Sentence Structure
Sentence Structure
Clauses & Phrases
Sentence Structure:
Clauses
Sentences are made up of clauses and phrases.
Clauses:
A clause is a group of words which has: a subject, and a
verb.
Examples:
• The lecture starts at 3 pm.
• Pollution causes cancer.
Clauses
There are two kinds of clauses: independent (or main)
clauses and dependent (or subordinate) clauses.
Independent:
An independent clause expresses a complete thought and
can stand on its own as a sentence
Example:
• Learning a new language is exciting.
• Reading is fun.
Clauses
Dependent
A dependent clause does not express a complete
thought and needs to be joined to an independent
clause to become a sentence.
It usually begins with a word such as although, while,
because, who, which, if, etc.
Example:
• Although learning a new language is often exciting
• While I was playing football
Phrases
A phrase is a group of words which does not have
either a subject, or a verb
Examples:
• walks to work every day
• The reason behind their good design
• Sleeping all the day
Fragment
If the sentence does not have an independent clause
it becomes a fragment.
A SENTENCE FRAGMENT fails to be a sentence in
the sense that it cannot stand by itself.
It does not contain even one independent clause.
Exercise
Is it a clause or a phrase?
o The bird fly high in the sky.
Independent clause
o While my mom cooks
Dependent clause
o The best dad in the world
Phrase
Exercise
Is it a clause or a phrase?
o Before I go to bed
Dependent clause
o Under the sea with the fish
Phrase
o He is sad.
Independent clause
Sentence Structure
Types of Sentences
Types of Sentences
Simple Sentences
Compound Sentences
Complex Sentences
Simple sentences
A simple sentence has only one clause, which must
be an independent clause.
The word “simple” does not necessarily mean
“easy”; simple sentences can also contain phrases, so
they are often long and complicated.
However, they still have only one subject and one
verb.
Examples:
• She is happy.
• In the late 1990s, they moved from their village to the
city.
• He goes to work on time.
• I’m hungry.
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence has two or more independent
clauses.
Independent clause + Independent clause
They are joined together by conjunctions.
Examples:
• The bus stopped, and we got out.
• I enjoy playing tennis, but I hate playing golf.
• Learning a language is difficult; however , it is worth
the effort.
Notice:
Conjunctions are like linking words. They link
clauses together.
FANBOYS: ( for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
Other linking words we use with compound
sentences: furthermore, however, therefore, in
contrast, similarly …
Examples:
• I fell off the bed, so my mom came to see me.
• I wanted to wake up early, but I couldn’t.
• He made the cake, and I decorated it.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or
more dependent clauses.
Dependent Clause + Independent Clause OR Independent
Clause + Dependent Clause
Example:
• Because she did not know the route well, she drove slowly.
OR
• She drove slowly because she did not know the route well.
Complex Sentences
The independent (or main) clause contains the most
important idea, and the dependent clause adds extra
information.
Words we use with complex sentences: although,
because, just as, whereas, unless, even though. They
are placed at the beginning of the dependent clause.
Examples:
• Although she ate an hour ago, she still feels hungry.
• Mom called when I was playing.
• I’m happy even though I don’t make much money.
The End
