SENTENCE STRUCTURES

Sentences are sometimes classified by their structure. Sentence structures are simple, compound,
complex, and compound-complex.

I- SIMPLE SENTENCES
A simple sentence contains only one main clause and no subordinate clauses. A simple sentence
may contain a compound subject or a compound predicate or both.

Phnom Penh is the beautiful capital city of Cambodia.

My sister and I went to the market yesterday. (compound subject)
IFL students can speak and write English well. (compound verb)

II-COMPOUND SENTENCES
A compound sentence contains two or more main clauses, joined by a coordinator.
Coordinators are coordinating conjunctions including for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. (FANBOYS)

I don't eat peanuts, for I'm allergic to nuts.

I sing a song, and she dances along.
Dad wanted neither the red, nor the yellow shirt.
We planned to eat out, but it was raining, so we decided to stay in.
We can start the lesson now, or we can wait for late comers.
Should Mum have the strawberry, or the chocolate ice cream?
She was scared, yet gave the speech anyway.
The weather was cold, yet bright and sunny.
The children didn’t go to school, nor did they return home.

A compound sentence may also be produced by joining two sentences together using semicolon
followed by conjunctive adverbs (or other linking devices) such as however, nevertheless, consequently,
therefore, and otherwise.

Sopheak studied so hard for his previous exam; however, he failed the exam in the end.
They drank too much at yesterday’s party; consequently, they weren’t able to wake up this morning.

III-COMPLEX SENTENCES
A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. A subordinate
clause begins with a subordinator (subordinating conjunction) like because, before, after, when, while,
if, although, though, who, that, which, even though, since, as, and as soon.

We were having dinner when the guests arrived.

Because I was sick, I didn’t go to school.
The man who is holding a knife is a robber.
My friends said that I looked beautiful at the wedding reception.
If you study finance and banking, you will have a bright future because many banks are starting to grow.
IV-COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCES

A compound-complex has two or more main clauses and at least one subordinate clause.

Before we celebrated the party, I had to prepare the tables, and my sister had to cook the meal.
When I arrived at school, I entered the classroom, but no one was there.
Billie Holiday, who lived from 1915 to 1959, grew up in a poor family, and she became a famous jazz singer.

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Note:
main clause = independent clause = principal clause = simple sentence
subordinate clause = dependent clause

CLAUSE CONNECTORS
a. Subordinators (Subordinating Conjunctions) includes after, although, as, as if, as soon as, because,
before, even though, how, if since, so that, than, though, unless, until, what, when, whenever, where,
wherever, whether, which, whil. e, who, and whom.

b. Coordinators (Coordinating Conjunctions) includes for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. (FANBOYS)

c. Conjunctive Adverbs (and other linking devices) includes accordingly, besides, consequently,
furthermore, hence, however, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, thus, nonetheless, otherwise,
therefore, nevertheless, for example, in addition, in contrast, and on the other hand.

Practice 1
Identify each sentence by writing SS for simple sentences, CS for compound sentences, CX for
complex sentences, and CC for compound complex sentences.

