Sentence Formation Part 1

4 types of sentences

1) Declarative 2) Interrogative 3) Imperative 4) Exclamatory

Sentence Structure: Degrees of Complexity

In addition to classifying sentences as different types (declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory), sentences can also be defined by structure. This section defines four basic sentence structures: Simple Compound Complex Compound/complex

Adverb Clauses

are dependent clauses that function as adverbs. Compare the following two sentences to see how a clause can function as an adverb. I jogged slowly. I jogged after I ate dinner. - Time Relationships When I got to school, I was very tired. He did his homework before he played video games. - Cause-and-Effect Relationships She didn't watch the movie because she was too sleepy. Now that I'm an adult, I wish I could change some things about my childhood. - Contrasting Relationships I like milk in my coffee, while my husband prefers his coffee black. While my town in Colorado is very sunny, some parts of the mountains are very cloudy and get more precipitation. - Conditional Relationships If it is too windy, I won't take my umbrella. I will ride my bike even if it is raining.

Read the sentence and identify the sentence type. Fasten your seatbelt. Select one: a. Interrogative b. Imperative c. Declarative d. Exclamatory

b. Imperative Explanation: This is an imperative sentence because it is giving a command, and the subject (you) is dropped but understood.

Noun clause

dependent clause that functions as a noun. Compare the two sentences below to see how a clause can function as a noun. I'll have the salad. I'll have whatever she is having. The first sentence contains a noun, salad, acting as the object of the sentence. The second sentence contains a noun clause, whatever she is having, acting as the object of the sentence. - Subject of a Sentence What he said is totally unacceptable. - Object of a Sentence I don't know when they are coming. - Object of a Preposition I am not responsible for what he decided to do.

Read the sentence and identify the sentence type. He walked home yesterday. Select one: a. Interrogative b. Imperative c. Declarative d. Exclamatory

c. Declarative Explanation: This is a declarative sentence because it states a fact.

compound-complex sentence

A compound/complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses, as well as at least one dependent clause. (e.g. We're not going to the fireworks display this year because the park gets too crowded, but I will meet you later when I get to the restaurant.)

clause

A group of words that always contains a subject and a predicate in combination.

interrogative sentence

A sentence that asks a question

declarative sentences

a sentence that makes a statement

Is the following an independent or dependent clause? The baby cried... Select one: a. Independent b. Dependent

a. Independent Explanation: This is an independent clause because it has a subject (the baby) and a predicate (cried), and it can stand on its own as a complete sentence.

Read the sentence and identify the sentence type. Where is the post office? Select one: a. Interrogative b. Imperative c. Declarative d. Exclamatory

a. Interrogative Explanation: This is an interrogative sentence because it poses a question and ends with a question mark.

Adjective Clauses

also called relative clauses, are dependent clauses that function as adjectives. Compare the following two sentences to see how a clause can function as an adjective. The hungry child ate everything on his plate. The child, who was very hungry, ate everything on his plate. The first sentence contains an adjective, hungry, modifying the subject, child, of the sentence. The second sentence contains an adjective clause, who was very hungry, modifying that same subject. - Relative Pronoun as Subject I saw the man. He gave me the book. I saw the man who gave me the book. - Relative Pronoun as Object The dinner wasn't very good. We had it last night. The dinner which we had last night wasn't very good. - Relative Pronoun as Object of Preposition The recital was excellent. We listened to it last week. The recital which we listened to last week was excellent.

imperative sentence

A sentence that requests or commands.

exclamatory sentence

a sentence expressing strong feeling, usually punctuated with an exclamation mark

True or False: A clause contains a subject, but not a predicate. Select one: True False

False Explanation: A clause must contain a subject and a predicate.

Basic Word Order in English

Subject + Verb + Object. To determine the proper sequence of words, you need to understand what the subject, verb and object(s) are. Subject: typically a noun or pronoun—the person, place or thingVerb: the action or state of beingObject: the word or group of words influenced by the verb

two basic clause types

Clauses have two major types: 1) Independent Clause (Main Clause) - is a subject and predicate, following the basic SVO word order, that can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a subject and a verb, and sometimes more information. 2) Dependant Clause (Subordinate Clause) - (also called a subordinate clause) also contains a subject and verb. However, a dependent clause does not constitute a complete sentence and cannot stand alone. Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions like since, although, because, while. Because of the rain ... Since I was three years old ... Although I ate there often ... While I was doing my homework ...

