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Understanding Sentence Structure Basics

The document discusses sentence structure and the importance of varying sentence length and type in writing. It defines sentences and their core components - clauses. There are two types of clauses: independent clauses which can stand alone as a sentence, and dependent clauses which cannot stand alone and require an independent clause. The four sentence types are then outlined: simple sentences with one independent clause; compound sentences with two or more independent clauses joined with a conjunction; complex sentences with one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses; and compound-complex sentences with two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. An activity provides examples to identify sentence types.

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15 views3 pages

Understanding Sentence Structure Basics

The document discusses sentence structure and the importance of varying sentence length and type in writing. It defines sentences and their core components - clauses. There are two types of clauses: independent clauses which can stand alone as a sentence, and dependent clauses which cannot stand alone and require an independent clause. The four sentence types are then outlined: simple sentences with one independent clause; compound sentences with two or more independent clauses joined with a conjunction; complex sentences with one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses; and compound-complex sentences with two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. An activity provides examples to identify sentence types.

Uploaded by

Amayas
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

SENTENCE STRUCTURE

To make your writing more interesting and give it a distinct voice, you should vary your
sentences in terms of length and structure. you can make some of your sentences short and others
long . In other words, you will want to use a variety of sentence structures in your writing .
Therefore , Sentence Structure is important because it provides you with the framework for the
clear written expression of your ideas in english language.

Sentence Structure Basics:


•A sentence is a complete set of words that conveys meaning.
•A sentence is composed of one or more clauses.
•A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. Some clauses are independent,
and others are dependent. For a sentence to be complete, it must contain at least one independent
clause.

1. INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT CLAUSES

There are two types of clauses: independent clauses and dependent clauses. A sentence
contains at least one independent clause and may contain one or more dependent clauses:

° An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. EX:
We went to the beach.

° A dependent clause is not a complete sentence and cannot stand by itself. It must be connected
to an independent clause. EX: When we were in Toronto, we went to the beach.

You can distinguish a dependent clause by identifying the subordinating conjunction. A


subordinating conjunction creates a dependent clause that relies on the rest of the sentence for
meaning. The following list provides some examples of subordinating conjunctions: after, as,
before, if, though, while, unless, although, because, even, though, since, when, until,
whereas,...etc.

Independent clause: When I go to the movies, I usually buy popcorn.

Dependent clause: When I go to the movies, I usually buy popcorn.

Independent clause: I don’t like the ocean because sharks scare me.

Dependent clause: I don’t like the ocean because sharks scare me.
2. SENTENCE TYPES

Sentences are divided into four categories: simple sentences, compound sentences, complex
sentences, and compound-complex sentences.

° The simple sentence is composed of one independent clause. Ex: Johnny rode his bike to
school.

° The compound sentence is composed of two or more independent clauses but no dependent
clauses. A coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) often links the two
independent clauses and is preceded by a comma. Ex:

She wanted to go on vacation , so she saved up her money.


Tim loves to read , and he also loves to hike.

° The complex sentence is composed of one independent clause and one or more dependent
clauses. A complex sentence will include at least one subordinating conjunction. Ex:
She went to class even though she was sick.
As John was arriving to work, he realized he forgot his lunch.
° The compound-complex sentence combines complex sentence and compound sentence forms.
A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and one or more
dependent clauses. Ex:
I try to eat healthy food, but because fast food is so convenient, I cannot maintain a healthy diet.
When we arrive, James will make the popcorn, and Sarah will start the movie.

Activity: Identify the sentence type. Underline independent clauses once(-) and
dependent clauses twice(=).
1. Harry Potter was rejected from many publishers before J.K. Rowling found success.

Sentence type: ___________

2. Even though the patients showed various symptoms, the clinical study found that lack of sleep
contributes to the inability to focus, irritability, and poorer health.

Sentence type: __________

3. More and more students are relying on online databases to find sources.

Sentence type: __________

4. The business analysts proposed higher numbers for next quarter, and they expect to exceed
those numbers the following quarter.
Sentence type: ___________

5. Homeless teens face intense obstacles, but when it comes to schooling, they do have the
chance to receive an education if they enroll in a special program.

Sentence type: ___________

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