SENTENCE STRUCTURE

You can classify sentences according to their purpose

Declarative - makes a statement and ends with a period.

Imperative - makes a command or a request and can end with a period or exclamation point.

Interrogative - asks a question and ends with a question mark.

Exclamatory - expresses emotion and ends with an exclamation point.

You can also classify sentences according to their structure - the kind and number of clauses they contain.

You will be able to identify and classify 3 kinds of sentences based on their structure:

Simple sentence Compound sentence Complex sentence

FIRST - you must know the difference between a dependant clause and an independent clause.

Independent Clause: can stand on its own. It is basically a complete sentence (subject and a verb).

My grade is low.

Dependant clause: can’t stand alone. It must be used with an independent clause. Alone it is a fragment.

Because I forgot my homework

Together they make a GREAT sentence!Because I forgot my homework, my grade is low.

LET’S PRACTICE:Highlight all the dependent clauses

1. While waiters served cold drinks.2. The dancers liked the music.3. Because the boys were out of shape.4. When Ronnie gets here.5. I like green eggs and ham.6. If Denise comes to class late.7. Which I bought last weekend.8. I love to read historical novels.9. I’ll tell her the assignments10. Because it always upsets my stomach.

Do you see anything the dependant clauses (in white) have in common?

1. While waiters served cold drinks.2. The dancers liked the music.3. Because the boys were out of shape.4. When Ronnie gets here.5. I like green eggs and ham.6. If Denise comes to class late.7. Which I bought last weekend.8. I love to read historical novels.9. I’ll tell her the assignments10. Because it always upsets my stomach.

They all have a starter word. These words are called subordinators.

1. While waiters served cold drinks.2. The dancers liked the music.3. Because the boys were out of shape.4. When Ronnie gets here.5. I like green eggs and ham.6. If Denise comes to class late.7. Which I bought last weekend.8. I love to read historical novels.9. I’ll tell her the assignments10. Because it always upsets my stomach.

Now you are ready to classify sentences according to their structure! Subject + verb = simple sentence

SIMPLE SENTENCE

1. Complete sentence2. Contains a subject and a verb3. Expresses a complete thought4. Also known as an independent clause -

because it can stand alone!

EX. - Let’s start the music.

Independent clause + Independent Clause = Compound Sentence

Two independent clauses put together will make a strong sentence.

Use a comma Use a FANBOYS conjunction (for,and,nor,but,or,yet,so)EX.Ronnie will be here soon, and we

will start the music.

Independent clause + Dependent clause = Complex sentence

Complex Sentence1. You can use subordinators (remember those

starters words from dependent clauses:) to make a complex sentence.

2. Common subordinators: after, although, as, because, before, since, than, though, unless, until, when, where while….

3. You must have one independent clause and

at least one dependent clause.

EX. When Ronnie gets here, let’s start the music.

LET’S PRACTICE:Place a C if the sentence is complex, an S if it is simple and CD if it is compound.1. Since the cat is meowing, the dog is

barking.2. Dad washes the dishes, and mom mows

the lawn.3. I hate to drink coffee because it always

upsets my stomach.4. When you win the lottery, you can buy me

dinner.5. I need help with classifying sentences.6. The missing clue held our answer.7. If you don’t mind, we’d like to meet again.8. The man blew the whistle, and the guard

started yelling.

ANSWERS1. Since the cat is meowing, the dog is barking.

Complex sentence2. Dad washes the dishes, and mom mows the lawn.

Compound sentence3. I hate to drink coffee because it always upsets my

stomach. Complex sentence4. When you win the lottery, you can buy me dinner.

Complex sentence5. I need help with classifying sentences. Simple

sentence6. The missing clue held our answer. Simple sentence7. If you don’t mind, we’d like to meet again. Complex

sentence8. The man blew the whistle, and the guard started

yelling. Compound sentence