REVIEWING BASIC GRAMMAR ON SIMPLE SENTENCES

S v Almost all English sentences contain a subject (s) and a verb (v). The
(a) Birds fly verb may or may not be followed by an object (o).
(noun) (verb)
Verbs: verbs that are not followed by an object, as in (a) and (b), are
s v
called intransitive verbs. Common intransitive verbs: agree, arrive,
(b) The baby cried.
(noun) (verb) come, cry, exist, go, happen, live, occur, rain, rise, sleep, stay, walk.

s v o Verbs that are followed by an object, as in (c) and (d), are called
transitive verbs. Common transitive verbs: build, cut, find, like, make,
(c) The student needs a pen.
need, send, use, wan. Some verbs can be either intransitive or transitive.
(noun) (verb) (noun)
intransitive: a student studies.
transitive: a student studies books.
S v o
(d) My friend enjoyed the party Subjects and Objects: The subjects and objects of verbs are nouns (or
(noun) (verb) (noun) pronouns). Examples of nouns: person, place, thing, John, Asia, pen,
information, appearance, amusement, failure.

(e) Mary is writing a letter.
(f) They were listening to some
music.
(g)hat letter was written by Alice.
be is also used as an auxiliary verb in progressive verb tenses as in (e)
and (f) and in the passive as in (g)
In (e) is = auxiliary; writing = main verb
In (f) were = auxiliary; listening = main verb
In (g) was = auxiliary; written = main verb

Sentences above use verb as predicate and they are called verbal sentences. There are also
sentences that use “be” as the predicate. This is called Nominal Sentence.
Pattern 1 S+ (am/ is/are) + Noun You are a student
Pattern 2 S + (am/is/are) + adjective I am not at home
Pattern 3 S + (am/is/are) + preposition He is at home

Exercise: Change the verb into the correct form

1. I usually (go) to school.
2. They (visit) us every Sunday.
3. You (play) basketball once a week.
4. Tom (work) every day.
5. We (be) smart students.
6. She never (help) me with that!
7. Martha and Kevin (swim) twice a week.
8. In this club people usually (dance) a lot.
9. Dewi always (take care) of her sister.
10. John rarely (leave) the country
 Structure

TYPES OF SENTENCES

Good writing requires a mixture of all four kinds of sentences: simple, compound, complex, and compound-
complex. A composition with only short, simple sentences is boring and ineffective, as is writing that uses
too many compound sentences. Writing with complex sentences and participial phrases, structures that use
subordination, is generally considered more mature, interesting, and effective in style.

Before we compare two models of writing to see the differences, let us first review these different types of
sentences.

Clauses

Clauses are the building blocks of sentences. A clause is a group of words that contains (at least) a subject
and a verb.

These are clauses: These are not clauses:

Ecology is a science to protect the environment

because pollution causes cancer after working all day

There are two kinds of clauses: independent and dependent.

An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as
a sentence by itself. An independent clause is formed with subject + verb (+ complement), e.g. Students
normally spend four years in college. Now give your own example:

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

A dependent clause begins with a subordinator such as when, if, that, or who. A dependent clause does not
express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence by itself. A dependent clause is formed with
subordinator + subject + verb (+ complement), e.g. ……although students normally spend four years in
college…. Now give your own example:

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

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 Structure

Three groups of words are used to connect sentences in order to form different kinds of sentences. They are
subordinators (subordinating conjunctions), coordinators (coordinating conjunctions), and conjunctive
adverbs.

Subordinators (Subordinating Conjunctions)

after Before that when which
although even though though whenever while
as how unless where who
as if if until wherever whom
as soon as since what whether whose
because so that
Coordinators (Coordinating Conjunctions)
You can remember the seven coordinators by the phrase FAN BOYS

for and nor but or yet so

Conjunctive Adverbs
Accordingly furthermore in contrast meanwhile on the other hand
besides hence indeed moreover otherwise
consequently however instead nevertheless therefore
for example in addition likewise nonetheless thus

Kinds of Sentences

A sentence is a group of words that you use to communicate your ideas. Every sentence is formed from one
or more clauses and expresses a complete thought.

There are basically four kinds of sentences in English: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.
The kind of sentence is determined by the kind of clauses used to form it.

Simple sentence

A simple sentence is one independent clause, e.g. I enjoy playing tennis with my friends every weekend.

Compound sentence

A compound sentence is two or more independent clauses joined together. There are three ways to join
clauses.

1. with a coordinator I enjoy tennis, but I hate golf.

2. with a conjunctive adverb I enjoy tennis; however, I hate golf.

3. with a semicolon I enjoy tennis; I hate golf.

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 Structure

Compound sentences with coordinators

This compound sentence is formed as follows: independent clause, + coordinator + independent clause. The
following chart shows coordinators with their meanings.

Women live longer than men, for they take better care of their health.
for
(The second clause gives us the reason for the first clause.)
Women follow more healthful diets, and they go to doctors more often.
and
(The two clauses express equal, similar ideas.)
Women don’t smoke as much as men do, nor do they drink as much alcohol. (Nor means “and
nor not.” It joins two negative independent clauses. Notice that question word order is used after
nor.)
Men may exercise harder, but they may not exercise as regularly as women do. (The to
but
clauses express equal, contrasting ideas.)
Both men and women should limit the amount of fat in their diets, or they risk getting heart
or
disease. (The two clauses express alternative possibilities.)
Women used to be known as the “weaker sex,” yet in some ways, they are stronger than men.
yet
(The second clause is a surprising or unexpected contrast to the first clause.)
Men are less cautious than women, so more men die in accidents. (The second clause is the
so
result of the first clause.)

