Sentences - Part 1, Simple Sentences

In today's blog we are going to look at some of the rules around sentence structures. In this post we will look at simple sentences and some of the problems we might have with sentence structures when we writing in English.

So first of all, what is a sentence?

A sentence is a group of words (independent clause) that:

• Contains at least one subject and one verb.
• Expresses a complete though.

There are four kinds of sentences in English:

• Simple sentences
• Compound sentences
• Complex sentences
• Compound-complex sentences

In this post we are going to look at Simple Sentences

A simple sentence has one subject/verb pair. The subject tells who or what did something. The verb tells the action (jump, work, think) or condition (is, was, seem, appear). Some simple sentences may have an object also. The object is the receiver of the verb by the subject. However, not all sentences have an object, e.g. I travel a lot.

In order for a sentence to be  grammatically correct, the sentence must have a subject/verb agreement. Look at these examples:

A simple sentence can have one of several possible 'formulas'. Here are four possibilities:

Notice that the subject in a simple sentence may have two or more items (sentences 2 and 4). The verb may have two or more items (sentences 3 and 4). 

Subject/Verb Agreement

You already know that the subject and verbs agree in number:

So here are some common errors with subject/verb agreement:

1. When a sentence begins with the word there + verb be, the subject follows the be verb. For example, 

2. A prepositional phrase (a group of words beginning with a preposition such as of, with, in, at or on, and ending with a noun or pronoun) can come between a subject and its verb. Prepositional phrases may come after a subject, but they are not part of the subject.

3. Some words are always singular:

4. A few words are always plural:

5. A few words can be either singular or plural. In these cases, you must refer to the noun in the prepositional phrase:

Fragmented Sentences

In some languages , you can sometimes leave out the subject in a sentence; in others, you can sometimes leave out the verb.

In English, you must ALWAYS have at least one subject and one verb in every sentence. If you leave either the subject or the verb, your sentence is incomplete. We call an incomplete sentence a fragment, or fragment sentence.

These are fragments. Fragments are sentence errors.

Reference: Oshima, A and Hogue A, Introduction to Academic Writing, 3rd Ed., Pearson Longman

So now we have reviewed Simple Sentences. Check out our next blog post in our sentences series - Part 1, Compound Sentences

Sentences - Part 2, Compound Sentences

In part 2 of our sentence series we talk about compound sentences. In this blog we will look at what compound sentences are, and what are the important features we need to consider when writing compound sentences.

What is a compound sentence?

A compound sentence is composed of at least two independent clauses joined by a comma and a co-ordinating conjunction. An independent clause, like a simple sentence, has a subject + verb and carries its own meaning (see the blog post Sentences - Part 1, Simple Sentences for more information).

A compound sentence has the following 'formula':

There are seven co-ordinating conjunctions in English. You can easily remember them by using the acronym FANBOYS. The English co-ordinating conjunctions are:

For has the same meaning as because; use for to introduce a reason or cause.

It is not easy to get there, for you have to hike down a long rail.

And joins sentences that are alike

He dropped the rice ball, and it rolled into a hole in the ground.

Nor means 'not this and not that'; use nor to join two negative clauses. You must use question word order after nor; place the auxiliary verb before the subject.

She didn't talk, nor did she move.

The book isn't very long, nor is it difficult to read.

But joins sentences that are opposite or show contract.

They were happy, but they were poor.

Or joins sentences that give choices or alternatives

He could choose a big box, or he could choose a small one.

Yet has approximately the same meaning as but; that is, it shows contrast or joins opposite. Use yet when the second part (clause) of the sentence says something is unexpected or surprising.

I was scared, yet I was also curious about the old lady.

So joins sentences when the second sentence expresses the result of something described in the first sentence.

The greedy man wanted all the mice's gold, so he pretended to be a cat.

* So (that) can also be used as a subordinator (see Sentences part 3 - Complex sentences) when connecting two clauses for a 'purpose'. In academic writing Therefore would be a more suitable linking word for this reason.

Using a comma with co-ordinating conjunctions

Use a comma before a co-ordinating conjunction in compound sentences only. Do not use a comma to join two words of two phrases in a simple sentence:

Run-ons and Comma Slices

Run-ons and comma slices are similar errors. Both happen when you join sentences incorrectly.

Run-ons happen when you join two simple sentences without a comma and without a connecting word. For example,

Men like to shop quickly women like to browse.

