Unit 2: Notes #10

Sentence Types:

Sentence StructureRemember to label your notes by number.

This way you will know if you are missing

notes, you’ll know what notes you need, etc.

Include the date of the notes given.

Purpose:

Once a writer knows the difference between

the four sentence types (simple, compound,

complex, and compound-complex), it is

possible to write with sentence variety.

Sentence variety helps make your writing

more interesting.

Simple Sentences

Simple sentences have just one clause.

They may have additional phrases.

• A simple sentence contains a subject and

verb.

• It expresses a single complete thought.

• A simple sentence is a single independent

clause.

– Note: a clause contains a subject and a verb,

a phrase does not

Examples

• I went to the park to eat a hamburger.

• The cat crept through the dark house.

• The wary mouse watched from

underneath an upturned cereal box.

• The predatory cat stopped and surveyed

his surroundings.

Simple Does Not Mean Short…

• The mouse darted for the safety of the

nearly invisible hole under the cabinet.

• Kyle, Keith, and Doug, my best friend from

middle school, went to the playhouse and

watched Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

Compound Sentence

Two or more independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction.

Using commas between clauses is optional.

The coordinating conjunction used can

impact the meaning of the sentence.

Coordinating Conjunctions

F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.

For

And

Nor

But

Or

Yet

So

Examples

I went home so I could get some sleep.

The cat was unsuccessful in his attempt to catch the mouse, and the mouse wasequally as unlucky in his attempt to get the cheese.

The dog watched all of this, but he refusedto become involved.

Complex SentencesA complex sentence is an independent

clause joined by one or more dependent clauses.

A dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it does not make sense on its own.

A subordinating conjunction begins the dependent clauses.

If you begin a sentence with a subordinating conjunction, there MUST be a comma after the first clause.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Most common subordinators

After Now that When

Although Once Whenever

As Since Where

Because That Wherever

Before Though While

Even if Unless

If Until

ExamplesUnless you want trouble, you should stop.

You should stop because I’m getting mad.

After he gave it some thought, the mousedecided to wait until later for his trek.

The cat fell asleep on the warm kitchen because he was deprived of sleep the night before.

Compound-Complex Sentences

Has at least TWO independent clauses and at least ONE dependent clause, one of which is joined with a coordinating conjunction and one with a subordinating conjunction.

• The same subordinating conjunctions are

used to introduce the dependent clauses.

• The same coordinating conjunctions

(FANBOYS) are used for joining the

independent clauses.

Examples

[Because I paid attention], [I got an A on the test] and [I was so happy].

[I went home because it was getting late],but [I had to wait on the porch] [until my mom got home anyway].

[After the two adversaries had spent years

playing this “cat and mouse” game], [they

were joined by their children], and [the fun

continued].

Practice

1. Read and analyze each sentence.

2. Determine whether the sentence is

simple, compound, complex, or

compound-complex.

3. Write your answer.

1

The weather has been nice but it may snow

again any day.

2

Ever since the big blowout, she and I

haven’t gotten along.

3

Dad brought candy because he felt bad.

4

If you want to go on the trip, you should

bring your signed permission slip and I’ll

collect it before we go.

5

I left before the fight started.

6

Candy rots your teeth and TV makes you

lazy, but I still like them.

7

He will call your home unless you are passing.

Check your answers…

1

[The weather has been nice] but [it may

snow again any day.]

COMPOUND

2

[Ever since the big blowout], [she and I

haven’t gotten along].

SIMPLE – ONLY ONE SUBJECT & VERB!

3

[Dad brought candy] [because he felt bad].

COMPLEX

4

[If you want to go on the trip], [you should

bring your signed permission slip] and [I’ll

collect it before we go].

COMPOUND-COMPLEX

5

[I left] [before the fight started].

COMPLEX

6

[Candy rots your teeth] and [TV makes you

lazy], but [I still like them].

COMPOUND

7

[He will call your home] [unless you are

passing].

COMPLEX