Sentence Structure

This presentation includes explanations and examples of the structure of Simple Sentences, Compound Sentences, Complex

Sentences and Compound – Complex Sentences.

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Subject Verb

My dog died.

Careful! Only Intransitive Verbs can

be used with this pattern.

Simple Sentences: Pattern # 1

Subject Verb Direct Object

She ate a hot dog.Careful! This pattern works only with Transitive Verbs.


Subject LinkingVerb

Subject Complement

He is a good singer.Remember! A complement is a noun phrase, an adjective phrase, a single noun or a

single adjective.


Common Linking Verbs: BE, BECOME, LOOK, SMELL, SOUND, TASTE, FEEL, SEEM.


Subject Verb DirectObject

ObjectComplement

The girl left the door open.Remember! A complement is a noun phrase, an adjective phrase, a single noun or a

single adjective.

Remember! In this pattern, the order of the objects may

be switched like this:


Subject Verb IndirectObject

DirectObject

He gave his teacher an apple.

He gave an apple to his teacher.

Independent Clause

; IndependentClause

I love apples; they are my favorite fruit.

Careful! Avoid joining sentence fragments or dependent clauses

with a semicolon.

Compound Sentences: Pattern # 1

Independent Clause,

Coordinating Conjunction

IndependentClause

He ate pizza, and she ate a salad.

Remember! Use a comma before the coordinator. Also, keep in

mind that FANBOYS will help you remember the coordinating

conjunctions below:For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.


Independent Clause;

IndependentClause

Remember! You may also use transitional phrases with this

pattern. Observe…

I don’t like math; on the other hand, I know it is very important.


ConjunctiveAdverb,

I don’t like math; however, I know it is very important.

Independent Clause

SubordinatingConjunction

DependentClause

Juan has been very happy since he passed his English exam.

Remember! This pattern does not require a comma.

Most common Subordinating Conjunctions: After, Although, As if, Because, Before, Since,

Unless, Until, When, While, etc.

Complex Sentences: Pattern # 1

Dependent Clause,

SubordinatingConjunction

IndependentClause

Since he passed his English exam, Juan has been very happy

Remember! When a complex sentence begins with

the subordinating conjunction and a dependent clause, you have to separate

the clauses with a COMMA.

Complex Sentences: Pattern # 2

Remember! In this pattern, you may combine several dependent or

independent clauses in different ways, but make sure you use the right linking words and punctuation to join them.

Compound – Complex Sentences: Pattern # 1

IndependentClause

CoordinatingConjunction

ComplexSentence

He loves parties, but he won’t go to prom because he is sick.

Sentence Structure

Education

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