2.14: Language Practice- Sentence Types
- Page ID
- 293697
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Language Practice: Sentence Types
1. Simple sentence
A simple sentence consists of a subject – main verb combination (+ complement). Either the subject or the verb, or both of them, may be compound.
Examples: John went to the dentist.
The student and instructor discussed the test and planned another conference.
Note: A simple sentence can also be called an independent clause.
A simple sentence can be introduced with a sentence modifier:
as a result, consequently, first, second, for example, however, in addition, in contrast, in fact, on the other hand, on the contrary, therefore, in other words
2. Compound sentence
A compound sentence is two (or more) independent clauses joined with coordinating and transition words and punctuation.
Coordinating words (FANBOYS) are used with commas: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Example: The student studies every night, but his grades do not show his hard work.
3. Complex sentence
A complex sentence is one independent clause joined with one (or more) dependent or subordinate clauses. The subordinate clauses are determined by the words that introduce them.
Types of dependent (subordinate) clauses:
- Adjective/relative clause: introduced by who, what, which, that, whose, where, when (formally called “relative pronouns”)
Example: The student, who is sitting in the front of the class, is always attentive
- Adverb clause: introduced by after, although, because, in order that, since, though, while, when, if, whether, whereas, before (formally called “subordinators”)
Example: Although the student studies every night, his grades do not show his hard work.
- Noun clause: introduced by that
Example: The teacher says that the student’s grades do not reflect his work.
Notes on punctuation of complex sentences:
If the independent clause is followed by the dependent clause, you do not use a comma.
Examples:
We went out to a restaurant for dinner when my mother came home.
We arrived too late at the bus stop although we ran to catch the bus.
If the dependent clause is followed by the independent clause, you use a comma before the independent clause.
Example:
When my mother came home, we went out to a restaurant for dinner.
Although we ran to catch the bus, we arrived too late at the bus stop.
4. Compound-Complex sentence
A compound-complex sentence consists of two (or more) independent clauses and one (or more) dependent clauses.
Example:
After the student reviewed his notes, he thought he was ready for the test, and he was right.
Label the following sentences as simple, compound, complex and compound-complex (Write S, Cx, Co, or Co-Cx in the blanks). Remember to look carefully at the number of clauses, any conjunctions, and punctuation to help you decide.
1. Some companies show and advertise cars, food, clothes, and music. _______
2. Although television advertising is still very popular, Internet ads are on the rise. ____
3. Not all buyers go directly to the Internet to find a product. _______
4. Many buyers discover new products when they go to their social media outlets. _______
5. Internet browsers use “cookies” to track users’ search histories, and they select products that potential shoppers might want. _______
6. If a person has been looking at cars on the Internet, similar makes and models of cars could show up in advertisements in their social media. _______
7. Whenever an individual goes online, desirable products appear in and around the pages that they read. _______
8. Through this medium, potential shoppers are always bombarded with new products. _______
9. Internet advertising has become so sophisticated that shoppers are not always aware of it. _______
10. Students interested in nursing programs may pursue a Nursing LPN, or they may pursue an Associate of Science in Nursing. _______
11. Students must decide if they wish to spend more time and money earning the Associate of Science in Nursing._______
12. The Nursing Certificate gets a student into the working world much faster but with a lower salary. _______
13. Some students who complete the certificate program change their minds later, and they decide to go back to school. _______
14. When a student goes back to school after working for several years, they often have to retake classes that they already took due to changes in the course requirements. _______
15. Both programs are rigorous and provide students with good training. _______
Attributions:
Content on this page was adapted from ESL Academic Writing(opens in new window), which was shared under a CC BY (opens in new window)license by Prince George's Community College.