Lakewood High School
English Department
Sentence Structure
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Lakewood High School English Department
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Read each slide and Click Next and Prev to move between pages. Any text highlighted in blue has help information you can see by moving your mouse over it. You can stop at any time. You can retake this module as often as you like. |
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For returning students who need a refresher or students referencing the Rule Codes for Writing Mechanics, you can skip directly to a rule. S1 Independent Clauses S2 Dependent Clauses S3 Compound Sentences S4 Complex Sentences S5 Complex-Compound Sentences S6 Using Sentence Variety S7 Comma Splices S8 Run-on sentences S9 Fused Sentences S10 Sentence Fragments Click here to download rule codes. |
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After this taking this module, you will be able to do the following:
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An independent clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete thought. Examples: He wept. The cat curled up near the fireplace.
Subject Verb
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A dependent clause (a.k.a. a subordinate clause) has a subject and a verb, but it can not stand alone as a complete thought. This occurs when a subordinating word is placed at the beginning of the sentence. Examples: Before I came to school [ more needed ...] While you wait for me [more needed ...] Although he thought of it before I did [ more needed ...]
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A compound sentence is composed of two independent clauses, properly connected with either a semi-colon or a comma and coordinating conjunction. Examples: He drove to the mountains. He could ride his snowboard. He drove to the mountains, so he could ride his snowboard. Note: So is the coordinating conjunction.
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A complex sentence is composed of an independent clause and a dependent clause. If the dependent clause comes first, it is followed by a comma. No comma is used if the dependent clause comes at the end of the sentence. Examples: When I left for school, I had the book with me. The actress became flustered because she suddenly forgot her next line. Note: The dependent clauses are indicated in blue.
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A complex-compound sentence is a compound sentence that includes at least one complex clause. Examples: While he waited for her, she tried on the dress, but he knew he did not have enough money to pay for it. Giving it all he had, he still couldn't score the goal; his team lost the game even though they were favored to win.
Note: The dependent clause of the complex sentence is indicated in blue.
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To make your writing more sophisticated and interesting, use a mixture of simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. Simple sentences work best for beginning readers and inexperienced writers. However, complex sentence after complex sentence after complex sentence can become just as monotonous as a whole string of simple sentences.
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A comma splice occurs when a comma is used to link two independent clauses together as if they were one sentence. Example: It is no easy job dreaming, some people have closed minds and never realize the power of thought.
Each of these are independent clauses and represents a complete thought.
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A run on sentence is a compound sentence that uses a coordinating conjunction (and, or, but, nor, so, for, yet) but fails to include a comma before the conjunction. Example: x It snowed every day last week so we decided to go skiing. √ It snowed every day last week, so we decided to go skiing. Return to Quick Links |
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The simplest way to fix a fused sentence is to split it into two sentences with a period. Example: x I knew she would not do it she was too stubborn. √ I knew she would not do it. She was too stubborn. For a comma splice, change the comma to a period. Example: x Carrabas is an example of an Italian grill, it serves authentic Italian food and not an Americanized version of Italian food √ Carrabas is an example of an Italian grill. It serves authentic Italian food and not an Americanized version of Italian food. For a run-on, simply add a comma before the conjunction. Example: The cow jumped over the moon, and the dish ran away with the spoon. The cow jumped over the moon. The dish ran away with the spoon.
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Another solution is to separate the two independent clauses of a fused sentence by adding a comma and coordinating conjunction. x I love the mountains the best she prefers the ocean √ I love the mountains the best, but she prefers the ocean. For a comma splice, add a coordinating conjunction (and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet) after the comma. x I like Subway better, it is less expensive. √ I live Subway better, and it is less expensive. For a run-on, simply add a comma before the coordinating conjunction. x He looked everywhere yet he could not find his keys. √ He looked everywhere, yet he could not find his keys
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A fused sentence (a.k.a. a run-on sentence) is improperly punctuated because it connects two independent clauses with no punctuation. √ I looked at my watch the time blinked 11:55 as we got into a group discussion. x I looked at my watch. The time blinked 11:55 as we got into a group discussion.
