Academic Writing

‫بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم‬.

Sentence Types and Functions

Instructor: Murtaza Malekzada, M. Ed.

OUTLINE:
Today, we will be covering the followings:
 Presentation
 What is sentence?
 Types of sentence
 Phrase
 Clause
 Types of clauses
 Practice
 Activities/tasks (By Students)
 Production
 Ss will be writing their own work/production
Aim:
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to identify
phrases clauses, and types of sentences correctly and
apply them in your writing.
 Warm up
Activity Type: Think-Pair-Share
Time: 5 minutes
Individually (1 min): Take a moment to reflect and answer the following
questions:
1. How do words come together to create meaning?
2. What is the difference between sentence types and sentence
functions?
3. Spot the difference between:
‘Before sunset’
‘Before the sun sets.’
Pair (2 mins): Discuss your answers with a partner.
Share (2 mins): Share your ideas and findings with the whole class.
 Written Language Hierarchy
Letter: The smallest unit of written language, representing a single sound or
phoneme.
Word: A combination of letters that together convey a specific meaning.

Sentence: A group of words that form a complete thought or idea,

typically including a subject and predicate.
Paragraph: A collection of related sentences focused on a single main idea or
theme. It provides structure and flow within writing.
Essay: A larger written work made up of multiple paragraphs, usually with an
introduction, body, and conclusion. It explores a topic in greater depth.

This hierarchical structure helps writers organize and express ideas clearly,
from simple to complex
 Sentence Types and
Functions
Choosing what types of sentences to use in a paragraph or an
essay can be challenging for several reasons. Before writing, the
writer must consider the following questions:
1. Are my ideas simple or complex?
2. Do my ideas require shorter statements or longer explanations?
3. How do I express my ideas clearly?
So, remember, the key is to balance simplicity and
complexity, and choose your sentence types based
on the ideas you want to express
 What Is a Sentence?
A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete
meaning.
It typically contains a subject(who or what the sentence is about)
and a predicate (what the subject does or is)
Example:

Ahmad studies English.

studies English Ahmad
Before explaining this section, it would be beneficial to first
 Activity: Is it a sentence?
1.Running in the park.
2.He loves reading.
3.When I go to park.
4.I like reading he likes writing.
5.Because he was happy
 Types of Sentences(By
purpose)
A sentence can communicate

.
o a statement (I am studying )  1- Declarative

o a command/request (Go away.)  2- Imperative

!
o an exclamation (I’m so excited )  3- Exclamatory

?
o a question (What time is it )  4- Interrogative
A sentence is composed of one or more clauses.
Activity: Identify the sentence types
(By purpose)
• Can you help me?
• What a nice book!
• Please leave the class.
• I do not know what your name is.
• What a great day!
 Types of Sentences (By Structure)
Sentences are divided into four categories: simple sentences, compound
sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences.
1) Simple Sentences
Definitio A simple sentence contains one independent clause.
n
Examples • He reads books.
• Who is your best friend?
• He ate his lunch, took a walk, and went back to work.
(series of actions)

Structure Subject + Verb + Object

They make Ice cream. He writes a letter.

Subject + verb + Complement.

They are happy.
 Types of Sentences (By Structure)
2) Compound Sentences
Definitio A compound sentence contains two independent clauses
n joined by a conjunction. A coordinating conjunction (for, and,
nor, but, or, yet, so) often links the two independent
clauses and is preceded by a comma.
Examples • He wanted to go on vacation, so he saved up his money.
• I like apples, but my brother loves bananas.
• I like apples. My brother loves bananas.
• Ali loves to read, and he also loves to write.
• He didn’t study for the test, so he didn’t pass.
Structur • Independent clause+ coordinating conjunction+
e independent clause
 Watch the video and note the
important points.

