1. Lori Rottenberg High Intermediate Grammar
Sentence Structure
Lori Rottenberg
High Intermediate Grammar

2. Knowledge gives you choices!
Varied and creative!
Interesting to read!

3. Sentence Types
Simple Sentences
Compound Sentences
Complex Sentences

4. Simple Sentences SVO sentences Contain one independent clause.
Can have more than one NP in the subject
Lisa and Joe went shopping.
Can have more than one VP in the verb
Lisa went shopping and picked her mom up from the airport.

5. Compound Sentences Contain two independent clauses
Are joined by FANBOYS coordinating conjunction and a comma
IC, and IC.
I went shopping, and then I went to the gym.
She caught the bus, but she was still late for class.

6. Complex Sentences
Contain one independent clause and one dependent clause (a clause with a subordinator)
DC, IC or IC DC (no comma)
Before she arrived, the party was boring.
The party was boring before she arrived.

7. Which do you like better?
Sloppy
Professional

8. Sentence Problems
Comma splices
Run-ons
Fragments

9. Comma splices Happen when two ICs are joined by a comma
She loves that movie, she’s seen it five times.
Fixes:
She loves that movie. She’s seen it five times.
She loves that movie; she’s seen it five times.
She loves that movie, and she’s seen it five times.

10. Run-Ons Happen when ICs lack punctuation
She loves that movie she’s seen it five times.
Fixes:
She loves that movie. She’s seen it five times.
She loves that movie; she’s seen it five times.
She loves that movie, and she’s seen it five times.

11. Fragments
Happen when a DC is used as a sentence by itself Because I’m running late.
After she comes home.
So we could drive to NY.
Fixes: Add IC
Because I’m running late, I took a cab.
After she comes home, we’ll go to dinner.
So we could drive to NY, I rented a car.