Sentence Types. #1: Simple Sentence A simple sentence has one subject and one verb I like to study grammar. A simple sentence is also called an independent.

Sentence Types

#1: Simple Sentence

A simple sentence has one subject and one verb

I like to study grammar.A simple sentence is also called an

independent clause.An independent clause ends with a

period or semicolon.

Independent clause: only one subject and one verb

I love you. One

verb

One subject

Independent clause: only one subject and two verbs

I love and hate you.

Two verbs

One subject

Independent clause: two subjects and one verb

Mom and Dad love you. One

verb

Two subjects

#2: Compound Sentence

A compound sentence is made up of two or more simple sentences joined by one of the following:

A comma and one of the FANBOYS◦ I like to study grammar, and I love this class.

A semicolon◦ I like to study grammar; I love this class.

A semicolon and a transitional◦ I like to study grammar; therefore, I love this class.

Two independent clauses joined together with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)

I love you, and you love me.

Independent clause

Independent clause

Two independent clauses joined together with a semicolon

I love you; you love me.

Independent clause

Independent clause

Two independent clauses joined together with a semicolon, transitional expression, and a comma

I love you; therefore, you love me.

Independent clause

Independent clause

Test yourself – Simple or Compound

• The teacher walked into the classroom, greeted the

students, and took attendance.

• Simple

• None of us knew our lines; nevertheless, the show opened successfully on Friday.

• Compound

• Michael and Josh walked around the park and had a picnic.

• Simple

Test yourself – Simple or Compound

Friday night we can go bowling or go to the movies. • Simple• Taming a cobra is dangerous, yet it is not as

dangerous as being a teacher.• Compound• Take your jacket along for the rain and cold.• Simple• The team was second in the standings; they had to

win three games to move to first place.• Compound

#3: Complex Sentence

A complex sentence is a simple sentence (independent clause) to which a part of a sentence (dependent clause) has been added.◦Because I like to study grammar, I love this class.

◦I love this class because I like to study grammar.

A dependent clause joined to an independent clause. (The dependent clause needs the

rest of the sentence for support.)

Because you love me, I love you.

Dependent clause

Independent clause

A dependent clause contains a subject and verb. It begins with a subordinating conjunction, and thus it does not express a completed thought. A dependent clause is also called a subordinate clause.

Dependent clauses, like babies, cannot stand alone.

Because you love me.

Fragment!

Complex sentences should be punctuated in one of two ways:

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE dependent clause (no comma)

We left class early so that we could attend a special lecture.

Dependent clause, INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (comma)

So that we could attend a special lecture, we left class early.

Dependent Clauses - beginning

Choose two of the subordinating clauses below and create two complex sentences using the dependent clauses at the beginningAfter I studied for the test,Although I studied for the test,Since I studied for the test,Because I studied for the test,Whenever I studied for the test,As long as I studied for the test,While I studied for the test,

Dependent Clauses - EndChoose two of the subordinating clauses below and create two complex sentences using the dependent clauses at the end…after I studied for the test…although I studied for test…since I studied for the test…because I studied for the test…whenever I studied for the test…as long as I studied for the test…while I studied for the test

Common Subordinating (Dependent) Conjunctions

after even if now that that where

although

even though

once though

whereas

as if rather than

unless wherever

as if whenever

since until whether

because

in orderthat

so that when which

before than in case

while

#4: Compound/Complex Sentence

A compound/complex sentence is the last and most complicated type of sentence.

It contains at least one dependent clause and at least two independent clauses.

A dependent clause added to two or more independent clauses

Because we are a family, I love you, and you love me.

2 independent clauses

Dependent clause

Compound-Complex Sentences

Although thought to be indestructible, the World Trade Center fell on September 11, 2001, and that forever changed the country.

The terrible rumors were spread by a journalist who wanted to ruin her career, but instead it only made her stronger.

Compound Complex Sentence

Create a compound-complex sentence by adding a compound sentence to the dependent clauses below (these may be at the beginning or at the end) after I studied for the testalthough I studied for the testsince I studied for the testbecause I studied for the testwhenever I studied for the testas long as I studied for the test,while I studied for the test,

Simple Compound

Complex Compound/complex

Since every sentence in English fits into one of these four categories,

Look at this paragraph with many independent clauses joined with coordinating conjunctions:

I went home, but my roommate wasn't there, so I started to cook dinner, but my roommate came in and saw me trying to cook his favorite recipe, but I didn't really know how to make it well, and he got really angry, so I stopped cooking, and he made dinner for us, and then everything was all right.

The independent clauses are underlined, and the coordinating conjunctions are in bold:

1 went home, but my roommate wasn't there, so I started to cook dinner, but my roommate came in and saw me trying to cook his favorite recipe, but I didn't really know how to make it well, and he got really angry, so I stopped cooking, and he made dinner for us, and then everything was all right.

This is better! Notice how it makes use of a variety of sentence structures.

When I went home, my roommate wasn't there, so I started to cook dinner. Then, my roommate came in and saw me trying to cook his favorite recipe even though I didn't know how to make it well. I stopped cooking because he got really angry. In the end, he made dinner for us, and everything was all right.

Test yourself – Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound, Compound-Complex

• Although it is January, the weather is beautiful, and I

would like to go hiking.

• Compound-Complex

• Juan played football while Jane went shopping.

• Complex

• Juan played football, yet Jim went shopping.

• Compound

Test yourself – Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound, Compound-Complex

•Although Mexico has a better team, they lost the tournament, and their more aggressive style did not pay off.

•Compound-Complex

•If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it.

•Complex

•Successful athletes often inspire others because they serve as role models.

•Complex