Jessame C.
Molina, RPh
KINDS OF SENTENCES ACCORDING TO STRUCTURE
Objective:
To identify the different kinds of sentences according to structure.
What is a sentence?
- Sentence is a group of words expressing a complete thought. No sentence is
complete without a subject and a predicate.
Subject: part spoken of which names a person, a place, or a thing.
Predicate: part that tells something about the subject.
Sentence Structures
o Structure refers to the way a sentence is arranged. The kind and the
number of clauses a sentence has determine its structure. There are
four structures of sentences: Simple, Compound, Complex and
Compound- Complex.
What is a clause?
o A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. It has
two kinds: Independent (or main) clause and Dependent (or
subordinate) clause. An independent clause can stand alone as a
complete sentence. A dependent or subordinate clause, though it
has a subject and a verb, cannot stand by itself as a complete idea.
o Example:
The lady appears scared. (Independent clause= complete
sentence)
Although she has been rescued, the lady appears scared.
Subordinate clause Main clause
The subordinate clause although she has been rescued
cannot stand by itself as a sentence. It needs the main
clause to make the meaning complete.
Simple Sentence
Has one independent clause. It has a subject and a verb, either
or both may be compound.
A simple sentence may have a compound subject, compound
predicate, or a compound subject and a compound predicate.
Ex:
o She laughs. (simple subject she and simple verb
laughs)
o She laughs and dances. (simple subject she and
compound verbs laughs and dances)
o Jenny and Joey laugh and dance. (compound
subjects and compound verbs)
Compound Sentences
Has two or more independent clauses joined by a
coordinating conjunction (but, or, so, for, etc.) or a semi-colon.
Ex:
o The man ran out of the room, and his wife
followed him. (There are two independent clauses
joined by a conjunction and. Note that a comma
precedes the conjunction and.)
o The man ran out of the room; his wife followed
him. (The independent ideas are separated by a
semi-colon. Take note the second independent
idea- his wife followed him – does not begin with a
capital letters.)
Complex Sentence
Has one independent clause and one or more dependent
(subordinate) clauses. A subordinate clause starts with a
subordinating conjunction (e.g. unless, after, as soon as, since,
although) and cannot stand by itself. It needs the main clause to
complete the meaning of the sentence.
Ex:
o Unless you show your identification card, you
cannot enter this building. (In italics is the
subordinate or dependent clause. It cannot stand
alone and needs the main clause- you cannot enter
the building – to complete the meaning of the
sentence.)
Compound- Complex Sentence
Two or more independent clauses and one or more
dependent clause.
Ex:
o The actor accepted the award, but he stammered,
while he was delivering his speech. (The two
independent clauses are separated by a comma and
joined by a conjunction but. The dependent clause
is introduced by a subordinating conjunction
while.)
o Although she was tired, the lady who was wearing
a hat, attempted to run, but she got dizzy. (The
independent clauses in this example are the lady
attempted to run, and she got dizzy.)
EXERCISE:
o Identify the following sentences according to structure. Write
simple, compound, complex or compound-complex.
1. Before he was converted, Paul persecuted Christians.
2. Although Sarah was barren, she still bore Abraham a son.
3. Isaac had twins; one of them was Isau.
4. Simon and Andrew followed Jesus.
5. When the Pharisees heard him, they were furious, so they plotted
to kill him.
6. Jesus appeared to the disciples, and Thomas believed.
7. Thomas believed when he saw the Lord’s wound.
8. After he had talked to the Lord, Nicodemus became bold in his
faith.
9. When Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed in
agony.
10. Because David slew thousands, the people of Israel rejoiced.
ANSWER:
1. Before he was converted, Paul persecuted Christians. (COMPLEX)
2. Although Sarah was barren, she still bore Abraham a son. (COMPLEX)
3. Isaac had twins; one of them was Isau. (COMPOUND)
4. Simon and Andrew followed Jesus. (SIMPLE)
5. When the Pharisees heard him, they were furious, so they plotted to kill
him. (COMPOUND-COMPLEX)
6. Jesus appeared to the disciples, and Thomas believed. (COMPOUND)
7. Thomas believed, when he saw the Lord’s wound. (COMPLEX)
8. After he had talked to the Lord, Nicodemus became bold in his faith.
(COMPLEX)
9. When Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed in agony.
(COMPLEX)
10. When Nicodemus visited Jesus, he had many questions, but he was later
enlightened. (COMPOUND-COMPLEX)
