TYPES OF SENTENCES

People,

In our last lesson we saw how important it is to build a paragraph correctly for our readers to
interpret our message. Now, we are going to see how to bring variety to our writing. To do so,
we need to learn about the different types of sentences we can use.

Objective: I want my students to identify the different types of sentences

to use different sentences to give variety to a paragraph.

Let’s recall:

1. What type of structures (in terms of category) are the following: sentence – clause –
phrase? If it is a clause, what type: independent – dependent? If it is a phrase, what
type: noun, verbal, etc? If you don’t remember this classification, go back and check with lesson 1

As her mother is ill 1, the young girl2 is doing 3 all the household jobs so she won’t have time

I_______________________________________________________________________

to do her homework.4

__________________I 5

1 dependent clause

2: noun phrase

3 verbal phrase

4 independent clause

1
5.__________________________________

It is clear that within a sentence, there can be a number of combinations, even incorrect
ones. This is what you can find in your class material (if you can ever get it )

1
1 is a dependent clause; 2 is a noun phrase; 3 is a verbal phrase; 4 is a independent clause and 5 is a sentence
 2. The following video will show you more about this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smgyeUomfyA

So you need to identify the type of connector that is used in order to decide the type one
sentence is. In the video, you could see two different types of connectors: coordinating
conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions. These are the definitions:

A coordinating conjunction is a word that joins two elements of

equal grammatical rank and syntactic importance. They can join two
verbs, two nouns, two adjectives, two phrases, or two independent
clauses. The seven coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but,
or, yet, and so.

FANBOYS

For And Nor But Or Yet So

They express the following logical relationship between the clauses

they join:

Addition: AND

Contrast: BUT – YET

Choice: OR – NOR

Cause: FOR

Result: SO

ATTENTION:

Be careful with the word FOR because it can also be a preposition. The only way to identify
when it is a coordinator is by looking at the complete idea and check that after for there is an
independent clause, i.e. a complete idea with subject and finite verb that can stand on its own

Compare: Bob could not read in bed for he always fell asleep.

Bob had a fascination for science fiction books.

In the first example, for is a coordinator because after it, there is a clause (he + verb). In the
second, it is NOT because it is followed by a noun phrase (no subject, no verb).

Also, the coordinator NOR is followed by inversion of subject and verb/auxiliary:

Compare: Bob didn’t like fish and he didn’t eat vegetables, either.

Bob didn’t like fish nor did he eat vegetables.

Finally, do not confuse the coordinator YET, indicating contrast with the adverb yet,
expressing an incomplete action.

Compare: Bob looks very impulsive, yet he is well mannered.

Bob hasn’t done his homework, yet.

3. Use your own ideas to complete these short dialogues with coordinating
conjunctions

1. A: It’s late. Let’s get a taxi.

B. Or we can go walking to get some food on the ride.
2. A: What an amazing little car – I thought you liked big cars!
B: I do but this one is pretty and comfortable!
3. A: Here are the last two suitcases.
B: I’m afraid the boot’s already full, so you’ll have to TAKE them with you.
4. A: Can you drive for a while?
B: Do you mind if I don’t. I’m exhauted and want to rest for a bit.
5. A: It was a pity we were late for the film, wasn’t it?
B: Yes. Yet it was a good one.
6. A: It was strange that she didn’t invite us, don’t you think?
B: Well, in fact, I was expecting it for we don’t get on very well.
7. A: I didn’t like the food that was served.
 B: Nor did I.

A subordinating conjunction is a part of speech that joins

dependent clauses to independent clauses. They are sometimes
referred to as subordinators or subordinate conjunctions.

There are two main ways to construct sentences using subordinating

conjunctions:

1. Main clause and subordinate clause. There is no comma

required with this simple structure.

– Amber rubbed her eyes as she opened a new training article.

– I prefer to write while my children are at school.

2. Subordinate clause and main clause. Because the sentence is

beginning with a dependent clause, a comma should usually come at
the end of the subordinate clause before starting the main clause.

– While Drew sets up the trading show booth, Jon explains BKA
services to some interested guests.
– Although Katie assured me it was okay, I felt terrible about asking
for an extension.

Subordinators also express a logical relationship between the

clauses they join. The most frequent relations are: TIME (when),
CAUSE (because), CONTRAST (although)

4. Combine each of the following pairs into one complex sentence. Use the following
subordinators (there is an extra one):

ALTHOUGH - IF – AFTER – WHILE – UNLESS – BECAUSE - BEFORE

1. Before we can begin to solve the crime problem, we must look at the underlying
causes of violence.
2. Many citizens support gun control because they believe that the easy availability
of guns is a key ingredient in violent crime.
3. Altough many citizens do not support gun control, they recognize that guns are
part of the crime problem.
4. Unless teenagers have meaningful activities, they are likely to get involved in
crime.
5. If criminals commit three serious crimes, they will be imprisoned without
possibility of parole.
 6. The Brady Law to control handguns was finally passed after its supporters had
lobbied for years for its passage.