1. _CX__ A soda fountain was standard equipment in a drug store when my dad was a boy.
2. _SS__ In some countries, students attend school on Saturdays.
3. _CS__ Eat well today; tomorrow, on the backpacking trip, we will have very little to eat.
4. _CX__ Whichever tie you choose, you will have a good time at the dance.
5. _CS__ I wanted to go to the movies on Friday; however, my aunt asked me to baby-sit my
nephew.
6. _CC__ If he were wise, he would get a job, and he would save all his money.
7. _CX__ The car should be repainted before you sell it.
8. _CS__ My friends and I enjoy sports; consequently, we attend a sporting event every week.
9. SS___ Between the two of us, we can get this wood chopped into fireplace logs before the
snowstorm. (after before is not a sentences so it is a ss)
10. _SS__ Ricardo and his band members played dance music all evening at Carlotta’s wedding
reception.
11. _CX__ When he was in the third grade, Billy was energetic and friendly.
12. _CC__ While you were in the shower, your mother called, and the letter carrier brought you
a package.
13. _CX__ No one knows what the future will bring.
14. _CX__ Jennifer promised again and again that she would be here on time.
15. _CC__ When a person hurries too much, mistakes are made, and accidents happen.
16. _CC__ I scheduled a physics class; Joe chose biology because he prefers the natural sciences.
17. _CX__ Because they are both warm and comfortable, sweatshirts are great in cool weather.
18. _CC__ Because bananas are so rich in potassium, they are staples in the American diet; they
are relatively inexpensive, too.
19. _CC__ Today’s topic is the Civil War; however, we’ll talk about your research papers before
we begin the lesson.
20. _CX__ Apple pie is best when it is served with ice cream.
21. _CS__ Dark, threatening clouds rolled overhead, yet there was no rain.
22. __SS_ In the morning, the bus arrives at nine o’ clock.
23. _CS__ Please listen carefully, and the instructions will be clear.
24. _CS__ Our team was clearly superior, but they lost the game.
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 25. _SS__
Somewhere in this area is a wildlife refuge with deer and buffalo.
26. _SS__
Band members must remember both the music and their positions in formations.
27. _CS__
Alicia baked the birthday cake, but Susanna iced and decorated it.
28. _CS__
Many people want to attend the exhibit; however, tickets are no longer available.
29. _CS__
Clothing styles move in cycles; today’s fashions will reappear at some time in the
future.
30. _CC__ Help to keep your home safe; take precautions against the dangers that lurk in your
medicine cabinet.
31. _CC__ That time is precious is true; don’t waste it.
(HAVE ONLY NOUN CLAUSE )
What you have purchased was expensive.
(WHAT U PURCHASE = N CLAUSE WHICH IS A DEPENDENT CLASUE)
32._CX__ (n clause function as subject)

33. _CS__ Janice is better; her breathing is normal, and her pulse is regular.
34._CX__ When you walk into the capitol building, you will see a kiosk that serves as an
information center.
35._CX__ Meandering through the wheat field is a narrow but deep creek that irrigates the area.
36. _CS__ When is the next flight to Cheyenne, and how long will it take?
37._CX__ Pauline and Bruno have a big argument every summer over where they should spend
their summer vacation.
38. _SS__ Pauline loves to go to the beach and spend her days sunbathing.
_CC_
39. _ Bruno, on the other hand, likes the view that he gets from the log cabin up in the
mountains, and he enjoys hiking in the forest.
40._CX__ Pauline says there is nothing relaxing about chopping wood, swatting mosquitoes, and
cooking over a woodstove.
(NOUN CLAUSE = THERE IS …….) (THAT AFTER SAYS)

41. _CS__ Bruno dislikes sitting on the beach; he always gets a nasty sunburn.
42. _SS__ Bruno tends to get bored sitting on the beach, watching the waves, getting sand in his
swimsuit, and reading detective novels for a week.
43. _SS__ This year, after a lengthy, noisy debate, they decided to take separate vacations.
__CS_
44. _ Bruno went to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and Pauline went to Cape
Cod.
45._CX__ Although they are 250 miles apart, they keep in constant contact on the internet.
46. _CC_ Bruno took the desktop computer that he uses at work, and Pauline sits on the beach
with her laptop computer, which she connects to the internet with a cellular phone.
47. _SS__ The teacher walked into the classroom, greeted the students, and took attendance.
48.__CX_ Juan played football while Juanita went shopping.
49. _CS__ Juan played football, yet Juanita went shopping.
50._CX__ Although Mexico has the better football team, it lost.
51. _SS__ The island was filled with many trails winding through the thick underbrush, a small
lake, and dangerous wild pigs.
52._CX__ Naoki passed the test because he studied hard and understood the material.
53. _SS__ Sara began planning her summer vacation in December.
54._CX__ Because I left the play early, I missed the surprise ending.
55. _CS__ Tanya was invited to a party, so she wants to buy a new outfit.
56._CX__ After Alison finished playing the video game, she shut down the computer.
57._CX__ Because of rain, the baseball game was postponed.
58. _CS__ For Halloween, each of the children had dressed up as a different Disney character;
however, not one of them had dressed up as Mickey Mouse.
59. _SS__ Dogs can help in many everyday situations.
60. _CS__ Labrador retrievers open refrigerators, and Brother collies nudge people awake.
61. _SS__ Assistance dogs push elevator buttons and pick up telephones.
62. _CS__ An assistance dog performs many duties, and these duties could change from one day
to the next.
63. _CS__ Some dogs go to work or school, and others help with child care or housework.
64. _SS__ One dog might signal the whistle of a teakettle or the beep of a microwave oven.
65. _CS__ Assistance dogs serve as eyes, ears, legs, or arms; they empower those they help.
66. _CS__ Many breeds become assistance dogs, but a few seem particularly well suited to the

