1. Classifications of Sentences
Definition: A group of words that expresses a complete thought
Kinds of Sentences
Classifications of Sentences
declarative: makes a statement and ends
with a period
ex: Soccer is a popular sport.
interrogative: asks a question and ends with
a question mark
ex: Do you play soccer?
imperative: gives a command, ends with a
period, and has understood you
as its subject
ex: (You) Tell me the rules of soccer.
exclamatory: expresses a strong emotion and
ends with an exclamation point
** Often begins with what or how – be
careful not to confuse these with
interrogative sentences!
ex: What a great shot you made!
ex: How beautiful the sunset is!
simple: one independent clause
ex: Kathleen became a famous singer.
ex: Kathleen and Mike sang together.
ex: They sang and danced.
compound: two or more independent clauses; compound sentences are connected in one of three ways:
(a.) by a comma and one of the
coordinating conjunctions – and, or,
but, nor, yet
ex: She is a my sister, but she is also
like a friend.
(b.) by a semicolon
ex: She is my sister; she is also like a friend.
(c.) by a semicolon followed by an introductory
adjective such as therefore, however,
moreover, or nevertheless
ex: She is my sister; moreover, she is like a
friend.
complex: one independent clause and at least one dependent clause; the dependent clause is connected to the independent clause by subordinating conjunction such as because, before, after, since, while, although, and when
-- RULE 1: if the dependent is the first clause, the
clause is followed by a comma to
separate it from the independent clause
ex: While we were at the zoo, we saw a bear.
-- RULE 2: if the independent is the first clause, no
comma is needed to separate the two
clauses
ex: We saw a bear while we were at the zoo.
compound-complex: two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause; they are connected using the rules above depending on the order they are written
ex: Max studied for his test, and I rehearsed
for our school play while we were in
school.

2. Clauses clauses – two types: dependent/subordinate or independent/main
must have both a subject (noun or pronoun) and a predicate (verb)
independent clause - stands alone as a complete sentence  
also called the main clause
must have a subject and a predicate
one independent clause = a simple sentence
can have compound parts
found in all sentences
does not act as an adjective, adverb, or noun
2. dependent clause - not a complete thought  
also called the subordinate clause
depends on the independent clause
starts w/ a relative pronoun or a subordinate conjunction
works as an adjective, adverb, noun
Examples:
1. My family originally came from Italy.
2. I can’t find the book.
Examples:
1. that I was given
2. where my grandmother was born

4. THREE TYPES OF DEPENDENT CLAUSES
Adjective Clause
describes a noun or a pronoun
usually follows the noun or pronoun it modifies
begins with a relative pronoun because each relates to a word in the independent clause. The following are the five relative pronouns: who, whom, whose, which, or that
EX: My grandmother, who is from Italy, is named Martina. (The relative pronoun “who” relates the words “who is from Italy” to the noun “grandmother.”)
can also begin with one of these three subordinate conjunctions: when, where, and why
EX: Italy is the place where my grandmother was born.
essential (or restrictive) clause – a clause that is needed in the sentence; cannot be removed from the sentence without changing its meaning. No punctuation is used to separate this clause from the other(s). (See 2nd EX)
nonessential (or nonrestrictive) clause - can be removed without changing the sentence's meaning. Commas are used to separate the nonessential clause from the other(s). (See 1st EX)
use "who," "whom," or "whose" to describe people; don't use "that“ when referring to people
use "that" for essential clauses and “which” for nonessential clauses
Adverb Clause
giving information about a verb, adjective, or adverb  
answers the questions when, where, how, why, to what extent, under what conditions
EX: Because settlers took over their habitats, mountain lions disappeared east of the Rockies, except in Florida and Texas. (The adverb clause tells why and describes the verb “disappeared.”)
can come before or after the main clause
If the adverb clause begins a sentence, it must be followed by a comma to divide it from the independent clause.
EX: If panthers wander
onto the highway,
speed zones don’t
seem to help.
If the adverb clause follows the independent clause, no comma is used to divide the two clauses.
EX: Speed zones don’t
seem to help if
panthers wander onto
the highway.
Adverb clauses begin with subordinate conjunctions: after, although, as if, as long as, as soon as, as though, because, before, even though, (even) if, in order that, just as, once, since, than, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, while
elliptical adverb clause – has implied words
EX: He likes ice cream more than
I. (“like ice cream” is omitted
after the pronoun “I”.)
Noun Clause
Functions as subjects, predicate nouns, direct objects, indirect objects, appositives, and objects of the preposition 
Although a noun clause is a basic part of the independent clause and can not be eliminated from the sentence, it is still a dependent clause.
Most noun clauses begin with one of the following introductory words: how, that, what, whatever, when, where, whether, who, whoever, whom, whomever, and why
Noun Clause as Subject: Whoever is interested can participate in the project.
Noun Clause as Predicate Noun: The problem was that I couldn’t decide on a subject for my report.
Noun Clause as Appositive: In the 1960s the goal that all Americans have equal rights became an important one to work for.
** Adjective clauses can be
confused with noun clauses
used as appositives. A
noun clause used as an
appositive renames the
noun or pronoun it follows.
An adjective clause
describes a noun or
pronoun.
Noun Clause as Direct Object: I can see that you conduct experiments.
Noun Clause as Object of the Preposition: I was surprised by what I saw in the store window.