Sentence Structure
Simple, Compound, Complex
Clauses
Independent Clause- a group of words that can
stand alone as a sentence. It has both a subject and a verb
and forms a complete thought.
Clauses
Dependent Clause- a group of words that does not express a
complete thought, so it can't stand alone. Dependent clause normally start with
subordintating conjuntions (AAAWWWUUBBIS).
After
When
Unless
Before
Until
Because
Since
Although
As
Whenever
While
If
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence consists of one independent
clause.
Ex: The brown dog barked loudly.
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence consists of two or more independent
clauses joined by:
(1) a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction (for,
and, nor, but, or, yet, so): The dog barked, and the cat
meowed.
(2) a semicolon: The dog barked; the cat meowed.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence consists of one independent clause
and one dependent clause.
End: The dog howled although he was well fed.
,
Beginning: Because the dog howled so loudly the student
couldn't eat his hamburger.
**Comma needed when the dependent clause comes first!!!
No comma if the independent comes first!!
Simple
Independent clause.
Compound
Independent clause ,F independent clause.
A
N
B
O
Y
S
Complex
Dependent clause
, independent clause.
Independent clause dependent clause.
Give it a try…..
Simple
Her brother smiled.
Her brother was tall.
His smiling was with energy.
The energy was vibrant.
Compound
The police officers heard noises.
The noises were unusual.
The noises were from the parked car.
The officers used their spotlights.
The officers used spotlights to see.
The officers needed to see in the dark.
Complex
The room is quiet.
The teacher presents the first example.
The example flashes onto the screen.
Rob’s eyes begin to droop.
He struggles to stay awake.
Compound-Complex Sentences
Coming soon...