Sentence structure
In a nutshell
A sentence is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb and expresses one thought. Words are the basic building blocks of a sentence. Words can form phrases and clauses. A combination of words, phrases and clauses can form three types of sentences, namely, simple, compound and complex sentences.
Words
Words are the basic building blocks of a sentence. Words by themselves can’t express a thought, but in combination, they can form thoughts and ideas.
Examples
Phrases
A phrase is a group of two or more words that provides a piece of meaningful information. Phrases don’t contain a subject and a verb. There are different kinds of phrases, but that’s for another time.
Examples
in the sun
the new classroom buttery popcorn |
Clauses
A clause, on the other hand, is a group of words that includes a verb but might still not form a complete thought (as a sentence does).
Examples
sits in the sun
studies in the classroom eats buttery popcorn |
Sentences
A sentence, compared to a clause, includes a subject and a verb to form a complete thought.
Examples
Subject
| Verb | The rest |
He | sits | in the sun. |
She | studies | in the classroom. |
He | eats | butter popcorn. |
Sentence structures
There are three types of sentence structures you need to learn: simple, compound and complex sentences.
Simple sentences
A simple sentence is just a normal sentence. In other words, it is a main clause that contains a subject and a verb, just as in the examples above.
Compound sentences
A compound sentence is just two simple sentences (i.e. two main clauses) compounded (combined) using coordinating conjunctions (remember these?). The easiest way to remember the coordinating conjunctions is by memorising the mnemonic device, FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So).
Examples
He sits in the sun, and eats butter popcorn.
It was raining, so I took an umbrella.
Complex sentences
A complex sentence is slightly different because it contains a subordinate clause. Subordinate clauses provide sentences with extra detail.
Example
Now that I have saved up, I can buy a bike.
A complex sentence consists of a main clause and a subordinate clause:
Main clause | Subordinate clause |
We can all go out for milkshakes | if I can find my wallet. |
Subordinate clause | Main clause |
Now that I have saved up, | I can buy a bike. |
