Understand Sentence Structures, Schemes and Mind Maps of English

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Unit 2

SENTENCE STRUCTURES

Sentence Structures

• Writing with uniform sentence structures can

appear to be boring and uninteresting. Sentences can

be varied in length and complexities to spice up your

writing. Some can be long and others can be short.

Read the two paragraphs on the next page and

decide which one you like better.

Sentence Structures

To bring variety to your sentences, you must learn the basic

sentence structures.

There are three types of sentences:

• (^) Simple sentence
• (^) Compound sentence
• (^) Complex sentence

Subject +Verb (S+V)

The simple sentence is composed of a single independent clause. It is consists of one or

more subjects or one or more verbs.

example:

a. The bird built a nest made of twigs and leaves for its young. (1S, 1V)

b. The actress cried and laughed at the same time. (1S, 2V)

C. Pam and Tony were given awards by the school principal. (2S, 1V)

Simple Sentences

Compound Sentences

Independent Clause + Independent Clause (I+I) Compound sentence has two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. - Two or more simple sentences, when put together, can make up a compound sentence. Example: The moon was bright and we could see our way. This sentence consists of 2 parts (i) The moon was bright. (ii) We could sec our way. These two parts are joined by the coordinating conjunction and. Each part contains a Subject and a Predicate of its own. Each part is what we call a Clause. each Clause makes good sense by itself, and hence could stand by itself as a separate sentence. Each Clause is therefore independent of the other or of the same order or rank. Such clause is known as independent/principal/main clause.

Compound Sentences

You can make a compound sentence by joining two logically related independent clauses by using…

• (^) Semicolon I love living in the city ; there are so many things to do. [The semi colon joins the two independent clauses]
• (^) Coordinating conjunction She dictated, and I typed. [the coordinating conjunction and joins the two independent clauses]
• (^) Transition The meal was expensive, but it was spoiled, so I threw it. [the coordinating conjunction but and transition so join the three independent clauses.]

Complex Sentences

Independent Clause + Dependent Clause (I+D) Complex sentence contains one independent clause (I) and one or more dependent clauses (D) joined by a subordinating conjunction. Example: They rested when evening came. (I+D) “They rested” could stand by itself as a complete sentence and is therefore independent clause. The clause, “when evening came”, cannot stand by itself and make good sense. It is dependent on the clause, “they rested.” It is therefore called a dependent or subordinate clause.

Complex Sentences

Example

[complex] He went abroad because he wanted to earn money.

[independent] He went abroad

[dependent] because he wanted to earn money.

Example

[complex] The school which was built ten years ago was already renovated when I saw

it.

[independent] The school was already renovated

[dependent] which was built the years ago

[dependent] when I saw it

Complex-Compound Sentences

Example

[compound complex] We can talk about anything, and we will go anywhere just as long as

we are together.

[independent] We can talk about anything

[independent] we will go anywhere

[dependent] just as long as we are together.

Example

[compound complex] When afternoon comes, most employees chat in the Internet and write e-

mail, but others prefer to eat their snack.

[dependent] When afternoon comes

[independent] most employees chat in the Internet and write e-mail. [independent] others

prefer to eat their snacks.

Complex-Compound Sentences

Paragraph 2 is more effective as it has more sentence structures.

I love living in the city of San Francisco. I have a wonderful view of the entire

city from my apartment window. In addition, I can see the Golden Gate Bridge

under which many cargo ships pass each day. I also like San Francisco because I

can find wonderful restaurants with food from just about every country;

however, I don’t like the traffic in the city.

Simple sentence Compound sentence Compound / Complex sentence