The Structure of a Sentence



The Structure of a SentenceDependent Clause- Because we were excited about the grammar lesson.Independent Clause-We were excited about the grammar lesson.The Simple Sentence- A simple sentence can be as short as one word:Run! Usually, however, the sentence has a subject as well as a predicate and both the subject and the predicate may have modifiers. All of the following are simple sentences, because each contains only one clause:Melt! Ice melts. The ice melts quickly. The ice on the river melts quickly under the warm March sun. Lying exposed without its blanket of snow, the ice on the river melts quickly under the warm March sun. A simple sentence can be quite long -- it is a mistake to think that you can tell a simple sentence from a compound sentence or a complex sentence simply by its length.Simple Sentences with Compound Subjects and/or VerbsCompound subject (two or more subjects related to the same verb): Javier and his colleagues collaborated on the research article. Compound verb (two or more verbs related to the same subject): Javier conducted the experiment and documented the results. Compound subject with compound verb: Javier, his colleagues, and their advisor drafted and revised the article several times. The Compound Sentence- co-coordinating conjunctionsand, but, or, nor, for, so, yetcorrelating conjunctionsEither…or Neither…norSimple- Edgar Allen Poe is the father of the American short story.Simple- He also created the first detective story. Compound-Edgar Allen Poe is the father of the American short story, and he also created the first detective pound sentences are very natural for English speakers -- small children learn to use them early on to connect their ideas and to avoid pausing (and allowing an adult to interrupt):Today at school Mrs. Moore brought in her pet iguana, and she showed it to the class, and I got to pet it, and Kate held it, and we colored pictures of it, and it ate part of my carrot at lunch, and ... Of course, this is an extreme example, but if you over-use compound sentences in written work, your writing might seem unfocused.A compound sentence is most effective when you use it to create a sense of balance or contrast between two (or more) equally-important pieces of information:Vanilla is a great flavor, but Chocolate is much more popular. Choosing the Best Conjunction: One of the keys to using compound sentences effectively is choosing the appropriate conjunction.1. Daon was cold, _________ he put on a coat.2. Maria tried to read a novel in French, __________ it was too difficult.3. To get from Vancouver to Victoria, you can fly, __________ you can ride the ferry.4. I bought a bottle of wine, __________ we drank it together.5. The waiter was not very nice, __________ the food was delicious.6. I went to buy a Rolling Stones CD, __________ the shop didn't have it.7. Anna needed some money, __________ she took a part-time job.8. There's so much rain lately! Maybe it's because of El Nino, __________ maybe it's just coincidence.9. Julie has a guitar, __________ she plays it really well.10. The concert was cancelled, __________ we went to a nightclub instead. Commas and Semicolons in Compound SentencesPlace a comma in front of the coordinating conjunction when joining two independent clauses to construct a compound sentence.I love pizza.Domino’s pizza tastes like cardboard.I love pizza, but Domino’s pizza tastes like cardboard.Place a semi-colon between two closely related independent clauses to construct a compound sentence.Squirrels are dirty animals.They are one tail away from being rats. Squirrels are dirty animals; they are one tail away from being rats.Exception to the Rule: Place a semi-colon in front of the coordinating conjunction when either of the independent clauses already contains a comma.My shirt, shoes and hat are soaked. They will dry quickly.My shirt, shoes and hat are soaked; but they will dry quickly.Make each of the following sets of independent clauses into compound sentences by adding the appropriate punctuation and conjunction. The injury may have been significant. There is no excuse for playing that poorly.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I will visit my grandmother. I will buy her a gift on the way there.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________I packed my flashlight, sleeping bag and tent. I feel like I have forgotten something.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Fred wants to make first chair. He practices for three hours every night.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Friday is picture day. I’m going to dye my hair purple.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Name: ________________________________Period:_______Date:________________Compound Sentence Combining Review #1Using your notes, combine each of the following sentences following the appropriate rules of punctuation and usage. The food looked tasty. It was way too expensive.________________________________________________________________________He will finish everything on her plate. He will eat off of yours, too. ________________________________________________________________________The water level kept rising. The authorities issued a flood warning. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________You must finish your work now. You will get a zero.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Peter’s status on the team is questionable. He may have lingering injury problems.________________________________________________________________________Philadelphia sports teams have a glorious past. Their present is questionable._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Todd was hesitant to talk at first. He found his voice by the end of the film. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Holden Caulfield failed to use introspection throughout his experiences. He did not recognize the cause of many of his behaviors.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________He idealizes childhood and children. He does not want to face the troubles that come with being an adult.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________A quarterback can pass, run or handoff to a running back. He cannot go out for a pass himself.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________It’s fun. It’s also informative.________________________________________________________________________Michaela’s mother packed her lunch for her. She dropped it off at the front desk.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________She is getting older. She has lost a step or two.________________________________________________________________________Vince is gaining valuable experience. His performance will improve as time goes on. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________They picked a slow song. They wanted something everyone could dance to.