Sentence structure

Fundamentals of sentence construction

What is a phrase?

A phrase consists of a group of related words that functions as a part of speech. A phrase does not express complete meaning on its own as it lacks a subject and/or a predicate.

Examples of phrasesGandalf is a man of great

wisdom.

Harry fell asleep holding his book.

The beast slithered into the water.

Who will examine the rude patient?

Adjectival phrase

Adverbial phrase

Prepositional phrase

Noun phrase

What is a clause?A clause contains a

subject and a predicate.

There are two types of clauses:

1) Independent clause2) Subordinate clause

Independent clause Subordinate clause

The dog barked all night.

We did not get the angle wings paint.

Observation The independent clause communicates a complete thought.

Because the dog barked all night.

When we asked for angle wings paint.

Observation The subordinate (dependent) clause does not communicate a complete thought.

A sentence has a subject and a predicate. The subject states whom or what the sentence is about. The predicate describes the action or states the condition of the subject.

Example:The typical hobbit is three feet tall. Sub. Pred.

Four categories of sentencesA declarative sentence is used to make a

statement.Example:I do not eat spicy food.

An interrogative sentence is used when asking a question.

Example:Will you be comfortable here? 

An imperative sentence is used to either give an order or make a request.

Example:1) Alec, please stop running.2) Watch out! (When the command or request is strong, an exclamation mark is after the word or phrase.)

An exclamatory sentence expresses strong feelings (and ends with an exclamation point).

Example:1) I passed that test with an A!

Simple subjects and simple predicates

Simple subjects and simple predicates

The simple subject is the noun or pronoun that states whom or what the sentence is about (without modifiers/descriptive words).

Example:1) I want to live forever. (The subject is I) The simple predicate is the verb or verb phrase

that describes the action or states the condition of the subject.

Example:1) Hobbits love cakes. (The predicate is love.)

Compound subjects and predicates

Compound subjects

A compound subject is a simple subject that consists of more than one nouns or pronouns.

Example:1) Chocolate, chocolate drinks, and chocolate fondue are Compound subject

my favourite snacks.

Compound PredicatesA compound predicate is a simple predicate

that consists of more than one verbs or verb phrases.

Example:The Nazgul hovered, snorted, and peered into the trees. compound predicate

Complete subjects and complete predicates

Complete subjectsThe complete subject is who or what the

sentence is about plus all the modifiers [descriptive words].

Example:The big, fiery, angry Balrog lashed out at

Gandalf. Complete subject

Complete PredicatesThe complete predicate consists of the main

verb + modifiers of that verb.Example:The Nazgul hid behind a cloud. complete predicate

What is the difference between the compound and the complex predicate ?The Nazgul hovered, snorted, and peered into the trees. compound predicateThe Nazgul hid behind a cloud. complete predicate

The compound predicate consists of two or more verbs.

The complete predicate consists of the verb and all its modifiers.

The simple sentence

The simple sentenceThe simple sentence contains one

independent clause (no subordinate clauses are included). The simple sentence may have

PhrasesCompound subjectCompound predicate

Examples of simple sentences Balrogs, dragons

and Nazguls attacked Gandalf.

Gandalf studied the battlefield and then launched an attack.

Compound subject

Compound predicate

Compound sentences A compound

sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses joined in one of three ways.

How are compound sentences joined?My neighbours

played loud music into the early morning hours; therefore, I did not get enough sleep.

In this example, you can see that independent clauses can be joined by a semi-colon + a conjunctive adverb + a comma.

How are compound sentences joined?John failed the exam

last June, and now he has to do the resit during his summer vacation.

Another way to join independent clauses is with a comma + a coordinating conjunction (and, but, nor, or, for, yet)

How are compound sentences joined?I had a great day; I

got 50% discount on all my purchases.

Independent clauses can be joined by a semicolon.

Complex sentences

A complex sentence consists of an independent clause joined by one or more subordinate clause(s).

Examples of complex sentencesWhile we were

speeding to the hospital, Frank died.

The underlined segment is the subordinate clause.

The independent clause is in red.

Examples of complex sentencesAs my grandmother

always said, we cannot achieve our goals unless we are prepared to work hard.

The underlined segments are subordinate clauses.

The segment in red is the independent clause.

Examples of complex sentencesThe woman who is

wearing that red dress is my grandmother.

The subordinate class is the underlined portion.

The independent clause is the segments in red.

The compound-complex sentenceA compound-

complex sentence consists of two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clause(s).

Examples of compound-complex sentencesI will give you a list

of prospective candidates who applied for the job, but you need to identify the suitable one.

The segments in red are independent clauses.

The underlined portion is the subordinate clause.

But is a connector.

Examples of compound-complex sentencesAndre, my brother

who lives in Canada, is coming for a vacation, even though it is only for a few days.

The segments in red is the independent clause.

The underlined segments are the subordinate clauses.

ExerciseWrite a paragraph demonstrating the use of

more three of the sentence structures discussed in this section.