What is the basic word order in English for most sentences? Select one: a. Verb+Object b. Object+Verb+Subject c. Verb+Subject+Object d. Subject+Verb+Object

d. Subject+Verb+Object Subject + Verb + Object is the basic English word order. Some exceptions to this rule are interrogative and imperative sentences, and sentences using passive voice.

Compound/Complex Sentences

A compound/complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses, as well as at least one dependent clause. Here is one example with the two independent clauses combined with a coordinating conjunction as well as one dependent clause: We're not going to the fireworks display this year because the park gets too crowded, but I will meet you later at the restaurant.

Essential Clauses

Commas are not used if the information in the adjective clause is necessary for identification of the modified noun. These are called essential clauses. The children who are playing over there should be in class. The subject, children, in the example sentence above is not specific, and the essential adjective clause, who are playing over there, helps us identify which children we are talking about. In this case, no commas are used. In essential clauses, any appropriate relative pronoun may be used. The children who (or that) are playing over there should be in class.

Nonessential Clauses

Commas are used in the information if the adjective clause is not necessary for identification of the modified noun. These are called nonessential clauses. Mr. Baker, whom I met yesterday, is a great teacher. The subject, Mr. Baker, in the example sentence above is specific because we know who Mr. Baker is even without the extra information in the adjective clause, whom I met yesterday. In this case, commas are used around the adjective clause to indicate that it does not contain essential information. In nonessential clauses, the relative pronoun that may not be used. Mr. Baker, whom (or who) I met yesterday, is a great teacher.

Is the following an independent or dependent clause? Whenever it rains... Select one: a. Independent b. Dependent

b. Dependent Explanation: This is a dependent clause. It has a subject (it) and a predicate (rains), but the addition of the subordinating conjunction (whenever) means that this clause cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence.

Which sentence type omits one aspect of basic English word order? Select one: a. Interrogative b. Imperative c. Declarative d. Exclamatory

b. Imperative Explanation: Imperative sentences do not contain a subject. They are lacking the "subject" part of the basic English word order: Subject + Verb + Object.

Read the sentence and identify the sentence type. Don't use your cellphone in class. Select one: a. Interrogative b. Imperative c. Declarative d. Exclamatory

b. Imperative Explanation: This is an imperative sentence because it is giving a command, and the subject (you) is dropped but understood.

Compound sentences

consists of two independent clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. (See Prepositions and Conjunctions chapter in Unit 1 for more information about coordinating conjunctions.) Hugo ran a mile today, yet he looks well rested. Hugo ran a mile today, so he's having a big dinner tonight. Hugo ran a mile today, but his wife prefers swimming. Hugo and I ran a mile today, and we will walk or run again tomorrow.

Complex sentence

contains a dependent clause attached to an independent clause. Dependent clauses are categorized as adjective clauses, adverb clauses, or noun clauses, and begin with words such as that, who, when, why, where, whereas, if*, because, although, before, and whether. The lake house where we got married is being renovated. The student who you met is going back to Brazil next week. We're not going to the fireworks display this year because the park gets too crowded. Although a tropical vacation sounds enticing, we need to pay off our credit cards first. If you travel abroad, you will see your own culture with new eyes.

simple sentence

contains a subject, verb, and sometimes an object. There is only one independent clause and no dependent clause. They are all simple sentences even though the last sentence is much longer, and seemingly more complex, than the first sentence. Hugo ran a mile today. Hugo ran a mile today in the blistering heat. Hugo bravely ran a mile today in the blistering heat. Simple sentences can also appear more complex with multiple subjects and/or verbs. My friend, my cat, and I went to the park. I ate pizza, drank a beer, and slept. My mother and I scrubbed and rinsed the

Read the sentence and identify the sentence type. I'm so happy to be home! Select one: a. Interrogative b. Imperative c. Declarative d. Exclamatory

d. Exclamatory Explanation: This is an exclamatory sentence because it expresses excitement and ends with an exclamation point.