Sentence Types Sentence Structure

Simple Sentences Simple sentences have just one clause (subject and predicate). Ex: Americans eat more bananas than they eat any other fruit.

Coordinating Conjunctions F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. For And Nor But Or Yet So

Compound Sentence Two or more independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon. Example Mushrooms grow in damp places, so they look like umbrellas. The largest mammals are found in the sea; there’s nowhere else to put them.

Subordinating Conjunctions Most common subordinators AfterNow thatWhen AlthoughOnceWhenever AsSinceWhere BecauseThatWherever BeforeThoughWhile Even ifUnless IfUntil

Complex Sentences Two or more independent clauses joined with a subordinating conjunction. Example: Parallel lines never meet until you bend one of them. Many dead animals of the past changed to oil, while others preferred to be gas.

Compound-Complex Sentences Has a dependent clause and at least two independent clauses. Examples When the heat comes, the lakes dry up, and farmers know crops will fail.

Practice Identify each sentence as simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex: 1.If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried. 2.The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread. 3.It takes about half a gallon of water to cook spaghetti, and about a gallon of water to clean the pot.

4. Genetics explains why you look like your father, and if you don’t, why you should. 5. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.