Sentence Structure & Linking Words: Advanced

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

Sentence Structure & Linking Words

Advanced

- Complex & Compound Sentences

- Linking words and structures

Last Time: The Basics

In the previous lessonup you learned about 

-the different parts (onderdelen) of a sentence and their order (volgorde).

- Different kinds of linking words, that help you link information together. 

If none of this sounds familiar (bekend), then you should have a look at that lessonup first!

Write to Impress

You want to write to impress (indruk maken), in other words show off as much of your language skills as possible. 

So what is impressive? Rate the sentences on the following slides.

"Joe waited for the train. The train was late."

😒🙁😐🙂😃

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

😒🙁😐🙂😃

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

😒🙁😐🙂😃

"While he waited at the train station, Joe realized that the train was late and he wouldn't be able to make it to his appointment."

😒🙁😐🙂😃

What is the difference between these sentences? What makes some of them more impressive than others?

Disclaimer

Now your text doesn't need to be filled with ONLY super long or complex sentences; that would make your text very difficult to read. 

BUT

You don't just want to ONLY use simple and short sentences either, because that makes it too easy. 

A MIX of both is the best option. 

Which means you need to know how to do that. 

So you need some new information...

Clauses

A clause is a group of words 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. 

For the following sentences, is the part between brackets dependent or independent?

(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

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

Identify the independent clause.

1. She drove me here
2. because She drove me here

Simple Sentences

Simple sentences have only 1 subject (onderwerp) and 1 verb (werkwoord/werkwoordelijk gezegde). 

In other words they are 1 independent clause.

Example: Jessica likes chocolate.

You need them sometimes, but you don't want your whole essay to be only simple sentences.

Coordinating Conjunctions

To turn a simple sentence in something more complicated you can add a 

coordinating conjunction

which is a difficult word for a couple of words that connect two independent clauses

See the ones to the right --->

He felt cold, ______ it was snowing.

She likes cooking _____ baking. 

She doesn't drink milk, _____ yoghurt.

They like soccer, ______ not homework.

Do you want candy _____ chocolate?

He spent a lot of time studying, ____ could not get a sufficient. 

It started to rain, ____ we went inside.

Or

Yet

So

Nor

And

But

For

Compound Sentences

"Joe was waiting for the train. The train was late."

Both of these are independent clauses and simple sentences. Just adding one word can make this a lot better. We call this a compound sentence.

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

Write a compound sentence of at least 10 words with 'or'.

Write a compound sentence of at least 10 words with 'yet'

Form a compound sentence:
My job is very difficult. I really enjoy going to work every day.

subordinating conjunctions

To turn a simple sentence in something more complicated you can add a 

subordinating conjunction*

which is a difficult word for a couple of words that connect an independent clause with a dependent clause.

* Remember those linking words?

<--- See the ones to the left. (and there are many more. 

Complex Sentences

"Joe realized the train was late. 

While he waited at the train station."

The first one is an independent clause and a simple sentence. The second one is a dependent clause, so not a complete sentence). Just adding one word can make this a lot better. We call this a complex sentence.

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

Turn these into complex sentences using a conjunction or relative pronoun
1. Mary’s training for a marathon. David just goes on runs for fun.
2. Danny called Mark. Mark just broke up with his girlfriend.
3. Joe is cooking dinner. Jane just got home from work.
4.Hannah didn’t like the play. Hannah left the theatre.

Now practice

Compound sentences

Exercise 1

Exercise 2 (bottom of the page)

Complex sentences

Exercise 1

Exercise 2 (bottom of the page) 

Mix

Exercise 1

Exercise 2