Sentence structure revised 2014 university of manitoba. From simple sentence to complex sentence some rules when combining simple sentences into complex sentences. In the example below, the central independent clause combines two sentence types. The compoundcomplex sentence the compoundcomplex sentence combines elements of compound and complex sentences. John can go to the party, or he can stay home and study. The study of sentence structure how words are put together to make larger expressions.
Combine each numbered sentence with the first sentence that follows to make a. Write a dependent clause that turns the simple sentence into a complex sentence. In complex sentences the conjunction is used to join together clauses. Vary sentence structures to pace your readers through your argument. Writing complex sentences sentence structure worksheets author. It serves as both the ending of the complex sentence and the beginning of the compound sentence. Two or more sentences can be combined with a subordinating conjunction that explains the relationship between each idea. Coordination is characterized by the joining of two or more units of equal status, and in the case of whole clauses, all of the clauses have the form of independent main clauses.
Oct 19, 2010 how to join two or more simple sentences into a single complex sentence. The clause must consist of both a subject and a verb. It expresses a single complete thought that can stand on its own. Unfortunately, although simple sentences are simple. Complex sentences sentence combining four types of sentences. Beginners of syntax tend to draw ternary branching trees as shown in 3 below for the sole purpose of simplicity, as they put all the words in the same level and then merge them once and for all. My best friend, outgoing and energetic, has a great personality. The predicate part of the sentences begins with the verb. A subordinate clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.
A complex sentence is a type of sentence structure that combines an independent clause with at least one dependent or subordinate clause. However, if you identify a fragment that is a phrase, you can always combine it with an independent clause to make a complete sentence. Though jack prefers watching comedy films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he enjoyed it very much. Sentence structure incomplete sentences, missed periods or capitals, and a lack of varied sentence starters are a source of endless frustration in the writing process.
The difference is that not all basic sentence partsor parts of speechhave to be included all of the time to actually make. A dependent clause either lacks a subject or a verb or has both a subject and a verb that does not express a complete thought. And this sentence still completely works as a complex sentence, because you still just have this one independent clause, we have to make sure its lemon, but the thing about a complex sentence is is you can add more than one dependent clause if you want and its still considered a complex sentence. The compound complex sentence the compound complex sentence combines elements of compound and complex sentences. The diagram below illustrates the basic elements of a simple sentence. Compoundcomplex sentences a compoundcomplex sentence contains two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. Question at first this looks like a standard case of merge usage. Complex sentences sentence combining four types of. Simple, compound, complex, and compoundcomplex simple sentences a simple sentence contains a subject and a verb. Nov 15, 2012 watch shauns smrt live class live for free on youtube every thursday at 17 00 gmt 17 00 gmt. It is the first kind which children learn to speak, and it remains by far the most common sentence in the spoken language of people of all ages. Different types of sentences can be combined to form compound complex sentences. Writing sentences improving sentence structure level.
Clauses and phrases for proper sentence structure purpose. I have inherited a brilliant piece of tsql code that does this. Creating complex sentences combine each numbered sentence with the first sentence that follows to make a complex sentence. Dont repeat words change words if necessary add words to connect ideas. Application exercises reinforce the concepts until mastery is achieved. A sentence must contain a complete subject person, place, or thing and a verb what the subject is doing in order to make sense. The compoundcomplex sentence the evergreen state college. Middle school an independent clause is a complete sentence with a subject and a verb. Whether a clause is identified as subordinatedependent or independent, both have a subject and a verb in them. The structure of compoundcomplex sentences a compoundcomplex sentence consists of two or more main clauses and one or more subordinate clauses. Complex sentences definition and examples examples. Simple a simple sentence has one independent clause.
How expressions are put together to make sentences. Teach your students all about sentence structure, including simple, compound, complex, and compound complex sentences, with this allinone teaching unit. A simple sentence only has a subject and a complete predicate. The cursor contains data that need to be merged upserted in table a. In traditional grammar, a complex sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause or main clause and at least one dependent clause. In this section we ll look at some of the most common problems students have with forming sentences. Complex sentences a complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. The sentence structure program, all illustrations and graphic organizers created by david. The understanding of sentence structure is essential for communication with other people. The team captain jumped for joy, and the fans cheered.
Through oral discussion and written modelling a solid grasp of sentence structure can be laid. Complex sentence is regarded as one of the four basic sentence structures in english complex sentence. Eating the foccacia, brian tasted a hint of fennel. A sentence which has only one subject followed by a finite verb in the predicate part is known as the simple sentence. Complex sentences an analytical grammar for advanced esl students fl march 1995. However, they still have only one subject and one finite verb. Note that there are still two horizontal lines, but one of them is below the other and moved to the right. And this sentence still completely works as a complex sentence, because you still just have this one independent clause, we have to make sure its lemon, but the thing about a complex sentence is is you can add more than one dependent clause if you want and its still considered a.
Watch shauns smrt live class live for free on youtube every thursday at 17 00 gmt 17 00 gmt. One way is to use a comma and a coordinating conjunction. Sentence combining tillamook bay community college. The longer sentences can be either compound or complex. Use the subordinate conjunctions in the extension below for ideas. Once you can identify a basic sentence, you can join two or more sentences into complex sentences. Complex sentences online writing center suny empire state. Jan 03, 2018 a complex sentence may contain a subordinate adjective clause, a noun clause or an adverb clause. Sentence and paragraph writing takes students from basic sentence writing skills at the beginning to sound and competent. Formation of complex sentences exercise english practice. Complex sentences dont just divide into neat, complete, simple sentences if you take out the conjunctions. To make your writing more interesting, you can combine the short sentences to make longer sentences. But if it happens to be a group of related words that does not contain a subject or a verb, then it is simply a phrase.
