Sentence Structures

Dependent and Independent Clauses  A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. It begins with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark. It is also known as an independent clause. Taylor and Jose went to the store.  A dependent clause is a type of sentence fragment that has a subject and a verb but does not make complete sense. It is also called a subordinating clause. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. It begins with a subordinating conjunction such as after, although, as, as if, because, before, if, since, though, unless, until, whenever, where, wherever, or while. While you were sleeping.

Sentence Structures A simple sentence is made up of one independent clause. It can contain a compound subject or compound predicate or both. A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses. Compound sentences may also contain compound subjects and predicates. Independent clauses should be related in meaning before being joined in a compound sentence. A complex sentence contains an independent clause and one or more dependent or subordinating clauses. The subordinating clause may come at the beginning or the end of the sentence. A complex sentence may also contain compound subjects and predicates.

Compound Sentences A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses. The independent clauses may be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction or by a semicolon only. It is also possible to make a compound sentence by using a semicolon, a connective adverb, and a comma. Common connective adverbs are therefore, however, also, besides, furthermore, and likewise. There are many fish in my aquarium, but I like goldfish the best. There are many fish in my aquarium; I like goldfish the best. There are many fish in my aquarium; however, I like goldfish the best.

Complex Sentences A complex sentence contains an independent clause and one or more dependent or subordinating clauses. The subordinating clause begins with a subordinating conjunction and may come at the beginning or the end of the sentence. If you place the subordinating clause at the beginning of the sentence, you must place a comma after the clause. If the subordinating clause comes at the end of the sentence, no comma is necessary. While I was fishing, I found an old license plate. I found an old license plate while I was fishing.

Common Sentence Errors  A sentence fragment is a group of words that is only part of a sentence. It does not express a complete thought. Went to the store.  A run-on sentence incorrectly joins two or more sentences that should be written separately or rewritten as a compound or complex sentence. This is also known as a fused sentence. My brother plays on a little league baseball team and he is the pitcher.  A comma splice is a type of run-on sentence in which two independent clauses are joined by a comma. My brother plays on a little league baseball team, he is the pitcher.

Example Test Item 1. Read the following sentences. Savannah picked up her keys. Savannah drove to the store. Her dog Lucky lay in the backyard. Lucky took a nap. Which of the following combines the sentences to create a compound sentence with a compound predicate ? a. Savannah picked up her keys and drove to the store, but her dog Lucky lay in the backyard and took a nap. b. Although Savannah picked up her keys and drove to the store, her dog Lucky lay in the backyard and took a nap. c. Savannah picked up her keys and drove to the store while her dog Lucky lay in the backyard and took a nap. d. When Savannah picked up her keys and drove to the store, her dog Lucky lay in the backyard and took a nap.