Grammar
Sentence Structures
Structurally, English sentences can
be classified four different ways.
• Keep in mind, there are endless constructions of each.
The classifications are based on the number of
independent and dependent clauses a sentence
contains.
4 sentence structures:
1. Simple Sentence
–
A sentence with one
independent clause and no
dependent clauses.
2. Complex Sentence:
A sentence with one
independent clause and at
least one dependent clause.
3. Compound SentenceA sentence with multiple
independent clauses but no
dependent clauses.
4.
Complex-Compound
Sentence:
A sentence with multiple
independent clauses and at
least one dependent clause.
WHICH SENTENCE STRUCTURE IS
THIS?
Connor enjoyed riding The Velociraptor.
Did you answer Simple
Sentence?
Connor enjoyed riding The Velociraptor .
Which sentence structure is this?
• The clown frightened Madi, and she ran off
screaming.
Did you answer compound sentence?
• The clown frightened Madi, and she ran off
screaming.
What sentence structure is this?
After Holden added up all the sales, he discovered
that the lemonade stand was 32 cents short.
Did you answer complex sentence?
• After Holden added up all the sales, he discovered
that the lemonade stand was 32 cents short.
What sentence structure is this?
.
Aidan is widely regarded as a talented chef, and
because he is superb at baking cupcakes, which Rose,
the financial mastermind loves, they decided to open
The Tasty Cupcake Company.
Did you answer complex
compound?
• is widely regarded as a talented chef, and because he is
superb at baking cupcakes, which Rose, the financial
mastermind loves, they decided to open The Tasty Cupcake
Company.
CLAUSES
JK…Clauses
• An independent clause is a group of words that contains a
subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An
independent clause forms a complete sentence on its own.
• Brandyn enjoyed taking the hayride with you.
STILL CLAUSES…
A dependent clause is a group of words that
contains a subject and verb but does not
express a complete thought. A dependent
clause cannot be a sentence. Often a
dependent clause is marked by a dependent
marker word.
Although Brandyn enjoyed taking the hayride
with you.
Does this express a complete thought?
Common dependent markers are: after,
although, as, as if, because, before, even if,
even though, if, in order to, since, though,
unless, until, whatever, when, whenever,
whether, and while.
Add an independent clause to this to make it a complete sentence:
Although Brandon enjoyed taking the hayride with
you.
• Although Brandyn enjoyed taking
the hayride with you, your potty
mouth totally embarrassed him.
Connecting dependent and
independent clauses
These can be used as connectors at the beginning of
an independent clause: coordinating conjunctions and
independent marker words.
Coordinating Conjunction
• The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting
words at the beginning of an independent clause are
FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. When the second
independent clause in a sentence begins with a coordinating
conjunction, a comma is needed before the coordinating
conjunction:
• Hayley studied at Isaiah’s birthday party for her chemistry
quiz, but it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.
Independent Marker Words
• An independent marker word is a connecting word used
at the beginning of an independent clause. These words
can always begin a sentence that can stand alone.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Also
consequently
furthermore
however
moreover
nevertheless
therefore
When the second independent clause in a
sentence has an independent marker word, a
semicolon is needed before the independent
marker word.
• Andrew and Jayden each had $90; however,
it was not enough to cover the cost of
tickets and refreshments.
Some Common Errors to Avoid
Comma Splices (AKA run-on sentence)
• A comma splice - use of a comma between two independent
clauses. Can usually fix the error by changing comma to
period and make the two clauses into two separate
sentences, by changing comma to semicolon, or by making
one clause dependent by inserting a dependent marker word
in front of it.
• I like this class, it is very interesting.
I like this class, it is very interesting.
• How might you fix this? Try now
Did you use any of these?
I like this class. It is very interesting.
• I like this class; it is very interesting.
• I like this class, and it is very interesting.
• I like this class because it is very interesting.
• Because it is very interesting, I like this class.
•
Fused Sentences (AKA run-on sentence)
• Fused sentences happen when there are two independent
clauses not separated by any form of punctuation. This error
is also known as a run-on sentence. The error can sometimes
be corrected by adding a period, semicolon, or colon to
separate the two sentences.
• Daniel is intelligent I've learned a lot from him.
Daniel is intelligent I've learned a lot from him.
• How might you fix this? Try now:
Karen is intelligent I’ve learned a lot from her.
• Caire is intelligent. I've learned a lot from her.
• Katie is intelligent; I've learned a lot from her.
• Max is intelligent, and I've learned a lot from him.
• Chris is intelligent; moreover, I've learned a lot from him.
Sentence Fragments
• Sentence fragments happen by treating a
dependent clause or other incomplete thought
as a complete sentence. You can usually fix this
error by combining it with another sentence to
make a complete thought or by removing the
dependent marker.
Because Jake forgot the exam was today.
•Time to fix it!
Because Jake forgot the exam was today.
• Because Jake forgot the exam was today, he didn't study.
• Jake forgot the exam was today.
YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT,
(ACTUALLY, THERE IS NO CHOICE-YOU MUST DO IT), IS TO
WRITE A PARAGRAPH WHICH CONTAINS AT LEAST ONE OF
EACH SENTENCE STRUCTURE, ALL THE FANBOYS, AND THE
NAMES OF AT LEAST 2 PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM. (BE FUNNY,
BUT NOT UNKIND)
When you write your paragraph, please be
sure to:
Underline simple sentences in red.
Underline compound sentences in green.
Underline complex sentences in blue.
Underline complex-compound in black.
Circle your FANBOYS
Highlight the names