1. The Four Structures of Sentences

2. The Building Blocks of Sentences
A. Independent Clause: main clause; complete thought; “can stand alone”
B. Dependent Clause: subordinate clause; incomplete thought; often, a fragment; “can’t stand alone”

3. SIMPLE SENTENCE Contains a single independent or main clause
The ballerina danced (one subject and verb).
Harvey and Morris cooked Thanksgiving dinner (compound subject).
The bonfire crackled and burned (compound verb).
Neither the pilot nor the passengers saw or heard the engine fire (compound subject and verb).

4. COMPOUND SENTENCE
Contains two or more main clauses only joined by a comma and a conjunction (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) or by a semicolon (;).
The student brought her books to class, and she started taking notes in her journal.
The student brought her books to class; she started taking notes in her journal.

5. COMPLEX SENTENCE
Consists of one independent or main clause and one or more dependent clauses.
No one reacted to the iPhone when it vibrated during the middle of class.
The garden that she waters daily was full of flowers.

6. dependent clause
dependent clause
main clause
As if he knew what was going to happen, the boy stepped out of the path of the runaway wagon just in time to avoid an accident.
prepositional phrase
prepositional phrase
–Complex sentence

7. Whoever shows up on time runs the meeting.
dependent noun clause acting as subject
direct object
Whoever shows up on time runs the meeting.
verb
–Complex sentence with one dependent clause

8. –Complex sentence with two dependent clauses
dependent noun clause acting as a subject
Whether he can hold his breath that long is a question upon which his very life rests.
dependent adjective clause modifying ‘question’
–Complex sentence with two dependent clauses

9. COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE
Consists of two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.
Sparky barked when he saw a cat, and he ran through the park chasing it.
We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that we were wrong.

10. –Compound-Complex Sentence
dependent clause
Though Katelyn prefers political dramas, she rented an action film the other day, and she thoroughly enjoyed it.
main clause #2
main clause #1
–Compound-Complex Sentence

11. –Compound-Complex Sentence
Independent clause
Independent clause
Laura forgot her friend’s birthday, so she mailed her a card when she finally remembered.
dependent clause
–Compound-Complex Sentence

12. 1. Although I like books, I do not like romance novels, but my sister loves them.
2. The cows wandered out to pasture and munched on the grass.
3. Jim’s mom went to the store because it’s his birthday, and she bought him a present.
4. As soon as I have some free time, I will take down the tent and store it in the attic.
5. The police car arrived at the scene, and it left within one hour.

13. 1. Although I like books, I do not like romance novels, but my sister loves them. (COMPOUND-COMPLEX)
2. The cows wandered out to pasture and munched on the grass. (SIMPLE)
3. Jim’s mom went to the store because it’s his birthday, and she bought him a present. (COMPOUND- COMPLEX)
4. As soon as I have some free time, I will take down the tent and store it in the attic. (COMPLEX)
5. The police car arrived at the scene, and it left within one hour. (COMPOUND)

14. Assignment: In chapters 7-8 of Into the Wild, locate 2 examples of each type of sentence (8 sentences total)
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-Complex