Phrases, Clauses and Sentences

Interrogative

This asks a question. It is easily identified because the end punctuation is a question mark.

Compound-Complex Sentence

This consists of at least two independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.

Complex Sentence

This consists of one independent clause with one or more subordinate clauses.

Compound Sentence

This consists of two or more independent clauses with no subordinate clauses.

Sentence Fragment

This is a group of words that does not have both a subject and a verb and cannot stand alone.

Subordinate Clause

This is also known as a dependent clause. While it may contain a subject and verb and sometimes objects or complements, it cannot stand alone as it conveys an incomplete thought. It usually functions as an adjective, adverb or noun within a complete sentence.

Simple Sentence

This is an independent clause with no subordinate clauses.

Independent Clause

This is group of words that states the main thought of a sentence and is a complete within itself.

Run-on Sentence

This results when independent clauses have not been joined correctly.

Comma Splice

This results when two or more independent clauses are joined by a comma without a coordinating conjunction.