Sentence Structure
Sentences are built by combining: o Words o Phrases o Clauses
Phrases: cannot contain both a subject and a verb
o Prepositional (show a relationship between words and act like adjectives or adverbs)
Example: The cat walked through the door. (This describes where the cat walked.) Example: I noticed the dog by the tree. (This describes which dog?)
o Infinitive (verb form that can act like a noun, adjective, or adverb; to + verb form)
Example: To be a good gymnast takes hard work. (used as a noun/subject) Example: His ambition is to teach Spanish. (used as a noun/object) Example: The place to meet is the library. (used as adjective describing the place) Example: She is the one to call. (used as adjective describing the one) Example: Tamara was born to surf. (used as adverb describing born) Example: The problem is hard to solve. (used as adverb describing hard)
o Participial (verb form that can be used as an adjective; often ends in –ing, ed/d, irregular past form)
Example: Chasing the cat, the dog ran around the yard. (describes the dog; not main verb) Example: The cat, running from the dog, escaped through the fence. Example: Well trained, the neighbor Example: Discouraged, Language Arts 7: Written Conventions Sentence Structure
Independent Clause: a) Must contain a subject and a verb. b) Must express a complete thought. c) Is the foundation for any type of sentence structure.
Dependent Clause: a) Must contain a subject and a verb b) Does not express a complete thought. c) Begins with an AAAWWUUBBIS conjunction. d) Must attach to an independent clause, or it is considered a fragment
Simple: o 1 independent clause o no dependent clauses
Compound: o 2 or more independent clauses linked by a semicolon or a comma and a conjunction o no dependent clauses
Complex: o 1 independent clause o 1 or more dependent clauses
Compound/Complex: o 2 or more independent clauses o 1 or more dependent clauses Dependent Clause Starters:
Remember, you must have a subject and a verb or you do not have a clause!
Adverb Dependent Conjunctions (AAAWWUUBBIS) o After o Although o As o While o When o Unless o Until o Because o Before o If o Since
Adjective Dependent Conjunctions o That o Who o Whom o Whose o Which
Steps for determining type of sentence:
1) highlight prep phrases 2) circle any conjunctions and rectangle any dependent conjunctions 3) label any subject “S” and any verb “V” 4) single underline independent clauses and double underline dependent 5) label as simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex Examples of Sentence Structure and Punctuation
Simple sentence: one independent clause and no dependent clauses
I like monkeys.
Compound sentence: two independent clauses joined by a semicolon or a comma conjunction
I like monkeys , but I also like sea lions.
Zebras are black and white , so they are cool.
Commas with compound sentences: Use a comma and a conjunction to join two independent clauses
We took our turn at bat , and then we hit the field.
Semicolons with compound sentences: Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are close in meaning (if they do not contain a conjunction). The second independent clause begins with a lowercase letter unless it is a proper noun or the pronoun “I”.
She sings well ; she dances even better!
Zebras are black and white ; they are cool. Complex sentence: one dependent clause at least and one independent clause
When I watch the sea lions, I marvel at their tricks.
Commas with dependent clause starters: Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause, but no comma is needed if the dependent clause ends the sentence.
After I went to school, I saw all my friends.
When I watch the sea lions, I marvel at their tricks.
I saw all my friends after I went to school. (no comma!)
I marvel at their tricks when I watch sea lions. (no comma!)
Compound-complex : two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause
I like monkeys , and I like sea lions because they are adorable.
Dependent starters: AAAWWUBBIS Conjunctions: FANBOYS