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 role.
67. _SS__ Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, Welsh corgis, and Border collies generally
respond well to training.
68. __CS_ These dogs are eager to please; praise and affection are their primary rewards.
69. __CS_ Assistance dogs face unfamiliar situations daily; thus, the single most important job
qualification is a calm disposition.
70. __SS_ A dog might have to navigate a crowded bus or a noisy restaurant.
71. __CS_ Assistance dogs regularly encounter strangers; therefore, they should not be
apprehensive.
72. _CC__ After I had searched everywhere, I found my ring, and I put it in my jewelry box.
73. __CX_ Julia cooked the lasagna yesterday because she wouldn’t have time today.
74. __CX_ As long as you’re driving that way, could you stop at the post office for me?
75. __CX_ While he was thinking of an answer, Jason stared at his foot.
76. __CC_ Tillie paused for a moment when she reached the landing, and then she continued up
the stairs.
77. _CX_ Terese apologized because she had lsot her temper.
78. __CS_ I gave him a pen so that he could write down the phone number.
79. _CC__ I wrote a letter to the owner because the restaurant was filthy, and I’m waiting for a
reply.
80. _CS__ She did not have the shoes that I wanted to buy; however, she is ordering them for me.
81. _CX__ The kite didn’t fly because there wasn’t enough wind.
82. _CC__ I met Dr. Wholfe while I was attending college, and now I work in her office.
83. _CX__ Mary never called because she got home too late.
84. _CX__ When the weather is hot, gardening can be drudgery.
85. _CS__ He didn’t raise his voice, but we knew that he meant business, and we got back to
work.

Practice 2
Read the following paragraph and identify the type of each sentence.

1. ________ 2. ________ 3. ________ 4. ________ 5. ________

6. ________ 7. ________ 8. ________ 9. ________ 10. ________
11. ________

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 Name: Huot, Lynet
Class: A1.4

RUPP/IFL/DOE
WRITING SKILLS 101

SENTENCE VARIETY

Compound Sentence

Activity I
Combine the following pairs of simple sentences into compound sentences. Use a comma and a logical
joining word (and, but, for, so) to connect each pair.

Example
We hung up the print. The wall still looked bare.
We hung up the print, but the wall still looked bare.

1. so
• My cold grew worse. I decided to see a doctor.
My cold grew worse, so I decided to see a doctor.

2. but
• My uncle always ignores me. My aunt gives me kisses and presents.
My uncle always ignores me, but my aunt gives me kisses and presents.

3. and
• We played softball in the afternoon. We went to a movie in the evening.
We played softball in the afternoon, and we went to a movie in the evening.

4. but
• 1 invited Rico to sleep overnight. He wanted to go home.
1 invited Rico to sleep overnight, but he wanted to go home.

5. for
• Police raided the club. They had gotten a tip about illegal drugs for sale.
Police raided the club, for they had gotten a tip about illegal drugs for sale.