Complex sentences sentence combining four types of sentences compoundcomplex sentences misplaced modifiers. How to join two or more simple sentences into a single. Sentence types and functions san jose state university. Appositives or noun phrases rename or define another noun. Complex sentences is an inseparable part of wellstructured paper complex sentence. Writing complex sentences sentence structure worksheets.
To understand english sentence structure it is necessary to understand what a simple sentence is. Combine the following pairs of simple sentences into complex sentences. A sentence in which two independent clauses are joined by a coordinator is known as a compound sentence. Sentence combining instruction helps them write sentences that are more complex, interesting, sophisticated, and varied in structure. A complex sentence has a base of a complete sentence with a subject, verb, and words to complete the thought the complete couple or parents. Teach your students all about sentence structure, including simple, compound, complex, and compoundcomplex sentences, with this allinone teaching unit. It consists of a subject, a verb, and a complement if required. Academic and career skills top tips sentence structure. The complex sentence a complex sentence is made up of a simple sentence a complete statement and a statement that begins with a dependent word. It is the most sophisticated type of sentence you can use. The third sentence, its important to leave your keys in one place, because if youre always losing them, you end up wasting so much time. There is a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought.
Put another way, a complex sentence is made up of a main clause with one or more dependent clauses joined to it. All sentences are labeled in one of the following four ways. The main clauses are joined by either a coordinating conjunction or a. There are several ways to join simple sentences into a compound sentence. All sentences are labeled in one of the following four. For proper sentence structure social transformation. The bold words can be used to begin a sentence when used correctly. An analysis of recognition of compound complex sentences. Sentences provide us with the framework for the clear written expression of our ideas. Note that the word while has been added to the first example for clarity. For each row loop in the cursor a stored proc is called. All sentences, must have at least one subject and one verb. When considering owning a pet, you must calculate the cost, or the animal may suffer.
Complex sentences online writing center suny empire. Combine each of the following sets of simple sentences into one complex sentence. Either my mother or my sister bought this dvd player. Another name for a simple sentence is an independent clause. An analysis of recognition of compound complex sentences for.
Writing is the primary basis upon which your work, your learning, and your intellect will be judgedin college, in the workplace, and in the community. Understanding how to construct the compoundcomplex sentence will help you take your writing to a new level of complexity. The compoundcomplex sentence evergreen state college. Using a comma alone is known as a comma splice, and it is incorrect. Expand the following simple sentences into complex sentences using the subordinating conjunction in parenthesis. There are nine types of subordinate adverb clause, six types of subordinate noun clause. When considering owning a pet, you must calculate the cost, or.
Chapter 10 sentence combining activities complex sentences. The main clauses are joined by either a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon. The structure of compound complex sentences a compound complex sentence consists of two or more main clauses and one or more subordinate clauses. A compound sentence contains two independent clauses. Sentence or clause in this type of sentence, the clauses do not have equal importance. Sentence and paragraph writing takes students from basic sentence writing skills at the beginning to sound and competent paragraph writing at the end. Complex sentence exercise combine the following sentences into complex sentences.
If you find yourself writing series after series of short choppy sentences, you might want to. It is not possible to cite all examples here, but as request. A complex sentence may contain a subordinate adjective clause, a noun clause or an adverb clause. Understanding how to construct the compound complex sentence will help you take your writing to a new level of complexity. A grammatically complete sentence consists of a complete thought, and can makes sense on its own.
Although the children contribute to the family, they cannot survive on their own without the base of the familythe parents. How many children and teachers are tired of writingreading stories in which most sentences. Simple, compound and complex sentences sentences are of three kinds according to their structure. A complex sentence is used when you want to emphasize one idea over another in a sentence. The subordinating clauses consist of noun, or, adjective, or adverbial clauses. The most basic sentence structure is the simple sentence. Dogs, the earth and, harsha are used as the subjects in these sentences. Each sentence type has a different way of combining sentences to join ideas together. In order to be complete, a sentence must consist of a subject and predicate that combine to form an independent clause. A complex sentence contains a subordinate clause and an independent clause. Combining and subordinating in writing well, donald hall and sven birkerts write that while a simple sentence is direct and clearthe simple sentence will not always embody a complete thought 7. The difference is that not all basic sentence partsor parts of speechhave to be included all of the time to actually make up a complete and functioning sentence, but its parts. Complex sentences a complex sentence is an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. The big, hairy dog with sharp teeth barked at the mailman.
Transformation of simple sentences into complex sentences. How to join two or more simple sentences into a single complex sentence. It is possible to connect two independent clauses in a sentence by using a comma and a conjunction. A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. The independent or main clause contains the most important idea, and the dependent clause adds extra information. A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. This is the most sophisticated type of sentence you can use. They spoke to him in spanish, but he responded in english. A sentence is a group of words that begins with a capital letter and ends with a period. This is also a compound sentence that uses a conjunction to separate two individual clauses. When the new structure was proposed in 2003, the council at first refused to discuss the plans with community groups, but the environment court overruled the decision and insisted on a full consultation process.
Some of these clauses might be complete short sentences, but in a complex sentence at least one of them. A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent. It is very helpful when you are composing, editing and proofreading to be able to identify the following sentence types. Change one of the simple sentences into a principal clause and the others into subordinate clauses. A simple sentence must also begin with a capital letter and end with a period, question mark, or exclamation mark. Simple sentences and sentence parts now that we know something about sentence parts, we can understand the difference between simple sentences and sentences of other sorts. A compound sentence is made up of two or more simple sentences independent clauses. When you put the two together, you have a complex sentence. The question words are used to vary sentence beginnings and change sentence structure. Then combine the independent clauses to form a compound sentence.