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Semicolons and Conjunctive AdverbsConjunctive Adverbsaccordingly 1019810-48260Compound Sentence with a semicolon and conjunctive adverbThe musician is respected by all of his peers; in fact, he will be receiving an award this evening.I forgot to call my parents when I arrived at the game; consequently,my driving privileges have been revoked.The cell phone has become one of the most versatile pieces of technology in history; for example, most phones currently function as a phone, a texting device, a GPS and a mini-computer. 00Compound Sentence with a semicolon and conjunctive adverbThe musician is respected by all of his peers; in fact, he will be receiving an award this evening.I forgot to call my parents when I arrived at the game; consequently,my driving privileges have been revoked.The cell phone has become one of the most versatile pieces of technology in history; for example, most phones currently function as a phone, a texting device, a GPS and a mini-computer. in fact again instead also likewise besides moreover consequently namely finally nevertheless for example otherwise further still furthermore that is hence then however therefore indeed thus Name: ________________________________Period:_______Date:________________Compound Sentence Combining Review #2Using your notes, combine each of the following sentences following the appropriate rules of punctuation and usage. Combine 5 sentences with a coordinating conjunction and five with a conjunctive adverb.I want to go. I can’t go now.________________________________________________________________________It is very humid outside. I’m sweating like a pig.________________________________________________________________________My neighbors, who I have known for years, suddenly disappeared. I have no idea where they went.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Pink Floyd is one of the greatest bands of all time. The Wall is one of the best albums ever made.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The man sat by himself. He did not look lonely.________________________________________________________________________Baking bananas fulfill the role of the potato in tropical countries. They can be used in all the same recipes. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Ray Bradbury is a man in his 90s. He modeled the 17 year-old Clarisse after himself.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Fahrenheit 451 is about book burning. It is also about freedom of thought. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________He fears rejection. He criticizes people before he really knows them.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________You can dance, sing or listen to music. You cannot play an instrument.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The Complex Sentence- has exactly one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause Simple My friend invited me to a party. I do not want to go. Compound My friend invited me to a party, but I do not want to go. Complex Although my friend invited me to a party, I do not want to go. In the first example, there are two separate simple sentences: "My friend invited me to a party" and "I do not want to go." The second example joins them together into a single sentence with the coordinating conjunction "but," but both parts could still stand as independent sentences -- they are entirely equal, and the reader cannot tell which is most important. In the third example, however, the sentence has changed quite a bit: the first clause, "Although my friend invited me to a party," has become incomplete, or a dependent clause.A complex sentence is very different from a simple sentence or a compound sentence because it makes clear which ideas are most important. When you writeMy friend invited me to a party. I do not want to go. or evenMy friend invited me to a party, but I do not want to go. The reader will have trouble knowing which piece of information is most important to you. When you write the subordinating conjunction "although" at the beginning of the first clause, however, you make it clear that the fact that your friend invited you is less important than, or subordinate, to the fact that you do not want to mon Subordinating Conjunctionsafteralthoughasas ifas long asas thoughbecausebeforeeven ifeven thoughifif onlyin order thatnow thatoncerather thansinceso thatthanthatThoughtillunlessuntilwhenwheneverwherewhereaswhereverwhileThe Compound-Complex Sentence- contains two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clauseThe package arrived in the morning, but the courier left before I could check the contents. Review: Sentence StructurePut all prepositional phrases in parenthesis, put a box around all coordinating conjunctions, circle all subordinating conjunctions and underline any subordinate clauses. Then, identify each sentence as simple, compound, complex or compound complex.Examples: The music was good, but they sounded better on the album Because his parents did not give him any spending money, he had to get a job.After studying the examples, we will write sentences of our own and we will analyze their structure.Ottawa is the capital of Canada, but Toronto is the capital of Ontario.Democracy is a noble goal; it is important, however, to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority.I do not own a Porsche.Call your father as soon as you arrive in Antigonish.I ate the sushi and left the restaurant.Unless my girlfriend postpones her visit from Calgary, I will not have time to study for my exam.Susanne wanted to be here, but she cannot come because her car is in the shop.The football game was cancelled because it was raining.The football game was cancelled because of the rain.When the train arrives and if Ms. Langlois is on it, she will be served with a subpoena. accordingly 1019810-48260Compound Sentence with a semicolon and conjunctive adverbThe musician is respected by all of his peers; in fact, he will be receiving an award this evening.I forgot to call my parents when I arrived at the game; consequently,my driving privileges have been revoked.The cell phone has become one of the most versatile pieces of technology in history; for example, most phones currently function as a phone, a texting device, a GPS and a mini-computer. 00Compound Sentence with a semicolon and conjunctive adverbThe musician is respected by all of his peers; in fact, he will be receiving an award this evening.I forgot to call my parents when I arrived at the game; consequently,my driving privileges have been revoked.The cell phone has become one of the most versatile pieces of technology in history; for example, most phones currently function as a phone, a texting device, a GPS and a mini-computer. in fact again instead also likewise besides moreover consequently namely finally nevertheless for example otherwise further still furthermore that is hence then however therefore indeed thus ................
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