Sentence Structure:
Sentence Types
Sentence Types
–Simple
–Compound
–Complex
–Compound-Complex
Basic Elements of Every Sentence
SUBJECT PREDICATE
Definitions
Sentence
A set of words that is complete in itself, typically containing a
subject and predicate, conveying a statement, question,
exclamation, or command, and consisting of a main clause and
sometimes one or more subordinate clauses.
•Subject •Predicate
A person or thing that is The part of a sentence or
being discussed, described, or clause containing a verb
dealt with. and stating something
about the subject
Basic Elements
SUBJECT PREDICATE
Eeshan plays tennis.
Simple
Sentence
Simple Sentence
– A simple sentence has one subject and one predicate.
Simple Sentence
Observe how a simple sentence is constructed:
We went to Ahmad yesterday.
Simple Sentence
Pronoun Verb Prepositional phrase
We went to Ahmad.
Simple subject Complete predicate
SIMPLE SENTENCE
SUBJECT PREDICATE
Eeshan plays tennis.
one subject one predicate
Simple Sentence
Ali and Eeshan play tennis.
Compound Subject
&
Simple Sentence
play tennis and swim.
Ali and Eeshan
Compound Subject Compound Predicate
& &
SIMPLE SENTENCE
with compound subject
Ali and Eeshan play tennis.
SIMPLE SENTENCE
with compound subject
and
compound predicate
Ali and Eeshan play tennis
and swim.
Compound
Sentence
Compound Sentence
– A compound sentence has more than one
part that can stand alone (independent
clauses).
– Independent clauses are connected by
coordinating conjunctions, conjunctive
adverbs or a semi-colon.
Compound Sentence
We went to Jahan, and
most of us danced all night.
Compound Sentence
Subject Verb Prepositional phrase
We went to Jahan,
Predicate
Coordinating
Conjunction
and most of us danced all night .
Subject Verb Modifying phrase
Compound Sentence
Use of Coordinating Conjunctions
SUBJECT PREDICATE
SUBJECT PREDICATE
Compound Sentence
Ali swims,
and
Eeshan plays tennis.
COMPOUND SENTENCE:
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
FOR
AND
NOR
FANBOYS
BUT
OR
YET
SO
COMPOUND SENTENCE:
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Ali swims, and Eeshan plays
tennis.
Clause 1 Clause 2
Independent Independent
COMPOUND SENTENCE:
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Ali swims, and Eeshan plays
tennis.
Comma before “and”
in compound
sentences!
COMPOUND SENTENCE:
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS
MOREOVER
HOWEVER
OTHERWISE
THEREFORE
COMPOUND SENTENCE:
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS
Arman is handsome; moreover, he is
rich.
Clause 1 Clause 2
Independent Independent
COMPOUND SENTENCE:
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS
Arman is handsome; moreover, he is
rich.
Note: Semicolon
before conjunctive
adverb and comma
after conjunctive adverb!
Conjunctive Adverbs
“float”
–Conjunctive adverbs are
sometimes called “floating”
adverbs because they can be
positioned at the beginning, in the
middle, or at the end of a clause.
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERB:
AT THE BEGINNING, IN THE
MIDDLE,AT THE END
Arman is handsome; moreover, he is rich.
Arman is handsome; he is, moreover,
rich.
Arman is handsome; he is rich,
moreover.
COMPOUND SENTENCE:
SEMICOLON
Arman has benefited from his
exercise program; he is slim and
energetic.
Complex
Sentence
Complex Sentence
– A complex sentence has at least two parts: one that can
stand alone and another one that cannot
– The part that cannot stand alone is linked to the rest of
the sentence by a subordinating conjunction
Complex Sentence
Since my friend and I wanted to have fun,
we went to Jahan yesterday.
Complex Sentence
Since we wanted to have fun,
Subordinating
Conjunction
Part that cannot stand alone
Subject Predicate
we went to Jahan yesterday.
Complex Sentence
SUBJECT PREDICATE
even though
SUBJECT PREDICATE
Complex Sentence
Arman is popular
even though
he is ugly.
COMPLEX SENTENCE:
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
The most common subordinating
conjunctions are "after," "although,"
"as," "because," "before," "how,"
"if," "once," "since," "than,"
"that," though," "till," "until,"
"when," "where," "whether,” and
while."
COMPLEX SENTENCE:
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Arman is popular even though he is
ugly.
Clause 1
Clause 2
Independent
Dependent
COMPLEX SENTENCE:
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
Even though Arman is ugly, he is
popular.
Clause 1 Clause 2
Dependent Independent
Compound-Complex Sentence
Compound-Complex Sentence
– This type of sentence has more than one part that can stand alone,
and at least one that cannot.
– Conjunctions link the different parts of this sentence.
Compound-Complex
Sentence
Since we wanted to have fun,
my friend and I went to Jahan yesterday,
and we danced all night.
Compound-Complex Sentence
Subordinating
Conjunction
Since we wanted to have fun,
Part that cannot stand alone
my boyfriend and I went to Jahan,
Coordinating Subject Predicate
Conjunction
and we danced all night.
Functions of Simple
Sentences
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Use simple sentences when presenting a
limited amount of information. Although simple
sentences may be shorter, they are not any
less academic than other sentence types.
To declare a direct First, I will give background information about my project.
statement This conclusion is supported by extensive evidence.
To display a The researchers created their hypothesis, conducted some tests, and
simple drew their conclusions.
list My evidence comes from journal articles, periodicals, and books.
To give concise Please consider my application for the internship.
directions
What is the true meaning of the poem?
To ask a question
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Functions of Compound,
Complex,
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and Compound-
Complex Sentences
Compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences can serve
similar purposes. The writer can tailor the amount of information he or
she provides by adding independent and dependent clauses to simple
sentences . Compound: Recycling is an effective way of helping the environment,
and everyone should recycle at home.
Complex: Since recycling is an effective way of helping the
To combine similar
environment, everyone should recycle at home.
ideas
Compound-Complex: Since recycling is an effective way of helping
the environment, everyone should recycle at home; we can all work
together to protect our planet.
Compound: Van Gogh was a talented and successful artist, but he
had intense personal issues.
Complex: Although he was a talented and successful artist, Van
To compare or
Gogh had intense personal issues.
contrast ideas
Compound-Complex: Although he was a talented and successful
artist, Van Gogh had intense personal issues; indeed, many say his
inner turmoil contributed to his beautiful art.
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Compound: The researchers did not come to the correct
conclusion,
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so they restructured their hypothesis.
To convey cause •Complex: Since the researchers did not come to the
and correct
effect or chain of conclusion, they restructured their hypothesis.
events Compound-Complex: Since the researchers did not
come to the correct conclusion, they restructured their
hypothesis, and they will attempt the experiment again.
Compound: Cell phones should not be permitted in class, for
they distract students and teachers.
To elaborate on a Complex: Since cell phones distract students and teachers, they
claim or extend should not be used in class.
reasoning Compound-Complex: Since cell phones distract students and
teachers, they should not be used in class, and I encourage faculty
to forbid their use
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