SENTENCE STRUCTURE
SIMPLE, COMPOUND, COMPLEX, COMPOUNDCOMPLEX SENTENCES
WHAT IS SENTENCE STRUCTURE?
• The structure of a sentence refers to the kinds and
the number of clauses it contains.
• The four kinds of sentences are simple, compound,
complex, and compound-complex.
SIMPLE SENTENCES
• A simple sentence contains one independent
clause and no subordinating clauses.
S
V
• EX: The hairstylist gave Laura a new look.
S
V
• EX: Ernesto has volunteered to organize the recycling
campaign.
SIMPLE SENTENCES CONT.
• A simple sentence may contain a compound subject,
a compound verb, and any number of phrases.
S
S
V
• EX: Beth Heiden and Sheila Young won Olympic medals.
[compound subject]
S
V
V
• EX: Lawrence caught the ball but then dropped it. [compound
verb]
S
S
V
• EX: The astronomer and her assistant studied the meteor and
V
wrote reports. [compound subject and compound verb]
IDENTIFY THE SUBJECTS AND THE VERBS
IN THE FOLLOWING SIMPLE SENTENCES
1. As protection from such weapons, warriors in
battle needed special equipment.
2. Some warriors used shields of wood or animal
hides.
3. By 1800 B.C., the Greeks had made the first metal
armor out of bronze.
4. Later, the Romans manufactured strong iron
armor and designed special equipment, such as
shinguards.
5. Before and during the Middle Ages, European
knights and foot soldiers often dressed in skirts of
chain mail.
IDENTIFY THE SUBJECTS AND THE VERBS
IN THE FOLLOWING SIMPLE SENTENCES
1. As protection from such weapons, warriors in
battle needed special equipment.
2. Some warriors used shields of wood or animal
hides.
3. By 1800 B.C., the Greeks had made the first metal
armor out of bronze.
4. Later, the Romans manufactured strong iron armor
and designed special equipment, such as
shinguards.
5. Before and during the Middle Ages, European
knights and foot soldiers often dressed in skirts of
chain mail.
COMPOUND SENTENCES
• A compound sentence contains two or more
independent clauses and no subordinate clauses.
• The independent clauses are usually joined by a
comma and a coordinating conjunction.
S
V
F
for
A
and
N
nor
B
but
O
or
• EX: The whistle blew, the drums rolled, and the
Y
yet
crowd cheered. [three independent clauses,
S
so
• EX: According to legend, Betsy Ross made our
S
V
first flag, but little evidence supports this claim.
[two independent clauses joined by the
conjunction but.]
S
S
V
S
V
V
the last two joined by the conjunction and.]
SIMPLE VS. COMPOUND
• Do not confuse a compound sentence with a
simple sentence that contains a compound
subject, a compound verb, or both.
S
S
V
• SIMPLE SENTENCE: Alberto and Jared increased their speed
V
and passed the other runners. [compound subject and
compound verb]
S
V
• COMPOUND SENTENCE: Alberto led for half the distance,
S
V
and then Jared took the lead. [two independent clauses]
COMPOUND SENTENCES CONT.
• The independent clauses in a compound sentence
may also be joined by a semicolon, a conjunctive
adverb, and a comma.
S
V
• EX: Many mathematical concepts originated in North
S
V
Africa; the ancient Egyptians used these concepts in building
the pyramids.
S
V
S
V
• Lynn called Marty with the good news; however, he was
not at home.
IDENTIFYING SUBJECTS, VERBS, AND
CONJUNCTIONS IN COMPOUND SENTENCES
1. Many strange things happen backstage during a
performance, but the audience usually does not
know about them
2. The director of a theater visited our class, and we
listened to his stories for almost an hour.
3. According to him, the workers in charge of
properties are usually alert and careful; however,
they still make mistakes sometimes.
4. Directors cannot always predict the reactions of
the audience, nor can they always control the
audience.
IDENTIFYING SUBJECTS, VERBS, AND
CONJUNCTIONS IN COMPOUND SENTENCES
1. Many strange things happen backstage during a
performance[, but] the audience usually does not
know about them.
2. The director of a theater visited our class[, and] we
listened to his stories for almost an hour.
3. According to him, the workers in charge of
properties are usually alert and careful[; however,]
they still make mistakes sometimes.
4. Directors cannot always predict the reactions of the
audience[, nor] can they always control the
audience.