• Simple Sentence

• Compound Sentence
 Types of Sentences (By Structure) Cont’d
3) Complex Sentences
Definiti A complex sentence contains one independent
on clause and one or more dependent clauses. A
complex sentence will include at least one
subordinating conjunction.
Exampl • He went to class even though he was sick.
es • As Ahmad was arriving to work, he realized he
forgot his lunch.
• When he arrived, everyone was already there.
• He reads books because he loves stories.
• Because he loves stories, he reads books.
Structure Independent clause+(subordinating conjunction)
+dependent clause.
 Types of Sentences (By Structure) Cont’d
4) Compound-complex Sentences
Definiti A compound-complex sentence combines
on complex sentence and compound sentence
forms. A compound-complex sentence
contains one or more independent clauses
and one or more dependent clauses.
Exampl • He reads book, and his brother watches movies
es because they enjoy storytelling.
• I try to eat healthy food, but because fast food
is so convenient, I cannot maintain a healthy
diet.
• If he got the job, he would have to commute 50
Compound-Complex sentence includes:
At least two independent clauses (like a compound sentence)
At least one dependent clause (like a complex sentence)
Example: Although she was tired, she completed her homework, and she went to bed early.
Structure and Components:
Independent clause 1 + Coordinating conjunction + Independent
clause 2 + Subordinating conjunction + Dependent clause
1. Coordinating conjunctions: Used to link independent clauses. (e.g., and, but, or, nor,
for, so, yet).
2. Subordinating Conjunctions: Used to introduce dependent clauses (e.g., although,
because, since, if, while, when, who, where, though)
Activity: Identify the sentence type(By
structure)
1. They went to the store and bought apples.
2. Although it was raining, we went to outside.
3. He is tall.
4. He did his homework, took a walk, and went back home.
5. The sun set behind the mountains.
6. I wanted to go to the store, but I didn’t have enough time.
7. Although she was tired, she finished her homework.
8. He went to the gym, and he worked out for an hour because he wanted to get fit.
 Activity: create your own
sentences
1. Simple
Sentence_____________________________________________
2. Compound Sentence
_________________________________________
3. Complex Sentence
___________________________________________
4. Compound-complex Sentence
_________________________________
 What Is a Phrase?
-When studying grammar and writing skills, it is important to
understand the difference between phrase, clause and sentence.
-Understanding clauses and phrases will help you write better
sentences.
 What Is a Phrase?
• A phrase is a group of words that
work together but do not have both
a subject and a verb.
• they help add details to sentences
but cannot stand alone as a
complete sentence.
• There are five main types of phrase in
English.
 Class Practice

A. Can you give me some examples of

phrases?
B. Let’s complete these sentences using a
phrase:
‘He went to the market _______.’
‘I love _______.’
 Class Practice

Can you give me some examples of phrases?

Let’s complete these sentences using a
phrase:
‘She went to the market _______.’ (in the evening)
‘I love _______.’ (eating ice cream)
 Please note:

Learn more about the types of phrase at

home and make sure you understand.
 What Is a Clause?
• A clause is a group of words that includes a
subject and a verb. There are basically two types
of clause:
1. An independent clause expresses a complete
thought and can stand alone as a complete
sentence, for example:
• she feels great
2. Dependent clause: This usually starts with a
conjunction such as: because, when, if. A
dependent clause cannot stand alone as a
complete sentence because it does NOT express
 Video Time
Watch the video and note the important points

..\Videos\CLAUSE vs PHRASE 🤔 - What's the

difference - Learn with examples _ quiz! - Copy.
mp4
 Independent Clause
1. An independent clause
Example: I usually buy popcorn
• is a complete thought.
• It has a subject and a verb.
An independent clause can form a
complete sentence, if we capitalize
the beginning (H) and end it with a
full stop (.), a question mark (?) or
an exclamation mark (!).
 Independent Clause
Here are some more examples of independent
clauses as sentences:

1. She runs every morning.

2. They aren't playing football.
3. Who doesn't love reading books?
4. He has finished his homework
 Types of Clauses
1. An independent clause (main or complete clause)
Example: I usually buy popcorn
• is a complete thought.
• can stand by itself.
2. A dependent clause (incomplete or subordinate clause)
Example: When I go to park
• is an incomplete thought.
• cannot stand by itself.
 How to Identify the Dependent
Clause?
You can spot a dependent clause by identifying the subordinating conjunction.
A subordinating conjunction creates a dependent clause that relies on the rest of
the sentence for meaning.
The following list provides some examples of subordinating conjunctions.
 after  although
 as  because
 before  even though
 if  since
 though  when
 while  until
 unless  whereas
 Independent Clause Vs. Dependent
Clause
Independent and Dependent Clauses

Independent clause: When I go to the movies, I usually

buy popcorn. Dependent clause: When I go to the
movies, I usually buy popcorn.

