SENTENCES

Sentence - A set of words that is COMPLETE IN ITSELF, typically containing a subject and a predicate.
SENTENCES ACCORDING TO STRUCTURE
 Simple Sentence
 Compound Sentence
 Complex Sentence
 Compound-Complex Sentence

Simple Sentence
A simple sentence only consists of ONE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE. Independent clause is also known as main clause.
This independent clause may have:
a simple subject + a simple predicate Stories entertain me.
a simple subject + a compound predicate Stories entertain and amuse me.
a compound subject + a simple predicate Stories and riddles entertain me.
a compound subject + a compound predicate Stories and riddles entertain and amuse me.
More examples:
Sentence Subject Predicate
Gina and Rick will conduct the experiment in chemistry Gina and Rick Will conduct the experiment in
class today. (compound subject) chemistry class today (Simple
predicate)
Sara worked last summer and saved enough money for a Sara Worked last summer
computer. (simple predicate) Saved enough money for a
computer
(compound predicate)
The dance committee and the freshman class will decorate The dance committee Will decorate the gym and sell
the gym and sell tickets. and the freshmen class tickets
(compound subject) (compound predicate)
Mrs. Levinson assigned us a paper and a project. Mrs. Levinson (simple Assigned us a paper and a
subject) project (simple predicate)
Round timbers serve as utility poles and bridge and Round timbers (simple Serve as utility poles and bridge
building supports. subject) and building supports (simple
predicate)
In history class, our group is writing and presenting a Our group (simple is writing and presenting a
report about the culture and history of Philippines. subject) report about the culture and
history of Philippines in history
class
(compound predicate)
Will you read your report to the class? You (simple subject) Will read your report to the
class (simple predicate)

Compound Sentence
A compound sentence consists of TWO OR MORE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE.
These independent clauses can be joined by:
Coordinating conjunctions
For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS)
Semi colon (;)
e.g.
Sentence Conjunction/ Independent clause (1) Independent clause (2)
Semi colon
Stories about the Old West are and Stories about the stories set in
entertaining, and stories set in foreign Old West are foreign countries
countries are interesting. entertaining are interesting
Stories entertain me but poems are my But Stories entertain poems are my
favorite. me favorite
She did not cheat on the test, for it was for She did not cheat it was not the right
not the right thing to do. on the test thing to do
I am counting my calories, yet I really Yet I am counting my i really want dessert
want dessert. calories
 Sentence Conjunction/ Independent clause (1) Independent clause (2)
Semi colon
Talented oral storytellers are rare; ; Talented oral Spalding Gray was
Spalding Gray was exceptional. storytellers are rare exceptional
Mother is home; we are home. ; Mother is home we are home
Being a hero does not need to have ; Being a hero does the intention is
powers; the intention is enough. not need to have enough
powers
The entire crowed waited quietly, and and The entire crowed Nikki walked to the
Nikki walked to the line and made free waited quietly line and made free
throw. throw.
The delivery person arrived late, but the But The delivery person the pizza was still
pizza was still warm. arrived late warm
The people in the home stands threw ; The people in the consequently, the
paper onto the floor; consequently, the home stands threw referee called a foul
referee called a foul on the home team. paper onto the on the home team
floor
David washed and dried the uniforms, and David washed and Ingrid filled the
and Ingrid filled the water bottles. dried the uniforms water bottles
Jose is on the yearbook staff this year; ; Jose in on the he won’t be writing
he won’t be writing for the newspaper. yearbook staff this for the newspaper
year
Li-Cheng ran the fastest mile, but Keri But Li-Cheng ran the Keri won the five-
won the five-kilometer run. fastest mile kilometer run
My dad recorded the contest last week; ; My dad recorded we can watch it in
we can watch it in English class the contest last English class
tomorrow. week tomorrow
Lauren and Jerome will set up for the And Lauren and Jerome the rest of us will
meeting, and the rest of us will clean up will set up for the clean up later
later. meeting

Complex Sentence
A complex sentence consists of ONE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE and ONE OR MORE DEPENDENT CLAUSE/S.
1 independent clause + dependent clause/s
In identifying a dependent clause refer to your lecture on phrases and clauses
e.g.
Sentence Independent clause Dependent clause (1) Dependent clause (2)
I like his stories because they have well- I like his stories Because they have N/A
developed characters. well-developed
characters (adverb
clause)
When I read her stories, I enjoy them I enjoy them When I read her because they are
because they are believable. stories (adverb believable
clause) (adverb clause)
The runners who completed the The runners celebrated Who completed the N/A
marathon celebrated at the finish line. at the finish line marathon
(adjective clause)
Although the lead actor had flu, we We presented the play Although the lead N/A
presented the play. actor had a flu
(adverb clause)
The pool where we usually swim is too The pool is too small where we usually N/A
small for swim team practice. for swim team practice swim (adverb clause)
Leonardo DiCaprio is the actor who Leonardo DiCaprio is who starred in Titanic N/A
starred in Titanic the actor (adjective clause)
Mr. Tananka helped us identify the Mr. Tananka helped us who could answer N/A
person who could answer the questions identify the person the questions
correctly. correctly (adjective
clause)
Anna and Luis will buy the tickets, which Anna and Luis will buy which go on sale N/A
go on sale tomorrow. the tickets tomorrow (adjective
clause)
 Compound-Complex Sentence
A compound-complex sentence consists of TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSES and ONE OR MORE DEPENDENT CLAUSE/S.
2 independent clause + dependent clause/s
In identifying a dependent clause refer to your lecture on phrases and clauses
e.g.
Sentence Independent clause (1) Independent clause (2) Dependent clause/s
After we paint the scenery, we will set We will set it up on but After we paint the
it up on the stage, but the cast will not the stage the cast will not scenery (adverb
rehearse onstage until Monday. rehearse onstage until clause)
Monday
Jamy’s injury was why the coach took Jamy’s injury was why but Why the coach took
him out of the game, but he was able to the coach took him out he was able to play him out of the game
play during the fourth quarter. of the game during the fourth (noun clause)
quarter (adverb
clause)
Because our history class will be at the I will miss Spanish quiz But Because our history
museum, I will miss Spanish quiz, but I I will take it after class will be at the
will take it after school. school museum (1)
(adverb clause)
When we ride on trains, the ties The ties supporting the and When we ride on
supporting the tracks are made of tracks are made of The tongue depressors trains (1)
wood, and when doctors examine us, wood they use are wooden (adverb clause)
the tongue depressors they use are ones
wooden ones. When doctors
examine us (2)
(adverb clause)
The assembly, which will be in the gym, The assembly won’t ; Which will be in the
won’t last very long; however, last very long However, everyone gym (1)
everyone must attend. must attend (adjective clause)
Because he is a member of the school Mr. Williams spoke in but Because he is a
board, Mr. Williams spoke in favor of favor of the bond issue He didn’t give his member of the
the bond issue, but he didn’t his complete support school board (1)
complete support. (adverb clause)
Tonight we will just eat whatever is left Tonight we will just eat and Whatever is left
from lunch, and tomorrow we will whatever is left form Tomorrow we will from lunch (1)
order pizza. lunch order pizza (noun clause)
Lee didn’t know when we would return, Lee didn’t know but When we would
but we went with him anyway. we went with him return (1)
anyway (noun clause)

Because she arrived first, Kristin Kristine unlocked the But Because she arrived
unlocked the door, but she left the key door she left the key in the first (1)
in the lock. lock (adverb clause)