Sentence Structure
and the
Punctuation
that goes with it
4 Types of Sentences
Simple
 Compound
 Complex
Compound-Complex


Simple Sentence
A sentence with a subject and a predicate
The cat chased the mouse.
 The dog slept on the floor.
 The cat and dog got new toys.
Our pets got new toys and played with
them.


Sentences are made up of
clauses
Clause = a group of words with a subject
and a verb
*Independent Clauses can stand alone as a
sentence
*Dependent or Subordinate Clauses can’t be a
complete sentence because of the first word
Compound Sentence
2 simple sentences combined in 1 sentence
(these are called independent clauses when combined)
*Use a comma (,) with a coordinating
conjunction: and-but-or-yet-so
*Use a semi colon (;) with no conjunction



The cat chased the mouse, and the dog slept on the floor.
 The cat chased the mouse; the dog slept on the floor.
The dog slept on the floor, but the cat chased the mouse.
My cat can play with his toys, or he can chase the mouse.
Semicolon or not?

Semicolon should be used when:
… the 2nd clause restates the first, or when
the 2 clauses are of equal emphasis.
 … the 2nd clause begins with a Conjunctive
Adverb (however, meanwhile, furthermore,
thus, likewise), or a Transition (in fact, for
example, in other words, on the other hand)
My dog slept on the floor; however, the cat
preferred to play with his toys.

Complex Sentence
One independent clause and 1 dependent
(or subordinate) clause

Ind.
Depend.
The cat chased the mouse because the dog was asleep on the floor.

Depend (notice comma)
Ind.
Because the dog was asleep on the floor, the cat chased the mouse.
*A dependent clause has to be paired with an
independent because of a subordinate
conjunction.
Compound – Complex Sentence
2 independent clauses with 1 or more subordinate
clauses.
(notice commas – based on clause order)


The cat chased the mouse, but the mouse
got away because the dog didn’t help at
all.
Because the dog was asleep on the floor,
the mouse got away, and the cat was very
disappointed.