Advancing Sentence Structure

Develops Smooth Flow 

Clause

a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

2 Main Types Independent (Main) Dependent (Subordinate)

Independent clause

contains a subject, a verb, and a complete thought

Ex: I went to the store

Dependent clause

contains a subject and a verb, but is an incomplete thought that starts with a subordinating conjunction

Ex: Although I was busy

Subordinating Conjunctions

above

after

although

as

as soon as

because

before

belowby the timeeven ifeven thoughevery timeifin casein the event that

just in casenow that onceonly ifsincethe first

timethough

unlessuntilwhen wheneverwhereaswhether or notwhile

Compound Sentence

combines two (2) complete thoughts, also called independent clauses, using internal punctuation and conjunctions

Ex: Independent clause, coordinating conjunction independent clause.

Ex: Independent clause; conjunctive adverb, independent clause.

Seven (7) Coordinating Conjunctions

(FAN BOYS):

For ButAnd Or Nor Yet

So

Conjunctive Adverbs

accordingly furthermore moreover similarly

also hence namely still anyway however nevertheless then besides incidentally next

thereafter certainly indeed nonetheless

therefore consequently instead now

thus finally likewise otherwise undoubtedly further meanwhile

Compound Version A

Independent clause, coordinating conjunction independent clause.

*A comma is used when a coordinating conjunction joins two main clauses.

* The coordinating conjunction is not considered part of either clause. Ex: I went to the store, and I bought

eggs.

Compound Version B

Independent clause; conjunctive adverb, independent clause.

*A semicolon and a comma are used when a conjunctive adverb joins two main clauses. Ex: I went to the store; however, I

forgot my money.

Complex Sentence

combines an independent and a dependent clause

Typically, these clauses can be inverted, and the sentence will still be logical. Ex: Dependent clause, independent clause. Ex: Independent clause dependent clause.

Complex Version A Dependent clause, independent clause. *A comma is used when a dependent clause

appears before an independent clause. *The subordinating conjunction is the first

word of (included in) the dependent clause.- It makes the clause

dependent/unable to stand alone. Ex: Although I was busy, I went to the

store.

Complex Version B

Independent clause dependent clause.

*There is no comma used when a dependent clause appears after an independent clause.

Ex: I went to the store although I was busy.

Compound-Complex Sentence

made up of at least one dependent clause, and two or more independent clauses Ex: Use a dependent clause, an

independent clause, a coordinating conjunction or a conjunctive adverb, and a second independent clause.

Ex: Use an independent clause, a coordinating conjunction or a conjunctive adverb, a second independent clause, and a dependent clause.

Compound-Complex Version A

Use a dependent clause, an independent clause, a coordinating conjunction or a conjunctive adverb, and a second independent clause. Ex: Although I was busy, I went to the

store, and I bought eggs. Ex: Although I was busy, I went to the

store; furthermore, I bought eggs.

Compound-Complex Version B

Use an independent clause, a coordinating conjunction or a conjunctive adverb, a second independent clause, and a dependent clause Ex: I went to the store, and I bought

eggs after school today. Ex: I went to the store; moreover, I

bought eggs after school today.