Transcript Types of Sentences

Types of
Sentences
•Simple
•Compound
•Complex
Important Concepts
• A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb.
• An independent clause is a group of words that can stand on its own: it has a subject, a verb, and is a
complete thought.
Example:
He ran.
He ran fast.
I was late to class.
• A dependent clause is a group of words that also contains a subject and a verb, but it is NOT a
complete thought.
•It cannot stand on its own as a sentence
Example: Because I woke up late this morning…(what happened)
When we arrived in class…(What occurred)
Video
Guided Practice
Think of an independent clause as an adult who can stand on his or her own feet, and think of a
dependent cause as a child who needs some help to stand.
• In the following sentences, see if you can identify each underlined word group
as an independent clause (I), a dependent clause (D), or just a measly phrase
(P). (Remember, a phrase does not contain a subject and a verb.)
• Little Wilbur threw a tantrum on his birthday because he wanted cream
corn instead of cake.
• When he styles his chest hair, Mr. K. uses volume-increasing mousse to
achieve a manly look.
• “Is it true that baboons eat ticks?” asked Kelli?
• Tootsie answered an employment ad for a mall elf, but she was underqualified.
• Norman wore his best jacket to the dance, but he forgot his pants.
• For some reason, porcupines often have bonding issues.
Simple
Sentence
A simple sentence contains one independent
clause and no dependent clauses.
Examples:
•Mr. Hagel has a loud voice.
•Mr. Lowe is a great science teacher.
•Arabelle went to the park.
•Subject and Predicate
Subject - Predicate Practice
• Tilly and Liv shiver and quiver when they eat liver.
• The Venus flytrap swallowed the cat and then spat it at the yappy lap dog.
• In a strange turn of events, Tye found a tiny fish in his French fries.
• People with fuzzy eyebrows should pluck them or dye them mauve.
• Why does Mr. Hagel keep his toenail clippings in an empty corn chip bag?
• At half time in the crowded stadium, Mr. K. played an original version of “Over the
Rainbow” with his armpit.
Compound
Sentences
A compound sentence has two or
more independent clauses, but
does not contain any dependent
clauses.
There are three ways to create a
compound sentence.
Use a comma and a
Coordinating Conjunction
A coordinating conjunction is one of these seven joining words: for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so.
You can remember the coordinating conjunctions with the word fanboys, formed from the first
letters of these seven conjunctions.
We can use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (cc) to join two or more independent clauses
(IC) into a compound sentence. Note that the comma comes before the conjunction, not after it.
The sentence has the structure IC, + cc + IC.
Coordinating Conjunctions
• Megan cut the wood, and Ryan stacked it.
• Here are some more examples of compound sentences:
• F The two stopped to eat, for the work had made them hungry.
• A The afternoon had been long, and hours had gone by since lunch.
• N There was no house nearby, nor did they have any food with them.
• B They wanted to pick blueberries as a snack, but a bear growled at them
from the berry patch.
• O Should they leave now, or should they wait awhile? (Comma optional)
Y The job was not done, yet they needed to rest and eat.
• S They were starving, and it was getting dark, so they went home.
Please Note
• Note: If the independent clauses are short, parallel and closely related, it is acceptable to use only a
comma or a conjunction to join them:
• Megan cut the wood, Ryan stacked it.
• OR
• Megan cut the wood and Ryan stacked it.
• But between longer clauses, it is important to use both a comma and a conjunction:
• Megan cut the wood into one-and-a-half-foot logs, and Ryan stacked them carefully along the rear of
the cabin.
• If you used a comma alone in the above example, you would have a comma splice, a type of run-on
sentence. Since it is never wrong to use a comma and conjunction together in this kind of compound
sentence, it is best to do so in every case to avoid the risk of error.
Coordinating
Conjunction Foldable
Let’s make one.
Use a Semicolon
• A semicolon, like a period, creates a stop between two independent clauses.
However, the clause after the semicolon does not begin with a capital (unless the
first word is a proper noun). In this case, the sentence has the structure IC + sc +
IC.
• This method works readily with some of the examples:
• Megan cut the wood; Ryan stacked it.
• The two stopped to eat; the work had made them hungry.
Use a Semicolon with a
Transitional Expression
• A transitional expression (conjunctive adverb) shows the relationship between
two ideas. A semicolon with a transitional expression often makes a smoother
connection than a semicolon alone.
• There are many transitional expressions showing different kinds of
relationships. Here are a few common examples:
• Addition: also, in addition, moreover
• Contrast: however, in contrast, on the other hand
• Result: therefore, as a result, consequently
• Example: for example, for instance
• Listing: first, second, third
A comma is used after the transitional word or expression.
The sentence has the structure IC + sc + transition + IC:
The work had made them hungry; therefore, they stopped to eat.
The job was not done; on the other hand, they needed to rest and eat.
Please Note
Compound Sentences Practice
• Handout
Complex
Sentences
A complex sentence has one
independent clause and 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.
Example:
Because my alarm did not go off this morning, I was late to work.
Since Ms. Coleby is a fit lady, I wouldn’t mess with her.
Complex Sentences
In the following complex sentences the subordinators and their commas (when required) are in red.
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 such as sentences A and D, a comma is required at the
end of the dependent clause.
When the independent clause begins the sentence with subordinators in the middle as in sentences B, C, and
E, no comma is required.
Subordinating Conjunctions
• Subordinating Conjunctions are adverbs that begin Subordinate Clauses.
ON A WHITE BUS is a mnemonic device to help you remember the
subordinating conjunctions.
• O: only if
• N: now that
• A: after, although, as
• WH: when, whereas, while, whenever, wherever, whether or not
• I: In case, if
• T: though
• E: even though, even if
• B: before, because
• U: until, unless
• S: since, so (that)
Complex Sentences
• Finally, sentences containing adjective clauses are also complex because they contain an
independent clause and a dependent clause. The subjects, verbs, and subordinators are marked
the same as in the previous sentences, and in these sentences, the independent clauses are also
underlined.
A. The woman who called my mom sells cosmetics.
B. The book that Jonathan read is on the shelf.
C. The house which Abraham Lincoln was born in is still standing.
D. The town where I grew up is in the United States.
Adjective Clauses – introduced by
relative pronouns
That, when, which, whichever, whatsoever, who, whoever, whom, whomever, whose
Relative pronouns are similar to conjunctions in that they provide a link between a
clause and the balance of the sentence.
Complex Sentences
Practice
• Handout