sentence structure Demo class

Sentence Structure

​Colvin 6-8

Sentence structure refers to how sentences are put together. Sentence structure affects how our writing is understood.

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​What is Sentence Structure?

Parts of a Sentence

Complete sentences must always have a subject and verb. They frequently have an object.

• Subject: who or what the sentence is about

• Verb: action word; shows what the subject is doing

• Object: who or what receives the action

Example: "Pat ate the apples."

• Subject = Pat; Verb=ate; Object=the apples

Does NOT form a complete thought

• EX: "Jacob said."

Dependent

Forms a complete thought

• EX: "John walked home."

Independent

Clauses: Independent & Dependent

​Clauses are groups of words with a subject and verb.

Types of Sentences

There are four types of sentence structure

1. Simple Sentences: one independent clause

2. Compound sentences: two independent clauses

3. Complex sentences: one independent clause + one or more dependent clauses

4. Compound-complex sentences: two or more independent clauses + one or more dependent clauses

Simple & Compound Examples

Simple Sentences only have one independent clause:

• "Rosa woke up."

• "Tim brought pizza."

Compound Sentences have two independent clauses:

• "Maurice went grocery shopping and he cooked dinner."

• "Jocelyn wanted a nap because she had a headache."

Complex & Compound-Complex Examples

Complex sentences have an independent clause and one or more dependents:

• "Although Catherine ran to school, she didn’t get there in time."

• "You will not do well if you refuse to study."

Compound-complex sentences have two or more independents and one or more dependent:

• Since the school was closed, Sarah ran home and her mum made her some breakfast.

Multiple Choice

What kind of sentence is this: "Maria has a cat."

• compound

• simple

• complex

• compound complex

Multiple Choice

What kind of sentence is this:

"Ronnie hates apples but he loves to drink apple juice."

• compound

• simple

• complex

• compound complex

Multiple Choice

What kind of sentence is this: "Because the property tax rate is lower, some people choose to buy homes in Alabama."

• compound

• simple

• complex

• compound-complex

There are different kinds of sentence structures. Look at this image to help you.

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Remember:

Fragments

Anytime a group of words doesn't express a complete thought, it's a fragment

Sentence Fragments typically:

• lack a subject

• lack a verb

• are residual phrases or idioms (like, "for better or worse")