Sentence Types Notes and Flashcards

Sentence Types A sentence may be simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex. It all depends on the relationship between independent and dependent clauses. A simple sentence may have a single subject or a compound subject. It may have a single predicate or a compound predicate. But a simple sentence may have ONLY one independent clause, and it may have NO dependent clauses. My back aches. My teeth and my eyes hurt. My throat and nose feel sore and look red. A compound sentence consists of TWO OR MORE independent clauses and NO dependent clauses. The clauses must be joined by a semicolon, by a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or by a semicolon/conjunctive adverb/comma combination. I usually don’t mind going to school, but this isn’t fun. I feel too sick to watch TV; I feel too sick to eat. I don’t want to miss going to the zoo; however, I don’t want to finish eating either. A complex sentence consists of ONE independent clause and ONE OR MORE dependent clauses. When I get back to school, I’m actually going to appreciate it. I won’t even complain about classes although I might be talking out of my head because I’m feverish. A compound-complex sentence contains TWO OR MORE independent clauses and ONE OR MORE dependent clauses. Yes, I have a bad flu, and because I need to get well soon, I won’t think about school just yet. I need to do my homework; however, I am quite ill because I have contracted the flu.

Coordinating conjunctions Coordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that join sentence elements that are the same. They can join words, phrases, and clauses. When coordinating conjunctions are used to join main clauses, a comma is placed before the coordinating conjunction. This creates a compound sentence (more than one independent clause).

List of coordinating conjunctions Write each of the coordinating conjunctions on a separate green card in. And Or NorYet ButForSo

Correlative conjunctions Correlative conjunctions do the same thing that coordinating conjunctions do except that they are always used in pairs.

List of correlative conjunctions Write each of the words in the pairs of correlative conjunctions on a separate green card. Both…andWhether…or Just as…soNot only…but (also) Either…orNeither…nor

Conjunctive adverbs The conjunctive adverb may look like a coordinate conjunction (and, or, so, but, for), but it is not as strong as a coordinate conjunction. Therefore, the semicolon is used to link the two main clauses, and the comma is used to set off the conjunctive adverb (really a one-word adverb cluster) from its main clause.

List of conjunctive adverbs Write each of the conjunctive adverbs on a separate green card in. AlsoBesidesFurthermore HoweverNeverthelessStill ConsequentlyThereforeLikewise ThusEquallyMeanwhile SimilarlyMoreoverOtherwise

Subordinating conjunctions Subordinating conjunctions are conjunctions that join dependent clauses to independent clauses.dependent clausesindependent clauses There are many subordinating conjunctions, so keep in mind that this list does not include all of them! Commas must be used if the clause using the subordinating conjunction (adverb clause) comes before the main clause, but are not used if it comes after the main clause.

List of subordinating conjunctions Write each of the subordinating conjunctions on a separate yellow card. AfterAs thoughProvided thatUntil AlthoughBecauseSince When AsBeforeSo long asWhenever As far asConsidering (that)So thatWhere As ifIfThanWhereas As long asInasmuch asThoughWherever As soon asIn order thatUnlessWhile

Relative pronouns Relative pronouns are used to introduce noun and adjective clauses in sentences. They often work as the subject of the clause they introduce. When relative clauses are non-essential, a comma is placed between the relative clause and the independent clause.

List of relative pronouns Write each of the relative pronouns on a separate yellow card. WhoWhoseWhomeverThatWhoever WhomWhatWhicheverWhichWhatever

Independent clauses Write an independent clause on each of the remaining cards (longer strips) in black. Remember a clause must have a subject and a verb.

List of independent clauses… Just to get you started… The bell rang I fed the dog We did our homework I wanted a pet I got my favorite animal I needed a haircut I asked my parents