ENGLISH SENTENCE STRUCTURE AND CONNECTING WORDS

WHAT IS A SENTENCE? A sentence expresses a complete idea. A sentence has a subject and a verb. It can

have other words too, but at the minimum, there must be one subject and one verb.

Which of these are sentences? Identify the subjects and verb:

The sunny day.

Playing outside in the sunshine.

We love to see the sun.

WHAT ARE SENTENCE TYPES? English has three types of sentences. What

are they?

Simple

Compound

Complex

WHY DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SENTENCE TYPES?

Using different sentences types adds variety and fluency to your writing.

Academic English relies on a lot on compound and complex sentences.

Using a variety of sentences allows you to express your ideas better.

Sentence types are closely connected to comma usage.

TYPE 1: SIMPLE SENTENCES Simple sentences usually have one subject

and one verb. A simple sentence is an independent clause.

Sunshine is a wonderful thing.

Simple sentences can also have two subjects and one verb or two verbs and one subject: Sunny days and kittens are gifts from heaven. Sunshine is warm and looks beautiful.

Can you make three simple sentences about Portland weather?

TYPE 2: COMPOUND SENTENCES Compound Sentences are two separate

sentences (two independent clauses) that have been put together to make one new sentence: Sunshine is great. I love it.

→ Sunshine is great, and I love it.

Notice the word and . This is called a coordinating conjunction. An easier term to remember is FANBOYS. FANBOYS are used in compound sentences.

FANBOYS

For And Nor But Or

Yet So

FANBOYS AND COMMAS IN COMPOUND SENTENCES We use FANBOYS to join two separate sentences into one

compound sentence. Put a comma before the FANBOYS.

We played in the sunshine, but our friends had to work.

But be careful! You only need a comma if there is a subject after the FANBOYS. If there isn’t a subject after the FANBOYS, you don’t need a comma. In addition, this makes the sentence simple, not compound.

We played in the sunshine and had so much fun.

COMPOUND SENTENCES : CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS Compound sentences can also be joined with a conjunctive

adverb and a semi-colon:

It was sunny all day; therefore, we played outside instead of going to school.

Some examples of conjunctive adverbs include:however, therefore, on the other hand, consequently, in addition, likewise

Remember: To be a compound sentence, there must be a subject and a verb after the conjunctive adverb!

Can you make two compound sentences about your home country? Make one sentence with a FANBOYS and one with a conjunctive adverb.

TYPE 3: COMPLEX SENTENCES Complex sentences join an independent

clause with a dependent clause.

Although it was supposed to be cloudy today, the sun has come out several times.

I love seeing bright sun light because it’s so peaceful.

What are the dependent and independent clauses in these sentences?

DEPENDENT CLAUSES

Remember that a dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it begins with a dependent word (subordinating conjunction). Some examples of dependent words are:

Although, because, even though, while, after, if, unless, until, when, who, where, that (relative pronoun), etc.

Dependent clauses cannot stand on their own;

they MUST be attached to an independent clause. Why are these sentences wrong? Can you correct them?

Because I’m happy. Even though it’s hot today.

COMPLEX SENTENCES AND COMMAS When a dependent clause comes at the

beginning of a complex sentence, use a comma at the end of the clause:

After we played in the sunshine, we came inside for lemonade.

We came inside for lemonade after we played in the sunshine.

Can you make two complex sentences about your daily routine? Make one sentence with the dependent clause at the beginning of the sentence and one with it at the end.