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Sentence Structures

A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. A complete


sentence usually contains a subject and a verb or the predicate.
FOUR TYPES OF SENTENCE STRUCTURES:
1.

Simple Sentence - Contains only one independent clause.

Example: I wash the dishes.


I wash the dishes is an independent clause. It contains a subject (I) and a verb
(wash) and it expresses a complete thought.
2.

Compound Sentences - Contains at least two independent clauses. These

clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a
semicolon.
Example: Marc is a lead guitarist and Castle is a bassist.

Marc is a lead guitarist is an independent clause and Castle is a bassist is also an

independent clause. And is a coordinating conjunction joining the two independent


clauses.
3.

Complex Sentences - Contains a subordinate clause and an independent

clause.

A subordinate clause does not express a complete thought. It usually begins with a
subordinator (because, since, after, although, when, etc.).

Example: She never had a boyfriend since the day she was born.
She never had a boyfriend is an independent clause while the day she was born is a

subordinate clause. Since is a subordinator joining the two clauses.


4.

Compound-Complex Sentences - Contains at least two independent clauses

and at least one subordinate clause.

Example: She will sing a song that you will choose and you will surely like it.

She will sing a song and you will surely like it are both independent causes while

that you will choose is a subordinate clause, together, they expresses a complete
thought or idea.

Exercises:

Tell whether the given is a simple, compound, complex or compound-complex sentence.


1. Faizah is strolling around the house.
2. My vacation was fun, but unfortunately it was short.
3. I was enchanted to meet you.
4. Back when I had no concept of what a year was, I could believe that I was
growing at exactly the same pace as whatever body I was in that day.
5.I had wanted to find logic in my life, and that was a mistake.
6. You were nowhere to be found when I needed you most.
7. You lift my heart up when the rest of me is down.
8. People make promises all the time and they turn right around and break it.
9. We have travelled land and sea, but as long as you are with me, there is no place
Id rather be.

10. We were both young when I first met you.

Supply the missing part to complete the indicated type of sentence.


1. although it was not enough (complex)
2. She got into NYU (compound)
3. The girl on fire (simple)
4. we found love (compound-complex)
5. for a moment (complex)

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