English A

KINDS OF SENTENCES
(STRUCTURE)
 OBJECTIVES
Discuss
Examine clauses
coordinating and Review relative
(independent and
subordinating pronouns.
dependent)
conjunctions

Outline the
structures of the Identify different Write an example
simple, compound, kinds of sentences of each kind of
and complex from a list. sentence.
sentences.
WHAT IS A CLAUSE?
+ A clause is a group of related words that contains a
subject and a verb.
+ It forms part of a sentence, or it can also be a sentence
by itself.
+ A clause may or may not express a complete thought or
idea.
+ Example: I will call you when I reach home.
 Independent/Main clause -
expresses a complete thought
or idea and can stand by itself as
WHAT IS THE a sentence.

INDEPENDENT/
MAIN CLAUSE? Example: I prefer to study at
nights.
 Dependent/ subordinate
clause - does not express a
WHAT IS THE complete thought and
cannot stand alone.
DEPENDENT/
SUBORDINATE
Example: although I fall
CLAUSE? asleep too early
 COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
+ Coordinating conjunctions
are words that connect
words, phrases, or clauses
in a sentence. They are
used to show a
relationship between
equal or similar elements,
such as two nouns, two
verbs, or two independent
clauses.
Coordinating Conjunctions Used in Sentences
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

Cause and Effect

RELATIVE PRONOUNS

+ A relative pronoun is a word that

introduces a dependent (relative)
clause and connects it to an
independent clause.
+ Relative pronouns, like
conjunctions, are words that join
clauses.
 RELATIVE PRONOUNS
+ There are five relative pronouns in the English Language
ATTENDANCE
Type “present” in the chat.
KINDS OF SENTENCES

Simple Compound Complex

sentence sentence sentence
THE SIMPLE SENTENCE

• The simple sentence is made up of one independent clause.

• A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb. - It expresses a
single complete thought that can stand on its own.
• Example 1
• The baby cried for food.
• ^ There is a subject and a verb that expresses a complete
thought.
THE SIMPLE SENTENCE

• Example 2.
• Professor Maple’s intelligent students diligently completed
their homework.
• ^ A simple sentence does not necessarily have to be short.
It can have adjectives and other parts of speech that add
details.. In this sentence, the adjective “intelligent” and the
adverb, “diligently,” were used to give more information.
THE SIMPLE SENTENCE

• Example 3
• Megan and Ron ate too much and felt sick.
• ^Although there are two subjects and two verbs, it is still a
simple sentence because both verbs share the same
subjects and express one complete thought.
THE COMPOUND SENTENCE
• A compound sentence has two independent clauses.
• Basically, a compound sentence contains two simple
sentences.
• These independent clauses are joined by a co-ordinating
conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semi-colon (;)
in which case, no conjunction is needed.
THE COMPOUND SENTENCE
• Example 1
• The shoplifter had stolen clothes, so he ran once he saw the
police.
• ^Both sides of the conjunction “so” are complete sentences.
• “The shoplifter had stolen clothes” can stand alone and so
can “he ran once he saw the police.” Therefore, this is a
compound sentence.
THE COMPOUND SENTENCE
• Example 2
• They spoke to him in Spanish, but he responded in English.
• ^This is also a compound sentence that uses a conjunction to
separate two individual clauses.
THE COMPLEX SENTENCE
• A complex sentence is an independent clause joined by one
or more dependent clauses.
• A complex sentence always has a subordinator (as, because,
since, after, although, when) or relative pronouns (who, that,
which).
THE COMPLEX SENTENCE
• Example 1
• After eating lunch at the restaurant, Tim went to the gym to
exercise.
• ^ The independent clause is ‘Tim went to the gym to exercise.”
• The subordinating clause before it is dependent on the main,
independent clause.
• If one were to say, “after eating lunch at the restaurant,” it
would be an incomplete thought.
THE COMPLEX SENTENCE
• Example 2
• The woman who taught Art History was fired for
stealing school supplies.
• ^ The dependent clause in this sentence is “who taught
Art History” because if removed, the rest of the
sentence would stand as an independent clause.
• “Who taught Art History” is an adjective clause that
provides necessary details about the subject, woman.
Why do we need to know all of this?

+ Important Note: We
need to understand the
structure of the kinds of
sentences so that we can
improve our writing skills.
 Practice Work
Instructions: Identify the type of sentence in each of the following below.
1. Cory’s favourite snack is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
2. We invited them to the wedding, but they couldn’t come.
3. Although it was rainy, Margaret still left her umbrella at home.
4. The candle was blown out by the strong wind.
5. Jane enjoyed the movie because she was a fan of the main actor.
6. The field was muddy, so the cricket match was postponed.
7. Jane enjoyed the movie for she was a fan of the main actor.
 Practice Work
Instructions: Identify the type of sentence in each of the following below.
1. Cory’s favourite snack is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. SIMPLE
2. We invited them to the wedding, but they couldn’t come. COMPOUND
3. Although it was rainy, Margaret still left her umbrella at home. COMPLEX
4. The candle was blown out by the strong wind. SIMPLE
5. Jane enjoyed the movie because she was a fan of the main actor. COMPLEX
6. The field was muddy, so the cricket match was postponed. COMPOUND
7. Jane enjoyed the movie for she was a fan of the main actor. COMPOUND
 Homework
Instructions: Write two examples of each type of sentence listed below.
1. Simple sentence
2. Compound sentence
3. Complex sentence