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When the two independent clauses are closely related, insert a semi-colon between them. For a comma splice, change the comma to a semi-colon. Examples: x She wore bright colored clothes, however this did not cheer her up very much. √ She wore bright colored clothes; however, this did not cheer her up very much. For the fused sentence, separate the two clauses with a semi-colon. x The man looked fearfully into the swirling river he was afraid of drowning. √ The man looked fearfully into the swirling river; he was afraid of drowning.
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If the first independent clause leads to the point of the second clause, use a colon to separate the two clauses. Examples: It was an unbelievable photo finish: he won the gold medal! She used the words of Gandhi to emphasize her point: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
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It is sometimes helpful to show the connection between the two independent clause by changing the first clause to a dependent clause. Do this by adding a subordinating word to the beginning of the sentence and a comma after the clause. Examples: He loved to drive fast. He bought a sports car. Because he loved to drive fast, he bought a sports car. I completed my math homework. I came to school this morning. Before I came to school this morning, I completed my math homework.
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Connecting the two independent clauses can also be done by making the second clause a subordinate (dependent) clause. I wrote my essay quickly. I dreamed of my trip. I wrote my essay quickly while I dreamed of my trip. I shoveled the walk. It snowed another ten inches. It snowed another ten inches after I shoveled the walk. Note: There is no punctuation before the subordinating words (while and after) in the middle of the sentences.
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A sentence fragment is a group of words, punctuated as if it were a sentence, but not providing a complete thought.
Examples: When I went to the store. Before I arrived at school this morning. While he was away. I freaked out and ran to the bathroom. Closed the stall door and cried.
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To fix a sentence fragment, one possibility is to include it as part of the previous sentence. In order to do this, delete the period of the previous sentence, change the capital letter at the beginning of the sentence fragment to lower case, and connect the two sentences. Generally, no punctuation is used between them. Examples: Frag: There was not a cloud in the sky. As my family and I tried to decide what to do. √ There was not a cloud in the sky as my family and I tried to decide what to do. Frag: Martin Luther King, Jr. found a way to express his opinions. Whether it was about the Civil Rights movement or the Vietnam War. √ Martin Luther King Jr. found a way to express his opinions, whether it was about the civil rights movement or the Vietnam War. (Comma used here with the nonrestrictive clause. See Comma Rule C6.)
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Another possibility for correcting a sentence fragment is to connect it to the sentence following it. This is especially effective when the fragment is a dependent clause that is closely associated with the sentence after it. Examples: Frag: When we are faced with a situation like this. We need to find another solution. √ When we are faced with a situation like this, we need to find another solution. Frag: Always knowing the answers. Hermione was the first to raise her hand. √ Always knowing the answers, Hermione was the first to raise her hand.
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Sometimes it does not make sense to attach the fragment to either the sentence before or after it. If the subject of the sentence is missing, Examples: Frag: Searching around his pockets for a tissue to wipe his nose. √ The man searched his pockets for a tissue to wipe his nose. Frag: One of the smallest in Europe. √ Croatia is one of the smallest countries in Europe.
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Another way to fix a fragment could be to modify the sentence to make sure it has a verb. Examples: Frag: Her hair wafting through the night breeze. √ Her hair wafted through the night breeze. Frag: Three letters a week and indefinite phone calls. (In this example both the subject and verb are missing.) √ My father sent three letters a week and indefinite phone calls.
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Often, an easy fix for a fragment is simply to drop the subordinating word. Examples: Frag: Although he does have a lot of work to do if he and the others want to be as good as those in the NFL. √ He has a lot of work to do if he and the others want to be as good as those in the NFL. Frag: As she sits adoring his charm. √ She sits adoring his charm. |
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You have completed the module on Sentence Structure.
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