The 4 Types of Sentence Structure

2022-06-07 05:55| 来源: 网络整理| 查看: 265

In What is a Sentence? we saw the minimum requirements for the formation of a sentence. Now we can look in more detail at the four types of sentence structure.

Simple Sentence Structure

A simple sentence consists of one independent clause. (An independent clause contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.)

independent clause

I like coffee. Mary likes tea. The earth goes round the sun. Mary did not go to the party. Compound Sentence Structure

A compound sentence is two (or more) independent clauses joined by a conjunction or semicolon. Each of these clauses could form a sentence alone.

independent clause coordinating conjunction

I like coffee and Mary likes tea. Mary went to work but John went to the party. Our car broke down; we came last.

There are seven coordinating conjunctions:

and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so Complex Sentence Structure

A complex sentence consists of an independent clause plus a dependent clause. (A dependent clause starts with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun, and contains a subject and verb, but does not express a complete thought.)

independent clause

We missed our plane because we were late. Our dog barks when she hears a noise. He left in a hurry after he got a phone call. Do you know the man who is talking to Mary?

Here are some common subordinating conjunctions:

after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, while

Here are the five basic relative pronouns:

that, which, who, whom, whose Compound-Complex Sentence Structure

A compound-complex sentence consists of at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

independent clause coordinating conjunction

John didn't come because he was ill so Mary was not happy. He left in a hurry after he got a phone call but he came back five minutes later.

A dependent clause is also called a聽subordinate clause.

The above sentences are basic examples only. In some cases other arrangements are possible (for example, a dependent clause can come before an independent clause).

Contributor: Josef Essberger

【本文地址】

公司简介

联系我们