Understanding Sentence Structure

These flashcards cover key concepts related to clauses and sentence structures, including definitions and examples.

Clause

A clause contains a subject and a predicate.

Independent Clause

An independent (or main) clause is a clause that can stand on its own; it is the simplest form of a complete sentence.

Dependent Clause

A dependent (or subordinate) clause is an incomplete thought and cannot stand on its own. It is created by adding a subordinating conjunction to an independent clause.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Words that connect a dependent clause to an independent clause; can be remembered with the abbreviation SWABI (since, when, after, because, if).

Simple Sentence

A simple sentence is an independent clause all by itself.

Compound Sentence

A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) or a semicolon.

Complex Sentence

A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause connected to one or more dependent clauses.

Compound-Complex Sentence

A compound-complex sentence consists of two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

FANBOYS

A mnemonic for coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Dependent Clause Example

'Although Dave loved cheese…' is an example of a dependent clause.