Complex sentence

Activity 1
Use logical dependent words to combine the following pairs of simple sentences into complex
sentences. Place a comma after a dependent statement when it starts the sentence.

Examples
I obtained a credit card. I began spending money recklessly.
When I obtained a credit card, I began spending money recklessly.

Alan dressed the turkey. His brother greased the roasting pot.
Alan dressed the turkey while his brother greased the roasting pot.

1. The instructor announced the quiz. The class groaned. (when)

When the instructor announced the quiz, the class groaned.
2. Gene could not fit any more groceries into his cart. He decided to go to the checkout counter.
(because)
Because Gene could not fit any more groceries into his cart, he decided to go to the checkout
counter.

3. Your car is out of commission. You should take it to Otto's Transmission. (if)
If your car is out of commission, you should take it to Otto's Transmission.

4. I finished typing the paper. I proofread it carefully. (after)

After I finished typing the paper, I proofread it carefully.

5. We owned four cats and a dog. No one would rent us an apartment. (because)
Because we owned four cats and a dog, no one would rent us an apartment.

Activity 2
Rewrite the following sentences, using subordination rather than coordination. Include a comma when
a dependent statement starts a sentence.

Example The hair dryer was not working right, so I returned it to the store.
Because the hair dryer was not working right, I returned it to the store.

1. Ruth turned on the large window fan, but the room remained hot. (although/even though)
Although Ruth turned on the large window fan, the room remained hot.

2. The plumber repaired the water heater, so we can take showers again. (because)
Because the plumber repaired the water heater, we can take showers again.

3. I washed the sheets and towels, and I scrubbed the bathroom floor. (before/after)
After I washed the sheets and towels, I scrubbed the bathroom floor.

4. You should go to a doctor, for your chest cold may get worse. (because)
You should go to a doctor because your chest cold may get worse.
Because your chest cold may get worse, you should go to a doctor.

5. The fish tank broke, and guppies were flopping all over the carpet. (because)
Because the fish tank broke, guppies were flopping all over the carpet.

Activity 3
Combine the simple sentences that follow into complex sentences. Omit repeated words. Use the
dependent words who, which, and that.

Use commas around the dependent statement only if it seems to interrupt the flow of thought in the
sentence.

Examples
Clyde picked up a hitchhiker. The hitchhiker was traveling around the world.
Clyde picked up a hitchhiker who was traveling around the world.

Larry is a sleepwalker. Larry is my brother.

Larry, who is my brother, is a sleepwalker.

1. The magazine article was about abortion. The article made me very angry. (which/that)
The magazine article was about abortion which made me very angry.

2. The woodshed has collapsed. I built the woodshed myself. (which/that)

 The woodshed, which I built myself, has collapsed.

3. The power drill is missing. I bought the power drill at half price. (which/that)
The power drill, which I bought the power drill at half price, is missing.

4. Rita Haber was indicted for bribery. Rita Haber is our mayor. (who)
Rita Haber, who was indicted for bribery, is our mayor.

5. The chicken pies contained dangerous preservatives. We ate the chicken pies. (which/that)
The chicken pies, which we ate, contained dangerous preservatives.

COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE
A compound-complex sentence is made up of two (or more) simple sentence and one (or more)
dependent statements. In the following examples, a solid line is under the simple sentences and a dotted
line is under the dependent statements.

When the power line snapped, Jack was listening to the stereo, and Linda was reading in bed.
After I returned to school following a long illness, the math instructor gave me
makeup work, but the history instructor made me drop her course.

Activity 1
Read through each sentence to get a sense of its overall meaning. Then insert a logical joining word
(and, or, but, for, or so) and a logical dependent word (because, since, when, or although).

