English Sentence Structure

English Sentence Structure: 4 Types
Of English Sentences
SIMPLE SENTENCE
A simple sentence contains one independent clause.
Whats an independent clause? Its one subject followed by one verb or verb phrase. It
expresses a single idea.
Examples of simple sentences:
Im happy.
Robert doesnt eat meat.
My brother and I went to the mall last night.
This new laptop computer has already crashed twice.
Notice that a simple sentence isnt necessarily short. The subject can be a single word like I or
Robert, or it can be a double subject like my brother and I, or it can be multiple words
describing a single person/object, like This new laptop computer.
COMPOUND SENTENCE
A compound sentence has two independent clauses joined by a linking word (and, but, or, so,
yet, however).
Each independent clause could be a sentence by itself, but we connect them with a linking word:
Im happy, but my kids are always complaining.
Robert doesnt eat meat, so Barbara made a special vegetarian dish for him.
My brother and I went to the mall last night, but we didnt buy anything.
This new laptop computer has already crashed twice, and I have no idea why.
Note that each sentence has TWO subjects and TWO verb phrases.
COMPLEX SENTENCE
A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
A dependent clause cannot be a complete sentence by itself.
Im happy, even though I dont make much money.
Robert, a friend Ive known since high school, doesnt eat meat.
My brother and I went to the mall last night, while my sister stayed home and studied.
This new laptop computer, which I bought yesterday, has already crashed twice.
COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE
A compound-complex sentence contains 3 or more clauses: 2 independent and at least
1dependent clause.
Im happy, even though I dont make much money, but my kids are always
complaining since we cant afford to buy the newest toys.
Independent clauses: Im happy and my kids are always complaining

Dependent clauses: even though I dont make much money and since we cant afford to buy the
newest toys
Linking word: but
Robert, a friend Ive known since high school, doesnt eat meat so Barbara made a
special vegetarian dish for him.
Independent clauses: Robert doesnt eat meat and Barbara made a special vegetarian dish for
him
Dependent clause: a friend Ive known since high school
Linking word: so
My brother and I went to the mall last night, while my sister stayed home and
studied because she has a test coming up.
Independent clauses: My brother and I went to the mall last night and my sister stayed home
and studied
Dependent clause: because she has a test coming up
Linking word: while
This new laptop computer, which I bought yesterday, has already crashed twice;
however, I have no idea why.
Independent clauses: This new laptop computer has already crashed twice and I have no idea
why
Dependent clause: which I bought yesterday
Linking word: however
Types of Conjunctions: Coordinating, Subordinating, and Correlative

written by: Keren Perles edited by: SForsyth updated: 10/17/2014
What are conjunctions? Sure, they're joining words, but they're much more than that. Conjunctions are the words that decide the
importance of the various other words in the sentence. Each of the three types: coordinating, subordinating and correlative
conjunctions serve a unique purpose.
Definition: Conjunctions are words that link other words, phrases or clauses. There are three types of conjunctions: coordinating,
subordinating and correlative conjunctions.
Coordinating
Coordinating conjunctions connect two words or groups of words with similar values. They may
connect two words, two phrases, two independent clauses or two dependent clauses.
For example, in each of the following sentences the coordinating conjunction and" connects equal words or groups of words:
Connects two words: John and Reggie stayed up all night practicing their guitars.
Connects two phrases: The squirrel scurried up the tree trunk and onto a low branch.
Connects two clauses:Several managers sat with their backs to us, and I could almost hear them snickering at us lowly workers.
There are only seven coordinating conjunctions in the English language, and they are often remembered by using the acronym
FANBOYS": for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so.
Subordinating
Subordinating conjunctions connect two groups of words by making one into a subordinating clause. The subordinating clause acts
as one huge adverb, answering the questions when" or why" about the main clause, or imposing conditions or opposition on it.
Here are some examples of subordinating conjunctions changing a clause into adverbial subordinating clauses in different ways:
I can go shopping after I finish studying for my exam. (when)
Because the night was young, Gertrude decided to take a walk. (why)
Ill give you a dime if you give me a dollar. (condition)
Although he never figured out why, Hanna winked on her way out the door. (opposition)
Note: The subordinating conjunction does not always come between the two clauses it connects. Often, it comes at the beginning
of the first clause.
Correlative
Correlative conjunctions are always used in pairs. They are similar to coordinating conjunctions because they join sentence
elements that are similar in importance.
The following are some examples of coordinating conjunctions:

Both, and: Both Rodney and Xing made the varsity team this year.
Neither, nor: Neither Rodney nor Xing made the varsity team this year.
Not only, but also: Not only did Rodney make the varsity team, but he also become one of the strongest players.
Remember these three types of conjunctions - coordinate, subordinate and correlative conjunctions - and you've got one part of
speech down pat.
Learn English Grammar

TAG QUESTIONS
WHAT IS A TAG QUESTION? | HOW ARE THEY FORMED? | WHY DO WE USE THEM?
WHAT IS A TAG QUESTION?

A tag question is a short question added to the end of a positive or negative statement.
For example:-
He
He
He
He
is,
does,
will,
can,
isn't he?
doesn't he?
won't he?
can't he?
HOW DO YOU FORM A TAG QUESTION?

Normally a positive statement is followed by a negative tag, and a negative statement is followed by a positive
tag.
For example:-
You're English, aren't you?
You're
not German,
are you?
!The statement and the tag are always separated by a comma.

! Treat any statements with nothing, nobody etc like negative statements.
The verb in the statement should be the same tense as the verb in the tag.
For example:-
Present tense
| present tense
You are a good singer,
aren't you?
Past tense
| past tense
You didn't go to work
did you?
yesterday,
| present perfect
Present perfect tense
tense
You have been to London,
haven't you?
If the verb used in the statement is an auxiliary verb, then the verb used in the tag must match it. If a modal
(can, could, will, should, etc.) is used in the statement, then the same modal is used in the tag part. If the
statement doesn't use an auxilliary verb, then the auxiliary do is used in the tag part.
For example:-
Auxiliary verb
She is from England,
They aren't very
nice,
She doesn't like it
here,
Modal verb
You can sing,
They shouldn't do
that,
No auxiliary
He eats meat,
He had a bath,
Nothing happened,
!Note
isn't she?
are they?
does she?
can't you?
should they?
doesn't he?
didn't he?
(He does eat meat...)

(He did have a bath...)
did it?
(Nothing did happen...)

English Sentence Structure

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

English Sentence Structure

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

English Sentence Structure

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

English Sentence Structure: 4 Types

Robert doesnt eat meat.

My brother and I went to the mall last night.

This new laptop computer has already crashed twice.

Im happy, but my kids are always complaining.

Im happy, even though I dont make much money.

Independent clauses: Im happy and my kids are always complaining

Types of Conjunctions: Coordinating, Subordinating, and Correlative

I can go shopping after I finish studying for my exam. (when)

Ill give you a dime if you give me a dollar. (condition)

The following are some examples of coordinating conjunctions:

Learn English Grammar

WHAT IS A TAG QUESTION?

HOW DO YOU FORM A TAG QUESTION?

You're English, aren't you?

!The statement and the tag are always separated by a comma.

(He does eat meat...)

(Nothing did happen...)

You might also like