important grammatical units within a sentence: Can you divide the following into two groups? after the movie in the garden the child eating candy the man with the hat sipped it slowly she flew they went out if you can stay here because they like it although it rained What is the difference between the two? Clauses have both a subject and a predicate. Phrases do not.

Phrases and Clauses Clauses have both a subject and a predicate. Phrases do not. Phrases after the movie the child eating candy in the garden the man with the hat sipped it slowly Clauses if you can stay here because they like it although it rained she flew they went out

Two Types of Clauses when birds migrate the birds were singing they went dancing since you arrived although they already sent it and the band played on because birds have hollow bones we saw a falcon if she had to go soon but many people came Can you divide the following into two groups?

Two Types of Clauses Independent makes sense on its own Dependent needs another clause to complete the syntax the birds were singing we saw a falcon they went dancing and the band played on but many people came since you arrived although they already sent it when birds migrate because birds have hollow bones if she had to go soon

A list of the structures Phrases noun verb prepositional adverbial Clauses independent dependent adverbial relative Sentences simple compound complex compound-complex

Some Definitions phrase (frā) nounAbbr. phr. 1. A sequence of words intended to have meaning. 2. a. A characteristic way or mode of expression. b. A brief, apt, and cogent expression. 3. A word or group of words read or spoken as a unit and separated by pauses or other junctures. 4. Grammar. Two or more words in sequence that form a syntactic unit that is less than a complete sentence. 5. Music. A segment of a composition, usually consisting of four or eight measures. 6. A series of dance movements forming a unit in a choreographic pattern. Verb phrased, phras·ing, phras·es verb, transitive 1. To express orally or in writing: The speaker phrased several opinions. 2. To pace or mark off (something read aloud or spoken) by pauses. 3. Music. a. To divide (a passage) into phrases. b. To combine (notes) in a phrase. verb, intransitive 1. To make or render phrases, as in reading aloud. 2. Music. To perform a passage with the correct phrasing. [Latin phrasis, diction, from Greek, speech, diction, phrase, from phrazein, to point out, show.] — phras ʹ al adjective — phras ʹ al·ly adverb Excerpted from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition Copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V., further reproduction and distribution restricted in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.

Some Definitions clause (klôz) noun Abbr. cl. 1. Grammar. A group of words containing a subject and a predicate and forming part of a compound or complex sentence. 2. A distinct article, stipulation, or provision in a document. [Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin clausa, close of a rhetorical period, from feminine of Latin clausus past participle of claudere, to close.] — claus ʹ al (klô ʹ z ə l) adjective Excerpted from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition Copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V., further reproduction and distribution restricted in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.

Some Definitions sen·tence (sĕn ʹ t ə ns) noun 1. A grammatical unit that is syntactically independent and has a subject that is expressed or, as in imperative sentences, understood and a predicate that contains at least one finite verb. 2. Law. a. A court judgment, especially a judicial decision of the punishment to be inflicted on one adjudged guilty. b. The penalty meted out. 3. Archaic. A maxim. 4. Obsolete. An opinion, especially one given formally after deliberation. verb, transitive sen·tenced, sen·tenc·ing, sen·tenc·es Law. To pronounce sentence upon (one adjudged guilty). See synonyms at condemn. [Middle English, opinion, from Old French, from Latin sententia, from sentiēns, sentient- present participle of sentīre, to feel.] — sen·ten ʹ tial (sĕn-tĕn ʹ sh ə l) adjective — sen·ten ʹ tial·ly adverb Excerpted from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition Copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V., further reproduction and distribution restricted in accordance with the Copyright Law of the United States. All rights reserved.

Four Types of Sentences Sentences can be categorized by the number and type of clauses which they contain. Simple one independent Cats land on their feet. Compound two or more independent Cats land on their feet and birds take to the wing. Complex one independent plus one dependent The lamb can only bleat when the tiger closes in. Compound-Complex two or more independent plus one or more dependent Cats land on their feet and birds take to the wing, but the lamb can only bleat when the tiger closes in.

The birdswere singing.

A list of the structures Phrases noun verb prepositional adverbial Clauses independent dependent adverbial relative Sentences simple compound complex compound-complex

Some tips for improving your writing Pay attention to your sentence structure. Use all four types of sentences. Consider the main clause of each sentence. Prefer active to passive verbs. Use verbs other than be or have.