GPD 111
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Lecturer:
Dr. Jonathan Essuman
TOPIC:
Sentences
objectives
• By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to
1. Construct at least two sentences under each type of
sentence on their own
2. Define a sentence in their own understanding
3. State the two types of sentences as taught
4. Differentiate between the different types of
sentences under the structural type on their own
Introduction
• In writing, you produce different sentences based
on combining independent and dependent clauses
in various arrangements. Combining clauses can
give your writing flexibility, clarity and
strength.
• If not combined logically and punctuated clearly,
however, clauses will create ineffective sentences that
will bring confusion to your reader.
• This lesson introduces you to sentences, types of
sentences and explains how to connect and
punctuate each one.
Sentences
• The sentence is the longest unit of grammatical
description.
• It is the basic unit of expression with which we express a
complete thought.
• It consists of one or more clauses
Features
• It must express a complete thought
• It must have a subject and a predicate.
Types
• Structural
• Functional
Structural
• The structural type of Sentence talks about the
composition of the sentence.
• There are four (4) different types of Structural
Sentence:
1. Simple
2. Compound
3. Complex
4. Compound-Complex
Simple Sentence
• It consists of only one main or
independent clause.
Example
Contd.
• In writing, simple sentences can be very effective in
summing up an argument but must be used with care not
to render your writing puerile.
• A simple can follow the following pattern:
• SV: Jesus wept.
• SVA: My mother arrived yesterday.
• SVC: The food tastes good.
• SVO: The cat ate the fish.
• SVOA: Akosua borrowed the book from the library.
• SVOC: We nominated Essien African best player.
• SVOO: She gave him a dirty slap.
Compound Sentence
• It contains two or more independent clauses.
• Each clause can stand on its own as a sentence.
• There are three (3) ways to join two independent
clauses and to create a compound sentence:
• Coordinating conjunctions
• Adverbial conjunctions
• A stand-alone semicolon (;)
Contd.
• Coordinating Conjunctions
• FANBOYS
• Adverbial Conjunctions
• HOT SHOT MAMA CAT
However, Otherwise,
Therefore Similarly,
Hence, On the other
hand, Thus
Meanwhile, Additionally,
Moreover,
Also
Consequently, As a matter of
fact, Then
Example
Complex Sentence
• Consists of joining independent clauses and dependent
clauses
• The connection is done by using subordinating
conjunction. They are:
• W When, Where, Wherever, Whenever, Whereas,
Whether, While
• A As, As if, As long as, As though, Although
• S Since, So that
• B Before, Because
• I If
• T Though
Compound-Complex
• Consists of two or more independent clauses and
one or more dependent clauses
This example contains two main clauses and one
dependent clause.
Example
• My father encouraged me to pick up a hobby, so I
started collecting stamps; I became rich when I
started a company that acquires and sells rare
stamps; consequently, my hobby is now my livelihood.
• Questions
• How many clauses are in this sentence?
• Identify them.
Summary
Functional Type
• This type indicates the function the sentences
perform
• Sentences perform four (4) functions:
• Statements/Declaratives
• Interrogatives
• Imperatives/Commands
• Exclamatory
Statements/Declaratives
• The sentences are used to declare: Facts
Feelings Opinions
Judgments
Examples:
1. I cherish my parents and siblings.
2. Believers have to revere their pastors.
Interrogatives
• Sentences are used to ask questions. They end with a
question mark.
• Examples:
1. Did you watch the match between Arsenal and
Chelsea?
2. Have the students participated in the lesson?
Imperatives/Commands
• Sentences are used to make requests or order
something.
• Examples:
1. Do before complain.
2. Please, give me oranges.
Exclamatory
• Sentences are used to express emotions such as
surprises, alarm, gratitude etc. They end with
exclamation mark.
• Examples:
1. Oh! The musician has committed
suicide!
2. What an overwhelming response from
the class!
QUESTIONS
