Sentence Structures

Sentence structure is a form of the literary element, syntax. There are four different sentence structures:

• Simple
• Compound
• Complex
• Compound-complex

\ However, to identify the different structures, you first need to understand what sentences can consists of.

• Clauses: A group of words that has a @@subject@@ and a $predicate$   * For example: @@Tony@@ $went$ shopping.     * This clause is also an independent clause: A group of words with a @@subject@@ and a $predicate$ that has a complete thought.     * However, there are also dependent clauses: A group of words with a @@subject@@ and a $predicate$, but can not stand alone because it begins with %%subordinating conjunctions%%.       * Some examples of %%subordinating conjunctions%% are: Whenever, after, before, until
• Phrases: A group of words that does not have a @@subject@@ or $predicate$ that can add detail often set off by commas.   * NOTE: A sentence can not only contain phrases.   * For example, “Over the rainbow” or “Under the sea”

\ Simple Sentence

• A group of words that has one @@subject@@ and one $predicate$ and can stand alone.   * For example: @@He@@ $walked$ his dog.

Compound Sentences

• 2 or more independent clauses joined with a ^^coordinating conjunction^^.   * ^^Coordinating conjunctions^^ are often remembered with the acronym F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.;     * For     * And     * Nor     * But     * Or     * So     * ;   * For example: @@Billy@@ $walked$ home, ^^and^^ @@Shelby@@ $read$ a book.

Complex Sentences

• 1 independent clause and 1 or more dependent clauses.   * For example: %%After%% @@Joe@@ $went$ home, @@he@@ $cooked$ eggs.     * In this example, the dependent clause comes before the independent clause.     * NOTE: If the dependent clause comes first put a comma. If the independent clause comes first, do not put a comma.       * For example: @@Dave@@ $bought$ plants %%whenever%% @@he@@ $visited$ his mom.

Compound-Complex Sentences

• 2 or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions and 1 or more dependent clauses.   * For example: @@Carl@@ $drove$ to work ^^and^^ @@he@@ $went$ to the store %%before%% @@he@@ $cleaned$.

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