Simple, Compound, Complex, and Compound-complex Sentences, Manik Joshi [ebook e reader TXT] 📗

Simple, Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex Sentences

English Sentence Forms

Dedication

 

THIS BOOK IS

DEDICATED

TO THOSE

WHO REALIZE

THE POWER OF ENGLISH

AND WANT TO

LEARN IT

SINCERELY

 

 

Copyright Notice

All rights reserved. Please note that the content in this book is protected under copyright law. This book is for your personal use only. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

 

Copyright Holder -- Manik Joshi

License -- Standard Copyright License

Year of Publication -- 2014

[Revised Edition -- 22-Sep-2020]

Email -- manik85joshi@gmail.com

 

 

 

Sentence Forms

English sentences could be categorized as follows:

Simple Sentence Compound Sentence Complex Sentence Compound-Complex Sentence [Mixed Sentence]

 

IMPORTANT TERMS

To understand these forms, you must know the following important terms:

 

SUBJECT

The part which names the person or thing we are speaking about is called subject.

Subject may also have an attribute.

Example:

My colleague bought hundred books from online book stores.

In this sentence, ‘colleague’ is a subject, while ‘my’ is an attribute.

 

PREDICATE

The part which tells something about the subject is called predicate.

Predicate may have verb, direct object, indirect object, complement, etc.

Example:

My colleague bought hundred books from online book stores.

In this sentence, ‘bought hundred books from online book stores’ is the predicate of the sentence.

 

VERB

A word or group of words that expresses an action, event, or a state is called verb.

Example:

My colleague bought hundred books from online book stores.

In this sentence, ‘bought’ is a verb.

 

PHRASE

A group of words that does not have a subject and a verb is called phrase. A phrase makes sense, but not complete sense. Phrases may be classified as follows:

 

Adjective Phrase:

A group of words that does the work of an adjective is called an adjective phrase. Thus, adjective phrase describes person or thing.

Examples:

Adjective phrase – a person with having a lot of influence [adjective – an influential person]

Adjective phrase – a chair made of wood [adjective – a wooden chair]

Adjective phrase – a horse with a black skin [adjective – a black horse]

 

Adverb Phrase:

A group of words that does the work of an adverb is called an adverb phrase. Thus, adverb phrase describes adjective, phrase, or anther adverb.

Examples:

Adverb phrase – at that place [adverb – there]

Adverb phrase – at this place [adverb – here]

Adverb phrase – in a comfortable manner [adverb – comfortably]

Adverb phrase – in a suitable manner [adverb – suitably]

Adverb phrase – in a surprising way [adverb – surprisingly]

Adverb phrase – in a way that you would expect [adverb – naturally]

Adverb phrase – in an efficient manner [adverb – efficiently]

 

Noun Phrase:

A group of words that does the work of a noun is called a noun phrase. Thus, noun phrase does the work as a subject, an object, a complement, or as the object of the preposition.

Examples:

Noun phrase – I spoke to the president of the country. [noun – president]

Noun phrase – My decision to forgive him was hailed by my family members. [noun – decision]

 

CLAUSE

A group of words which forms part of sentence, and contains a subject and a predicate is called a clause. Clauses may be classified as follows:

 

Adjective Clause:

An adjective clause is a group of words which contains a subject and predicate of its own, and does the work of an adjective.

Example:

They live in the house which has three stories.

In this sentence – ‘which has three stories’ is an adjective clause.

 

Adverb Clause:

An adverb clause is a group of words which contains a subject and predicate of its own, and does the work of an adverb.

Example:

After they came, we left.

In this sentence – ‘After they came’ is an adverb clause.

 

Noun Clause:

A noun clause is a group of words which contains a subject and predicate of its own, and does the work of a noun.

Example:

They know who won the competition.

In this sentence – ‘who won the competition’ is a noun clause.

 

 

BASED ON DEPENDENCY, CLAUSES ARE OF TWO TYPES:

Independent or Principal Clause [Main Clause]:

An independent clause has a subject and a predicate. It can stand on its own. It makes sense all by itself. So, it is a complete sentence in itself.

