Sentence Structure
There are three basic forms of
sentences:
➙The simple sentence
➙The compound sentence
➙The complex sentence
1. The simple sentence
• A simple sentence contains only
one subject and predicate.
• Both the subject and the predicate
may be compound.
* predicate = verb and completer
* compound = two or more
a) Compound subject
ex. Tom and Mary went to the store.
b) Compound verb
ex. Paul walked, ran and drove to get home.
c) Compound predicate
ex. Terry fished all day and caught nothing.
2. The compound sentence
• The compound sentence consists of
two or more simple sentences put
together. The sentences can be
put together with:
a) comma and coordinating conjunction:
,and ,but ,or ,nor , for, so , yet
ex. Chris likes all outdoor sports, but she enjoys
backpacking the most.
b) semicolon: (;)
ex.
The visitors played tennis; their host took a nap.
c) conjunctive adverbs: ; conjunctive
adverb,
ex. They went to the stadium; however, the game had
been rained out.
3. The complex sentence
The complex sentence consists of one main
clause and one or more subordinate
clause(s).
What is a clause?
It is a group of words containing a verb and its
subject. In other words, it is the same thing as a
sentence.
➙ A clause that can stand by itself is a main
clause.
➙ A clause that cannot stand by itself is a
subordinate clause.
What is a phrase?
It is a group of words that does not have a subject or a
verb.
ex. Of jewels
The empire state building
Playing in the band
➙ No verb ending in -ing can be a verb unless it is a one
syllable word like sing, ring, bring…
(if an- ing word is preceded by is, are or was or some
other form of the verb to be, these two words put
together consist of a verb phrase. (ex. is reading)
1. She saw Jack playing in the band.
2. She met Jack when he was playing in the band.
3. If he drops out of high school, he will regret it
later on.
4. The box of jewels had been stolen.
5. George missed Mary terribly; she had
been his first friend.
6. When you leave, shut the door.