1. Sentence Construction

2. Sentence Types
Simple The exit door is blocked. Compound The exit door is blocked, and workers can’t leave the building. Complex Because the exit door is blocked, workers can’t leave the building.
One independent clause
Two independent clauses
One dependent clause + one independent clause

3. What is an independent clause?
It is a sentence that can stand alone.
It is a complete sentence.
It has one subject + one verb

4. What is a dependent clause?
It is a piece of a sentence that can’t stand alone.
It needs an independent clause to be a complete sentence.
It also has one subject + one verb
They begin with words like because, since, or as.

5. Wait. What do you notice about the punctuation?
Compound Sentences
We connect them with words like: and but so
There is water on the floor, and I am worried about our safety.
The boxes are stacked too high for safety, but they are still there.
We work on a construction site, so everyone wears hard hats and boots.
Wait. What do you notice about the punctuation?

6. Complex Sentences
You can write the same sentence in two different ways. The meaning doesn’t change. Dependent clause + Independent Clause Independent clause + Dependent Clause EXAMPLES Workers could get hurt because there is clutter on the ground. Because there is clutter on the ground, workers could get hurt.

7. Dependent clause first? Use a comma Dependent clause second? No comma!
Complex Sentences
Punctuation is key to writing correct complex sentences. Since he didn’t lift the boxes correctly, he hurt his back. He hurt his back since he didn’t life the boxes correctly.
Dependent clause first? Use a comma
Dependent clause second? No comma!

8. Reminder: Complex Sentences
Be careful to write complete complex sentences. Remember: They should include one independent clause + one dependent clause. Look for a comma in the middle of the sentence. Look for a subject + verb on both sides of the comma. Are these correct? Because the electrical cords are on the ground. Since he left the tools on the floor. Because the electrical cords are on the ground, people tripped. Since he left the tools on the floor, the mechanic tripped.

9. Using Transition Words in Sentences
Transition words connect your ideas. They are words like therefore, thus, or consequently. All of the transition words above show results. Sally lifted the boxes with her back. Therefore, she hurt her back. Sally lifted the boxes with her back. Thus, she hurt her back hurt. Sally lifted the boxes with her back. Consequently, she hurt her back. Notice how the words connect the action in the first sentence to the second sentence. Notice the comma after the transition.

10. Using Transition Phrases in a Sentence
Sometimes transitions are more than one word. They are phrases like as a result or for this reason. They also connect the ideas of your sentences. Someone left the bottom drawer of the cabinet open in the office. As a result, Maria tripped and fell. Marcus forgot to wear sneakers to the construction site. For this reason, he got injured.