Sentence StructureSentence Structure

By Gustavo Pérez By Gustavo Pérez

Sentence StructureSentence Structure

Skill focus: The production of Skill focus: The production of grammatically correct, structurally sound grammatically correct, structurally sound and meaningful sentences.and meaningful sentences.

What is a Clause?What is a Clause?

A clause is a group of words that contains both A clause is a group of words that contains both and subject and verb. and subject and verb. There are two clauses DEPENDENT and There are two clauses DEPENDENT and INDEPENDENT.INDEPENDENT.DEPENDENT clauses have a subject and verb, DEPENDENT clauses have a subject and verb, but they do not make sense by themselves. but they do not make sense by themselves. They depend on something else in order to They depend on something else in order to make sense.make sense.INDEPENDENT clause have a subject and verb INDEPENDENT clause have a subject and verb and are complete thoughts. They can stand and are complete thoughts. They can stand alone.alone.

Example Dependent ClauseExample Dependent Clause

Before we startBefore we start

After the sun went downAfter the sun went down

While we waitedWhile we waited

When we were youngerWhen we were younger

Example Independent ClausesExample Independent Clauses

We will say a prayer.We will say a prayer.

We made a bonfire on the beach.We made a bonfire on the beach.

We listened to our I-pods.We listened to our I-pods.

We played silly games.We played silly games.

Simple and Compound SentencesSimple and Compound Sentences

Simple Sentence = ONE independent Simple Sentence = ONE independent clause and NO dependent clauses.clause and NO dependent clauses.– Ex. Brandy’s favorite assignment is writing.Ex. Brandy’s favorite assignment is writing.

Compound Sentence = Two or more Compound Sentence = Two or more independent clauses and NO dependent independent clauses and NO dependent clauses.clauses.– Ex. Brandy likes to write; she loves the Ex. Brandy likes to write; she loves the

challenge.challenge.

Complex SentencesComplex Sentences

Complex Sentence = ONE independent Complex Sentence = ONE independent clause and one or more dependent clause and one or more dependent clauses.clauses.– Ex. When we went fishing, I had no luck.Ex. When we went fishing, I had no luck.

– Ex. The president of student council, who is Ex. The president of student council, who is my best friend, is a true leader.my best friend, is a true leader.

– Ex. I love the way she sings because she Ex. I love the way she sings because she sounds like an angel.sounds like an angel.

Kinds of Dependent ClausesKinds of Dependent Clauses

Adjective Clause = a dependent clause Adjective Clause = a dependent clause used as an adjective. used as an adjective.

It answers the questions: what kind, which It answers the questions: what kind, which one, how many, or how much.one, how many, or how much.

Adjective clauses usually start with words Adjective clauses usually start with words such as: who, whom, whose, that, or such as: who, whom, whose, that, or which.which.

Ex. Max is a student who likes to learn.Ex. Max is a student who likes to learn.

Kinds of Dependent ClausesKinds of Dependent Clauses

Adverb Clause = a dependent clause used Adverb Clause = a dependent clause used as an adverb.as an adverb.It answers the questions: where, when, It answers the questions: where, when, why, how, to what extent, and under what why, how, to what extent, and under what conditions.conditions.Adverb clauses usually start with words Adverb clauses usually start with words such as: before, because, or when.such as: before, because, or when.

Ex. Because the weather was bad, school Ex. Because the weather was bad, school was cancelled.was cancelled.

Kinds of Dependent ClausesKinds of Dependent Clauses

Noun Clause – a dependent clause uses Noun Clause – a dependent clause uses as a noun.as a noun.

It can be used as a subject, P.N., D.O., It can be used as a subject, P.N., D.O., I.O., or O.P.I.O., or O.P.

Noun clauses can start with words such Noun clauses can start with words such as: that, whomever, whichever, what, or as: that, whomever, whichever, what, or who.who.

Ex. Whoever is making that noise must stop!Ex. Whoever is making that noise must stop!

Compound-Complex SentencesCompound-Complex Sentences

A compound-complex sentence = TWO or A compound-complex sentence = TWO or more independents clause and one or more independents clause and one or more dependent clauses.more dependent clauses.– Ex. While we were waiting, she challenged Ex. While we were waiting, she challenged

me to a game of tic-tac-toe, and I won!me to a game of tic-tac-toe, and I won!