Sentence Types:
A simple sentence has the most basic elements that make it a
sentence: a subject, a verb, and a completed thought.
1. Joe waited for the train.
2. The train was late.
1
A compound sentence refers to a sentence made up of two
independent clauses (or complete sentences) connected to
one another with a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating
conjunctions are easy to remember if you think of the words "FAN
BOYS":
For But So
And Or
Nor Yet
Examples of compound sentences include the following:
1. Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.
2. I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station, but they
arrived at the station before noon and left on the bus before I
arrived.
3. Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before
noon, and they left on the bus before I arrived.
4. Mary and Samantha left on the bus before I arrived, so I did not
see them at the bus station.
A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and
one or more dependent clauses connected to it. A dependent
clause is similar to an independent clause, or complete
sentence, but it lacks one of the elements that would make
it a complete sentence.
1
Page
Conjunctive Adverbs
Use conjunctive adverbs (or sentence adverbs) to:
indicate a connection between two independent clauses
in one sentence
link the ideas in two or more sentences
show relationships between ideas within an independent clause.
Examples of Conjunctive Adverbs:
also
however
otherwise
consequently
indeed
similarly
finally
likewise
then
furthermore
moreover
therefore
hence
nevertheless
thus
nonetheless
How to punctuate conjunctive adverbs
When a conjunctive adverb connects two independent clauses
in one sentence, it is preceded by a semicolon and followed by
a comma.
2
Page
Tuition increases are driven by the universities' costs;
consequently, tuition income typically covers less than 50% of
college budgets.
If a conjunctive adverb is used in any other position in a
sentence, it is set off by commas.
Nonetheless, some colleges are making efforts to trim budgets
and pass along the savings.
Secretary Bennett, however, maintains that more federal aid
would only encourage universities to count on the government
to meet any increases they might impose.
Examples of dependent clauses include the following:
because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station
before noon
while he waited at the train station
after they left on the bus
Dependent clauses such as those above cannot stand alone as a
sentence, but they can be added to an independent clause to
form a complex sentence.
Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions.
Below are some of the most common subordinating
conjunctions:
after though
although unless
as until
because when
before whenever
even though whereas
if wherever
3
since while
Page
A complex sentence joins an independent clause with one or
more dependent clauses.
The dependent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by
the independent clause, as in the following:
Tip: When the dependent clause comes first, a comma should be
used to separate the two clauses.
1. Because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before
noon, I did not see them at the station.
2. While he waited at the train station, Joe realized that the train
was late.
3. After they left on the bus, Mary and Samantha realized that Joe
was waiting at the train station.
Conversely, the independent clauses can go first in the sentence,
followed by the dependent clause, as in the following:
Tip: When the independent clause comes first, a comma
should not be used to separate the two clauses.
1. I did not see them at the station because Mary and Samantha
arrived at the bus station before noon.
2. Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at the train
station.
3. Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train
station after they left on the bus.
Complex sentences are often more effective than compound
sentences because a complex sentence indicates clearer and
more specific relationships between the main parts of the
sentence. The word "before," for instance, tells readers that one
thing occurs before another. A word such as "although" conveys
a more complex relationship than a word such as "and" conveys.
Beginning Sentences with "And" or "Because"
Should you begin a sentence with "and" or "but" (or one of the
4
Page
other coordinating conjunctions)?
The short answer is "no." You should avoid beginning a sentence
with "and," "or," "but," or the other coordinating conjunctions.
These words generally are used to join together parts of a
sentence, not to begin a new sentence.
However, such sentences can be used effectively. Because
sentences beginning with these words stand out, they are
sometimes used for emphasis. If you use sentences beginning
with one of the coordinating conjunctions, you should use these
sentences sparingly and carefully.
Should you begin a sentence with "because"?
There is nothing wrong with beginning a sentence with
"because."
Perhaps some students are told not to begin a sentence with
"because" to avoid sentence fragments (something like "Because
Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon" is a
sentence fragment), but it is perfectly acceptable to begin a
sentence with "because" as long as the sentence is complete (as
in "Because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before
noon, I did not see them at the station.")
4
. A phrase is a group of related words that does not include
a subject and verb.
• Based on the aforementioned reasons, it can be
surmised that watching TV has deleterious effects on
children.
• Cedar trees are in decline due to three main reasons(,)
according to the talk.
• First of all, the effects of such a policy on preserving the
environment should be studied.
• Human motivations, based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs,
include physiological needs, safety, belongingness and love,
5
esteem, self-actualization and self-transcendence.
Page
Samples
The windmill is still in good working order although it has not
been used since the 1950s.
Although lack of sleep causes some problems, it has a
relatively small effect on performance at work.
Jack and his family managed to escape before the soldiers
arrived. Other families in the village, however, were less
lucky.
Their economy was incredibly successful in the 1980s. Since
then, however, there has been a big rise in unemployment.
The town is a long way from the nearest big city. However,
there is a good bus service
A series of studies 20 years ago suggested that there was a
link between watching violent films and violent behavior.
Nevertheless, the results remain highly controversial.
Taxes make up 62% of the price of a liter of petrol in France
whereas in Britain, the tax is 75%.
Some people visit their doctor once every few weeks while
others may not visit a doctor for several years.
Several measures have been taken to reverse the trend, but
they have not been successful yet.
Despite all our efforts to save the school, the authorities
decided to close it.
She went to Spain despite/in spite of the fact that the fact
that her doctor had told her to rest. 6
Page