Types of sentences based on STRUCTURE

Types of Sentences Based on Structure
***Before we discuss the four types of sentences based on structure, it is important to understand the following concepts.***

Clause(s)
- Clauses are group of words with both a subject and a verb.

There are two main types of clauses:
i. Independent clauses: Are clauses that can stand alone as a complete thoughts.
Example: I                teach      grammar.
               subject      verb

 
ii. Dependent Clauses: Are clauses that cannot stand alone as a complete thoughts.
Example: Because     I          teach      grammar.
                            subject      verb

Types of Sentences Based on Structure
-Similar to the types of sentences based on purpose, there are again four types of sentences based on STRUCTURE.

1. Simple
2. Compound
3. Complex
4. Compound-Complex

1. Simple Sentences
- A simple Sentence contains only one independent clause.
Example: I kicked the ball.

2. Compound Sentences
- A Compound Sentences contains at least two independent clauses.
Example: I kicked the ball,            and it hit John.
                (independent clause)     (independent clause)

What about....
Tom and I kicked the ball. ……….? Simple or Compound Sentence
- It is a Simple sentence because 'and' here joins two subjects, not clause; there is only one clause.

3. Complex Sentence
- A Complex Sentence contains a subordinate (dependent) clause and an independent clause.
    John cried              because the ball hit him.
(independent clause) (dependent clause)

4. Compound-Complex Sentences
- It’s basically a combination of a compound sentence and a complex sentence.
- It contains at least two independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.

Example: John cried      because the ball hit him, and I apologized immeduately.

    (independent clause)      (dependent clause)             (independent clause)

***If two clauses are joined by coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS), it is an independent clause.***
***If a clause begins or is joined by a subordinating conjunction, it is a dependent clause.***

Activity

Identify the type of sentence in the following whether they are simple compound and complex sentences.

1. He lost his money but he did not lose his patience.
2. Roses are beautiful flowers.
3. I saw a man who was old and weak.
4. She wrote a novel.
5. The students solve the questions easily.
6. He is not harmful.
7. She is young but she has white hair.
8. This is the school where you have studied.
9. The person is a renowned writer.
10. Pema worked very hard but she did not pass.
11. He finished his home assignment and went to play.
12. He lost everything that was unbearable.
13. A green plant can prepare its food.
14. He came back to the city where he was born.
15. She did not feel that she was guilty.

Check your answers

1. He lost his money but he did not lose his patience. - Compound Sentence
2. Roses are beautiful flowers. - Simple Sentence
3. I saw a man who was old and weak. - Complex Sentence
4. She wrote a novel. - Simple Sentence
5. The students solve the questions easily. - Simple Sentence
6. He is not harmful. - Simple Sentence
7. She is young but she has white hair. - Compound Sentence
8. This is the school where you have studied. - Complex Sentence
9. The person is a renowned writer. - Simple Sentence
10. Pema worked very hard but she did not pass. - Compound Sentence
11. He finished his home assignment and went to play. - Compound Sentence
12. He lost everything that was unbearable. - Complex Sentence
13. A green plant can prepare its food. - Simple Sentence
14. He came back to the city where he was born. - Complex Sentence
15. She did not feel that she was guilty. - Complex Sentence