INTERMEDIATE ENGLISH FDENG001
Types of Sentences
A clause
A group of words that consists of at least a subject and a verb.
Independent clause
- contains a subject and a verb.
- can stand alone as a sentence.
subject + verb (+ complement)
Dependent clause
- begins with a subordinator.
- does not express a complete thought.
- cannot stand alone as a sentence by itself.
subordinator + subject + verb (+ complement)
List of Subordinators [Subordinating conjunctions]
although that which as though since
after though while just as as
as if unless who as often as before
as soon as what whom so that whether
because when whose in order that how
if whenever until
1. SIMPLE SENTENCES
A simple sentence is one independent clause.
Examples:
a. I enjoy playing badminton with my friends every weekend. [one subject + one verb present]
b. I enjoy playing badminton and look forward to it every weekend. [compound verb present]
c. My friends and I enjoy playing badminton and go bowling every weekend. [compound verb and
compound subject present]
2. COMPOUND SENTENCES
A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses.
The clauses can be connected in THREE ways:
use a coordinator (i.e. coordinating conjunction) and a comma;
use a conjunctive adverb [+ semicolon + comma];
use semicolon.
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INTERMEDIATE ENGLISH FDENG001
Types of Sentences
COORDINATORS
Coordinator Rule Example
And Joins sentences that are alike. She makes frequent doctor’s
appointments, and she drives her friends
crazy.
But Joins sentences that express equal At first, she was happy, but soon the pain
contrasting ideas. got worse.
So When 2nd sentence expresses result of Patients dislike the term ‘hypochondria’,
something described in the 1st. so experts recommend that the condition
be referred to as health anxiety instead.
Or Joins sentences that give choices or You can go for cognitive therapy, or you
alternatives can take medication.
Yet Joins sentences that show contrast. Use They aren’t smiling, yet they don’t seem
‘yet’ when second part of sentence says unfriendly.
something unexpected or surprising.
For ‘For’ has the same meaning as It is not easy to get there, for it is ten
‘because’. Use ‘for’ to introduce a miles from the nearest road.
reason or cause.
Nor Joins two negative sentences. She doesn’t smoke, nor does she drink.
[‘nor’ means not this and not that] [She doesn’t smoke. She doesn’t drink.]
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS
Coordinators Conjunctive adverbs Sentence
And Besides 1. Taylor’s college offers preparation for many
Furthermore occupations, and they prepare students to
Moreover transfer to a four-year college.
Also 2. Taylor’s college offers preparation for many
occupations; moreover, they prepare students to
transfer to a four-year college.
But However 1. Many colleges do not have dormitories, but they
Yet Nevertheless provide housing referral services.
Nonetheless 2. Many colleges do not have dormitories;
nevertheless, they provide housing referral
services.
Or Otherwise 1. Students must take final exams, or they will
receive a grade of incomplete.
2. Students must take final exams; otherwise, they
will receive a grade of incomplete.
SEMICOLON
Simple sentence[s] Compound sentence[s]
I enjoy tennis. I hate golf. I enjoy tennis; I hate golf.
My older brother studies law. My younger My older brother studies law; my
brother studies medicine. younger brother studies medicine.
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INTERMEDIATE ENGLISH FDENG001
Types of Sentences
3. COMPLEX SENTENCES
A complex sentence consists of one independent clause [IC] and at least one dependent clause
[DC]. The more important idea should be in the independent clause.
Complex sentence = 1 IC + ≥ 1DC
Examples:
a. Although women in the US could own property, they could not vote until 1920.
b. In the US, women could not vote until 1920 although they could own property.
c. We went home early so that we could get a good night’s sleep.
Note: The adverb clause can be placed before or after the IC. If it is before the IC, it
is followed by a comma. If it is after the IC, no comma is needed.
4. COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCES
A compound-complex sentence consists of at least two ICs and at least one DC.
Compound-complex sentence = ≥ 1 DC + ≥ 2 IC
Examples:
1. I wanted to travel after I graduated from college; however, I had to go to work immediately.
2. After I finished the Foundation program at HELP, I went to Sydney to pursue my degree, but I
didn’t last long there as I could not acclimatize to the new lifestyle.
