Sentence Formulas
4 KINDS OF SENTENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
SIMPLE
COMPOUND
COMPLEX
COMPOUND-COMPLEX
CLAUSE
A clause is a group of words having a
subject and a verb.
 There are different types of clauses.
1. Independent
2. Dependent

Independent Clause
(A.K.A. Simple Sentence)

a group of words that contains a
subject and a verb, and expresses a
complete thought (An independent
clause is a simple sentence!)
◦ Tanner didn’t like the smell of the
popcorn at the theater.
◦ Jozi’s mother read the book to her
before bed.
◦ Stop!
Dependent Clause
(A.K.A. Subordinate Clause)

A group of words that contains a
subject and a verb but DOES NOT
express a complete thought
◦ Before the bell rang _____________.
◦ ________________ passing the ball
to the second baseman
◦ ________ because the game was over.
◦ That there is a hole in the ozone layer
of the earth’s atmosphere _________.
◦
Dependent Clause Markers
Some common dependent markers
(called subordinate conjunctions) are:
 after, although, as, as if
 because, before, even if, even though
 if, in order to, since, though, unless
 until, whatever, when, whenever
 whether, while

You Try!!!
Although _______________________.
 _______________because_________.
 Until__________________________.

Independent Clause Connectors

Coordinating Conjunctions connecting words at the beginning
of an independent clause.
◦ When a coordinating conjunction begins
the sentences in an independent clause,
then a comma is needed!!
Coordinating Conjunctions –
FAN BOYS
◦ for, and, nor, but, or, yet, sot

Simple Sentence
 Called
an independent clause
 Contains a subject and a verb
 Expresses a complete thought
SIMPLE SENTENCE EXAMPLES
•
Some students like to study in the
mornings.
•
The boy plays soccer on Saturday
afternoons.
•
John and Lisa are going to the
movies tonight.
YOU TRY!!!
1.
2.
3.
4.
Simple sentence
Simple sentence using the word
“and”
Simple sentence with prepositional
phrase
Simple sentence with understood
subject
Compound Sentences
Contains two independent clauses.
 Compound sentences are also joined
together by a semi colon(;) or by
adding a comma and a coordinating
conjunction.

The Coordinating Conjunctions are:
For But
And Or
Nor Yet
So
These conjunctions spell out Fan
and Boys.
Compound Sentence Examples
1.
2.
3.
Mr. Jones is a very short man, but
he walks with an air of authority.
I have been to Mexico, and I don’t
expect to return too soon.
Jenna laughed and glanced at the
others dancing; I just stood there
wanting to dance.
Compound Sentence Formula
I , CC I
I;I

When using the semicolon,
REMEMBER
It can take the place of the
conjunction and comma, but both
sentences must be closely related.
YOU TRY!!!!
Examples:
1. Mr. Jones is a very short man, but
he walks with an air of authority.
2. I have been to Mexico, and I don’t
expect to return too soon.
3. Jenna laughed and glanced at the
others dancing; I just stood there
wanting to dance.
You Try
I , and I
 I , but I
 I ; I (Remember the independent clauses
must be closely related to use a
semicolon.)

Applied Practice
Question #1
What are the two types of clauses?
Question #2

True or False?
As long as a clause has a subject and a
verb it is an independent clause.
Question #3

Give an example of three dependent
clause markers (subordinate conjunctions
like before).
Question #4

What are the seven coordinating
conjunctions? (Hint: FANBOYS)
Question #5

Write a simple sentence.
Question #6

Write a compound sentence with a
coordinating conjunction.
Question #7
Simple or Compound Sentence?
The girl walked between the desks and
accidentally bumped his elbow.

Question #8
Simple or Compound Sentence?
Hurry!
Question #9

I went on a walk with my dog; I ended up
carrying him home.
Question #10

I ate eggs, bacon, grits, and toast for
breakfast.
The famous opening sentence of
Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina:
(1) All happy families resemble one
another, but each unhappy family is
unhappy in its own way.
Compound-Complex Sentences
Most sophisticated type of sentence!
 Contains 2 Independent clauses and 1 or
more dependent clause
 Since they are longer sentences, it is VERY
IMPORTANT to punctuate correctly.
 EXAMPLE:

◦ As the dog howled, one cat sat on
the fence, and the other licked its paws.
Complex Sentences
Contains an independent clause and 1 or
more dependent clauses
 It always has a subordinator (because,
since, after, although, when) (sometimes a
That, Who, Which are used)
 When a complex sentence begins with a
subordinator, a comma is REQUIRED at
the end of the dependent clause.

Complex Sentences
When the independent clause starts the
sentence, and the subordinator is in the
middle, then NO COMMA IS NEEDED!
 Examples:

◦ When he handed in his homework, he
forgot to give the teacher the last page.
◦ The teacher returned the homework after
she noticed the error.