Example:

We hired a taxi for the stadium.

This sentence has a subject ‘we’ and a predicate ‘hired a taxi for the stadium’. This sentence can stand on its own. It is a simple sentence.

 

Dependent or Subordinate Clause:

A dependent clause also has a subject and a predicate. However, it cannot stand on its own. It does not make sense by itself. So, it is dependent on independent clause to make complete sense.

Example:

As we got off the bus

This clause has a subject ‘we’ and a predicate ‘got off the bus’; but this clause is unable to stand on its own. It needs independent clause to make complete sense.

 

Now, combine both these clauses –

As we got off the bus, we hired a taxi for the stadium.

This sentence has both independent and dependent clauses, and stands on its own.

 

Note: Types of Dependent Clause: (a). Adjective Clause, (b). Adverb Clause, (c). Noun Clause.

Simple Sentence

A sentence which has one subject and one predicate is called simple sentence. A simple sentence is always an independent clause. A simple sentence expresses a complete thought.

 

Examples:

We attended the class.

[subject – we; predicate – attended the class]

 

They are busy.

[subject – they; predicate – are busy]

 

She is innocent.

[subject – she; predicate – is innocent]

 

He completed his graduation.

[subject – he; predicate – completed his graduation]

 

They opened bank accounts.

[subject – they; predicate – opened bank accounts]

 

Our committee awarded him for his outstanding performance.

[subject – our committee; predicate – awarded him for his outstanding performance]

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

‘Compound subject’ in a simple sentence

[Two subjects | One verb]

Example:

David and harry won the competition.

[subject – David and Harry; verb – won]

[Note – There are two subjects in this sentence. (So, this is called ‘compound subject’)]

 

 

‘Compound verb’ in a simple sentence

[One subject | Two verbs]

Example:

He wrote and sang a song.

[subject – he; verb – wrote and sang]

[Note – There are two verbs in this simple sentence. (So, this is called ‘compound verb’)]

 

 

‘Compound subject’ and ‘compound verb’ in a simple sentence

[Two subjects | Two verbs]

Example:

Clark and Tom jogged and swam.

[subject – Clark and Tom; verb – jogged and swam]

[Note – There are both ‘compound subject’ and ‘compound verb’ in this simple sentence.]

Compound Sentence

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined together by (a). coordinating conjunctions, (b). correlative conjunctions or (c). transitional expressions (transitional words or phrases).

 

Following is the brief description of coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions and transitional expressions:

 

(A). Coordinating conjunctions [Also known as ‘Coordinators] –

They are used to merely connect independent clauses of equal importance.

 

There are SEVEN coordinating conjunctions in English -

and -- used to express a relationship of ‘addition’ but -- used to express a relationship of ‘contrast’ for -- used to express a relationship of ‘effect-cause’ nor -- used to express a relationship of ‘negative addition’ or -- used to express a relationship of ‘alternative’ so -- used to express a relationship of ‘cause-effect’ yet -- used to express a relationship of ‘contrast’

To remember these words, you should remember an acronym ‘FANBOYS’. Acronym ‘FANBOYS’ is made up of the first letters of the names of the seven coordinators For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

 

Examples:

He participated in the national games, and she fought the general election.

We played football, but they watched movie.

He studied grammar, for he wanted to improve his English.

He didn’t read a book, nor did he write a letter.

He will go for a stroll in the park, or he will stay at home.

He was thirsty, so he drank water.

I had invited him, yet he didn’t attend the function.

 

 

(B). Correlative conjunctions [Also known as “Paired Coordinators”] –

They are used in “pairs” and join words, phrases, and independent clauses which are grammatically equal. They are separated in a sentence but work together to perform a single function.

 

Following are the most common correlative conjunctions that are used to join independent clauses in compound sentences:

although….yet not only….but also either….or neither….nor

 

Examples:

Although he is quite old, yet he is still very active.

Christina is not only a bright student, but she is also a good player.

They are either incompetent, or they simply don't want to do it.

I am neither his supporter, nor do I