A comma slice error happens when you join two simple sentences with a comma alone. For example,

Men like to shop quickly, women like to browse.

There are three ways to correct run-on and comma slice errors:

* We will look at these in a different blog post

Proofreading techniques: How to find run-ons and comma slices in your writing.

Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs

A second way to form a compound sentence is as follows:

Independent clause; + conjunctive adverb, + independent clause

Salt water boils at a higher temperature than freshwater; therefore, food cooks faster in salt water.

When writing a compound sentence in this structure, it is important to use the correct punctuation. You should put a semicolon (;) before and a comma (,) after the conjunctive adverb.

Reference: Oshima, A and Hogue A, Introduction to Academic Writing, 3rd Ed., Pearson Longman

In this blog post we reviewed compound sentences. Check out our next blog post in our sentences series, Sentences - Part 3, Complex Sentences

Sentences - Part 3, Complex sentences

In the final blog post of our series on sentence structures, we are looking at complex sentences. We will look at what complex sentences are, what are the rules of punctuation and what is the role of the subordinator in the sentence.

We know from the previous posts on sentence structure that a clause is a is a group of words that contain at least on subject and one verb;

Anna left the party early

because she was tired.

There are two types of clauses in English: independent and dependent (subordinating clause). An independent clause can be a sentence by itself.

Independent clause is another name for a simple sentence.

Anna left the party early

(You) hold the cat's mouth closed

(When you use the imperative, we do not use the subject 'you' as is it understood what the subject is already)

A dependent clause, subordinating clause, in contrast, cannot be a sentence by itself because its meaning is not complete. A dependent clause 'depends' on something else to complete its meaning.

... because she was tired.

... while I count to ten.

A complex sentence is a combination of one independent clause and one (or more) dependent clause(s) (subordinating clause).

Complex Sentences verses Compound Sentences

In a compound sentence, the co-ordinating conjunction must be in the middle of the two independent clauses (simple sentences).

We went to the shop, but he didn't buy anything.

In a complex sentence, the subordinator can appear at the start of the sentence of in the middle of the sentence.

The dependent clause always begins with the subordinator.

He goes to school after he finishes work.

After he finishes work, he goes to school.

Comma Rule

In a complex sentence, the the dependent clause comes first, separate the clauses with a comma. When the independent clause comes first, the subordinator separates the clause for you - you do not use a comma. 

Subordinators

Time Subordinators

after     

He goes to school after he finishes work.

After he finishes work, he goes to school.

as*

Several overcrowded buses passed as we were waiting.

As we were waiting, several overcrowded buses passed.

as soon as

She felt better as soon as she took the medicine.

As soon as she took the medicine, she felt better.

before

Before you apply to college, you have to take an entrance exam.

You have to take an entrance exam before you apply to college.

since

It's been a year since I left home.

Since I left home, it's been a year.

until

We can't leave the room until everyone has finished the test.

Until everyone has finished the test, we can't leave the room.

when

When you start college, you sometimes have to take a placement test.

You sometimes have to take a placement test when you start college.

whenever

Whenever I don't sleep well, I feel sick the next day.

I feel sick the next day, whenever I don't sleep well.

while

Several overcrowded buses passed while they were waiting.

While they were waiting, several overcrowded buses passed.

Reason Subordinators

because

Jack excels at sport because he trains hard.

Because he trains hard, Jack excels at sport.

since

Since she works out daily, Jill is in great condition.

Jill is in great condition since she works out daily. (It would be better to use because in this example of the subordinator in the middle of the sentence. The meaning would be much clearer.)

as*

As they want to compete in a marathon, they run everyday.

They run everyday as they want to compete in a marathon. (It would be better to use because in this example of the subordinator in the middle of the sentence. The meaning would be much clearer.)

So (that)

So (that) people could travel faster across the country, the Shinkansen was introduced to Japan.

The Shinkansen was introduced to Japan so (that) people could travel faster across the country.

Place Subordinators

where

I can never remember where I put my house keys.

Where I put my house keys, I can never remember.

wherever

A baby animal follows its mother wherever she goes.

Wherever she (the mother) goes, a baby animal follows its mother (her).

*Notice that as can be either a time subordinator or a reason subordinator.

We hope you found our series on sentence structures useful. Please share any comments with us in our comments section below.