Unit 2: Notes #10 Sentence Types: Sentence Structure Remember to label your notes by number. This way you will know if you are missing notes, you ll know what notes you need, etc. Include the date of the notes given.
Purpose: Once a writer knows the difference between the four sentence types (simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex), it is possible to write with sentence variety. Sentence variety helps make your writing more interesting.
Simple Sentences Simple sentences have just one clause. They may have additional phrases. A simple sentence contains a subject and verb. It expresses a single complete thought. A simple sentence is a single independent clause. Note: a clause contains a subject and a verb, a phrase does not
Examples I went to the park to eat a hamburger. The cat crept through the dark house. The wary mouse watched from underneath an upturned cereal box. The predatory cat stopped and surveyed his surroundings.
Simple Does Not Mean Short The mouse darted for the safety of the nearly invisible hole under the cabinet. Kyle, Keith, and Doug, my best friend from middle school, went to the playhouse and watched Shakespeare s Hamlet.
Compound Sentence Two or more independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction. Using commas between clauses is optional. The coordinating conjunction used can impact the meaning of the sentence.
Coordinating Conjunctions F.A.N.B.O.Y.S. For And Nor But Or Yet So
Examples I went home so I could get some sleep. The cat was unsuccessful in his attempt to catch the mouse, and the mouse was equally as unlucky in his attempt to get the cheese. The dog watched all of this, but he refused to become involved.
Complex Sentences A complex sentence is an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. A dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it does not make sense on its own. A subordinating conjunction begins the dependent clauses. If you begin a sentence with a subordinating conjunction, there MUST be a comma after the first clause.
Subordinating Conjunctions Most common subordinators After Now that When Although Once Whenever As Since Where Because That Wherever Before Though While Even if Unless If Until
Examples Unless you want trouble, you should stop. You should stop because I m getting mad. After he gave it some thought, the mouse decided to wait until later for his trek. The cat fell asleep on the warm kitchen because he was deprived of sleep the night before.
Compound-Complex Sentences Has at least TWO independent clauses and at least ONE dependent clause, one of which is joined with a coordinating conjunction and one with a subordinating conjunction. The same subordinating conjunctions are used to introduce the dependent clauses. The same coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) are used for joining the independent clauses.
Examples [Because I paid attention], [I got an A on the test] and [I was so happy]. [I went home because it was getting late], but [I had to wait on the porch] [until my mom got home anyway]. [After the two adversaries had spent years playing this cat and mouse game], [they were joined by their children], and [the fun continued].
Practice 1. Read and analyze each sentence. 2. Determine whether the sentence is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex. 3. Write your answer.
1 The weather has been nice but it may snow again any day.
2 Ever since the big blowout, she and I haven t gotten along.
Dad brought candy because he felt bad. 3
4 If you want to go on the trip, you should bring your signed permission slip and I ll collect it before we go.
5 I left before the fight started.
Candy rots your teeth and TV makes you lazy, but I still like them. 6
7 He will call your home unless you are passing.
Check your answers
1 [The weather has been nice] but [it may snow again any day.] COMPOUND
2 [Ever since the big blowout], [she and I haven t gotten along]. SIMPLE ONLY ONE SUBJECT & VERB!
3 [Dad brought candy] [because he felt bad]. COMPLEX
4 [If you want to go on the trip], [you should bring your signed permission slip] and [I ll collect it before we go]. COMPOUND-COMPLEX
5 [I left] [before the fight started]. COMPLEX
6 [Candy rots your teeth] and [TV makes you lazy], but [I still like them]. COMPOUND
7 [He will call your home] [unless you are passing]. COMPLEX