Sentence Structure
REMINDER
An independent clause expresses a complete thought. It can stand by itself as a sentence.
A subordinate clause has a verb and its subject but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand by itself as a sentence.
A subordinate clause has a verb and its subject but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand by itself as a sentence.
SUBORDINATE
- when the doorbell rang [This thought leaves the reader asking, “What happened when the doorbell rang?” The thought is not complete.]
INDEPENDENT
- The doorbell rang. [This thought is complete by itself.]
Depending on its structure, a sentence can be classified as simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence has one independent clause and no subordinate clauses.
EXAMPLES
- The water sparkled in the bright sun. [one independent clause]
- The reeds by the lake rustled and whispered in the wind. [one independent clause with a compound verb: rustled and whispered]
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses and no subordinate clauses.
Like simple sentences, compound sentences do not have any subordinate clauses.
EXAMPLES
- We fished during the morning, we napped during the afternoon, and we hiked around the lake during the evening. [Three independent clauses— we fished, we napped, we hiked—with their modifiers form one compound sentence.]
- Later, clouds gathered, and a storm seemed likely. [Two independent clauses—clouds gathered and a storm seemed likely—form a compound sentence. Each independent clause could be a sentence by itself.]
NOTE
Simple sentences can be joined to form compound sentences in one of three ways:
- Use a comma followed by one of the seven coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet).
Example: Seth was tired, but he kept working anyway. - Use a semicolon.
Example: I’m having some juice; would you like a glass? - Use a semicolon followed by a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression.
Example: Water the hanging plants daily; otherwise, they will dry out and wilt.
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Complex Sentences
A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.
The subordinate clauses may be an adjective, a noun, or an adverb clause. A complex sentence may also have other modifiers or phrases.
EXAMPLE
- Unless we use the avocados today, we will have to throw them away because they will go bad. [A subordinate clause, Unless we use the avocados today, introduces the independent clause, we will have to throw them away. The complex sentence ends with a second subordinate clause, because they will go bad.]
Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.
EXAMPLES
- Place the paper, which has already been used, in the recycle bin, but leave the other art supplies out. [Two independent clauses—Place the paper in the recycle bin and leave the other art supplies out—combine with the subordinate adjective clause which has already been used to make a compound-complex sentence.]
- Until the entire art area is cleaned up, the students may not leave; therefore, everyone works quickly to get the job, which no one particularly likes, done. [This complicated sentence combines two independent clauses—the students may not leave and everyone works quickly to get the job done—and two subordinate clauses, an adverb clause—Until the entire art area is cleaned up—and an adjective clause—which no one particularly likes.]
List of Examples for the Different Types of Sentence Structures
1. Simple sentences: These sentences contain a single independent clause, which means they have one subject and one predicate.
Examples:
- The cat sat on the mat.
- She ran to the store.
- I ate a sandwich for lunch.
- He wrote a letter to his grandmother.
- The sun sets in the west.
2. Compound sentences: These sentences contain two or more independent clauses that are linked together with a coordinating conjunction (such as "and," "but," or "or").
Examples:
- The dog barked loudly, and the cat ran away.
- I want to go to the movies, but I don't have enough money.
- She loves to read, and he loves to write.
- They went for a walk in the park, or they stayed home and watched TV.
- I need to finish my homework, so I can go to bed early.
3. Complex sentences: These sentences contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, which means they have one subject and one predicate, but one part of the sentence cannot stand alone as a complete thought. Dependent clauses are typically introduced by subordinating conjunctions (such as "because," "although," or "while").
Examples:
- Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
- After I finish my homework, I can play video games.
- She sings beautifully when she's feeling happy.
- The football game was canceled, because of bad weather.
- While I was cooking dinner, the phone rang.
4. Compound-complex sentences: These sentences contain two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause, which means they have one subject and one predicate, but one part of the sentence cannot stand alone as a complete thought. Compound-complex sentences use both coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.
Examples:
- I wanted to go to the party, but I was too tired because I had been working all day.
- They went to the beach, and they swam in the ocean, although the water was cold.
- She always wears a hat, which makes her stand out, but she doesn't care.
- He likes to play basketball and football, but he's not very good at either sport, because he doesn't practice enough.
- We went to the park, because it was a beautiful day, and we played frisbee, but we forgot to bring sunscreen, so we got sunburned.