Sentence Structures

Paragraph

A paragraph consists of one or more sentences.

Subordinating Conjunction

Subordinate conjunctions connect two unequal parts, e.g., dependent and independent clauses

Clause

A clause is a group of related words. A clause has both a subject and a predicate. There are two types of clauses: dependent and independent.

Complex Sentence

A complex sentence has an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. A complex sentence always has a subordinator such as because, since, after, although, or when (and many others) or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which.

Compound Complex Sentence

A compound complex sentence has two or more coordinate independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. Example: Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with. Independent clause: "I haven't had the time to go lately" Independent clause: "I haven't found anyone to go with" Dependent clause: "Although I like to go camping... "

Compound Predicate

A compound predicate (verb) is two or more verbs that are joined by a conjunction and share the same subject.

Compound Sentence

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinator. The coordinators are as follows: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. (Helpful hint: The first letter of each of the coordinators spells FANBOYS.) Except for very short sentences, coordinators are always preceded by a comma.

Compound Subject

A compound subject is two or more subjects in a sentence. These subjects are joined by a conjunction and share the same verb.

Conjunction

A conjunction is a joiner, a word that connects parts of a sentence. It connect words, phrases, clauses, or sentences. The common conjunctions are-FANBOYS F = for A = and N = nor B = but O = or Y = yet S = so

Dependent Clause

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. This clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone. Here is an example: when the cake is done baking.

Sentence

A group of words that express a complete thought. A sentence contains a subject and predicate. Example-The house is white.

Run-On Sentence

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses (also known as complete sentences) are connected improperly. Example: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I had the time

Simple Sentence

A simple sentence, also called an independent clause, contains a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete thought.

Subordinate Clause

A subordinate clause—also called a dependent clause—will begin with a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun and will contain both a subject and a verb. This combination of words will not form a complete sentence. It will instead make a reader want additional information to finish the thought.

Independent Clause

An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. This sentence expresses a complete thought and can stand alone. Here is an example: We walk to school.

Coordinating Conjunction

Coordinating conjunctions join equals to one another: words to words,phrases to phrases,clauses to clauses. When a coordinating conjunction connects two independent clauses, it is often (but not always) accompanied by a comma.Three common coordinating conjunctions: or, and, but

Fragment

Fragments are incomplete sentences. Usually, fragments are pieces of sentences that of not contain a complete thought.

Predicate

The complete predicate tells what the subject is or does. Examples:(The house) is white, (The red car) is fast, or (The great teacher) likes students.

Subject

The complete subject tells whom or what the sentence is about. Examples: The house, The red car, or The great teacher.