1. The Four Types of Sentences
Day 1
The Four Types of Sentences
To add variety to your writing

2. Independent and Dependent Clauses
An independent clause contains a subject, verb, and makes sense when it stands by itself. Choose an example to write down in your notes.
The child’s endless crying is very disturbing to her parents.
Colds, flu, and other respiratory infections happen frequently in the winter and cause absences from work.
James got a cup of coffee and turned on his computer.

3. Independent and Dependent Clauses
A dependent clause contains a subject(s) and
verb(s), but it does not make sense when it
stands by itself because it begins with a subordinating conjunction that is supposed to join
it to an independent clause. Choose an example for your notes.
Because she has had a terrible cold all week
When I got to the office and checked my this morning
After Maria and Hector waited for an hour in the doctor’s office

4. The Simple Sentence A simple sentence is one independent clause.
An independent clause ends with a period or semicolon.

5. The Simple Sentence
Let’s write some simple sentences together. Ex:

6. The Simple Sentence
Craft three original simple sentences on a topic of your choice.

7. The Compound Sentence A compound sentence is made up of two or
Day 2
A compound sentence is made up of two or
more simple sentences joined by one of the
following:
A comma and a coordinating conjunction
A semicolon
A semicolon and a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression

8. Coordinating Conjunctions
Remember the coordinating conjunctions by the
acronym:
FANBOYS
F for
A and
N nor
B but
O or
Y yet
S so

9. Conjunctive Adverbs and Transitional Expressions
A conjunctive adverb is a word that connects two independent clauses and shows the relationship between the ideas.
I wanted to cash my check; unfortunately, the bank was closed.
A transitional expression is a phrase that shows that relationship.
I could use a job; on the other hand, I like having free time.

10. Conjunctive Adverbs and Transitional Expressions
Transition phrases:
Appear in the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
A coma is needed.
Example:
For example, the Baltic Sea (, for example) in Northern Europe is only one-fourth as saline as the Red Sea in the Middle East (, for example).

11. Transitional Expressions
Transition signals are connecting words or phrases that act like bridges between parts of your writing.
Transition signals act like signposts to indicate to the reader the order and flow of your writing and ideas.
They strengthen the internal cohesion of your writing. Using transitions makes it easier for the reader to follow your ideas.
They help carry over a thought from one sentence to another, from one paragraph to another, or from one idea to another.

12. Examples of Compound Sentences
Let’s write some compound sentences together:
A comma and a coordinating conjunction: Bill is my father, and Ruth is my mother.
A semicolon: Bill is my father; Ruth is my mother.
A semicolon and a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression: Bill is my father; similarly, Ruth is my mother.

13. Examples of Compound Sentences
Make your three simple sentences from yesterday into compound sentences:
A comma and a coordinating conjunction:
A semicolon:
A semicolon and a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression:

14. The Complex Sentence
Day 3
A complex sentence is a complete thought (independent clause) to which an incomplete thought (dependent clause) has been added.
A subordinate conjunction joins the dependent clause to the independent clause.
Because I like to study grammar, I love this class.
I love this class because I like to study grammar.

15. Complex Sentence Because you love me, I love you. Dependent clause
Independent clause
The dependent clause needs the rest of the sentence for support.

16. Dependent Clause Fragment! Because you love me.
A dependent clause contains a subject and verb.
It does not express a complete thought because it begins with a subordinating conjunction.
A dependent clause is also called a subordinate clause.
Dependent clauses, like babies, cannot stand alone.

17. Here are the subordinate conjunctions.
after
although as
because
before
even though
if, even if
in order that
once
provided that
since
so [that implied], so that
than
that
though
unless
when, whenever
where, wherever, whereas
whether
while

18. Punctuation for Complex Sentences
Day 4
Punctuation for Complex Sentences
Commas are used to join a dependent clause to
an independent clause if the dependent clause
comes first in the sentence. The comma must
follow the dependent clause.
As I walked down the hallway , I could hear the echo of my footsteps.

19. Use a comma if you subordinate the first of the two clauses.
Subordinate clause (DC)
main clause (IC).
+ , +
Even though cat hair clung to Marvin’s pant legs, he still got the job.
Cat hair clung to Marvin’s pant legs. He still got the job.
The second clause has more emphasis because its thought is complete.
The first clause is less important.

20. Use no punctuation if you subordinate the second of the two clauses.
Main clause
subordinate clause.
+ Ø +
Marvin smiled at his success as cat hair wafted in his wake.
Marvin smiled at his success. Cat hair wafted in his wake.
The second clause has less emphasis because its thought is incomplete.
Now the first clause is the most important.

21. Complex Sentences
Let’s write an example sentence using the following formulas:
Subordinate Clause (DC) + , + Independent Clause (IC)
Ex: Because Zara has no friends, she eats alone.
Independent Clause + Subordinate Clause
Ex: She eats alone because she has no friends.

22. Complex Sentences
Using your same topic, write two complex sentences following the formulas below:
Subordinate Clause (DC) + , + Independent Clause (IC)
Independent Clause + Subordinate Clause

23. Punctuation for Complex Sentences
Since dependent clauses are only part of a sentence, you can never use a semicolon to connect them to another sentence. Semicolons are only used between complete sentences.
I have loved you for years ; although I never admitted it.
I have loved you for years although I never admitted it.
No! OK

24. Common Subordinating (Dependent) Conjunctions
after
even if
now that
that
where
although
even though
once
though
whereas as if
rather than
unless
wherever
as if
whenever
since
until
whether
because
in order
so that
when
which
before
than
in case
while

25. The Compound-Complex Sentence
Day 5
The Compound-Complex Sentence
A compound-complex sentence is the last and most complicated type of sentence.
It contains at least one dependent clause and at least two independent clauses.

26. Compound-Complex Sentence
Dependent clause
Because we are a family,
I love you, and you love me.
Independent clauses
A dependent clause added to two or more independent clauses.

27. Compound-Complex Sentence
Let’s write a compound-complex sentence together:

28. Compound-Complex Sentence
Using the same topic, write one example of a compound-complex sentence.

29. Simple Compound Complex
Since every sentence in English fits into one of these four categories,
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

30. You now know everything you need to know
to write anything you want to write,
any way you want to write it,
and still get the punctuation right each time!