Sentence Structure

9 Grammar

Sentence Structure SIMPLE SENTENCE COMPOUND SENTENCE COMPLEX SENTENCE COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE

Simple Sentence  A simple sentence consists of a single

independent clause.  We

worked long hours at the polling booth.

 Ed

and I checked and rechecked our answer.

Note

– a simple sentence can have a compound subject and/or a compound verb.

Writing  Use simple sentences for emphasis and

clarity  Too many simple sentences, however,

can make your writing sound choppy and disjointed

Compound Sentence  A compound sentence consists of two or

more independent clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction, by a semicolon, by a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb, or with a correlative conjunction.  My

brother bought some stamps yesterday, and he mounted them in his stamp collection.  Ben and I gobbled the oranges; they tasted very good after the hike.

Coordinating Conjunctions  Coordinating conjunctions link 2

independent clauses to form a compound sentence. 

  

For And Nor But

Or Yet So

 She could not read, yet she played the piano

beautifully.

Conjunctive Adverbs  Conjunctive adverbs are adverbs used as

conjunctions to connect complete ideas.  They can follow a semicolon to give added meaning to a compound sentence.  They are often used as transitions, creating bridges between different ideas by showing comparisons, contrasts, results, etc.  She

could not read music; however, she played the piano beautifully.

Conjunctive Adverbs  Accordingly

 Furthermore

 Last

 Still

 Afterward

 However

 Later

 Sure

 Again

 In addition

 Likewise

 Then

 Also

 In fact

 Meanwhile

 Thereafter

 Anyhow

 Indeed

 Moreover

 Therefore

 As a result

 Instead

 Nevertheless  Thus

 At the time

 Next

 Besides

 Now

 Consequently

 On the other

 Conversely

hand  Otherwise  Similarly  Soon

 Finally  For example  For instance

 Too

Correlative Conjunctions  Correlative conjunctions are paired conjunctions

that link balanced words, phrases, and clauses Either … or  Neither … nor  Both … and  Not only … but also  Just as … so  The more … the less  The more … the more 

Writing  Use compound sentences to clarify relationships  to

join ideas of equal importance

 Several

researchers have proven garlic is good for the heart; consequently, many people with heart disease use garlic in their meals.

 to

explain how ideas are related

 and

– additional information  but, yet – contrast or opposites  No one wants to pay more taxes, yet taxes are necessary to support vital public services.  for, so – causes or effects  or, nor – choices or options

Complex Sentence  A complex sentence consists of one

independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses.  When

the Fourth of July arrives, I will celebrate along with everybody else.  Our band, which won the trophy, will perform after the game is over.

Complex Sentence  When the dependent clause appears

first, it is followed by a comma  When the independent clause comes

first, a comma is not used

Subordinate Conjunctions  Subordinate conjunctions can link

independent and dependent clauses to form a complex sentence.  Although

she could not read music, she played the piano beautifully.

Subordinate Conjunctions          

After Although As As far as As if As long as As much as As soon as As though Because

         

Before Even if Even though How If Inasmuch as In order that Just as Lest now that Once

           

Provided Provided that Since So that Than That Though Till Unless Until What Whatever

          

When Whenever Where Wherever Whereas Whereby Whether Which While Who Whom

Writing  Use complex sentences to show subordinate

relationships 

To show that one or more ideas are less important than (or subordinate to) another idea  Circumstance

- as, as far as, as soon as, as if, as though, even though, even if, in order to  Causes or effects – because, since, so that  Time – before, after, while, until, when  Condition – whether, if, unless, even if

Compound-Complex Sentence  A compound-complex sentence consists

of two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses. I

ran down the path to the spot where it divides, and then I turned back.

Writing  Use compound-complex sentences occasionally to

express complicated relationships  Use them sparingly; when overused, they tend to

make your writing sound wordy and labored

Writing– Sentence Structure  Sentences should:

Be clear and concise  Be varied  Contain elements and parts that are parallel *  Contain strong, active verbs * 

* These concepts will be introduced in future lessons

Writing  Sentences that are concise convey their meaning

in as few words as possible

Writing – Concise Sentences  Avoid wordy expressions and/or empty

phrases  





In the near future, another revolution in computer technology is bound to occur. Another revolution in computer technology is bound to occur soon. In light of the fact that computer technology changes every month or so, software upgrades are what everybody has to do. Since computer technology changes monthly, software upgrades are necessary.

Writing– Concise Sentences  Eliminate redundancy

My decision to choose the field of accounting as my major will lead to steady, rewarding employment.  Choosing accounting as my major will lead to steady, rewarding employment. 

The type of slang I notice teenagers using is part of the way they establish who they are and what their identity is.  Teenagers use slang to establish their identity. 

Writing– Concise Sentences  Eliminate unnecessary sentence

openings It is my opinion that fast-food restaurants should post nutritional information for each menu item.  Fast-food restaurants should post nutritional information for each menu item. 

Many people would agree that nutritious food and snacks are a priority for health-conscious people.  Selecting nutritious food and snacks is a priority for many health-conscious people. 

Writing– Concise Sentences  Eliminate unnecessary adverbs

The journalist was very elated when he learned that he had won a Pulitzer Prize.  The journalist was elated when he learned that he had won a Pulitzer Prize. 

The college president was quite disturbed by the findings of the Presidential Panel on Sex Equity.  The college president was disturbed by the findings of the Presidential Panel on Sex Equity. 

Writing– Concise Sentences  Eliminate unnecessary phrases or clauses

The complaints of students in the college encouraged the dean to create additional parking spaces for cars.  The students’ complaints encouraged the dean to create additional parking areas. 

The teenagers who were mall walkers disagreed with the editorial in the newspaper that supported the shopping mall regulations.  The teenage mall walkers disagreed with the newspaper editorial supporting shopping mall regulations. 

Writing – Sentence Variety  Short sentences tend to be sharp and emphatic;

they move ideas forward quickly, creating a fast pace  Longer sentences, in contrast, move the reader

more slowly through the essay

Writing – Sentence Variety  Play with the pattern of a typical sentence 

Subject-verb

 Vary the placement of modifiers in your sentences