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.