Types of sentences - Revision

No discussion of the sentence is possible without an understanding of the terms finite verb, phrase,
clause and sentence.

►A finite verb must normally have:

- a subject (which may be 'hidden')
He makes / They arrived / We know
Open the door (You open the door)
- a tense
He has finished / She will write / They succeeded

►A phrase is a group of words which can be part of a sentence. It does not have a subject + finite
verb combination. A phrase may take the form of:

- a noun phrase → He brought a tube of toothpaste.

- a prepositional phrase → The cat on the shed is black.
- a verb phrase → a single verb: We saw the accident. A combination: He has been working hard.
- an adverbial phrase → They repaired my car very quickly.

►A clause is a group of words consisting of a subject + finite verb

►A sentence, whether short or long, must express a complete idea; and a complete sentence must
consist of at least one independent clause—that is, a subject and predicate that make a complete
thought.

Simple Sentence

A simple sentence consists of one independent clause.

His old firm gave Sam a beautiful gold watch on his retirement.
S V
Andrea and Larry are flying to Rome. Simple sentence with a COMPOUND subject
S V
We sang and danced all night. Simple sentence with a COMPOUND predicate (the verbs share the same subject)
S V V

Compound Sentences

Two simple sentences can be joined to form a compound one.

We fished all day.
We didn’t catch a thing.
- with a semi-colon
We fished all day; we didn’t catch a thing.
- with a semi-colon, followed by a transition (conjunct)
We fished all day; however, we didn't catch a thing.

- with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, so, yet...)

We fished all day, but we didn’t catch a thing.

In a compound sentence all the clauses are of equal importance and can stand on their own, though of
course they follow a logical order as required by the context.

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Complex sentences

Complex sentences contain a main clause (or independent clause) and one or more subordinated
clauses (dependent clauses). The elements in a complex sentence (unlike those of a compound
sentence) are not of equal importance.

A subordinate clause is a particular kind of group of words that we attach in some way to a main clause.
Subordinate clause (dependent clauses) can be classified under three headings:

✓Noun clauses He told me that the match had been cancelled.

I’m sure that I had it earlier.
What he said to you is confidential.

✓Relative (or adjective) clauses Holiday resorts which are very crowded are not very pleasant.
I like working with students that apreciate what I do.
The woman who lives next door works for the company.

✓Adverbial clauses He spoke as if he meant business.

He went to bed because he felt ill.
You can sit where you like.
Even if air fares go up again, we intend to go to India.

Compound - Complex sentences

A compound-complex sentence is a sentence with two or more independent clauses and at least one
dependent clause.
Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he enjoyed
it very much.
Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films (dependent clause- Adverbial clause)
he rented the latest spy thriller (independent clause)
he enjoyed it very much (independent clause)
Queen Elizabeth I was called a redhead, but no one knew her hair color for sure because she
always wore a wig.
Queen Elizabeth I was called a redhead (independent clause)
No one knew her hair color for sure (independent clause)
because she always wore a wig (dependent clause - Adverbial clause)

Bill voted against the measure because it wasn’t strong enough, but he also
offered to continue discussions, which he will do next week.
Bill voted against the measure (independent clause)
because it wasn't strong enough (dependent clause - Adverbial clause)
he also offered to continue discussions (independent clause)
which he will do next week (dependent clause - Adjective clause)

The lawyer requested for an open-court hearing, but the judge, who earlier allowed such hearings,
declined the request.

The lawyer requested for an open-court hearing (independent clause)

but the judge, (...), declined the request (independent clause)
who earlier allowed such hearings (dependent clause - Adjective clause)

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 Simple, Compound, Complex or Compound-complex?
1. A typical film studio has multiple studios that are designed for making films and TV serials, but these
days movies are being shot even in space.
2. After Dr. Johnson ate a big meal, she went to work.
3. Barbara made a beautiful dress for her daughter.
4. Before we start, let me jog your memory about what happened last time.
5. Buy your father a present.
6. The recent audit has pointed out that our problem isn’t lack of technology; the problem is what
technology we’ve deployed.
7. Even though I tried hard, I couldn’t convince my dog to release the ball from his mouth.
8. He came in and sat down.
9. He felt cold, for it was snowing.
10. He finished lunch and went shopping.
11. He studied very little; he failed his exams.
12. He turned himself in to the police; otherwise, they would have arrested him.
13. He was appointed chairman of the company.
14. He was feeling sick, so he went to the doctor.
15. I asked my friend to lower the volume of music he was listening to, but he didn’t, so I left the room.
16. I have known him for a long time, yet I have never understood him.
17. I love pizza, but I rarely eat it because it’s unhealthy.
18. I passed because you helped.
19. I play tennis and volleyball.
20. I really need a holiday, but I don't have the money, and I don't have the time.
21. I visited the town where I grew, but nothing had changed in ten years.
22. It wasn't cold or wet.
23. Jeff, who met with an accident last month, is a rocket scientist.
24. John loves Mary; however, Mary doesn't love John.
25. Josh, whose passion for writing has flourished, wants to write, but he is not sure what genre to write
on.
26. Loud music drives me crazy.
27. Make hay while the sun shines.
28. Mary never wrote the letter, nor did she call him.
29. My neighbour who won last week’s lottery gave all his money to an animal welfare organization.
30. Nothing much progressed on the deal while I was on leave for two weeks.
31. Our car broke down; we came last.
32. Please, don’t annoy me.
33. Reba cut the grass; Ali trimmed the hedge; Tara watched.
34. Salad is not expensive; moreover, it's very healthy.
35. Someone opened the door and closed the window.
36. Stay where you are, or you may fall.
37. Temperature rose to more than 40 degrees in March, which forced people to stay indoors.
38. The boss but not his secretary is flying to Rome.
39. The heart that loves stays young.
40. The lawyer argued, but the judge rejected the plea because the petition was not properly drafted.
41. The lawyer requested for an open-court hearing, but the judge, who earlier allowed such hearings,
declined the request.
42. The man you’re talking about is here.
43. The meat was charred and inedible.
44. The movie Vertical Limit reminded me of my trek to Rupin Pass, where we lost our way and nearly
died.
45. The sky is cloudy; it's going to rain.
46. They bought a beautiful gold watch for Sam.
47. Though Bailey, our pet dog, is not with us today, his memories will always stay with us.
48. What he did was incredible; in fact, I can hardly believe it.
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