THE FOUR TYPES OF SENTENCE STRUCTURES

THE FOUR TYPES OF SENTENCE STRUCTURES

Improving your grammatical structure

THE FOUR SENTENCE STRUCTURES

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

• COMPLEX SENTENCE

• COMPOUND COMPLEX SENTENCE

WHAT IS A SIMPLE SENTENCE?

• A simple sentence has the most basic elements that make it a sentence: a subject, a verb, and a completed thought.

• A simple sentence is a sentence that consists of just one main or independent clause.

• Though it is simple, sometimes it can have compound verbs and compound subjects.

Look at the examples. The subjects are NOUN and PRONOUN.

• Anton opened the door.

• Anton and his wife opened all the gifts.

• They felt happy and thanked their friends.

• The outsiders, the poor, and the rich are their friends.

• They planned, designed, and built a good accommodation for all.

• The house was never empty at all.

Look at the examples. The subjects are GERUND, INFINITIVE, and NOUN CLAUSE.

• Walking is good for your health.

• To mourn the past is nor necessary.

• What I wrote to you shouldn't be ignored.

• Swimming and cycling are among his hobbies.

• To travel around the world and to explore new places require a lot of time and money.

• How much I earn for a living and how I spend the money are my own business.

You can begin your simple sentence in other ways, after ...

• AN ADVERB

• A PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

• AN ADJECTIVE

• PRESENT PARTICIPLE

• PAST PARTICIPLE

• INFINITIVE

• ABSOLUTE CONSTRUCTION

Look at the examples:

• Frankly speaking, I don't like going to the movie.

• Brutally, the protesters threw Molotov cocktails at police car and at some buildings.

• At that embarrassing moment, Laura walked in front door.

• Before a grand jury, she feels so confident.

• Funny though he thought it, no one else laughed at the joke.

• Fearful of their safety and health, the rich build bunkers.

Look at the examples: 

• Considering the current world crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic, bunker owners protect their families in their bunkers.

• Trying to avoid his mother, Peter sneaked in the back door and silently climbed the stairs.

• Encouraged by her cousins, the student is doing her best to master English.

• Stung by mounting gossip about his private life, the senator retired from office.

• To support her argument with the latest statistics, she made several changes in the report.

• To keep fit, we should exercise daily.

• Weather permitting, we can go camping.

WHAT IS COMPOUND SENTENCE?

• A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses that have related ideas.

• A compound sentence is joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or semicolon (;).

• A compound sentence does not contain any dependent clauses.

Look at the examples.

• The students did not cheat on the test, for it was the wrong thing to do.

• I arrived at the meeting too early, and I had much time to make some long distance calls.

• Mary never wrote the letter, nor did she call him.

• Mary ran fast, but she couldn't catch John.

• I can do laundry, or I can mop the floor.

• Peter has known me for a long time, yet he has never understood me.

• I run out of money, so I have to stop playing poker.

Occasionally, we join independent clauses with a semicolon (;).

• The sky is cloudy; it's going to rain.

• In my city, malls are great places to shop; I can find everything I need under one roof.

• I teach English; my wife teaches Indonesian language.

• The employees are tired; they have to continue their though job.

• I need a new smart phone; my old smart phone is broken.

Look at the examples.

• She's got good money from trading; at least, that's what she says.

• I love drinking coffee; however, I hate milk.

• I don't want to go out a lot; besides, the pandemic forces us to stay home.

• Police warned the demonstrating mob; furthermore, they used tear gases to dispel public.

SIMPLE OR COMPOUND SENTENCE

Check your comprehension on SIMPLE and COMPOUND sentence.

Multiple Choice

Eating small meals throughout the day can help you avoid hunger pains.

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

Multiple Choice

Working from home, they feel safe.

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

Multiple Choice

Frankly speaking, I prefer to stay at home..

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

Multiple Choice

To walk in the morning is a good habit.

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

Multiple Choice

To teach weak students, a teacher should have extra patience.

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

Multiple Choice

What I believe is my own quest.

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

Multiple Choice

Putin was not just meddling in the campaign, but he was actively trying to defeat Hillary and elect Trump.

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

Multiple Choice

She has been seen on Instagram posting fun photos with family; however, this new post is a lot more serious.

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

Multiple Choice

We tried several times, but we still failed to reach the target.

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

Multiple Choice

I went to a grocery store this morning; I bought some vegetables.

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

Multiple Choice

The grocery store was out of tomatoes, so I borrowed some from my neighbour.

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

Multiple Choice

We went to Australia, yet we did not see any wallaby.

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE

Multiple Choice

Working from home, they feel safe.

• SIMPLE SENTENCE

• COMPOUND SENTENCE