Sentence Types and Examples

1. Sentence Variety6 types Simple Sentences Compound Sentences Complex Sentences Compound-Complex Sentence with Appositive Phrase Sentence with Participle Phrase

2. The Simple Sentence A simple sentence is also called an independent clause (it has one subject and one verb): I live in San Francisco. Subject Verb

3. Compound Sentence A compound sentenceis made up of two simple sentences joined by one of the following: • A semicolon • I like to study grammar;I love this class. • A conjunction (FANBOYS) • I like to study grammar, and I love this class. • A semicolon and a transitional word • I like to study grammar; therefore, I love this class

4. Connect Using a Semicolon Independent Clause;Independent Clause I love living in the city ; there are so many things to do. Independent Clause Independent Clause

5. Connect Using a Coordinating Conjunction Independent Clause,coordinating conjunctionIndependent Clause He couldn’t watch the show , so he decided to tape it. Independent Clause Independent Clause

6. Coordinating Conjunctions

7. FANBOYS Another way to remember these is… • For  F • And  A • Nor  N • But  B • Or  O • Yet  Y • So  S

8. CAUTION! Do NOT use a comma every time you use the words and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet. Use a comma only when the coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses. Simple Sentence The necklace was beautiful but expensive. Independent Clause No comma- not an independent clause

9. Click here to see lists of transitions. Connect Using a Transition Independent Clause; transition ,Independent Clause I love San Francisco; however,I hate the traffic. Independent Clause Independent Clause

10. FINALLY Combine Two Sentences to make it a Compound Sentence. Use either a semicolon, coordinating conjunction or a semicolon with a transitional word She works in the cityShe lives in the suburbs. ,but ;however, Independent Clause ; Independent Clause

11. Complex Sentences

12. Complex Sentences A complex sentencecontains at least one independent clause and one dependent clause. Dependent clauses begin with key words John cannot set up his typewriter because the wall has no outlet. Independent Clause Subordinating Conjunction Dependent Clause

13. Complex Sentence The Dependent Clause in this sentence begins with a Subordinating Conjunction She will go to school in the city until she finds a job. Independent Clause Subordinating Conjunction Dependent Clause

14. Complex Sentences Use a comma after a dependent clause if it begins the sentence. Use a comma if the dependent clause is the first part of the sentence. When I first moved to the city, I was afraid to drive the steep and narrow streets. Dependent Clause Subordinating Conjunction Independent Clause

15. Complex Sentence The Dependent Clause in this sentence begins with a Relative Pronoun Relative Pronoun Independent Clause I have read nearly every novel J.K. Rowling has written. that Dependent Clause

16. Complex sentence The Dependent Clause in this sentence begins with a Relative Pronoun. Independent Clause Dr. Charles Richter devised the Richter scale, whichis used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. Relative Pronoun Dependent Clause

17. Sentences using Appositive Phrase An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that immediately follows another noun.  An appositive explains or defines the noun it follows and is set off by commas. Mexico City, the biggest city in the world,has many interesting archaeological sites. Mexico City = the biggest city in the world . Appositive noun

18. Sentences using Appositive Prase Appositives are always set off by commas. Denver, the capital of Colorado,is the home of the Denver Broncos, the best football team in the US. • Denver = the capital of ColoradoDenver Broncos = the best football team in the US. noun Appositive Noun Appositive

19. Appositive An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that immediately follows another noun.  An appositive explains or defines the noun it follows and is set off by commas. Sophia, Daniela’s friend, said that maybe the party would be at Adam’s house. Appositive noun

20. Sentences using Appositive Another interesting aspect of Appositives is that they can always be exchanged with the nouns they modify. The altitude of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet,is over 12,000 feet. The altitude of the capital of Tibet, Lhasa, is over 12,000 feet. appositive noun

21. Participle Phrases add description to a sentence • A participle is a verb form that can be used as an adjective. • Participles begin with key words that ends in –ingor –ed. Enjoyinga beautiful day at the beach, Ms Moreno took her paddle board out to the ocean. Participle phrase Simple sentence

22. Participle Phrases add more description to a Simple Sentence Highlight the simple sentence and circle the participle phrase 1) Confusedby the strange directions in the letter, Sara looked at the map. 2) Joshran to class,rushing through the halls at breakneck speed. 3) Looking at the cats competing for the prize, Sue chose the lovely Siamese. 4) Debplayed with the little German shepherd, enchantedby its adorable personality. 5) Broken into a thousand pieces, the vase lay on the hallway floor. Do you see how the phrasesadd more description to the subject?

23. Practice Exercises Now you are ready to practice what you’ve learned. Click the link below to return to Unit D. Print and complete the Practice Exercise on adding sentence structure variety to your writing. Check your answers with a tutor.

26. Adding Variety to Sentence Structure To make your writing more interesting, you should try to vary your sentences in terms of length and structure. You can make some of your sentences long and others short. Read the two paragraphs on the next page.

27. Combine the following Simple Sentences by making them Complex Sentences I love living in the city. I have a wonderful view of the entire city. I have an apartment. I can see the Golden Gate Bridge. I can see many cargo ships pass under the bridge each day. I like the restaurants in San Francisco. I can find wonderful food from just about every country. I don’t like the traffic in the city.

28. I love living in the city of San Francisco. I have a wonderful view of the entire city from my apartment window. In addition, I can see the Golden Gate Bridge under which many cargo ships pass each day. I also like San Francisco because I can find wonderful restaurants with food from just about every country; however, I don’t like the traffic in the city.

29. Dependent Clauses begin with Subordinating Conjunctions.