Sentence Structure

Clauses Independent Clause: contains a subject and a verb, can stand alone as a sentence Dependent Clause: contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a sentence

The boy went to the store. Simple Sentence 1 Independent Clause The boy went to the store.

Compound Sentence 2 or more independent clauses separated by a comma/coordinating conjunction or a semicolon. The boy went to the store, but he forgot to buy milk. The boy went to the store; he forgot to buy milk.

Complex Sentence 1 independent clause, 1 dependent clause 2 types: Periodic and Loose

Complex Periodic: Dependent clause comes first. Dependent clause that starts a sentence is offset by a comma. When the boy went to the store, he forgot to buy milk.

Complex Loose: Dependent clause comes second. The boy went to the store even though they didn’t need milk.

Compound-Complex 2 or more independent clauses, 1 dependent clause. The clauses can go in any order. After the boy went to store, he lost his wallet, and a dog bit his leg.