Transcript 4 Basic Sentence structures

Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex
Phrase = lacks either a subject or a verb or both

Ex: prepositional phrase, adjective phrase, verbal phrase,
etc.
Clause = contains both a subject and a verb


Main/indep clause= can stand alone as a sentence
Subordinate/dependent clause=begins with a
subordinating word; clause cannot stand alone

Each sentence gives different emphasis
to the main idea(s) and to supporting
information in a sentence.
 Simple
 Compound
 Complex
 Compound-complex
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1 Independent clause
Compound: 2+ Independent clauses
Complex:
1 Indep. + 1+ Dependent
Compound-complex: 2+ Indep + 1+ Dep.
Simple:
1 Independent clause
Ex: Last summer was unusually hot.
Even if the sentence contains a compound
subject or a compound verb, it is still a
simple sentence.
Ex: Mr. Bartos and I cannot settle our dispute.
The artist lives and works in the same town.
2+ Independent clauses
Ex: Last July was hot, but August was even hotter.
How can I create a compound sentence?
1.
Link main clauses with a comma and coordinating
conjunction [FANBOYS]
2.
Link main clauses with a semi-colon =
3.
Relate main clauses with a semicolon and a
conjunctive adverb (followed by a comma)
;
Coordinating Conjunctions=FANBOYS
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
Don’t forget: a comma precedes
the coordinating conjunction

Semi-colon
Ex: The side effects are not minor; some leave the
patient quite ill.

Conjunctive adverbs (p. 252)
main clause ; conj adv, main clause
Commonly used conjunctive adverbs:
however, nevertheless, consequently, moreover,
Ex: The increased time devoted to watching television
is not the only cause of lower literacy rates;
however, it is one of the important causes.
1 Independent + 1+ Dependent clauses
In a complex sentence, one idea is subordinated
or less important than the other.
Ex: Rain finally came, although many had left the
area by then.
1 Independent + 1+ Dependent clauses
How can I create a complex sentence?
 Subordinate conjunction
 Relative pronoun (used as an adjective or noun clause) ,
acts like the subject in the clause
Common subordinate conjunctions: because, although, when, while, as, if,
see list in grammar book
2+ Independent + 1+ Dependent clauses
Ex: Even though government aid finally
came, many people had already been
reduced to poverty, and others had been
forced to move.
Simple: Use a simple sentence to focus on a single
idea, describe a series of actions, or create a quick, even
choppy rhythm.
Compound: Use a compound sentence to connect
similar or contrasting ideas of equal importance or to
create a more fluid rhythm.
Complex: Add subordinate clauses when you want
to add details, build momentum, or show relationships
between ideas.