Sentence Structure

Sentence Structure Simple, Compound, Complex, Compound-Complex Sentences

What is Sentence Structure? • The structure of a sentence refers to the kinds and the number of clauses it contains. • The four kinds of sentences are simple, compound, complex,and compound-complex.

Simple Sentences • A simple sentence contains one independent clause and no subordinating clauses. S V • EX: The hairstylist gave Laura a new look. S V • EX: Ernesto has volunteered to organize the recycling campaign.

Simple Sentences Cont. • A simple sentence may contain a compound subject, a compound verb, and any number of phrases. S S V • EX: Beth Heidenand Sheila Young won Olympic medals. [compound subject] S V V • EX: Lawrencecaught the ball but then dropped it. [compound verb] S S V • EX: The astronomer and her assistantstudied the meteor and V wrote reports. [compound subject and compound verb]

Identify the subjects and the verbs in the following simple sentences • As protection from such weapons, warriors in battle needed special equipment. • Some warriors used shields of wood or animal hides. • By 1800 B.C., the Greeks had made the first metal armor out of bronze. • Later, the Romans manufactured strong iron armor and designed special equipment, such as shinguards. • Before and during the Middle Ages, European knights and foot soldiers often dressed in skirts of chain mail.

Identify the subjects and the verbs in the following simple sentences • As protection from such weapons, warriors in battle needed special equipment. • Some warriorsused shields of wood or animal hides. • By 1800 B.C., the Greekshad made the first metal armor out of bronze. • Later, the Romansmanufactured strong iron armor and designed special equipment, such as shinguards. • Before and during the Middle Ages, European knights and foot soldiers often dressed in skirts of chain mail.

Compound Sentences • A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses and no subordinate clauses. • The independent clauses are usually joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction. • EX: According to legend, Betsy Ross made our first flag, but little evidence supports this claim. [two independent clauses joined by the conjunction but.] • EX: The whistle blew, the drums rolled, and the crowd cheered. [three independent clauses, the last two joined by the conjunction and.] S V S V S S V V S V

Simple vs. Compound • Do not confuse a compound sentence with a simple sentence that contains a compound subject, a compound verb, or both. S S V • SIMPLE SENTENCE: Alberto and Jared increased their speed V and passed the other runners. [compound subject and compound verb] S V • COMPOUND SENTENCE: Alberto led for half the distance, S V and then Jared took the lead. [two independent clauses]

Compound Sentences cont. • The independent clauses in a compound sentence may also be joined by a semicolon, a conjunctive adverb, and a comma. S V • EX: Many mathematical concepts originated in North S V Africa; the ancient Egyptians used these concepts in building the pyramids. S V S V • Lynn called Marty with the good news; however, he was not at home.

Identifying Subjects, Verbs, and Conjunctions in Compound Sentences • Many strange things happen backstage during a performance, but the audience usually does not know about them • The director of a theater visited our class, and we listened to his stories for almost an hour. • According to him, the workers in charge of properties are usually alert and careful; however, they still make mistakes sometimes. • Directors cannot always predict the reactions of the audience, nor can they always control the audience.

Identifying Subjects, Verbs, and Conjunctions in Compound Sentences • Many strange thingshappen backstage during a performance[,but]the audience usually does not know about them. • The director of a theater visited our class[, and]welistened to his stories for almost an hour. • According to him, the workers in charge of properties are usually alert and careful[; however,]they still make mistakes sometimes. • Directorscannot always predict the reactions of the audience[, nor]canthey always control the audience.

Complex Sentences • A complex sentencecontains one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause. S V S V • EX:When I watch Martha Graham’s performances, I feel like studying dance. • INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: I feel like studying dance • SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: When I watch Martha Graham’s performances S V • EX: In Gone with the Wind, when Scarlett is faced with near- S V S V starvation, she vows that she never will be hungry again. • INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: In Gone with the Wind, she vows • SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: when Scarlett is faced with near-starvation • SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: that she never will be hungry again

Complex Sentences Cont. • Independent clauses can be interrupted by subordinate clauses. S S V V • EX:All of the stars that we can see without a telescope are part of the Milky Way galaxy. • INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: All of the stars are part of the Milky Way Galaxy • SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: that we can see without a telescope • Notice in the examples above that a subordinate clause can appear at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of a complex sentence.

Identifying Independent Clauses and Subordinate Clauses in Complex Sentences • China, which has a population of more than one billion people, is a largely agricultural country. • Although it was nearly worthless, my brother bought one of those old coins for his collection. • The detective show appeared on television for several weeks before it became popular with viewers. • A group of popular singers, who donated their time, recorded a song that made people aware of a famine in Ethiopia. • While the stage crew was constructing the sets, the performers continued their rehearsal, which went on into the night.

Compound-Complex Sentences • A compound-complex sentencecontains two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause. S V • EX: Mary began painting only two years ago, but already S V she has been asked to show one of her paintings at the S V exhibitthat is scheduled for May. • INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: Mary began painting only two years ago • INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: already she has been asked to show one of her paintings at the exhibit • SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: that is scheduled for May

Compound-Complex Cont. S V S V S V • EX: When Bill left, he locked the door, buthe forgot to turn off the lights. • INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: he locked the door • INDEPNDENT CLAUSE: he forgot to turn off the lights • SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: When Bill left

Compound-Complex Cont. S V S V • EX: Emilia has several hobbies that she enjoys, but S S V V the one on which she spends the most time is woodcarving. • INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: Emilia has several hobbies • INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: the one is woodcarving • SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: that she enjoys • SUBORDINATE CLAUSE: on which she spends the most time

Identify Clauses in Compound-Complex Sentences • When they returned from their vacation, they collected their mail at the post office, and they went to the supermarket • We told them that their plan wouldn’t work, but they wouldn’t listen to us. • The smoke, which steadily grew thicker and darker, billowed through the dry forest; the animals ran ahead of the fire as it spread quickly. • Our new neighbors, who moved in last month, have painted their house, and the children have put up a basketball hoop.

Identify Clauses in Compound-Complex Sentences • When they returned from their vacation, they collected their mail at the post office, and they went to the supermarket. • We told themthat their plan wouldn’t work, but they wouldn’t listen to us. • The smoke, which steadily grew thicker and darker, billowed through the dry forest;the animals ran ahead of the fireas it spread quickly. • Our new neighbors, who moved in last month, have painted their house, and the children have put up a basketball hoop.

Independent Practice • Complete Review A, (#1-10) Identifying the Four Kinds of Sentence Structure, on page 469 of the Holt Literature book. • Complete Chapter 16 Review A, (#1-30) Identifying Sentence Structures, on page 471. • Use your notes for reference!

Sentence Structure