Sentence Types

Sentence Types
 Sentence variety plays a big role in strengthening writing
skills.
 The four common types include:
 Simple Sentence
 Compound Sentence
 Complex Sentence
 Compound-complex sentence (for your own benefit)
Clauses
 Group of words containing subjects and verb phrases.
 Divided into two:
1. Independent Clause: Expresses a complete idea and can
be meaningful without explanation.
Example:
a. The tree grows well.
b. I hear the call
2. Dependent Clause: Does not express an idea well and
requires a point of reference to make a point.
a. After she bakes a cake
b. While she sleeps away
Simple Sentences
 A simple sentence has the most basic elements that make
it a sentence: a subject, a verb, and a completed thought.
Example:
1. The train is late.
Subject = The train Verb = is
2. Jason was a smart and independent student.
Subject = Jason Verb = was
3. Being a grammarian, I love to speak and to use correct
English structures.
Subject = I Compound Verb = to speak and
to use
 Practice Time: Yes or No
 Which of the following is considered as a Simple Sentence?
1. Linda kicked the ball across the room.
 Yes
2. Matthew and Maria flew to Mexico for the weekend.
 Yes
3. I studied a lot of ancient cultures because I am a historian.
 No
4. Bradley drives his car carefully down the road to see his aunt and
uncle.
 Yes
5. After working in New York for five years, Chin feels like a true blue
American.
 No
Short or Long?
1. Simple sentences are usually short.
a. I like tea.
b. Mary plays the guitar.
2. However, usage of:
i. Compound Subjects
a. Marley and Me
b. Joseph and Maria
ii. Compound Verbs
a. pound and stab
b. beg and steal
iii. Prepositional Phrases
a. at the zoo
b. over the moon
… help to lengthen the message, but it is still a simple
sentence.
Compound Sentence
 A compound sentence refers to a sentence made up of
two independent clauses (or complete sentences) connected
to one another with a coordinating conjunction.
 Still remember the FAN BOYS?
Conjunction Function
For To explain why (similar to because, but is more formal)
And Similar, equal, no contrast, combination
Nor The negative choice / alternative (not this and not that)
But To show contrast between to independent issues
Or To show choice / alternative
Yet To contrast (something should happen, but nothing does)
So To highlight a consequence of something
Compound Sentence: Example
 Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.

 I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station, but they
arrived at the station before noon.

 Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station, and they left
on the bus before I arrived.

 Mary and Samantha left on the bus, so I did not see them at
the bus station.
Complex Sentence
 A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause
and one or more dependent clauses connected to it..
 Examples of dependent clauses include the following:
 because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before
noon
 while he waited at the train station
 after they left on the bus
 Dependent clauses cannot become a sentence on its own, but
with addition of an Independent clause, it becomes a
Complex Sentence.
 Subordinating Conjunctions

after although as because before

even though if since though unless

until when whenever whereas wherever

while even if everytime once the first time

As soon as So that Now that In case By the time

Complex Sentence: Formation
 A complex sentence joins an independent clause with one or
more dependent clauses.
 The dependent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed
by the independent clause, as in the following:
1. Because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before
noon, I did not see them at the station.
2. While he waited at the train station, Joe realized that the
train was late.
3. After they left on the bus, Mary and Samantha realized that
Joe was waiting at the train station
Complex Sentence: Formation
 The independent clauses can go first in the sentence,
followed by the dependent clause, as in the following:
1. I did not see them at the station because Mary and Samantha
arrived at the bus station before noon.
2. Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at the train
station.
3. Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train
station after they left on the bus.
 PRO TIP: A comma is used to separate the dependent clause
from the independent clause IF the dependent clause comes
first in the sentence.
Practice: Complicating things
 Combine the following pairs of sentences to form Complex
Sentences using suitable subordinating conjunctions.
1. Rudolp is down with the flu. He was working in the Snow
House.
2. The novel was finally completed in 2017. The publishers
had a lot of disagreements.
3. I could not pass my examination. I had studied all night.
4. Randy quickly packed his toys and started to study. His
mother is at the door.
5. I arrived at the clinic. It was already closed for business.
 Compound-complex Sentence
 The final and most complicated form of sentences.
 Combines both compound and complex sentences.
 Contains two independent clauses and one or more
dependent clauses.
Independent Clause
 Example
Joe waited for the train, so he stood on the platform
while eating a sandwich.
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause

3/25/2021
The final task (Groupwork)
 In your assigned team, create a one paragraph story.Your
story should contain:
 4 simple sentences;
 3 compound sentences; and
 2 complex sentences.
 Your story should also include the following words:
 Run /ran
 See / saw / seen
 Close / closed
 Example:
“After the rain stopped, I ran to the nearest post
office. I saw Amanda there, but she didn’t see me. I
immediately waved at her. She saw me and she waved
back. While she walked to me, I took my turn-ticket. I
walked to her and we talked for a bit. She was mailing
some packages. I was there to pay bills. It was a good
day for me.”
3/25/2021
Things to remember...!
 DO NOT start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction!
 coordinating conjunctions join two independent clauses
together, not to begin a new sentence.
 It is acceptable to start a sentence with BECAUSE but try to
avoid it.
 It is not wrong to start a sentence with because IF the sentence
is complete and not fragmented.
 Example:
 Fragmented: Because John waited at the station.
 Complete: Because John waited at the station, I did not see him.

3/25/2021
 Basic Sentence Skill

Diversify your sentence use in your essays.

Simple VS Compound VS Complex
 In any academic and non-academic write-up, you need to
have a balanced use of all the sentence types.
 Here is what happens when your write-ups contain too much
of each.
Simple Compound Complex
1. The use of too many 1. Do not indicate much 1. Complex sentences
simple sentences can of a relationship. The indicate clearer and
make writing word "and," for more specific
"choppy" and can example, only adds relationships between
prevent the writing one independent the main parts of the
from flowing clause to another. sentence.
smoothly. 2. Too many compound 2. However, it may cause
2. There is no relation or sentences that use confusion in lower
connection between "and" can weaken level readers who may
events even with the writing get confused with the
use of transitions. idea relationships..
Practice: The Basics of Writing
 Using your knowledge of Simple, Compound and Complex
Sentences, describe what you did this morning in a short
paragraph of about 80 words.Your paragraph should at least
contain:
1. 3 simple sentences
2. 4 compound sentences
3. 2 complex sentences

You have 20 minutes. GO!

 Starting a sentence with ‘And’ /
‘Because
 You SHOULD NOT start a sentence with any of the
coordinating conjunctions.
 HOWEVER, starting with a coordinating conjunction makes
a sentence stand out. Use it sparingly.
 A sentence CAN start with any of the subordinating
conjunctions, but it is not recommended. Reason?
Find out and we will discuss about it in the next class!!