BBI2412 WRITING FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES

Four types of sentences, which are:

1.Simple sentences2.Compound sentences3.Complex sentences4.Compound-complex sentences

A simple sentence is also known as independent clause.

A simple sentence has one main clause, contains a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete thought.

Juan and Arturo play football every afternoon.

Alicia goes to the library and studies every day.

Two or more independent clauses joined together. There are three ways to join the clauses:

1. With a coordinator2. With a conjunctive adverb3. With a semicolon

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Coordinating Conjunction Example

For has the same meaning as because; use for to introduce a reason or a cause.

It is not easy to get there, for you have to hike down a long, hot trail.

And joins sentences that are alike.

He dropped a rice ball, and it rolled into a hole in the ground.

Nor means “not this and not that”; use nor to join two negative sentences.

The book isn’t long, nor is it difficult to read.

But joins sentences that are opposite or show contrast.

They were happy, but they were poor.

Or joins sentences that give choices or alternatives.

He could choose a big box, or he could choose a small one.

Yet has approximately the same meaning as but. Use yet when the second part of the sentence says something unexpected or surprising.

The weather is beautiful today, yet it is supposed to rain today.

So joins sentences when the second sentence expresses the result of something described in the first sentence.

The greedy man wanted all of the mice’s gold, so he pretended to be a cat.

A complex sentence has an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses.

A complex sentence always has a subordinator such as because, since, after, although, or when or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which.

A. When he handed in his homework, he forgot to give the teacher the

last page.  B. The teacher returned the homework after she noticed the error. C. The students are studying because they have a test tomorrow.D. After they finished studying, Juan and Maria went to the movies. E. Juan and Maria went to the movies after they finished studying.

When a complex sentence begins with a subordinator, a comma is required at the end of the dependent clause. (sentences A and D)

When the independent clause begins the sentence with subordinators in the middle, no comma is required. (sentences B, C, and E)

If comma is placed before the subordinators, it is wrong.

One idea is more important than the other.More important idea in the independent

clause and less important in the dependent clause.

There are three kinds of dependent clauses which are adverb, adjective, and noun.

There are three ways to join the clauses which are:

1. Complex sentences with adverb clauses.

2. Complex sentences with adjective clauses. 3. Complex sentences with noun clauses.

A compound-complex sentence is made from two independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Some examples: Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go

lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with.

independent clause: "I haven't had the time to go lately"

independent clause: "I haven't found anyone to go with"

dependent clause: "Although I like to go camping... "

We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that we were wrong.

independent clause: "We decided that the movie was too violent"

independent clause: "(but) our children thought that we were wrong"

dependent clause: who like to watch scary movies