Sentence Structure

Using different types of sentences allows you to show different relationships between ideas and to add variety to your
sentence. This resource is designed to help you create sentences accurately.

Content:

I. Clauses
II. Simple sentence
III. Compound sentence
IV. Complex sentence

I. Clause

Clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. There are two types of clauses: Independent clause and
dependent clause.

Ex:

I like learning English. (subject and verb)

Before she got married (subject and verb )

A. Independent clause (Main clause)

Independent clause tells a complete meaning or thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Ex:

Tom loves Jen.

Dara went to New York last year.

B. Dependent clause (Subordinate clause)

Dependent clause doesn’t tell a complete meaning or thought. It cannot stand alone in a sentence. It needs to combine with
independent clause to become a complete meaning. The dependent clause usually begins with a word such as although,
when, because, while, as long as, before, since, after, etc.

Ex:

When I was young

Before he went home
Although he’s rich

(You see! you don’t understand the complete meaning of the dependent clause alone.)

Practice:

Find the subject and verb in following sentences. Then decide if each clause is Independent clause or dependent
clause.

1. We arrived at the airport two hours later.

2. After they get married.
 3. When we arrived at the airport two hours later.
4. Afterward, they got married.
5. While I was a student.
6. As long as you love me.
7. I was playing a video game.
8. Although I’m lazy.
9. Jen does her bed every morning.
10. Since she left.

II. Simple sentence

A simple sentence is one independent clause (Main clause)

Ex:

Tom loves Jen.

I was playing a video game.
I’m lazy.
She’s so beautiful.

III. Compound sentence

Compound sentence is two independent clauses joined together by a comma ( , ) and one of FANBOYS such as for, and, nor,
but, or, yet, so.

Ex:

Tom loves Jen, but he loves Jimmy more.

I was playing a video game, and Jen was cooking.
I’m lazy, so I don’t start your homework yet.

IV. Complex sentence

Complex sentence is dependent clause combined with Independent clause (dependent clause + Independent clause)

Ex:

When I was young, I loved listening to the radio.

Because she didn’t know the location, she asked strangers.
Although I’m rich, I still don’t spend much money on unnecessary things.

NOTE: You can move dependent clause to the end, but the comma needs to be deleted.

Ex: I loved listening to the radio when I was young.

Practice

Identify which sentence is simple, compound, or complex.

_______1. I don’t know the price of that laptop.

_______2. She doesn’t care about me when I’m sick.
_______3. As soon as the bullet hit her, she fell to the ground.
_______4. Robots will replace employee, so there will be a high unemployment rate in the future.
_______5. You should forget her, or you will die a lonely man.
_______6. While he was sick, his wife had an affair with his best friend.
_______7. Since she moved to USA, she never gave us a call.
_______8. I’m the only one when she needs help.
_______9. Jen doesn’t want to get married, nor does jack.
_______10. You should wear a mask when you go outside.
_______11. You should wear a mask and wash your hand often.
_______12. Dara will keep a promise to stay healthy, and I will change my diet too from now on.
_______13. Wherever she goes, she makes everyone so annoyed.

Answer:

1. Simple
2. Complex
3. Complex
4. Compound
5. Compound
6. Complex
7. Complex
8. Complex
9. Compound
10. Complex
11. Simple
12. Compound
13. Complex