Sentence Structure
The Four Types of English Sentences
Sentence structure definition: the way in which we combine words, clauses or phrases in
order to convey a complete thought or idea.
What is English Sentence Structure?
English sentence structure requires at minimum a subject and a verb.
For example,
• Joe runs.
In this sentence, we have our subject (Joe) and our verb (runs).
However, most sentences in English will include a subject, verb, and object.
For example,
• Joe manages the local grocery store.
In this sentence, we have our subject (Joe), verb (manages), and direct object (store).
This basic formula is the underpinning of proper sentence structure: the ordering process of
Subject > Verb > Object.
Sometimes this ordering is simply called SVO.
English Subject-Verb Agreement
A crucial element to a proper English sentence is subject-verb agreement. In English,
subjects must match verbs in number, person, case, etc. This is done through conjugation.
In English sentences, singular subjects require singular verbs, and plural subjects require
plural verbs.
For example,
• The student watches the teacher write notes on the board.
• Student = singular subject. Watches = singular verb.
• The students watch the teacher write notes on the board.
• Students = plural subject. Watch = plural verb.
Sometimes writers get confused about subject-verb agreement when a phrase is inserted between
the subject and verb.
For example,
• Incorrect: When a group of friends are making plans together, it’s important to include
everyone.
• Correct: When a group of friends is making plans together, it’s important to include
everyone.
With a phrase between the subject and the verb, it can be difficult to get the subject-verb correct,
but it still comes down to the same thing.
• Singular subjects require singular verb; plural subjects require plural verbs.
What is our subject in this sentence? If you strip away the extra words, you can see the subject is
group, which is singular.
Our sentence could be rewritten,
• When a group is making plans together, it’s important to include everyone.
Removing the extra words and phrases allows you to see the basic sentence structure. You can
add the rest in later.
For a more full discussion on subject-verb agreement, see here. See also singular nouns and
plural nouns.
Four English Sentence Structures
Now that we know the basic order of an English sentence, we can look at different sentence
types.
There are four primary sentence types in English. Here is a quick look at each type.
1. Simple Sentences
What is a simple sentence? Simple sentences are made up of a single clause containing simply
one subject and one verb.
• Janet went to school.
• Christopher washed the dog.
In each of these two sentences, we have one clause, consisting of a single subject, verb, and
object. Nothing too complicated.
2. Compound Sentences
What is a compound sentence? A compound sentence is formed when two independent clauses
are joined together by a coordinating conjunction.
• Janet went to school, but her sister went to the mall.
• Christopher washed the dog, and Steve washed the car.
As you can see, each sentence is made up of two independent clauses. One is joined by the
conjunction but and one by the conjunction and.
There are seven coordinating conjunctions:
• and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so
3. Complex Sentences
What is a complex sentence? A complex sentence is formed by combining a dependent clause
and an independent clause.
If the dependent clause introduces the independent clause, it must be set of by a comma for
balance.
For example,
• While Christopher washed the dog, Janet went to school.
However, when a dependent clause follows an independent clause, you do not need a comma.
• Janet went to school while Christopher washed the dog.
In this example, you can imagine that the conjunction balancing the two clauses.
Here are some common subordinating conjunctions:
• after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until,
when, where, whether, while
Here are the five basic relative pronouns:
• that, which, who, whom, whose
4. Compound-Complex Sentences
What is compound-complex sentence? A compound-complex sentence is one that contains two
independent clauses in addition to a dependent clause.
• John didn't come because he was ill so Mary was not happy.
• Although I don’t like studying, I need to pass this test, and I need to get an A in this class.
This is the most complicated of the four sentence types because it combines all of them.
If we examine the second example, we can see that it goes,
• Dependent Clause, Independent Clause, Conjunction + Independent Clause
Complete Sentences
What is a complete sentence? Generally speaking, in order for a sentence to be complete, it must
consist of a subject and a verb, and it must express a complete thought.
• Janet walked along the sandy beaches of Miami.
If we take out Janet or walked, we would have an incomplete sentence expressing an incomplete
thought.
Summary: What is Sentence Structure?
Define sentence structure: the definition of sentence structure is the order and structure
governing word combinations used to form sentences.
In summary,
• English sentences follow a subject > verb > object .
• In English, subject and verbs must be in agreement.
• There are four sentence types in English.
PRACTICE EXERCISE
Combine the two sentences together using the conjunction and, or,
so, or but.
1. He loves that band. He hates their new album.
2. My wife loves to cook. She makes delicious food.
3. They forgot to water their garden. All the plants died.
4. We can take the train into the city. We can drive the car there.
5. She loves riding her bike to the park. Lately, she hasn’t had the
time.
Practice:
Identify whether the sentences are simple, complex, compound or compound-complex.
Please
underline dependent clauses where it applies.
1. Vampires Dairies is my favorite television show, but I also love True Blood.
3. The trendy fashion designer released her new line on Wednesday.
4. Trina and Hareem went to a bar in Hollywood to celebrate their anniversary.
5. Wicked Regina cast a spell on the entire city, so the citizens decided to rebel.
6. While waiting for the paint to dry, Angela went to Home Depot, and Martin organized the
kitchen appliances.
7. After listening to the Kanye West CD, I have new respect for his music.
8. After the teacher chose groups, John and Sara were selected as partners for a project, yet Sarah
did most of the work
