WEEK 2: SENTENCE STRUCTURE

Sentences are compilations of parts of speech other grammatical elements. They can be
formed in many ways but often, with the right structure to bring the best meaning possible.

Before we look at sentence types, let’s understand about clauses.

Clauses are sentences that can be considered as complete and incomplete. There are two
types of clauses:

Independent Clause: An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a

subject and a verb and is a complete idea.

Dependent Clause: A dependent clause is not a complete sentence. It must be attached to an

independent clause to become complete. This is also known as a subordinate clause.

Sentences in English usually have subjects, verbs, objects, prepositional phrases and many
more.

Eg: Sheila likes to sing her favourite songs in classroom during recess.

Sheila = Subject

likes to sing = verb

her favourite songs = object

in classroom during recess = prepositional phrase

2.0 There are four types of sentences in English language.

2.1 Simple Sentence: A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb, and it may
also have an object and modifiers. However, it contains only one independent
clause.

Eg: Loki works hard every day.

Julia kicked the ball hard.

2.2 Compound Sentence: A compound sentence contains at least two independent

clauses. These two independent clauses can be combined with a comma or a
coordinating conjunction.

Eg: Jeeva likes to eat chicken rice but Ramesh prefers duck rice.

It was raining cats and dogs, so we came back home early.

 2.3 Complex Sentence: A complex sentence contains at least one independent
clause and at least one dependent clause. Dependent clauses can refer to the subject
(who, which) the sequence/time (since, while), or the causal elements (because,
if) of the independent clause.

Eg: Since his father works in a sports equipment shop, he gets expensive
shoes with a cheaper price.

He goes to school by bus which passes by his house.

If a sentence begins with a dependent clause, note the comma after this clause.
If, on the other hand, the sentence begins with an independent clause, there is not
a comma separating the two clauses.

2.4 Compound-Complex Sentence: A compound-complex sentence contains at

least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Eg: Sofia has completed her project but she hasn’t completed her
paperwork which needs to be sent in by evening.

Even though it was late in the evening, his father made sure that Akmal
completes his jogging routine before he goes for Maghrib prayers.