What is sentence structure?

Sentence structure is the order of all the parts in a sentence: subject, predicate, objects, phrases,
punctuation, etc. It deals a lot with independent and dependent clauses and how they combine
(explained below), the placement of words and phrases next to what they modify, as well as the use of
proper grammar.

Basic parts of a sentence

Every sentence requires at least a verb and a subject; a verb is an action, and a subject is the noun that
does the action.

I am waiting.

And a word can also be a sentence in itself. For example

Stop!

This single word is a complete sentence. The verb is stop, and no subject is necessary because it’s a
command.

4 sentence structure grammar rules

Aside from knowing the parts of a sentence, you also have to follow the grammar rules. In case you
forget, here’s a quick list:

Capitalize the first letter of the first word in a sentence.

End a sentence with a period, question mark, exclamation point, or quotation marks.

Most of the time, the subject of the sentence comes first, the verb comes second, and the objects come
last. (Subject -> Verb -> Object)

If the subject is singular, the verb must also be singular. If the subject is plural, the verb must be plural.
This is known as subject-verb agreement.

Clauses

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. Sometimes a clause is a complete
sentence on its own, but other times it needs help before it expresses a complete thought.

A clause that is a complete sentence is called an independent clause. It contains everything you need for
a complete sentence: subjects and verbs, with objects optional.

We’ll eat dinner at five.

A clause that is not a complete sentence is called a dependent clause, or subordinate clause. These
support independent clauses, usually by adding necessary information.

When I grow up

Although he sings well

The mouse that was hiding

Although he sings well, he hates karaoke.

I searched through the basement and found the mouse that was hiding.

4 types of sentence structure

Depending on how you combine clauses, you can create four different types of sentence structure:

Simple: 1 independent clause

Compound: 2 or more independent clauses

Complex:1 independent clause + 1 or more subordinate clauses

Compound-Complex: 2 or more independent clauses + 1 or more subordinate clauses

Simple sentences

Simple sentences are pretty simple: just a single independent clause, no more, no less. This includes
subject and verbs, but can also include objects.

She wrote

The car ran a red light"

"I drink coffee every morning"

"Joe waited for the train

Compound sentences

A compound sentence joins together two or more independent clauses into a single sentence. You can
connect the independent clauses in two ways:

Using a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so, known as FANBOYS)
between the clauses.

Using a semicolon between the clauses.

And: Joins similar ideas: "I took a taxi, and she drove home".

But: Shows contrast: "I wanted to go late, but she wanted to go on time".

Nor: The negative form of "or": "He didn't want help, nor did she offer it".

Or: Offers a possibility: "She cooked dinner, or she went out to a restaurant".

Yet: Shows contrast: "She owned a car, yet she didn't know how to drive it".

So: Links cause and effect: "She had to go, so she called a friend to drive her".

Semicolon: Used to join closely related ideas: "She loves me; she loves me not".
Complex sentences

A complex sentence uses one main independent clause with any number of subordinate clauses. While
compound sentences use coordinating conjunctions to join the clauses together, complex sentences use
subordinating conjunctions, explained earlier.

If the subordinating clause comes first, use a comma before the independent clause. If the independent
clause comes first, you don’t need a comma at all.

He couldn't go to the party unless he finished his homework.

Independent Clause: He couldn't go to the party.

Dependent Clause: unless he finished his homework

Sarah loves reading books which are filled with exciting adventures.

Independent Clause: Sarah loves reading books.

Dependent Clause: which are filled with exciting adventures

After they finished their chores, they went to the beach.

Independent Clause: They went to the beach.

Dependent Clause: after they finished their chores

She sang beautifully while playing the guitar.

Independent Clause: She sang beautifully.

Dependent Clause: while playing the guitar

Compound-complex sentences

As the name suggests, compound-complex sentences combine compound sentences with complex
sentences. They require at least two independent clauses and at least one subordinating clause. To
combine them, follow the specific grammar rules for each; be sure you’re using your coordinating
conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions in the right places.

"As soon as I heard the news, I called Nathan, and we made plans to celebrate".

"After I finish work, I will go to the gym, and I will meet my friend for dinner."

"She studied hard for her exam, but she still failed because she didn't understand the material."

"Although he was late, he still managed to catch the train, and he arrived at his destination on time."

"Although he was tired, John stayed up late to finish his project, and he still managed to get to work on
time."
This sentence has two independent clauses:

"John stayed up late to finish his project"

and

"He still managed to get to work on time."

It also has one dependent clause:

"Although he was tired."

Sentence Type Purpose Example

Declarative Make a statement I am a student.

Interrogative Ask a question Are you a student?

Imperative Give a command Welcome the new student.

Exclamatory Form an expression There are so many students here!