COMPLEX SENTENCES
• A complex sentence contains one independent clause
and at least one subordinate clause.
S
V
S
V
• EX: When I watch Martha Graham’s performances, I feel like
studying dance.
• INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: I feel like studying dance
• SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: When I watch Martha Graham’s performances
S
V
• EX: In Gone with the Wind, when Scarlett is faced with nearS
V
S
V
starvation, she vows that she never will be hungry again.
• INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: In Gone with the Wind, she vows
• SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: when Scarlett is faced with near-starvation
• SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: that she never will be hungry again
COMPLEX SENTENCES CONT.
• Independent clauses can be interrupted by
subordinate clauses.
S
S
V
V
• EX: All of the stars that we can see without a telescope are
part of the Milky Way galaxy.
• INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: All of the stars are part of the Milky Way
Galaxy
• SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: that we can see without a telescope
• Notice in the examples above that a subordinate clause
can appear at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end
of a complex sentence.
IDENTIFYING INDEPENDENT CLAUSES AND
SUBORDINATE CLAUSES IN COMPLEX SENTENCES
1. China, which has a population of more than one
billion people, is a largely agricultural country.
2. Although it was nearly worthless, my brother bought
one of those old coins for his collection.
3. The detective show appeared on television for several
weeks before it became popular with viewers.
4. A group of popular singers, who donated their time,
recorded a song that made people aware of a
famine in Ethiopia.
5. While the stage crew was constructing the sets, the
performers continued their rehearsal, which went on
into the night.
IDENTIFYING INDEPENDENT CLAUSES AND
SUBORDINATE CLAUSES IN COMPLEX SENTENCES
1. China, which has a population of more than one
billion people, is a largely agricultural country.
2. Although it was nearly worthless, my brother bought
one of those old coins for his collection.
3. The detective show appeared on television for several
weeks before it became popular with viewers.
4. A group of popular singers, who donated their time,
recorded a song that made people aware of a famine
in Ethiopia.
5. While the stage crew was constructing the sets, the
performers continued their rehearsal, which went on
into the night.
COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCES
• A compound-complex sentence contains two or
more independent clauses and at least one
subordinate clause.
S
V
• EX: Mary began painting only two years ago, but already
S
V
she has been asked to show one of her paintings at the
S
V
exhibit that is scheduled for May.
• INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: Mary began painting only two years ago
• INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: already she has been asked to show one
of her paintings at the exhibit
• SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: that is scheduled for May
COMPOUND-COMPLEX CONT.
S
V
S
V
S
V
• EX: When Bill left, he locked the door, but he forgot
to turn off the lights.
• INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: he locked the door
• INDEPNDENT CLAUSE: he forgot to turn off the lights
• SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: When Bill left
COMPOUND-COMPLEX CONT.
S
V
S
V
• EX: Emilia has several hobbies that she enjoys, but
S
S
V
V
the one on which she spends the most time is
woodcarving.
•
•
•
•
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: Emilia has several hobbies
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: the one is woodcarving
SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: that she enjoys
SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: on which she spends the most time
IDENTIFY CLAUSES IN COMPOUNDCOMPLEX SENTENCES
1. When they returned from their vacation, they
collected their mail at the post office, and they went
to the supermarket
2. We told them that their plan wouldn’t work, but they
wouldn’t listen to us.
3. The smoke, which steadily grew thicker and darker,
billowed through the dry forest; the animals ran ahead
of the fire as it spread quickly.
4. Our new neighbors, who moved in last month, have
painted their house, and the children have put up a
basketball hoop.
IDENTIFY CLAUSES IN COMPOUNDCOMPLEX SENTENCES
1. When they returned from their vacation, they
collected their mail at the post office, and they went
to the supermarket.
2. We told them that their plan wouldn’t work, but they
wouldn’t listen to us.
3. The smoke, which steadily grew thicker and darker,
billowed through the dry forest; the animals ran ahead
of the fire as it spread quickly.
4. Our new neighbors, who moved in last month, have
painted their house, and the children have put up a
basketball hoop.
INDEPENDENT PRACTICE
• Complete Review A, (#1-10) Identifying the Four
Kinds of Sentence Structure, on page 469 of the Holt
Literature book.
• Complete Chapter 16 Review A, (#1-30) Identifying
Sentence Structures, on page 471.
• Use your notes for reference!