Independent clause: I don’t like the ocean because

sharks scare me.
Dependent clause: I don’t like the ocean because
sharks scare me.
 Independent and Dependent Clauses
• An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject
and verb and expresses a complete thought.
• An independent clause is a sentence.
– Ahmad studied in the cafeteria for his chemistry quiz.

• A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and

verb but does not express a complete thought.
• A dependent clause cannot be a sentence.
• Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.
– When Ahmad studied in the cafeteria for his Chemistry quiz. (NOT
a sentence!)
 Dependent Marker Words
• A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an
independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.

Examples:
– When Ahmad studied in the cafeteria for his chemistry quiz.
(NOT a sentence!)

• Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as if,

because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since,
though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and
while
Connecting dependent and independent clauses

There are two types of words that can be used as

connectors at the beginning of an independent
clause:

1. Coordinating conjunctions

2. Independent marker words

 Coordinating Conjunctions
• Coordinating conjunctions are used as connecting words at the
beginning of an independent clause.

• They are: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, & so. (FANBOYS)

• When the second independent clause in a sentence begins with a

coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed before the
coordinating conjunction:
– Example:
Ahmad studied in the cafeteria for his chemistry quiz, but it was hard to
concentrate because of the noise.
 Independent Marker Word
• Some common independent marker words are: also, consequently,
furthermore, however, moreover, nevertheless, and therefore.

• An independent marker word is a connecting word used at the beginning of

an independent clause.
• These words can always begin a sentence that can stand alone.
• When the second independent clause in a sentence has an independent
marker word, a semicolon is needed before the independent marker word.

– Example: Ahmad studied in the cafeteria for his chemistry quiz; however, it was hard to
concentrate because of the noise.
 Proper Punctuation
Here are some examples of ways to combine independent and
dependent clauses properly.
IC. IC. I went to the store. I didn't buy any bread.

IC; IC. I went to the store; I didn't buy any bread.

IC,CC IC. I went to the store, but I didn't buy any bread.

IC; IM, IC. I went to the store; however, I didn't buy any bread.
IC. IM, IC. I went to the store. However, I didn’t buy any bread.
DC, IC. When I went to the store, I didn't buy any bread.

IC DC. I didn't buy any bread when I went to the store.

Types of dependent clause
1. adverb clause: modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb. It
usually start with words like: because, since, if, although, when
• I stayed home because it was raining.
2. noun clause: acts as a noun in the sentence. It often starts with
words like: what, why, that, whether, who, how
• I don’t know why she left early.
3. relative clause (also called adjective clause): "relates" to and
describes the noun in an independent clause. It typically starts with
a relative pronoun: who, which, that, whom, whose
• Here is the book that I wanted to read
Summary
• Independent clauses can stand alone as complete sentences.
• Dependent clauses need an independent clause to make sense.
• Clauses can be combined to form complex sentences.
• By understanding clauses, you can build more interesting and
detailed sentences in English
Let’s practice more
Activity: Clause Identification
Identify the independent and dependent clauses in the following sentences.
Then, name the type of the sentences.
1. I missed the bus because I woke up late, but my friend gave me a ride.

2. She went to the park because she wanted to exercise.

3. I enjoy reading books, but my brother prefers watching movies.
4. After the meeting ended, we went to lunch, but I could not eat
because I was feeling sick.
5. The teacher asked a question, and the student answered it
Task : Sentence Construction (10 minutes)
Each group will create the followings:
1. two simple sentences;
2. tow compound sentences;
3. one complex sentence; and
4. one compound-complex sentence.
Choose the correct conjunctions from the two options provided
to fill in the blanks.
He enjoys reading novels, ______________ he does not
often have time for it, ______________ he always tries to
read at least one book a month.
Options:
a) although
b) because
c) and
d) but
e) even though
 Answer:

He enjoys reading novels, although he doesn't often

have time for it, but he always tries to read at least
one book a month.
Production
 Homework
1. Learn more about phrases/Clauses and their types at home,
and ensure that you understand them.
2. Write a sentence consisting of all types of phrases.
3. Write a paragraph consisting of all types of sentences.
4. Differentiate between a phrase, a clause and a sentence.
5. Write the summary of the lesson
6. Bring them in the next session.