Sentence Variety6 types

1. Simple Sentences2. Compound Sentences 3. Complex Sentences4. Compound-Complex5. Sentence with

Appositive Phrase6. Sentence with

Participle Phrase

The Simple SentenceA simple sentence is also called an independent clause (it has one subject and one verb):

I live in San Francisco.

Subject

Verb

Compound Sentence

A compound sentence is 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

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

Connect Using a Coordinating Conjunction

Independent Clause ,coordinating conjunction Independent Clause

He couldn’t watch the show , so he decided to tape it.

Independent Clause

Independent Clause

Coordinating Conjunctions

Logical Relationship Coordinating Conjunction

Addition And

Contrast But, yet

Choice Or, nor

Cause For

Result So

FANBOYS

For F And A Nor N But B Or O Yet Y So S

Another way to remember these is…

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.

Independent Clause

No comma- not an independent clause

The necklace was beautiful but expensive.

Simple Sentence

Connect Using a Transition

Independent Clause ; transition , Independent Clause

I love San Francisco ; however, I hate the traffic.

Independent Clause

Independent Clause

Click here to see lists of transitions.

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 city She lives in the suburbs.

Independent Clause

Independent Clause

;

;however,

,but

Complex Sentences

John cannot set up his typewriter

because the wall has no outlet.

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence contains at least one independent clause and one dependent clause. Dependent clauses begin with key words

Independent Clause

Dependent ClauseSubordinating Conjunction

Complex SentenceThe 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

Dependent ClauseSubordinating Conjunction

When I first moved to the city,

I was afraid to drive the steep and narrow streets.

Complex SentencesUse a comma after a dependent clause if it begins the sentence.

Subordinating Conjunction

Independent Clause

Use a comma if the dependent clause is the first part of the sentence.

Dependent Clause

Complex Sentence

I have read nearly every novel J.K. Rowling has written.

Relative Pronoun

that

Independent Clause

Dependent Clause

The Dependent Clause in this sentence begins with a Relative Pronoun

Complex sentence

Dr. Charles Richter devised the Richter scale, which is used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes.

Independent Clause

Dependent Clause

Relative Pronoun

The Dependent Clause in this sentence begins with aRelative Pronoun.

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

.

Appositivenoun

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

Noun

Appositive

Appositive

AppositiveAn 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

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.

appositivenoun

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 –ing or –ed.

Enjoying a beautiful day at the beach, Ms Moreno

took her paddle board out to the ocean.

Participle phrase Simple sentence

Participle Phrases add more description to a Simple Sentence

1) Confused by the strange directions in the letter, Sara looked at the map.

2) Josh ran to class, rushing through the halls at breakneck speed.

3) Looking at the cats competing for the prize, Sue chose the lovely Siamese.

4) Deb played with the little German shepherd, enchanted by its adorable personality.

5) Broken into a thousand pieces, the vase lay on the hallway floor.

Do you see how the phrases add more description to the subject?

Highlight the simple sentence and circle the participle phrase

Practice ExercisesPractice 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.

Relationship TransitionAddition Moreover

FurthermoreIn additionbesides

Reinforcement/Emphasis IndeedIn fact

Contrast However On the contraryIn contrast On the other hand

Result or Effect Consequently AccordinglyThus HenceTherefore As a result

Reinforcement/Emphasis IndeedIn fact

Exemplification For exampleFor instanceIn particular

Exemplification For exampleFor instanceIn particular

Time Meanwhile (at the same time)Subsequently (after)Thereafter (after)

Relationship Transition

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.

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.

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.

Dependent Clauses begin with Subordinating Conjunctions.

Adjective clauses (begin with relative pronouns)

Adverb clauses (begin with subordinating conjunctions)

That WhichWhoWhomWhose

When, Where (these last two are not relative pronouns but may also begin adjective clauses)

AfterAlthoughBecauseBeforeSince While When Until

subordinating conjunctions tell where, when, how, why, and to what extent.