Sentence structures

​Sentence Structures

Before we begin….

◦ Let’s look at the types of sentences people use:

•

Simple sentences

•

Compound sentences

•

Complex sentences

Simple Sentences

Simple Sentences:

These are sentences that express a complete idea:

e.g. She was in the class

The exam is tomorrow

A simple sentence needs a subject (the thing ‘doing’ the action) and a main verb (the action)

Simple sentences are also called “independent clauses” (because they are complete and don’t need any support)

Examples from Unit 1

Draw

Circle the subject and underline the object.

Compound Sentences

Compound sentences are formed by connecting two (or more) simple
sentences with the words and/but/so/nor/or/for/yet (also called
conjunctions) :

e.g. She was in class, but she arrived late

e.g. The exam is tomorrow, so you need to revise tonight.

Note: there should be a comma before each conjunction, but this rule is not
always followed

Examples from Unit 1

Draw

Circle the conjunctions which join the clauses in these compound sentences.

Task B

Fill in the blanks using 'and', 'but', 'so' or 'or' for the following questions.

Fill in the Blanks

The girl was crying

her father just let her be.

Fill in the Blanks

The weather was great

Jonas organised a picnic for his family.

Fill in the Blanks

She did not like her new school

she chose to remain there.

Fill in the Blanks

Arjun worked very hard for that test

he managed to get an "A' for it.

Fill in the Blanks

We can borrow this book from the library

we can get it from a bookshop instead.

Play Blooket

You can open this webpage in a new tab.

Copy link

Open in new tab

Complex Sentences

Complex sentences are formed by using an independent clause (simple sentence) with a dependent
clause (or switch them round).

The independent clause expresses a complete idea, but the dependent clause (also called a
subordinate clause) does not.

There are many words you can use to form complex sentences, and they can refer to concession (e.g.
although, despite), time (e.g. since, while), reason (e.g. because, as), subjects (e.g. which, who)

e.g. Although she completed her literature review, she still needed to improve it

Because it was exam day tomorrow, it was important to revise
The nursing assignment was difficult as they needed to critically analyse the
article

Draw

For each of the sentences below, look at the underlines clause and decide if it is a main clause or a subordinate clause. Underline your choice on the right. The first question had been answered as an example.

Task B

Fill in the blanks using 'because', 'while', 'although' or 'while' for the following questions.

Fill in the Blanks

Moving to a near country is not easy

we have to adjust to a lot of things.

Fill in the Blanks

Arjun worked very hard for that competition, he went home empty-handed.

Fill in the Blanks

I saw a terrible accident

I was making my way to school at that time.

Fill in the Blanks

Fariz was cycling to school

his dad bought a car.

Play Blooket

You can open this webpage in a new tab.

Copy link

Open in new tab

Match

Match the following

• Simple sentence

• Compound sentence

• Complex sentence

Jane likes to shop.

Jane likes to shop and watch movies.

Jane met Sally while she was shopping.

• Jane likes to shop.

• Jane likes to shop and watch movies.

• Jane met Sally while she was shopping.