1. __Because______he suffered so much during hay fever season, Pete bought an air conditioner,
____and___he swallowed allergy pills regularly. (and, because)

2. _When___ I put on my new flannel shirt, I discovered that a button was missing, __so_____ I
angrily went looking for a replacement button in the sewing basket. (when, so)

3. __Although_____ the computer was just. repaired, the Screen keeps Freezing, __so_____ I have to
restart the program. (so, even though/although)

4. __Because_______I have lived all my life on the East Coast, I felt uncomfortable during a West
Coast vacation, ___and_____ I kept thinking that the ocean was on the wrong side. (because, and)

5. __Since_____ water condensation continues in your basement, either you should buy a dehumidifier,
___or_______you should cover the masonry walls with waterproof paint. (or, since)

REVIEW OF COORDINATION AND SUBORDINATION

Activity

1. (although, so)
• Louise used a dandruff shampoo.
• She still had dandruff.
• She decided to see a dermatologist.
Although Louise used a dandruff shampoo, she still had dandruff, so she decided to see a
dermatologist.

2. (but, because)
• Omar's parents want him to be a doctor.
• Omar wants to be a salesman.
• He impresses people with his charm.
 Omar's parents want him to be a doctor, but Omar wants to be a salesman because he impresses
people with his charm.

3. (; when, because)
• The instructor conducted a discussion period.
• Jack sat at his desk with his head down.
• He did not want the instructor to call on him.
• He had not read the assignment.
When the instructor conducted a discussion period, Jack sat at his desk with his head down; he
did not want the instructor to call on him because he had not read the assignment.

The instructor conducted a discussion period; Jack sat at his desk with his head down when he
did not want the instructor to call on him, because he had not read the assignment.

4. (but, so)
• Lola wanted to get a quick lunch at the cafeteria.
• All the sandwiches were gone.
• She had to settle for a cup of yogurt.
Lola wanted to get a quick lunch at the cafeteria, but all the sandwiches were gone, so she had
to settle for a cup of yogurt.

5. (so, and, but, when)

• I was leaving to do some shopping in town.
• I asked my son to water the back lawn.
• He seemed agreeable.
• I returned three hours later.
• The lawn had not been watered.
I was leaving to do some shopping in town, so I asked my son to water the back lawn, and he
seemed agreeable, but I returned three hours later when the lawn had not been watered.

When I was leaving to do some shopping in town, I asked my son to water the back lawn, and
he seemed agreeable, so I returned three hours later, but the lawn had not been watered.

6. (so, and, because)

• I had eaten too quickly.
• My stomach became upset.
• It felt like a war combat zone.
• I took two Alka-Seltzer tablets.
I had eaten too quickly, so my stomach became upset, and it felt like a war combat zone
because I took two Alka-Seltzer tablets.

7. (but, and, because)

• Midge is always buying plants and flower seeds.
• She enjoys growing things.
• Not many things grow well for her.
• She doesn't know why.
Midge is always buying plants and flower seeds because she enjoys growing things, but not
many things grow well for her, and she doesn't know why.

8. (when, but)
• My car was struck from behind yesterday.
• I slowed suddenly for a red light.
• The driver 'of the truck behind me slammed on his brakes.
• He didn't quite stop in time.
 My car was struck from behind yesterday when I slowed suddenly for a red light, and the driver
'of the truck behind me slammed on his brakes, but he didn't quite stop in time.

9. (but, because, so, who)

• Ed skimmed through the help-wanted ads.
• Nothing was there for him.
• He desperately needed a job.
• He would have to sell his car.
• He could no longer keep up the payments.

Ed, who skimmed through the help-wanted ads, desperately needed a job, but nothing was there
for him, so he would have to sell his car because he could no longer keep up the payments.

10. (and, so, which/but)

•The meat loaf didn't taste right.
• The mashed potatoes had too much salt in them.
• We sent out for a pizza.
• It was delivered late.
• It was cold.
The meat loaf didn't taste right, and the mashed potatoes had too much salt in them, so we sent
out for a pizza which was delivered late and cold.
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