Definition of Sentence, Types of sentences
What
is a Sentence?
A sentence is a group of
words that expresses a complete thought. It must have a subject and a verb
and begin with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark.
Examples:
- She is reading a book.
- They went to the market.
Types
of Sentences (by structure):
1.
Simple
Sentence
A
simple sentence has one independent clause. It expresses one
complete idea and contains a subject and a verb.
Structure: Subject + Verb (+ Object)
Examples:
- He plays football.
- The sun rises in the east.
2.
Compound
Sentence
A
compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined
by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).
Structure: Independent Clause + Coordinating Conjunction + Independent
Clause
Examples:
- I wanted to go for a walk, but it was raining.
- She cooked dinner, and he washed the dishes.
3.
Complex
Sentence
A
complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent
(subordinate) clauses joined by a subordinating conjunction
(because, although, since, if, etc.).
Structure: Independent Clause + Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent
Clause
Examples:
- I stayed home because I was sick.
- Although he is rich, he is not happy.
Definition of a Simple Sentence
A simple sentence is a
sentence that contains only one independent clause. It expresses a complete
thought with a subject and a verb.
It does not contain any dependent
clause or subordinate clause.
Structure
of a Simple Sentence
Structure:
Subject + Verb (+ Object/Complement/Modifier)
It can be:
- Short:
"She runs quickly."
- Long:
"My friend from school who lives nearby runs every morning in the
park."
Even if the sentence is long and has
additional phrases, it remains a simple sentence as long as there is only
one independent clause.
Examples
of Simple Sentences
|
Sentence |
Explanation |
|
I eat rice. |
One subject (I), one verb (eat) |
|
She plays the piano. |
One subject (She), one verb
(plays) |
|
They went to the zoo last Sunday. |
One clause, complete idea |
|
Birds fly in the sky. |
One clause, subject + verb |
|
The cat sleeps under the table. |
One clause with extra information
(modifier) |
Detailed Information on Compound Sentence
Definition
of a Compound Sentence
A compound sentence is a
sentence that contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating
conjunction, a semicolon, or a conjunctive adverb.
Each independent clause in a
compound sentence has its own subject and verb and can stand alone
as a complete sentence.
Structure
of a Compound Sentence
Structure:
Independent Clause + Coordinating Conjunction + Independent Clause
Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS):
- F –
for
- A –
and
- N –
nor
- B –
but
- O – or
- Y –
yet
- S – so
Examples
of Compound Sentences
|
Sentence |
Explanation |
|
I wanted to go to the market, but
it was raining. |
Two independent clauses joined by
“but” |
|
She loves chocolate, and she eats
it every day. |
Two independent clauses joined by
“and” |
|
You can call me, or you can email
me. |
Two independent clauses joined by
“or” |
|
He was tired, so he went to bed
early. |
Two independent clauses joined by
“so” |
Ways
to Join Independent Clauses in a Compound Sentence
1.
Using
Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS):
§ I like coffee, and I like
tea.
2.
Using a
Semicolon (;):
§ I like coffee; I like tea.
3.
Using a
Semicolon + Conjunctive Adverb:
§ I like coffee; however, I
prefer tea.
Compound
Sentence vs Simple Sentence
|
Simple Sentence |
Compound Sentence |
|
He studied hard. |
He studied hard, and he
passed the exam. |
|
She sings beautifully. |
She sings beautifully, but
she never performs. |
Detailed Information on Complex Sentence
Definition
of a Complex Sentence
A complex sentence is a
sentence that contains one independent clause and one or more
dependent (subordinate) clauses.
The independent clause
expresses a complete idea and can stand alone.
The dependent clause cannot stand alone and depends on the main
clause to complete the meaning.
Structure of a Complex Sentence
Structure:
- Independent Clause + Subordinating Conjunction +
Dependent Clause
- OR
- Dependent Clause + , + Independent Clause
Subordinating
Conjunctions (used to connect dependent clauses)
Some common subordinating
conjunctions include:
- Time:
after, before, when, while, as soon as, until
- Cause/Reason:
because, since, as
- Condition:
if, unless, even if
- Contrast:
although, though, even though, whereas
- Purpose/Result:
so that, in order that
- Comparison:
as if, than
Examples
of Complex Sentences
|
Sentence |
Explanation |
|
I stayed at home because it was
raining. |
"because it was raining"
is a dependent clause |
|
Although she was tired, she continued working. |
"Although she was tired"
is a dependent clause |
|
We waited until the bus arrived. |
Dependent clause of time:
"until the bus arrived" |
|
If you study hard, you will pass the exam. |
Conditional dependent clause:
"If you study hard" |
|
He runs faster than I do. |
Comparative dependent clause:
"than I do" |
Types
of Dependent Clauses in Complex Sentences
1.
Adverb
Clause:
§ Describes when, why, how, or under what condition.
§ I will call you when I reach
home.
2.
Adjective
Clause:
§ Describes a noun. Usually begins with who, whom, which,
that, whose.
§ The boy who won the race
is my friend.
3.
Noun
Clause:
§ Functions as a noun (subject, object, complement).
§ I know that she is honest.
Key Features of Complex Sentences
- One independent clause
- At least one dependent clause
- Uses subordinating conjunctions
- Can begin with either the dependent or independent
clause
Complex
Sentence vs Compound Sentence
|
Complex Sentence |
Compound Sentence |
|
I left early because I was
tired. |
I was tired, so I left
early. |
|
If it rains, we will cancel the trip. |
It may rain, but we will
still go hiking. |
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