Sentences

Sentences
A sentence is a group of words that tells
a complete thought.
Sentence

Not a sentence

I like to play with dogs.

field
The smart boy got an A
on his test.
every day
Kelly is a great dancer.
John fell asleep while
watching the movie.

Running through the

The pretty girl
Likes to play soccer
Many mystery books

#1: Simple Sentence

A simple sentence has one

subject and one verb

I like to study grammar.

A simple sentence is also called an

independent clause.
An independent clause ends
with a period or semicolon.

kinds of sentences

Simple Sentences
Compound Sentences
Complex Sentences

One
subjec
t

I love
you.

One
verb

Independent clause: only one subject and one

verb

Four types of Simple Sentences

A declarative sentence makes a
statement. It
ends with a period.
An interrogative sentence asks a question. It
ends
with a question mark.
An imperative sentence gives a command or
makes a
request. It ends with a period.
An exclamatory sentence expresses a strong
feeling.
It ends with an exclamation mark.

Declarative Sentences
A declarative sentence makes a statement. It ends with a
period.

I put my money
in a piggy bank.
The boy is happy.

That is my
camera.

The boys are running

Interrogative Sentences
An interrogative sentence asks a question. It
ends with a question mark
May I borrow your newspaper?

Did you turn the light

off?
What is your favorite
song?

Imperative Sentences
An imperative sentence gives a command or
makes a request. It ends with a period.

Please bring the

pizza to the table.

Mom, please tie

my shoes.

Open your
mouth.

Exercise

By using imperative sentences, give general

advice to people who want to:
1.
2.
3.
4.

improve their health.

get good grades.
improve their English.
Find a job.

* Choose one

Exclamatory Sentences
An exclamatory sentence expresses a strong
feeling. It ends with an exclamation mark.
Happy birthday,
Tom!
Banana splits are
the
best desserts!
What a beautiful rose!

Independe
nt clause

I love you, and you love

me.
Independen
t clause

Two independent clauses joined

together

#2: Compound
Sentence

A compound sentence is made up of two or

more simple sentences joined by one of the
following:

A comma and one of the coordinators

(For, And, But, Or, Yet, So)

I like to study grammar, and I love this class.

He studies hard, for he wants to go to college.
I washed my shirt, but it didnt get clean.
You must eat, or youll get sick.
The room was dark, so I turned on the light.

A semicolon

I like to study grammar; I love this class.

Exercise
Add another independent clause to each independent clause that follows
to form compound sentences. Be sure to add a complete clause containing
a subject and a verb. Circle the coordinators and add punctuation,
Example:

It was raining hard, and there was a strong wind.

1. The college campus is located in the center of the city

so .........................
..........................................
2. Students can live in dormitories
or ...............................................................
3. I have studied English for six years but .......................................................
4. Students must take final exams or ..............................................................
5. I didnt pass the test for ................................................................................
6. I went to the store with a friend and .............................................................

A complex sentence is made up of an independent

clause and one or more dependent clauses
connected to it.
Dependent
clause

Because you love me, I love you.

Independent
clause

An independent clause is a complete sentence; it contains a

subject and verb and expresses a complete thought in both
context and meaning.
A dependent clause contains a subject and verb but does not
express a complete thought. A dependent clause joined to an
independent clause. (The dependent clause needs the rest of the

Three kinds of dependent

clause
Adverbial clause: a dependent clause that
functions as
adverb.
It
begins with
after
although
as
because
before
even
though

subordinating conjunctions like:

if
when
since
whenever
though whereas
unless wherever
until
while

Example:
The students are studying because they have a
test
tomorrow.
When he handed in his homework, he forgot to
give
the teacher the last page.
We stayed there until we finished our work.

 Adjective Clause
An adjective clause does the work of an adjective and
describes a noun. It's usually introduced by a relative
pronoun: who | whom | whose | that | which
For example:
I went to the show that was very popular.
The chair which he broke is being repaired.
Mr. Albert paid the man who had done the work.
The man to whom I talked yesterday was very kind.

 Noun Clause
A noun clause functions like a noun. It is introduced by the
subordinators such as:
that
if
whether

how
what
when
where

which
who
whom
whose
why

Example: Billys friends didnt know that he couldnt swim.

That George learned how to swim is a miracle.

 Everybody wondered where Billy went.

What Mary said confused her

parents.

Exercise: Indicate whether each sentence is

simple, compound, or complex.
1. Sara began her summer vacation in December.
2. Because I left the play early, I missed the surprise
ending.
3. Tania was invited to a party, so she wants to buy a new
cloth.
4. Diana doesn't think that he passed the test
5. I cant remember how much it costs.
6. Joe and his brother went fishing last weekend.
7. I liked the girl whom I met at the party last night.
8. After Alison finished playing the video game, she shut