The Four Types of The Four Types of SentencesSentences

English 3201 English 3201

Sentence TypesSentence Types

1.1. SimpleSimple

2.2. CompoundCompound

3.3. ComplexComplex

4.4. Compound – Compound – ComplexComplex

1.1. Declarative.Declarative.

2.2. Imperative.Imperative.

3.3. Question?Question?

4.4. Exclamation!Exclamation!

Independent and Dependent ClauseIndependent and Dependent Clause

1.1. Words, phrases and Words, phrases and clausesclauses make up make up sentences.sentences.

2.2. Look for Look for clausesclauses to know type of to know type of sentence.sentence.

3.3. A A dependent (subordinate) dependent (subordinate) clauseclause is part is part of a sentence; it cannot stand alone.of a sentence; it cannot stand alone.

4.4. An An independent independent clauseclause is a complete is a complete sentence; it can stand alone.sentence; it can stand alone.

ClauseClause

Subject + Verb = ClauseSubject + Verb = Clause

Incomplete sentence or Dependent Incomplete sentence or Dependent Clause Clause

WhenWhen the dog barked, the dog barked,

S VS V

BecauseBecause she was sick, she was sick,

S VS V

Independent ClauseIndependent Clause

Complete sentenceComplete sentence

The cat ran away.The cat ran away.

S VS V

She went to the doctor.She went to the doctor.

S V S V

Simple SentenceSimple Sentence

Complete sentence / Complete sentence / Independent Independent ClauseClause

The cat ran away.The cat ran away.

S VS V

Compound SentenceCompound Sentence

Two Two independent clausesindependent clauses joined together joined together using these conjunctions:using these conjunctions: ForFor AndAnd NorNor ButBut OrOr YetYet SoSo Or the semi-colon ( ; )Or the semi-colon ( ; )

FANBOYS – FANBOYS – easy way to easy way to recall recall coordinating coordinating conjunctions conjunctions

Compound SentenceCompound Sentence

The dog barkedThe dog barked, and, and the cat ran away. the cat ran away.

S V S VS V S V

You can study nowYou can study now, or, or you can pray you can pray later.later.

S V S VS V S V

Complex SentenceComplex Sentence

One One independent independent clauseclause and and

one one dependent dependent clauseclause. .

These sentences use subordinating These sentences use subordinating conjunctions to link ideas:conjunctions to link ideas:

after if before since unless after if before since unless

because while until asbecause while until as

although whenalthough when

Complex SentenceComplex Sentence

((When the dog barkedWhen the dog barked), ), the cat ran the cat ran awayaway..

S V S VS V S V

The cat ran away The cat ran away when the dog when the dog barkedbarked..

Complex SentenceComplex Sentence

Because she was sickBecause she was sick, she stayed home., she stayed home.

comma needed because clause begins the comma needed because clause begins the

sentencesentence

She stayed home She stayed home because she was sickbecause she was sick..

no comma neededno comma needed

Complex SentenceComplex Sentence

Relative PronounsRelative Pronouns = =

Subject ( S ) in a complex sentenceSubject ( S ) in a complex sentence

who who

whom whom

which which

thatthat

Complex SentencesComplex Sentences

The dog that ate my homework is a genius.The dog that ate my homework is a genius.

Clause = S + VClause = S + VThe dog is a genius.The dog is a genius.

S VS Vthat ate my homeworkthat ate my homework

S V

The dogThe dog ( that ate my homework ) is a genius. S S V V

Complex SentenceComplex Sentence

The studentThe student ( who studies hard ) ( who studies hard ) will pass the finalwill pass the final..

S S V VS S V V

The novel, ( which I liked the most ), , ( which I liked the most ), is about a spy..

S S V VS S V V

““who” and “which” are Relative Pronouns that refer towho” and “which” are Relative Pronouns that refer to

preceding nouns / subjects preceding nouns / subjects

Compound-ComplexCompound-Complex

A compound-complex sentence has at A compound-complex sentence has at least least two independent clausestwo independent clauses and and at at least one dependent clause.least one dependent clause.

2 independent clauses + 1 dependent clause

( compound ) ( complex )

Compound-Complex Compound-Complex SentenceSentence

SimpleSimple We drove from St. John’s to Corner Brook in one day.We drove from St. John’s to Corner Brook in one day.

CompoundCompound We were exhaustedWe were exhausted, but , but we arrived in time for the weddingwe arrived in time for the wedding. .

ComplexComplex ( Although we were tired ), ( Although we were tired ), we danced all night. we danced all night.

Compound-complexCompound-complex ( After the wedding was over ), ( After the wedding was over ), the bride and groom thanked the bride and groom thanked

everyoneeveryonefor comingfor coming, and , and their guests went hometheir guests went home..

ReviewReview1.1. Mary went to the park, but John stayed at home.Mary went to the park, but John stayed at home.

2.2. Tom wanted to exercise, so he went for a walk.Tom wanted to exercise, so he went for a walk.

3.3. The dog that ate my homework is sick.The dog that ate my homework is sick.

4.4. Mary likes reading; John likes television.Mary likes reading; John likes television.

5.5. Bill is the one who usually sits here.Bill is the one who usually sits here.

6.6. When the movie was over, we went to Moo Moos for When the movie was over, we went to Moo Moos for ice cream, but my favourite flavour was all gone.ice cream, but my favourite flavour was all gone.

7.7. John who sits behind me is on the basketball team.John who sits behind me is on the basketball team.

8.8. The girl who was looking after our cat discovered The girl who was looking after our cat discovered she had an allergy to them. she had an allergy to them.

9.9. You can study now or pray later.You can study now or pray later.

10.10. All that glitters is not gold.All that glitters is not gold.

AnswersAnswers1.1. Mary went to the park, but John Mary went to the park, but John

stayed at home.stayed at home.2.2. Tom wanted to exercise, so he Tom wanted to exercise, so he

went for a walk.went for a walk.3.3. The dog that ate my homework The dog that ate my homework

is sick.is sick.4.4. Mary likes reading; John likes Mary likes reading; John likes

television.television.5.5. Bill is the one who usually sits Bill is the one who usually sits

here.here.6.6. When the movie was over, we When the movie was over, we

went to Moo Moos for ice cream, went to Moo Moos for ice cream, but my favourite flavour was all but my favourite flavour was all gone.gone.

7.7. John who sits behind me is on John who sits behind me is on the basketball team.the basketball team.

8.8. The girl who was looking after The girl who was looking after our cat discovered she had an our cat discovered she had an allergy to them. allergy to them.

9.9. You can study now or pray later.You can study now or pray later.10.10. All that glitters is not gold.All that glitters is not gold.

1.1. CompoundCompound2.2. CompoundCompound3.3. ComplexComplex4.4. CompoundCompound5.5. ComplexComplex6.6. Compound-ComplexCompound-Complex7.7. ComplexComplex8.8. ComplexComplex9.9. SimpleSimple10.10. ComplexComplex