Clauses and sentence structure

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1

Clauses and sentence structure 

Lesson goal

• Learn about the writing building called the clauses
• Learn about the different types of clauses 
• Learn about sentence structure and how to apply it in your writing. 

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. Subordinating conjunctions; Conjunctions are used to link dependent clauses to independent clauses. 

Example: If you work hard, you will succeed. 

What are clauses?

Sentence structure types

From this perspective, the English sentence has four major building blocks:

1. Simple Sentence Structure:

one independent clause.

2. Compound Sentence Structure:

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

3. Complex Sentence Structure:

one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

4. Compound-Complex Sentence Structure:

  two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

What is an independent clause?

1. A group of words that has at least one object and one verb. This sentence can stand alone and makes sense.
2. A group of words that has at least one subject and a verb. This sentence can stand alone and makes sense.

Which one is the compound sentence structure?

1. The pirate captain lost her treasure map, but she still found the buried treasure.
2. All of my sisters are doctors, whereas I am a teacher.
3. I want to call his, but I don't have his phone number.

Which one is the compound sentence structure?

1. While I am a passionate basketball fan, I prefer football.
2. The cinema was sold out, so we watched a movie on TV.
3. Whenever it rains, I like to wear my blue coat.

Which one is the compound sentence structure?

1. Because he was late again, he would be docked a day's pay.
2. All of my sisters are doctors, whereas I am a teacher.
3. I want to call his, but I don't have his phone number.

Which one is the complex sentence structure?

1. It's gone 10pm, and he still hasn't arrived.
2. While playing football, the ball thrown by my friend hit the boy crossing the street.
3. Our car broke down, so we took a taxi.

Which one is the compound sentence structure?

1. The pirate captain lost her treasure map, but she still found the buried treasure.
2. All of my sisters are doctors, whereas I am a teacher.
3. I want to call his, but I don't have his phone number.

Which one is the compound-complex sentence structure?

1. Don't leave the restaurant until the dishes here are washed.
2. I'll have a week in Rome, or I'll go to Paris for three days.
3. I invited Bruno to the concert, but he can only go if one of us gives him a ride.

Which one is the complex sentence structure?

1. The pirate captain lost her treasure map, but she still found the buried treasure.
2. All of my sisters are doctors, whereas I am a teacher.
3. I want to call his, but I don't have his phone number.

Which one is the complex sentence structure?

1. Michael did not like to read. She was not very good at it.
2. My favorite sport is skiing. I am vacationing in Hawaii this winter.
3. Because the soup was too cold, I warmed it in the microwave