Sentence Structure

Simple Sentence A simple sentence is made up of one independent clause. It has ONE subject and ONE predicate (verb). An Example: Nick and Zach are lots of fun to have in class.

Compound Sentence A compound sentence has two independent clauses combined together either by a semi-colon (;) or by a FANBOYS preceded by a comma. For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So Examples: Kayla is a wonderful student, and she is a great friend.

Complex Sentence A complex sentence will have one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. The dependent portion of a complex sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction. Subordinating Conjunctions: After, although, as, as if, as long as, as though, because, before, if, in order that, provided, since, so that, than, though, till, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, where, wherever, while Example: Rachel ate cold pizza for breakfast because she wanted to clean the refrigerator.

Compound-Complex Sentence The compound-complex sentence is a combination of the compound and complex sentence. It will therefore have both the punctuation needed in a compound sentence (, fanboys/;) and the subordinating conjunction necessary for the dependent clauses) in the complex sentence. Example: Brian knew that he would have to wait, but he didn’t mind.

Conjunctions! Subordinating Conjunctions: After, although, as, as if, as long as, as though, because, before, if, in order that, provided, since, so that, than, though, till, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, where, wherever, while Coordinating Conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So