Sentence Structure

What is sentence structure?

It refers to the kinds and It refers to the kinds and number of clauses (group number of clauses (group

of words containing a of words containing a subject and predicate) a subject and predicate) a

sentence contains.sentence contains.

Four Kinds

simplesimple complexcomplex

compound-compound-complexcomplex

compound-compound-complexcomplex

compound

Simple Sentences

one one independent independent clause-can clause-can

stand alone stand alone

may have may have compound compound

subjectsubject

may have compound

verb

may have may have any number any number of phrasesof phrases

may have may have any number any number of phrasesof phrases

NO NO SUBORDINATE SUBORDINATE CLAUSE-cannot CLAUSE-cannot

stand alonestand alone

Examples

Single subject and Single subject and verb:verb:

Bob rode his bicycle Bob rode his bicycle all summer.all summer.

Compound subject and Compound subject and verb:verb:

Lilly and Tim came Lilly and Tim came over and helped me over and helped me

with my math project.with my math project.

Compound subject and Compound subject and verb:verb:

Lilly and Tim came Lilly and Tim came over and helped me over and helped me

with my math project.with my math project.

Single subject and Single subject and compound verb:compound verb:

Tara picked a whole Tara picked a whole basket of berries and basket of berries and

ate them all.ate them all.

Compound subject and single verb:

My dog and cat ran away.

Compound Sentences

contains two or more independent clauses and contains two or more independent clauses and no subordinate clausesno subordinate clauses

contains two or more independent clauses and contains two or more independent clauses and no subordinate clausesno subordinate clauses

the independent clauses the independent clauses are usually joined by a :are usually joined by a :

commacomma, ,

coordinating coordinating conjunction-conjunction-

fanboys-for, and, fanboys-for, and, nor,but, or, yet, sonor,but, or, yet, so

and

Example

According to legend, Betsy Ross made our According to legend, Betsy Ross made our first flag, but little evidence support this first flag, but little evidence support this

claim.claim.

Compound Sentences

independent independent clauses may be clauses may be

joined by joined by semicolonsemicolonsemicolonsemicolon

semicolon semicolon and and

conjunctive conjunctive adverb and adverb and

commacomma

semicolon semicolon and and

conjunctive conjunctive adverb and adverb and

commacomma

Many mathematical Many mathematical concepts originated in concepts originated in

North Africa; the ancient North Africa; the ancient Egyptians used these Egyptians used these

concepts in building the concepts in building the pyramids.pyramids.

Lynn called Marty with Lynn called Marty with the good new; the good new;

however, he was not at however, he was not at home.home.

Complex SentencesContains one independent clause and at

least one subordinate clause

EXAMPLEWhen I watch her performance, I feel

like studying dance.

EXAMPLEWhen I watch her performance, I feel

like studying dance.

When I watch her performance (subordinate)

I feel like studying. (independent)

Compound-Complex Sentences

Consists of two independent Consists of two independent clauses and a subordinate clauses and a subordinate

clauseclause

Although I like to go swimming, I haven't Although I like to go swimming, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't

found anyone to go with.found anyone to go with.

CompoundTWO

INDEPENDENT CLAUSES

SimpleSimpleONE ONE

INDEPENDENTINDEPENDENTCLAUSECLAUSE

SimpleSimpleONE ONE

INDEPENDENTINDEPENDENTCLAUSECLAUSE

ComplexComplexONE INDEPENDENT,ONE INDEPENDENT,

SUBORDINATE SUBORDINATE CLAUSECLAUSE

Compound-Compound-ComplexComplex

TWO IND.,TWO IND.,SUBORDINATE SUBORDINATE

CLAUSECLAUSE

SentenceSentence

StructuresStructures

SentenceSentence

StructuresStructures

,FANBOYS;

; however,