Clauses and sentence structure

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Clauses and sentence structure 

What is a clause?

A clause is a group of words that functions as one part of speech and that includes a subject (onderwerp) and verb(werkwoord).

1. Independent clause; A sentence that contains a subject and a verb - It can stand alone

Example: He will succeed. 

2. Dependent clause; Contains a subject and a verb, but it cannot stand alone. 

Example: If you work hard

3. Adverbial clause; a group of words that function as an adverb and that contains a subject and a verb. 

Example: When the sun rises, we will escape.

What are clauses?

Sentence structure types

1. Simple Sentence Structure:

one independent clause.

2. Compound Sentence Structure:

two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction (aka FANBOYS).

"for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so"

3. Complex Sentence Structure:

one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

(Linking words)

4. Compound-Complex Sentence Structure:

  two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

Sentence structure types

1. Simple Sentence Structure:

I studied hard.

2. Compound Sentence Structure:

I studied hard and passed the exam. 

3. Complex Sentence Structure:

I passed the exam, because I studied hard.

4. Compound-Complex Sentence Structure:

Because I studied hard, I passed the exam and I was so happy. 

What is an independent clause?

1. This sentence can stand alone and makes sense.
2. This sentence cannot stand alone and make sense.

Once this storm is over, our plane can take off, and we can actually begin our vacation.

1. Simple Sentence
2. Compound Sentence
3. Complex Sentence
4. Compound-Complex Sentence

I will go to Paris on Monday, and Devin will meet me on Wednesday.

1. Simple Sentence
2. Compound Sentence
3. Complex Sentence
4. Compound-Complex Sentence

This necklace is very important to me, so don’t lose it unless you want to see me angry.

1. Simple Sentence
2. Compound Sentence
3. Complex Sentence
4. Compound-Complex Sentence

If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.

1. Simple Sentence
2. Compound Sentence
3. Complex Sentence
4. Compound-Complex Sentence

If Ellen doesn’t want to go, I can ask Patrick, or I can just go alone.

1. Simple Sentence
2. Compound Sentence
3. Complex Sentence
4. Compound-Complex Sentence

You cannot leave the school until the bell rings.

1. Simple Sentence
2. Compound Sentence
3. Complex Sentence
4. Compound-Complex Sentence

Ways to make your writing more interesting.

Some practical examples

Adverb modifier

The artist worked relentlessly on his sketching technique until it was perfected.

Vs.

Relentlessly, the artist worked on his sketching technique until it was perfected.

Adverb Clause

The artist worked relentlessly on his sketching technique until it was perfected.

Vs.

Until his style improved, the artist spent most of the time perfecting his sketching technique.

Infinitive Phrase

The artist worked relentlessly on his sketching technique until it was perfected.

Vs.

To achieve perfection, the artist worked relentlessly on his sketching technique.

Transitional Expressions

The artist worked relentlessly on his sketching technique until it was perfected.

Vs.

He was a promising artist. However, he still needed to work a lot on his sketching technique.

Sentence Length

The Renaissance was a cultural movement. It lasted from the 14th until the 17th century. Its biggest representatives were Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

Vs.

The Renaissance was a cultural movement which lasted from the 14th until the 17th century. Its biggest representatives were Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

Sentence Length

The Renaissance was a cultural movement. It lasted from the 14th until the 17th century. Its biggest representatives were Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

Vs.

The Renaissance, a cultural movement between the 14th and 17th century, produced some of most famous artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.

Work on

Text Improvement: Sentence Structure assignment in Showbie

27TCA

Continue writing your own essay while keeping track of the variation in your sentences.