2.1.

Sentences in English
Writing is not simply about making
grammatically correct sentences. Grammar is
not just a
set of rules; it is a tool to help you
communicate your meaning accurately.
 EXAMPLE
A) I went home and ate a sandwich.
B) I ate a sandwich and went home.
 2.2. What is a sentence?

A sentence is a complete thought containing a

subject and a verb between the capital letter (Y)
and a final period (.), question mark (?), or
exclamation mark (!).
 There are four basic types of sentences:
1. Declarative (common) statements: I am
going to the lab.
2. Questions: Are you hungry?
3. Orders (imperative): Finish the experiment
today.
4. Interjections: Oh, no! (Someone forgot to
go to the bank).
 2.3 Clause

A clause is a group of words that

contains a subject and a verb.
 2.4 Main Clause and Subordinate
Clause
Main Clause
A main clause contains a subject and a verb that
has a tense that expresses a complete thought.
It can make sense as a sentence by itself as the
underlined clause shows below.
A main clause is formed with subject + verb.
 Subordinate Clause
A subordinate clause begins with a subordinator
such as when, although, if, that, or who. A
dependent clause does not express a complete
thought and does not make sense as a complete
sentence by itself. It supports the main idea in
the main clause.
subordinate clause is formed with subordinator
+ subject + verb.
 2.7 Coordination structures

A coumpound sentences has two independent

clauses joined by a
 2.7.1 Coordinator

Example:
The conventional method is unreliable, and the
maintenance cost are too high

Main clause ,Coordinator Main clause

... ,and ...

,but

,for

,nor

,or

,so
,yet
 2.7.2 Semicolon

The materials is very susceptible to

contamination; it requires pure hydrogen and
oxygen
 2.7.3 Conjunctive Adverb
Main Clause ; Conjunctive adverb, Main Clause

... ; accordingly, ...

Example:
; consequently,
The high temperature ; for example,
makes reliability a ; furthermore,
problem; however, it has ; hence,

a number of a ; however,
; in contrast,
advantages.
; in addition,
; in fact,
; indeed,
; instead,
; moreover,
; nevertheless,

; on the other hand,

; otherwise,
; then,
; therefore,
; thus,
 2.7.4 Understanding Coordination

Coordination Links Equal Ideas

Therefore, do not use So, in the beginning of a
sentence in research writing. The purpose of a
coordinator is to join two main clauses. The word So, at
the beginning of a sentence may be use in casual writing
and dialogue, but not in engineering writing.
Although you may find examples of sentences
beginning with and in the beginning of a sentence, it is
quite rare in research writing, and should only be used for
emphasis. Generally avoid using But at the beginning of
a sentence in engineering writing. It is a more casual
expression. Use However, Instead.
 Antoher important point that helps to make the
logic of a sentence clearer is putting a comma
after a coordinator that joins two main clauses. In
the following examples, there is a grammatical
difference between the two uses of and in this
sentence. See how the comma clarifies the
structure of the sentence.
X: The president will give out new grants for
innovative reseacrh proposals and the Ministry of
Science and Technology will select the recipients
of grants early next year.
 CORRECT: The president will give out new
grants for innovative reseacrh proposals, and
the Ministry of Science and Technology will
select the recipients of grants early next year.
 In the sentences that are short people tend to
omit the comma, however. In addition, if the
subject of both sentences is the same we tend
not to repeat the subject and we dont need
the comma.
Example :
I had a cup of coffee and read the newspaper.
 TIP

Each sentence should have one main idea.

Using And as a coordinator twice may make
a sentence too long and the relationship
between the ideas may start to become
unclear. Dont use And twice in a sentence
to join main clauses.
2.9. Review of connecting clauses

Here is a table that combines the methods of connecting clauses

with the logic of the sentence. When editing your writing, think
about how you are connecting the sentences. It is not just an
empty grammar exercise, but a way to communicate more
accurately
 Meaning Coordinators Subordinators
Addition and
Comparison both A and B as
not only A but also B just as
neither A or B
Contrast but although whereas
vet even though while
though
Possibility or if
unless
Time after since
as soon as until
as when
before whenever
while
Place where
wherever
Cause for because since
as
Effect so