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.