Sentence Structure

Sentence Structure Every complete sentence contains two parts: a subject and a predicate. The subject is what (or whom) the sentence is about, while the predicate tells something about the subject. Good writers use a mixture of different sentence structures in their writing. Varying sentences make writing more colorful and interesting.

4 Types of Sentences Simple Sentence A simple sentence contains one independent clause. Example: The dog barks. Formula: IC Compound SentenceA compound sentence contains more than one independent clause. Example: The dog barks, and then it goes to sleep. Formula: IC + IC Complex Sentence A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Example: After the dog barks, it goes to sleep. Formula: IC + DC Compound-Complex Sentence A compound-complex sentence contains more than one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Example: After the dog barks, it goes to sleep, and then it wakes up. Formula: IC + IC + DC

Phrases and ClausesWhat do we already know? Phrases Clauses Group of related words Can act as a single part of speech, like an adverb or an adjective Begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or pronoun Will not contain a verb May contain modifiers Group of related words Can be a main clause or a dependent clause Can act as an adverb or an adjective (7th grade-nouns) Begins with a relative pronoun or a subordinate conjunction Must contain a subject and a verb

Examples Phrases Clauses Near the street by the curb According to Jim Beside the stream under the maple tree In spite of himself Which never seems real Who likes her as much as I do Whoever goes As long as she doesn’t tell

Types of Clauses Adjective Adverb • Dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun • Clarify the noun by answering questions about “which?” or “what type of?” • Typically follows the noun or pronoun and can’t be moved around without creating a sentence that is ungrammatical in structure • The guitar which Elvis used to own was found at a garage sale. (correct) • Which Elvis used to own was the guitar found at the garage sale. (incorrect) • Often begins with a relative pronoun (that, which, who, whom, whoever, whomever, whichever) • Also called a relative clause • Dependent clause that modifies a verb • Answers questions that relate to time, location, purpose, and condition (Why? When? Where? To what degree? Or Under what condition?) • Begins with a subordinate conjunction (AAAWWUBBIS – after, although, as, when, while, until, because, before, if, since) (More – whenever, so, even though, whatever, as long as, in order to, unless) • Adverb Clauses are Movable – Adverb clauses that come at the beginning of the sentence are followed by a comma, but adverb clauses that are at the end of a sentence do not have to be preceded by a comma. • The hostess wouldn’t seat us because our entire party had not arrived. • Because our entire party had not arrived, the hostess wouldn’t seat us.

What type of clause is the dependent clause in the sentence below. The seeds will take root wherever there is enough light.

Adverb clause The seeds will take root wherever there is enough light.

Adverb or Adjective Clause According to Richard Neeley from my neighborhood, Mr. Hexis, who is also my neighbor, will not attend the block party next weekend.

adjective According to Richard Neeley from my neighborhood, Mr. Hexis, who is also my neighbor, will not attend the block party next weekend.

Adjective or adverb clause Although you have not eaten your sub sandwich, you may still have cake for dessert.

adverb Although you have not eaten your sub sandwich, you may still have cake for dessert.

Adjective or adverb clause Before you open your birthday presents, take a picture of the beautifully wrapped packages.

adverb Before you open your birthday presents, take a picture of the beautifully wrapped packages.

Adjective or adverb clause Casey, who spent the night with her grandmother, was absent from school today.

adjective Casey, who spent the night with her grandmother, was absent from school today.

Adjective or adverb clause The delicious dinner that Dad prepared last night contained all of my favorites – macaroni and cheese, greens, and fried chicken.

Adjective or adverb clause Whether you like it or not, there will be a clause and phrase test tomorrow.

Adjective or adverb Whether you like it or not, there will be a clause and phrase test tomorrow.

How do I find dependent versus independent clauses? ( parenthesis around prep phrases) Underline all verbs and verb phrases twice (I underlined and italicized on this power point since I could not underline a word twice) Find the subject for each verb and underline it once Box {I bracketed on this power point} each clause, including any prep phrases that are within that clause. Determine if each boxed clause can stand alone as a sentence. If it can, it is independent; if it can’t, it is dependent. Determine the questions that the dependent clause is answering and then label it either adverb or adjective. Check for compound sentence signals (comma and FANBOYS) (Remember that next year, we will add noun clauses to your labeling ) DO THIS FOR ALL SENTENCES…IT WILL HELP YOU!

Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound-Complex? Neither sentence makes grammatical sense when the adjective clause is removed.

Complex {Neither sentencemakes grammatical sense }{when the adjective clauseis removed.}

S, C, CX, C/CX Adjective clauses are dependent clauses that modify nouns or pronouns, and adverb clauses are dependent clauses that modify verbs.

C-CX {Adjective clausesaredependent clauses} {thatmodify nouns or pronouns}, and {adverb clausesaredependent clauses}{thatmodifyverbs.}

Sentence Type? We drove along the coastline and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Simple sentence with a compound predicate {Wedrove (along the coastline) and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.}

Coordinating Conjunctions Use a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, or yet FANBOYS) to join individual words, phrases, and independent clauses. *(Note that you can also use the conjunctions "but" and "for" as prepositions.) examples: • Lilacs and violets are usually purple. • In this example, the coordinating conjunction "and" links two nouns. • This movie is particularly interesting to Star Trek fans, for the screenplay was written by William Shatner. • In this example, the coordinating conjunction "for" is used to link two independent clauses. • Uncle Joe claimed that he spent most of his childhood playing baseball and going to camp. • Here the coordinating conjunction "and" links two participial phrases ("playing baseball" and "going to camp") which act as adjectives describing the noun "Uncle Joe.”

Subordinating Conjunctions Use a subordinating conjunction (after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, and while) to introduce a dependent clause and show the relationship among the independent clause(s) and the dependent clause(s). examples: • After she had learned to drive, Carrie felt more independent. • The subordinating conjunction "after" introduces the dependent clause "After she had learned to drive." • If the paperwork arrives on time, your application will be mailed on Tuesday. • Similarly, the subordinating conjunction "if" introduces the dependent clause "If the paperwork arrives on time." • Terrance had to begin his paper over again when his computer crashed. • The subordinating conjunction "when" introduces the dependent clause "when his computer crashed." • Parents tell their children to study their lessons because they want their children to do well in school. • The subordinating conjunction "because" introduces the dependent clause "because they want their children to do well in school."

Correlative Conjunctions Correlative conjunctions (both . . . and, either . . . or, whether . . . or, not only . . . but also, neither . . . nor, and so . . . as) always appear in pairs and are used to link equal sentence parts. examples: • Both my mom and my sister have red hair. • In this sentence, the correlative conjunction "both . . . and" is used to link the two noun phrases that act as the compound subject of the sentence: "my mom" and "my sister." • Bring either a watermelon or a bag of pretzels to the picnic. • In this sentence, the correlative conjunction "either . . . or" links two noun phrases: "a watermelon" and "a bag of pretzels." • Elaine is trying to decide whether to go to medical school or to go to law school. • In this sentence, the correlative conjunction "whether . . . or" links the two infinitive phrases "to go to medical school" and "to go to law school." (An infinitive phrase is a phrase that starts with "to" and acts as a noun, adverb, or adjective.) • The explosion destroyed not only the school but also the store next door. • In this sentence, the correlative conjunction "not only . . . but also" links the two noun phrases ("the school" and "the store next door") which act as direct objects.

Appositives An appositive is a noun or pronoun that renames or stands for another noun. Most appositives are nonrestrictive (that means they add on extra information that is unnecessary for the reader), you should use commas around the appositives. Some appositives are restrictive (that means they add on information that is absolutely necessary for the reader), and restrictive appositives do not use commas. Examples: Our teacher Mr. Johnson won't be here today. Mr. Johnson is the teacher's name. This is restrictive because without knowing his name, it could be any teacher that will be absent. The words "no" and "please" are not in his vocabulary. This is restrictive because without knowing which words are not in his vocabulary, we're only left to guess. Ann Smith, the accordion player, will be in concert Friday. This is nonrestrictive. The accordion player is extra information. If it was left out, the sentence would still make sense. We don't need to know that she's an accordion player for the sentence to work. Mr. Buttons, the butler, is still missing. This is nonrestrictive. We don't need to know what Mr. Buttons does. Knowing that he's missing is enough information.

Sentence Structure