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Mini Lesson #9: Sentence Structure Review
Independent Clause:
Dependent Clause:
Phrase:
1Subject
+ 2Verb + 3Complete Thought
= Can Stand Alone
+ 2Verb + 3Incomplete Thought = Can’t Stand Alone
A group of words that work together
= Can’t Stand Alone
1Subject
Coordination Combine elements of equal rank: words, phrases, dependent clauses,
and independent clauses.
1. Connect two independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
The formula is:
and
but
or
so
for
yet
nor
Independent Clause
,
Independent Clause.
2. Combine two independent clauses with a semicolon. (Use this option only when the
sentences are closely related). The formula is:
;
Independent Clause Closely Related Independent Clause.
3. Connect two independent clauses with a semicolon, a transitional phrase, and a comma.
The formula is:
however
thus
therefore
nevertheless
hence
**
Independent Clause
;
, Independent Clause.
**See mini-lesson #27: Transitional Words and Phrases for more examples.
4. Combine two independent clauses with a colon. (Use this option only when the second
independent clause explains or illustrates the first). The formula is:
:
Independent Clause Independent Clause that illustrates the first one.
5. Use word pairs (called correlative conjunctions) to connect similar phrases in parallel
form. Note that no punctuation is necessary. Here are the most common word pairs:
either … or
neither … nor
both … and
not only … but also
6. List three or more parallel elements with commas between all elements and an and before
the final element. The formula is:
… element 1, element 2, and element 3 …
*Use semicolons to separate complex lists that may be confusing.
Also, when writing in journalistic style omit the final comma before the and.
Subordination Make one sentence unequal to another grammatically.
1. Connect a dependent clause with an independent clause with a comma. The formula is:
because
since
when
after
,
Dependent Clause
if
although
while
Independent Clause.
2. Connect an independent clause to a dependent clause. The formula is:
because
since
when
after
Independent Clause
if
although
while
Dependent Clause.
*Take note that words used for subordination are often confused with words used in coordination (however,
furthermore, etc.) Subordinate conjunctions are not punctuated with commas..
3. Connect an independent clause with a relative clause that contains necessary information.
The formula is:
that
who
whom
whose
Independent Clause
Relative Clause.
4. Connect an independent clause with a relative clause that contains unnecessary
information. The formula is:
which
who
whom
,
Independent Clause
whose
Relative Clause.
*Remember punctuation of relative clauses depends on the information provided.
If the information is necessary, no comma is needed. If the information is not necessary, a comma is needed.
Appositives Rename or describe a noun. Appositives generally follow the word(s)
they rename or describe and are surrounded by commas.
1. Repeat, rename or describe a noun further with an appositive. The formula is:
,
,
… Noun Appositive …
Prepositional Phrases Create phrases and link them to independent clauses.
These can modify both nouns and verbs.
1. When a prepositional phrase precedes an independent clause, it can be followed with a
comma, but it is not necessary. A rule of thumb is to add a comma when the phrase is
three or more words in length. Here are some common prepositions:
at
about
by
above
for
along
from
past
through
between
of
into
on
upon
to
in
with
down
*An easy way to remember what prepositions are is to use an old mnemonic: “The mouse ran ___ the clock.”
Words that can fill in the blank (more times than not) are prepositions.
**Keep an eye out for dangling modifiers. Prepositional phrases should follow or precede the word(s) they modify.
Participial Phrases Create verb phrases to modify nouns (participial phrases are
compound adjectives).
1. Participial phrases are groups of words that stem from a verb. The verb may be in the
present, ending in –ing (such as lying) or in the past, ending in –d (such as freed), –ed
(such as smashed), –n (such as shown), –en (such as eaten), –t (such as dreamt):
2. Here are some common structures for using participial phrases. Note the punctuation used:
,
,
Noun Being Modified Participial Phrase Rest of Independent Clause.
,
Participial Phrase Noun Being Modified Followed By The Rest of Independent Clause.
,
Beginning of Independent Clause With Noun Being Modified Participial Phrase.
*Keep an eye out for dangling modifiers. Participial phrases should be right next to the nouns they modify.
Examples
,
The exam was difficult and I didn’t understand the material. (Comma and Coordinating Conjunction)
;
,
Sarah is an intelligent and active student therefore she was selected for the National
Honor Society. (Independent Clause; Transitional Phrase, Independent Clause)
:
Faith is like love it cannot be forced. (Independent Clause: Closely Related Independent Clause)
.
He can either pay the back taxes or risk a jail sentence
,
(Correlative Conjunction)
,
After school Rachel likes to run to swim and to play. (Parallel Series)
,
Because I’m exhausted I’m going to bed. (Subordinating Clause, Independent Clause)
,
,
My sister Stephanie attends Denison University. (Appositive)
,
By living at home instead of on campus Mike saves a lot of money. (Prepositional Phrase, Independent Clause)
,
Being weak foxes are distinguished by superior tact. (Participial Phrase, Independent Clause)
Practice Sentences
Punctuate the following sentences if necessary. Then try to rewrite the sentences using one of the
suggested sentence structures. Label each structure.
1. Henri Matisse is my favorite artist and he paints with vivid colors.
2. Chocolate cookie dough ice cream is always on sale so I buy it frequently.
3. Grammar is hard I don’t like it it is confusing.
4. The sun was shining however it was freezing outside.
5. My boss is a difficult man to work for. My boss is Mr. Jones.
6. After meeting with the director we will have a new plan.
7. In 1800 a traveler needed six weeks to get from New York City to Chicago in 1860 the
trip by railroad took two days.
8. The assignment which is to find five articles is due Monday.
9. The new superintendent enjoys sailing cooking and stamp collecting.
10. The Senate adjourned today having successfully defeated a filibustering attempt.
Some sample sentences taken from A Writer’s Reference and When Words Collide
This mini-lesson was revised by Elena C. Alvarado-Peters 11/03