Kinds of Sentences

Sentences

A.      Simple Sentences

Simple sentence is one independent clause.

1.       Simple sentence with one subject and one verb.

For example:

-          Mr. Smith is at home.

-          Joan walks on the sidewalk.

2.       Simple sentence with one subject and two verb.

For example:

-          I went to the canteen and ate my lunch.

-          I wrote a letter and sent it to my mother.

3.       Simple sentence with two subject and one verb.

For example:

-          My mother and I went to the market yesterday.

-          Mary and Tom go to the cinema.

4.       Simple sentence with two subject and two verb.

For example:

-          Tami and I bring a lot of books and read them in the park.

-          Joan and Daniel do to a restaurant and meet their old friends.

B.      Compound Sentences

A compound sentences is two or more independent clause are joined together. There are three ways to join the clauses:

1.       With a coordinator

2.       With a conjunctive adverb

3.       With a semicolon

Compound Sentences with Coordinator (FAN BOYS)

Form: independent clause, + coordinator + independent clause

Note: there is a comma after the first independent clause

coordinator	function	Example
For	Add a reason	-          I want to study with Mary, for she is very smart. -          Justin is admired by girls, for he is handsome.
And	Add a similar, equal idea	-          This movie is very funny, and we enjoy watching it. -          We went to the market, and we bought some clothes.
Nor	Add a negative equal idea	-          She doesn’t have to call me up, nor does she come to my house. -          Leo doesn’t have to go to campus today, nor does he have to wake up early.
But	Add an opposite idea	-          Paul went to bed early, but he woke up late. -          Susan knows that cheating is not good, but she still do it.
Or	Add an alternative possibility	-          Kayla can play piano, or she can play guitar. -          Liam should submit his assignment this afternoon, or he will get a punishment.
Yet	Add an unexpected continuation	-          I want to buy that new novel, yet the novel had already sold out. -          Too much sun damages the skin, yet many people still do not use sunscreen.
So	Add an expected result	-          He is at home today, so I’ll visit him this afternoon. -          I am very tired today, so I’ll take a rest.

Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs

Form: independent clause; + conjunctive adverb, + independent clause

Note: put a semicolon before and a comma after the conjunctive adverb

To add a similar, equal idea
Also Besides Furthermore In addition Moreover As well Too	-          We should learn how to write well; in addition, we should learn how to speak properly. -          In order to get a good score in English, I must study hard; also, I should practice every day.
To add an unexpected continuation
However Nevertheless Nonetheless Still	-          My brother aware that he has an assignment; nevertheless, he continues to play games. -          Many people know the impact of smoking cigarette; however, they still do it.
To add a complete contrast
On the other hand In contrast	-          I need to buy medicine; on the other hand/in contrast, I don’t have enough money in my pocket.
To give an alternative possibility
Otherwise	-          Harry must drive his car carefully; otherwise, he will get an accident.
To add an expected result
Accordingly As a result Consequently Hence Therefore Thus	-          She was late yesterday; as a result, she might not come to the class. -          He knew that he was wrong; therefore, he felt guilty.
To add an example
For example For instance	-          I try many ways to get a good score; for instance/for example, I try to be active in the class.

Compound Sentence with Semicolons

Form: independent clause; independent clause

For example:

-          I am the first who came to the class; Diana is the second.

-          My father fix the car in the front yard; I help him by giving him the tools he needs.

C.      Complex Sentences

A complex sentences contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clause.

1.       Complex Sentences with Adverb Clauses

An adverb clause tells where, when, why, and how. It begins with a subordinator, such as, when, while, because, although, if, so, or that. It also can come before or after independent clause.

For example:

-          Because I have to take care my brother, I can’t go to the cinema tonight.

-          My mother didn’t angry, although I was wrong.

-          It’s Sunday, so I’ll go jogging with my friends.

2.       Complex Sentence with Adjective Clauses

An adjective clause describes a noun or pronoun. It begins with a relative pronoun, such as who, whom, which, whose, or that, or with relative adverb, such as where or when.

For example:

-          The girl who is standing in front of the door is my roommate.

-          The book which I bought yesterday was lost last night.

-          The women whom I helped yesterday came to my house last night.

3.       Complex Sentence with Noun Clauses

A noun clause begins with a wh- question word, that, whether, and if.

For example:

-          I don’t know why you are very angry.

-          My father says that I have to study harder.

-          He doesn’t know what I want.

D.      Compound-Complex Sentences

It is a sentence with at least three clauses; at least two of which are independent and one dependent.

For example:

-          I wanted to travel after I graduated from college; however, I had to go to work immediately.

-          After I graduated from college, I wanted to travel, but I had to go to work immediately.

-          I could not decide where I should work or what I should do, so at first I did nothing.