Sentence Structure

What is a Clause?

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

The following sentence contains two clauses.

Kate noted the day’s events in her journal before she went to bed.

There are two kinds of clauses:independent and dependent.

An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Kate noted the day’s events in her journal.

There are two kinds of clauses:independent and dependent.

A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Most dependent clauses are introduced by words like although, before, because, so, that, when, while, and that.

before she went to bed

A dependent clause can be joined to an independent clause to add to the complete thought that the independent clause expresses.

Kate noted the day’s events in her journal before she went to bed.

Some writers keep journals so that they can remember details about events.

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Sentence Structure

Simple and Compound Sentences

Simple Sentences

A simple sentence contains one independent clause and no dependent clauses.

Malika sings.

Ben competes at chess every day after school.

Compound Sentences

A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses and no dependent clauses.

Malika sings every day, and she practices with the choir.

Compound Sentences

Independent clauses can be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, or, but, so yet) or by a semicolon.

The choir rehearsed late on Tuesday, and the director praised their hard work.

The choir rehearsed late on Tuesday; the director praised their hard work.

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Sentence Structure

Complex Sentences

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Mr. Hernandez, who is a professional storyteller, performs at many different festivals.

Complex Sentences

When Mr. Hernandez performs, he enchants the audience.

Young people love the way he tells stories because he changes his voice and wears costumes.

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Sentence Structure

Compound-Complex Sentences

Compound-Complex Sentences

A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

While she was fishing, Amy saw many deer, and she tried not to disturb them.

Compound-Complex Sentences

Amy unhooked the salmon from the line, and she threw it back into the stream so that it could live.

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