To understand appropriate sentence structure is to understand the grammatical building blocks of the English language. By having a strong grip on the structures of your sentences, you will be a more versatile writer. In this article, we’ll break down what sentence structure is, what the four types of sentence structures are, and how to use them. Show
First, let’s define sentence structureUnless you're an English major, chances are you haven't studied the mechanics of the language in quite some time. Sure, you can probably write and speak in complete sentences but that's just the first step. Knowing what sounds right vs. knowing why it is right are two very different levels of mastery. So, consider this a brief re-education on how sentences work. Before we get into the various types there are, let’s define what we mean when we talk about English sentence structure. SENTENCE STRUCTURE DEFINITIONWhat is Sentence Structure?Sentence structure is how the basic grammatical elements (a subject, predicate, and sometimes direct or indirect objects) of a sentence are put together. The rules for how a sentence is constructed are simple but firm. These include the necessity for a subject, predicate, and object (in that order) in every sentence. Beyond that, we can add additional elements like prepositions and dependent clauses. Advanced sentences can weave these elements together to create more and more complex structures. There are four types of sentence structure (listed below). Types of Sentence Structure:
Still unsure about sentence structure rules? This video helps illustrate each component that makes a sentence a sentence, and then delves into each structure type (we’ll also get into that next). What is sentence structure?Structure Examples4 types of sentence structureNow that we’ve tackled “what is sentence structure,” let’s look more in depth at its different types. Simple SentencesThe most basic type of English sentence is the simple structure. This is when a sentence is composed of just one independent clause – a clause which contains a subject (the noun performing the action of the sentence) and predicate (the action being taken) and expresses a complete thought. Like all sentences, it can also contain a direct object (the noun receiving the action of a sentence) or indirect object (the object for whom the action is being done). A few simple sentence examples:
Compound SentencesThe compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction (or, and, but, yet, for, nor, so) or a semicolon. Here are some examples:
Notice how all of these sentences could be broken into two: “She was sick. She didn’t go to school.” “Mom was still at work. Dad was out to dinner.” That’s because these sentences contain 2 independent clauses, which can be turned into simple sentences. Complex SentencesComplex sentences consist of an independent clause and a dependent clause. A dependent clause is an incomplete thought (e.g., “Although I was sick, ...” “Because he was gone, ...”) and thus needs to be attached to an independent clause. It’s also known as a subordinate clause. Some complex structure examples:
Compound-Complex SentencesTrue to their name, compound-complex sentences combine the ideas behind both compound and complex sentences: they contain at least two independent clauses and a dependent clause. Because they can be pretty hard to parse, I’ve color coded the independent clauses, the coordinating conjunction/semicolon, and the dependent clauses. Let’s take a look:
Sentences contain a lot of moving parts, and these structures tackle just a small portion of sentence grammar. For a more comprehensive look at all the parts of a sentence, check out this video: What is Sentence Structure?This might all seem abstract, but there’s a good reason to know about English sentence structure and composition. How Sentences Are StructuredWhy sentence structure?You might be thinking that proper sentence structure is one of those things that you use but don’t need to understand. We all write different structures even though we might not necessarily be cognizant of it. But paying attention to basic sentence construction is a great way to look at the rhythm of your writing more carefully. Have you written three complex sentences in a row? Or maybe you’ve been leaning heavily on simple sentences? Too much of one structure can lead to your writing feeling repetitive or dull. Or, on the other hand, if you want to create a purposeful repetition in your rhetoric, reusing a sentence form and structure can help with that. Knowing how sentences are structured can help you become a more thoughtful and varied writer. Who doesn’t want that? UP NEXTWhat are Literary Devices?Now that you’ve nailed down the appropriate structure for sentences, it’s time to up your writing game with some tried and true techniques used by everyone from Aristotle to Aaron Sorkin. Dive into our comprehensive guide to literary devices, elements and techniques. Up Next: Literary Devices →What is combined sentence?Definition. Sentence combining is the process of joining two or more short, simple sentences to make one longer sentence. Sentence combining activities are generally regarded as an effective alternative to more traditional methods of teaching grammar.
How do you combine two simple sentences?You have four options for combining two complete sentences:. comma and a conjunction ("and," "but," "or," "for," or "yet"). semicolon and a transitional adverb, like "therefore," "moreover," or "thus". semicolon (;). colon (:). Which is a compound sentences?A compound sentence is a sentence that connects two independent clauses, typically with a coordinating conjunction like and or but. They're best for combining two or more self-sufficient and related sentences into a single, unified one.
What is simple and compound sentence?RETEACHING: A simple sentence. is a sentence that expresses only one complete thought. A compound sentence is a sentence made up of two simple sentences joined by a comma and the word and, but, or or.
|