SENTENCES

Classifying Sentences by Structure

• A simple sentence has one complete subject and one complete predicate.

• The complete subject names who or what the sentence is about.

• The complete predicate tell what the subject does or has. Sometimes it tells what the subject is like.

SIMPLE SENTENCE

• The snow fell. (with one subject and one verb.)

• Snow and ice are common. (With a compound subject.)

• The window squeaked and shook (with a compound verb.)

• My brother and sister brought bagels and made coffee. (with compound subject and compound verb.)

• She opened the flower box and the card. (with a compound direct object.)

• You can drive from the east coast or from the west. (with a compound prepositional phrase.)

SIMPLE SENTENCE EXAMPLES

• A compound sentence is a sentence that contains two or more connected simple sentences.

• Each simple sentence in a compound sentence is called a main clause (or independent clause.)

• In most compound sentences, the main or independent clauses are joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or yet, so.)

• They may also be connected with a semicolon (;) or a colon (:).

COMPOUND SENTENCE

• A main clause has a subject and a predicate and can stand alone in a sentence.

MAIN CLAUSE/INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

• Tanner may be very smart, but he still acts immaturely sometimes.

• Millions of people live in cities, but many others reside in the suburbs.

• Most people travel to work, and many of them use public transportation.

• Commuters take trains, buses, and cars; some even fly.

• Helicopters are often used to monitor traffic conditions, but computers can more accurately predict travel time.

COMPOUND SENTENCE EXAMPLES

• A complex sentence is a sentence that has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.

• A subordinate clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate but does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone in a sentence. A subordinate clause is always combined with a main clause in a sentence.

COMPLEX SENTENCE

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

• When the sun set, the caravans stopped for the night.• The dromedary

has one hump, which stores fat.

COMPLEX SENTENCE

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

EXAMPLESSUBORDINATE CLAUSES IN BLACK TYPE.

• A compound-complex sentence consists of two or more main or independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.

COMPOUND -COMPLEX SENTENCE

• As he was leaving for work, Andy remembered to take his glasses, but he forgot the presentation that he had worked on the night before.

• Main clauses in white• Subordinate clauses in

gray.

COMPOUND -COMPLEX SENTENCEEXAMPLES