Grammar
Sentence Structures
Structurally, English sentences can
be classified four different ways.
• Keep in mind, there are endless constructions of each.
The classifications are based on the number of
independent and dependent clauses a sentence
contains.
4 sentence structures:
1. Simple Sentence
–
A sentence with one
independent clause and no
dependent clauses.
2. Complex Sentence:
A sentence with one
independent clause and at
least one dependent clause.
3. Compound SentenceA sentence with multiple
independent clauses but no
dependent clauses.
4.
Complex-Compound
Sentence:
A sentence with multiple
independent clauses and at
least one dependent clause.
WHICH SENTENCE STRUCTURE IS
THIS?
Sam enjoyed riding The Velociraptor.
Did you answer Simple
Sentence?
Sam enjoyed riding The Velociraptor .
Which sentence structure is this?
• The clown frightened Ryleigh, and she ran off
screaming.
Did you answer compound sentence?
• The clown frightened Ryleigh, and she ran off
screaming.
What sentence structure is this?
After Michael added up all the sales, he discovered
that the lemonade stand was 32 cents short.
Did you answer complex sentence?
• After Michael added up all the sales, he discovered
that the lemonade stand was 32 cents short.
What sentence structure is this?
.
Aidan is widely regarded as a talented chef, and
because he is superb at baking cupcakes, which Lauryn,
the financial mastermind, loves, they decided to open
The Tasty Cupcake Company.
Did you answer complex
compound?
• Aidan is widely regarded as a talented chef, and because he
is superb at baking cupcakes, which Lauren, the financial
mastermind loves, they decided to open The Tasty Cupcake
Company.
CLAUSES
JK…Clauses
• An independent clause is a group of words that contains a
subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An
independent clause forms a complete sentence on its own.
• Brandon enjoyed taking the hayride with you.
STILL CLAUSES…
A dependent clause is a group of words that
contains a subject and verb but does not
express a complete thought. A dependent
clause cannot be a sentence. Often a
dependent clause is marked by a dependent
marker word.
Although Brandon enjoyed taking the hayride
with you.
Does this express a complete thought?
Some common dependent markers are: after,
although, as, as if, because, before, even if,
even though, if, in order to, since, though,
unless, until, whatever, when, whenever,
whether, and while.
Add an independent clause to this to make it a complete sentence:
Although Brandon enjoyed taking the hayride with
you.
• Although Brandon enjoyed taking
the hayride with you, he thought
your breath was really gross.
Connecting dependent and
independent clauses
There are two types of words that can be used as
connectors at the beginning of an independent
clause: coordinating conjunctions and independent
marker words.
Coordinating Conjunction
• The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting
words at the beginning of an independent clause are
FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. When the second
independent clause in a sentence begins with a coordinating
conjunction, a comma is needed before the coordinating
conjunction:
• Lakin studied in the movie theater for her chemistry quiz,
but it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.
Independent Marker Word
• An independent marker word is a connecting
word used at the beginning of an
independent clause. These words can
always begin a sentence that can stand
alone.
Some common independent markers are:
• Also
• consequently
• furthermore
• however
• moreover
• nevertheless
• therefore
When the second independent clause in a
sentence has an independent marker word, a
semicolon is needed before the independent
marker word.
• Carson and Kaylee each had $90; however, it
was not enough to cover the cost of tickets
and refreshments.
Some Common Errors to Avoid
Comma Splices (AKA run-on sentence)
• A comma splice is the use of a comma between two
independent clauses. You can usually fix the error by
changing the comma to a period and therefore making the
two clauses into two separate sentences, by changing the
comma to a semicolon, or by making one clause dependent
by inserting a dependent marker word in front of it.
• I like this class, it is very interesting.
I like this class, it is very interesting.
• How might you fix this? Try now
Did you use any of these?
I like this class. It is very interesting.
• I like this class; it is very interesting.
• I like this class, and it is very interesting.
• I like this class because it is very interesting.
• Because it is very interesting, I like this class.
•
Fused Sentences (AKA run-on sentence)
• Fused sentences happen when there are two independent
clauses not separated by any form of punctuation. This error
is also known as a run-on sentence. The error can sometimes
be corrected by adding a period, semicolon, or colon to
separate the two sentences.
• Rayna is intelligent I've learned a lot from her.
Rayna is intelligent I've learned a lot from her.
• How might you fix this? Try now:
Rayna is intelligent I’ve learned a lot from her.
• Rayna is intelligent. I've learned a lot from her.
• Rayna is intelligent; I've learned a lot from her.
• Lindsay is intelligent, and I've learned a lot from her.
• Annalyse is intelligent; moreover, I've learned a lot from her.
Sentence Fragments
• Sentence fragments happen by treating a
dependent clause or other incomplete thought
as a complete sentence. You can usually fix this
error by combining it with another sentence to
make a complete thought or by removing the
dependent marker.
Because Jake forgot the exam was today.
•Time to fix it!
Because Jake forgot the exam was today.
• Because Jake forgot the exam was today, he didn't study.
• Jake forgot the exam was today.
YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT,
(ACTUALLY, THERE IS NO CHOICE-YOU MUST DO IT), IS TO
WRITE A PARAGRAPH WHICH CONTAINS AT LEAST ONE OF
EACH SENTENCE STRUCTURE, ALL THE FANBOYS, AND THE
NAMES OF AT LEAST 2 PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM. (BE FUNNY,
BUT NOT UNKIND)
When you write your paragraph, please be
sure to:
Underline simple sentences in red.
Underline compound sentences in green.
Underline complex sentences in blue.
Underline complex-compound in black.
Circle your FANBOYS
Highlight the names