Sentence structure 2.0

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• Leerjaar 5

Sentence structure

Onderwerp

Werkwoord

Lijdend/ meewerkend voorwerp

Plaats

Tijd

Clauses

English has developed a few different sentence structures to keep things interesting and give us more options for speaking and writing. 

Before we get into those different sentence structures, it’s crucial to understand how clauses work.

Clause

A group of words that contains a subject (onderwerp) and a verb (werkwoord). 

- Sometimes a complete sentence itself, but other times it needs help before the full meaning can be understood.

Independent clause

A clause that is a complete sentence is called an independent clause. 

It contains everything you need for a complete sentence: subjects and verbs, with objects optional. 

- We’ll eat dinner at five. 

- Faria and Bertuccio assisted the Count of Monte Cristo. 

Dependent clause

A clause that is not a complete sentence is called a dependent clause

These support independent clauses, usually by adding information.

- The roads are icy because it rained last night. 

Each sentence has a subject (the roads & it) and a verb (are & rained), but only the first clause is a complete sentence by itself. 

Now try it yourself...

Is the sentence between brackets a dependent clause, independent clause, or not a clause at all? 

(Although it was raining), Maria went for a jog at Civitan Park.

1. Dependent clause
2. Independent clause
3. Not a clause

Brianna eats chocolate (whenever she gets a poor grade in math).

1. Dependent clause
2. Independent clause
3. Not a clause

(After the flood), the family moved into a temporary shelter.

1. Dependent clause
2. Independent clause
3. Not a clause

While walking at the park, (John saw a raccoon eating potato chips).

1. Dependent clause
2. Independent clause
3. Not a clause

(When you finish your homework), please take the dog for a walk.

1. Dependent clause
2. Independent clause
3. Not a clause

Sentence structure

Depending on how you combine the clauses, you can create four different types of sentence structure: 

Simple sentence: 1 independent clause

Compound sentence: 2 or more independent clauses

Complex sentence: 1 independent clause + 1 or more dependent clauses

Compound-Complex sentence: 2 or more independent clauses + 1 or more dependent clauses

Simple sentences

Simple sentences are pretty simple: just a single independent clause, no more, no less. This includes subject and verbs, but can also include objects. 

- “Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.”—Hans Christian Anderson

Compound sentences

A compound sentence joins together two or more independent clauses into a single sentence. 

You can connect the independent clauses in two ways:

- Using a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so, known as FANBOYS) between the clauses. 

- Using a semicolon between the clauses.  (this thing -> ; )

Compound sentences

“It may seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first.”—Miyamoto Musashi

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”—Oscar Wilde

Complex sentences

A complex sentence uses one main independent clause with any number of dependent clauses.

If the subordinating clause comes first, use a comma before the independent clause. If the independent clause comes first, you don’t need a comma at all. 

Complex sentences

“Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.”

“When a person can’t find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure.”—Viktor Frankl

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”—Aristotle

Compound-Complex sentences

As the name suggests, compound-complex sentences combine compound sentences with complex sentences.

- Need at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

 “Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.”—David Frost

Joe waited for the train.

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

Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.

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

Mary and Samantha left on the bus before I arrived, so I did not see them at the bus station.

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

While he waited at the train station, Joe realized that the train was late.

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

Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he enjoyed it very much.

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

After they left on the bus, Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station.

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