Dr S.
Ashikuti
A sentence…
…expresses a complete thought- statement,
command, question or exclamation,
…begins with a capital letter
and ends in a full stop, question mark or
exclamation mark (.?!).
Sentence structures
Declarative Interrogative Imperative Exclamatory
(Statements) (Questions) (Commands) sentence
It shows a strong emotion
It tells/conveys It gives a command or
or excitement The
information about It poses a question and makes a request and ends
community will attend the
something and ends in a full ends with a question mark. with a full stop or an
meeting and ends with an
stop. exclamation mark.
exclamation mark.
Don’t touch that! That was awesome!!
This is our home town. Are you related to him?
Turn right. What a horrible driver!
Independent clause??
Dependent clause??
There are two main types of clauses namely, independent and
depended clauses.
An independent clause is a clause that can stand on its own and
express complete a thought.
An independent clause can be a sentence on its own, but it is
often part of a larger structure, combined with other independent
clauses or with dependent clauses.
Examples: The show was attended by many.
The show was attended by many since it was free.
Dependent clause is a clause that cannot stand by itself.
It depends on an independent clause for its meaning.
When a dependent clause stands by itself, it is called a
sentence fragment.
Examples: Whenever I attend that class
In order to get a better picture
Whereas we were ready to them
Compound Complex
sentences Sentences
Compound-
Simple
complex
sentences
sentences
Sentence
types
A simple sentence is made up of one independent clause.
A simple sentence has one independent clause and no dependent
clauses.
Anna is Simvula’s only sister.
The three newly-appointed employees are in the boardroom with the
CEO.
He loves soul music, food and dancing.
You don’t have to talk to him like that.
A compound sentence contains two independent clauses.
Coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) join these
independent clauses. (Hint: The conjunctions spell FANBOYS.)
They want to visit us, but they don’t have taxi money.
Do you want to buy this now, or do you want to wait?.
It is not winter season, yet it is already cold.
She ran a marathon, and he ran a sprint.
Notice that the FANBOYS MUST be preceded by a comma.
Compound sentences are commonly linked by coordinating
conjunctions.
However, another way to join/punctuate compound sentences is by
eliminating the conjunction and simply adding a semicolon (;).
The meeting is due to start soon; we are just waiting for the
chairperson.
The university has made numerous changes; they came into effect
recently.
These are my neighbours; they are very good people.
A complex sentence has an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses
(independent clauses are bolded). Note that introductory dependent clauses must be
followed a by comma.
Although it has not been raining much, farmers remain hopeful about the year’s harvest.
Farmers remain hopeful about the year’s harvest although it has no been raining much.
The community will attend the meeting despite the disappointment of the last meeting.
Despite the disappointment of the last meeting, the community will attend the meeting.
Complex sentences should be punctuated in one of the following two main ways.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + dependent clause (no comma)
They left class early when their parents arrived to get them.
Dependent clause, + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE ( + comma)
When their parents arrived to get them, they left class early.
A compound-complex sentence has at least two
independent clauses and one dependent clauses. It is
simply a compound sentence + a dependent clause.
Once you move the tables, I will rearrange class, and we will
have more space.
Think about that thoroughly, but consider all your options
before you make that call.
He couldn't go to school since it’s raining, yet he went to his
friends.
A coordinating conjunction is used when one wants to give
equal emphasis to two independent clauses.
Coordination therefore gives equal attention to two clauses.
Coordinating conjunctions are: for, and, nor, but, or yet, so.
The house burnt down, but they rescued most of the items.
The team won, so it returned home yesterday.
Subordination gives less attention to one idea so that the other has emphasis.
Subordinating conjunction link an independent clause to a dependent one.
Unless the situation improves, many more cases of COVID will be reported.
Even though it has been warm, winter is about to begin.
The clause whose thought is complete has more emphasis.
Remember that no comma is used when the sentence starts with an independent
clause.
The mother cleaned the house as the babies slept.
They failed to attend the event because of the heavy rain.
(Subordinator) Depended clause + comma+ independent clause
When the break ended, students returned to classes.
Since the country is independent, people exercise their rights.
Independent clause + comma + coordinating conjunction +independent clause
The break ended, and students returned to classes.
The country is independent, so people exercise their rights.
Independent clause + subordinator +dependent clause
They waited for her until the show started.
The took the decision while parliament was in session.