Sentences and their Structures

Review – Types of Words Word Classes PART OF SPEECH BASIC FUNCTION EXAMPLES Noun Person, place, or thing Pirate, France, ukelele Pronoun Takes the place of a noun I, you, he, she, it, ours, them, who Verb Identifies the action or state of being Sing, dance, believe, be Adjective Modifies a noun Hot, lazy, funny Adverb Modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb Softly, lazily, often Preposition Shows a relationship between a noun (or other pronoun) and other words in a sentence Up, over, against, by, for Conjunction Joins words, phrases, and clauses And, but, or, yet (FAN BOYS) Interjection Expressed emotion Ah, whoops, ouch Article Identifies and specifies a noun A, an, the Review – Types of Words

BASIC STRUCTURE The Basic Sentence Unit SUBJECT plus VERB or SUBJECT plus VERB plus OBJECT. Remember that the subject names what the sentence is about, the verb tells what the subject does or is, and the object receives the action of the verb. Although many other structures can be added to this basic unit, the pattern of SUBJECT plus VERB (or SUBJECT plus VERB plus OBJECT) can be found in even the longest and most complicated structures. BASIC STRUCTURE

A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete thought.   Contains only one clause (Independent clause). Melt! Ice melts. The ice melts quickly. The ice melts quickly in my glass of pop. Writing Tip: Simple sentences can be very effective for grabbing a reader's attention or for summing up an argument. Too many simple sentences can make your writing seem childish. SIMPLE SENTENCE

The Compound Sentence consists of two or more independent clauses (or simple sentences) joined by co-ordinating conjunctions like "and," "but," and "or": Simple Canada is a rich country. + + Simple Still, it has many poor people. = = Compound Canada is a rich country, but it has many poor people. COMPOUND SENTENCE

COMPOUND SENTENCE (cont.) Three ways of compounding sentences: Coordinating Conjunctions : F = for, A = and, N = nor, B = but, O = or, Y = yet, S = so (FANBOYS) Use a semi-colon instead of coordinating conjunction The sun rises in the east; it sets in the west. Semi-colon & Conjunctive Adverb The sun rises in the east; subsequently, it sets in the west. COMPOUND SENTENCE (cont.)

COMPOUND SENTENCE (cont.) Conjunctive Adverb A conjunctive adverb can join two main clauses. Notice, however, that you need a semicolon, not a comma, to connect the two clauses. accordingly also besides consequently conversely finally furthermore hence however indeed instead likewise meanwhile moreover nevertheless next nonetheless otherwise similarly still subsequently then therefore thus COMPOUND SENTENCE (cont.)

COMPOUND SENTENCE (cont.) Writing Tip: A compound sentence is most effective when you use it to create a sense of balance or contrast between two (or more) equally-important pieces of information: Montréal has better clubs, but Toronto has better cinemas. COMPOUND SENTENCE (cont.)

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Simple My friend invited me to a party. I do + not want to go. Compound My friend invited me to a party, but I = do not want to go. Complex Although my friend invited me to a party, I do not want to go. Writing Tip: Complex sentences are effective because they make clear which ideas are most important. COMPLEX SENTENCE

COMPLEX-COMPOUND SENTENCE A compound-complex sentence is when a coordinating conjunction joins two complex sentences, or one simple sentence and one complex sentence. Coordinating Conjunction The package arrived in the morning, but the courier left before I could check the contents. Semi-colon: Sir John A. Macdonald had a serious drinking problem; when sober, he could be a formidable foe in the House of Commons. Semi-colon & Conjunctive Adverb: Sir John A. Macdonald had a serious drinking problem; when sober, however, he could be a formidable foe in the House of Commons. COMPLEX-COMPOUND SENTENCE

The Subordinate Clause (The Dependant Clause) will begin with a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun and will contain both a subject and a verb. Subordinate Conjunction Even though the broccoli was covered in cheddar cheese, Emily refused to eat it. Tanya did poorly on her history exam because her best friend Giselle insisted on gossiping during their study session the night before. SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (cont.) Subordinate Conjunctions after although as because before even if even though if in order that once provided that rather than since so that than that though unless until when whenever where whereas wherever whether while why SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (cont.)

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (cont.) Relative pronouns Nick gave a handful of potato chips to the dog who was sniffing around the picnic tables. Nick gave a handful of potato chips to Button , who was sniffing around the picnic tables. Relative Pronouns that which whichever who whoever whom whose whosever whomever SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (cont.)

8 Techniques for Improving Sentences

8 Techniques for Improving Sentences 1) Add an infinitive phrase: Before: All I wanted to do was improve my score in timed writing and getting those improved scores became very important to me. After: To improve my timed writing score I should practice timed writing. 8 Techniques for Improving Sentences

8 Techniques for Improving Sentences 2) Use a subordinating conjunction to combine sentences: Before: I thought I did excellent on my timed writing test. My grade was much lower than I thought. After: I thought I did excellent on my timed writing test until I saw my grade. 8 Techniques for Improving Sentences

8 Techniques for Improving Sentences 3) Change a statement to a question in quotes: Before: My friend and I thought about abandoning our friend as the bear attacked. After: I turned to Bill and asked, "Should we warn George or just go?" 8 Techniques for Improving Sentences

8 Techniques for Improving Sentences 4) Add a present participial phrase (that's a phrase beginning with a word that ends in 'ing'). Before: We ran faster than we had ever run before as the big bear ripped out George's guts with its paw. After: Looking on in dismay as the bear ripped out George 's guts, we awoke from our startled state and ran. 8 Techniques for Improving Sentences

8 Techniques for Improving Sentences 5) Join two sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, so) and create a compound sentence. Before: We knew we didn't have to outrun the bear. We had to run a little bit faster than George . After: We knew we didn't have to outrun the bear, but we did have to outrun George . 8 Techniques for Improving Sentences

8 Techniques for Improving Sentences 6) Add dialogue: Before: We told George to get out of the tent and run. After: I yelled, " George, there's a grizzly bear outside the tent! Run!" 8 Techniques for Improving Sentences

8 Techniques for Improving Sentences 7) Start with an “ly” word: Before: I was sad when I saw George's body strewn across the mountain. After: Sadly, we looked at George's mangled body. 8 Techniques for Improving Sentences

8 Techniques for Improving Sentences 8) Start the sentence with a prepositional phrase: Before: I ran really fast the moment I saw George's arm torn off and thrown across the campsite. After: At that moment, I ran faster than I'd ever run. 8 Techniques for Improving Sentences