Is everything clear so far? Good!

However, there is one more group of connectors with differences from the ones we have
already practised. They are the CONJUNCTS. Although some authors include the coordinators
in this group, we will try to make a difference to make it easier to identify them:

A conjunct (also called transition) relates what is said in

a sentence to another sentence. As such, it is not part of the
structure of the sentence in which it is used.

EG: However, things turned out much worse than expected.

('However' relates what is said to contrast it with previous
information about the speaker's expectations.)

All told, we did very well. ('All told' connects information that has
already been given to produce a final conclusion that connects
everything. In both examples it is possible to remove the conjunct
without making the sentence ungrammatical.)

The term conjunct also refers to an adverbial (such as therefore,

however, namely) that indicates the relationship in meaning between
two independent clauses.

A conjunct is commonly placed at the beginning of the main clause

(where it's usually followed by a comma); accordingly, it may follow
a semicolon, but only when both clauses (the one before and the one
after the conjunctive adverb) are independent and can stand alone.

A conjunct may appear, on the other hand, almost anywhere in the

clause. When used as an interrupting word or phrase, the
conjunctive adverb is usually set off by commas on either side.

Unlike a conventional adverb, which typically affects the meaning of

only a single word or phrase, the meaning of a conjunct affects the
entire clause of which it is a part.

As shown in the list below, a conjunct may consist of more than one
word.

Accordingly - afterwards – also – anyhow – anyway - as a result- on the

other hand

Compare with:

A conjunction is a word like AND, BUT, WHEN, OR, etc., which

connects words, phrases or clauses.
Coordinating conjunctions join two items of equal importance

A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause,

which depends on the rest of the sentence for its meaning and
cannot stand alone

It’s time to think. If a conjunct joins to independent clauses, what kind of sentence
does it form? And, at the same time, those two independent clauses can be separated
by a stop (.) or a semicolon (;). So what type of sentences do conjuncts form? Think.

If your answer was two simple sentences, you were right. Look at this example.

Bob hasn’t studied much. However, he thinks he will pass his exam.

These are two simple sentences. From the capital letter to the stop, remember? But, if
your answer was a compound sentence, you were right too as this example shows:

Bob hasn’t studied much; therefore, his mother will be angry at him.

This is only one sentence with two independent clauses and a conjunct. It is a
compound sentence.

To conclude, then, we must say that when we have a conjunct, we need to look at the
whole unit to decide the type of sentence we have.

5. Choose the correct option.

A PUBLIC PANEL HAS MET AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

Widespread use of public transportation is better for the environment than reliance on the
automobile. It will be cheaper in the long run, though/also. We need to discourage the use of
cars. Clearly/Quickly, we must develop better mass-transit systems. Thus/However, we must
find a way to pay for them. Many cities around the world are building underground metro
systems, but/for these will take time to construct. While/Meanwhile they are being built,
citizens will depend on bus transport. Mass-transit systems must be made attractive and
convenient; on the contrary/otherwise, people will not use them. As a result/For instance,
the transportation systems make it pleasant to get around fast. In Paris, on the other hand/for
example, you can buy a metro pass and use the underground for three days. Obviously/
Frankly, it will be difficult persuading people to use mass transit instead of their cars.
Nonetheless/Accordingly, there are good reasons for doing so. To be honest/Therefore, I
don’t know if I would.

6. What happens when there are more than two clauses and different types of
connectors? Watch the following video to get the answer
 Compound-complex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN2NMvUrtP0

7. In the following paragraph, find examples of the different types of sentences:

Compound, complex, compound-complex, simple

In the past few years, social networking sites such as MySpace,Facebook, and Twitter have
become hugely popular across all ages. Despite the opinions of some that young people are
in danger of turning into crouching androids glued to their computers, research shows that
the majority of friendships are still maintained offline. Offline friendships are characterized by
more interdependence, depth, understanding, and commitment, but online friendships can
gain some of these qualities with time. Most online friends tend to be rather cautious about
disclosing personal information. However, this does not apply to people with a negative view
of themselves and others; they instead seem to share more information, possibly in an
attempt to become more self-confident in their interactions. Interestingly, even in online
friendships people seem to gain more satisfaction when befriending people of a similar age
and place of residence.

8. Read and edit this paragraph. It only has simple sentences. Can you give this
paragraph more variety?

My dormitory room is on the second floor of Campo Hall, it reflects my personality. When
you open the door, you can see arranged furniture and books. The small desk stands beside
the door and on the white painted wall there are some characteristic decorations. There is a
“Welcome” sign with balloons and a Korean flag with a cross and calendars. On the left-hand
wall, a bookshelf where I keep my books stands beside the bed. I have science and religion
books. Behind the door are two calendars, they are Korean folkways calendar and a Chinese
calendar. I am a person who is conservative on religion and speculative because my culture is
important to me as you can see in the decorations of my room. My room shows my neatness.

GOOD! Remember that if anything is not clear, you can contact me during the week or
next Tuesday on line. See you next class.