For each pair of sentences below, choose a coordinator that best fits the meaning and join the two
independent clauses to form a compound sentence. Punctuate them correctly.

1. Nuclear accidents can happen. Nuclear power plants must have strict safety controls.
2. Solar heating systems are economical to operate. The cost of installation is very high.
3. Ecologists know that burning fossil fuels causes holes in the ozone layer. People continue to do it.

Compound sentences with conjunctive adverbs

This compound sentence is formed as follows: independent clause; + conjunctive adverb, + independent
clause, e.g. Amir studied hard last night; therefore, he did the test easily this morning. The following chart
shows the coordinators and conjunctive adverbs that express similar things.

Coordinators Conjunctive Adverbs Sentence

and besides Community colleges offer preparation for many
furthermore occupations; moreover, they prepare students to
moreover transfer to a four-year college or university.
also
but however Many community colleges do not have dormitories;
yet nevertheless however, they provide housing referral services.
nonetheless
or otherwise Students must take final exams; otherwise, they will
receive a grade of incomplete.
so accordingly Native and nonnative English speakers have different
consequently needs; therefore, most schools provide separate
hence English classes for each group.
therefore
thus

Combine the sentences (1-3) above, using conjunctive adverbs instead of coordinators. Punctuate your new
sentences correctly.

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 Structure

Compound sentences with semicolons

This compound sentence is formed with a semicolon alone: independent clause; independent clause, e.g. My
elder brother studies law; my younger brother studies medicine.

This kind of compound sentence is possible only when the two independent clauses are closely related in
meaning. If they aren’t closely related, they should be written as two simple sentences, each ending with a
period.

Place a semicolon between the two independent clauses in the following compound sentences.

1. The American way of life apparently does not foster marital happiness half of all American
marriages end in divorce.
2. Motherhood causes some women to quit their jobs others continue working despite having young
children to care for.
3. Three hundred guests attended his wedding two attended his funeral.

Use what you have learnt about forming compound sentences to improve the following mini-essay, which
contains many short, simple sentences. Combine sentences wherever possible. Try to use each of the three
methods at least once. There is not just one correct way to combine the sentences; there are many possible
ways.

Robots

1
A robot is a mechanical device that can perform boring, dangerous, and difficult tasks. 2First of all,
robots can perform repetitive tasks without becoming tired or bored. 3They are used in automobile factories
to weld and paint. 4Robots can also function in hostile environments. 5They are useful for exploring the
ocean bottom as well as deep outer space. 6Finally, robots can perform tasks requiring pinpoint accuracy. 7In
the operating room, robotic equipment can assist the surgeon. 8For instance, a robot can kill a brain tumor. 9It
can operate on a fetus with great precision.
10
The field of artificial intelligence is giving robots a limited ability to think and to make decisions.
11
However, robots cannot think conceptually. 12Robots cannot function independently. 13Humans have to
program them. 14They are useless. (Use otherwise to combine sentence 13 and 14.) 15Therefore, humans
should not worry that robots will take over the world–at least not yet.

Exercise

This paragraph has no grammar mistakes, but the writing style is poor. Combine sentences whenever you
think doing so will improve the style, but be careful not to overconnect. You can choose from the following
words, but try not to use any word more than once. Punctuate correctly.

Coordinating Conjunctive
Subordinating Conjunctions
Conjunctions Adverbs
and however when wherever
where moreover while because
but otherwise whenever so that
so nevertheless as soon as as if
for furthermore before if
nor therefore after unless
or then since although
yet still so…that even though

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 Structure

Coordinating Conjunctive
Subordinating Conjunctions
Conjunctions Adverbs
also as In spite of
on the other hand until the fact that
besides
thus
in fact
as a result

Not every culture in the world eats every kind of meat. Nearly everybody enjoys chicken. One of the
most famous names in chicken is Kentucky Fried Chicken. The man who started this business was not
always a wealthy man. At one time, he owned a small gas station next to a main highway. Many truck
drivers stopped at his gas station. They wanted to get gas and rest. Many of the drivers had been driving for
many hours. They were hungry. Mr. Sanders realized they were hungry. He began serving sandwiches and
coffee. He served only sandwiches and coffee. The sandwiches were good. The sandwiches didn’t cost
much. More and more drivers began to eat at his place. Mr. Sanders began serving chicken.
The drivers had eaten it. They told their friends. His new business grew rapidly. It did not last long.
The highway department builds a new main highway. Much of the traffic bypassed Mr. Sander’s station and
restaurant. He had to close the restaurant. This happened. He was sixty-five years old. He knew his recipe for
fried chicken was good. He went around the country trying to sell his idea of opening small restaurants that
would specialize in fried chicken. By 1967, there were almost five thousand Kentucky Fried Chicken
restaurants. You go anywhere in the United States. You will see one. You like fried chicken. You will enjoy
colonel’s chicken. Colonel Sanders died in 1980. His name will live on.

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one (or more) dependent clause(s). In a complex
sentence, one idea is generally more important than the other one. The more important idea is placed in the
independent clause, and the less important idea is placed in the dependent clause.

There are three kinds of dependent clauses: adverb, adjective, and noun. The following chart presents an
overview of them.

Adverb Clauses
A dependent adverb clause begins with an adverbial subordinator such as when, while, because, although,
if, so that, etc.

1. Although women in the United States could own property, they could not vote until 1920.
2. In the United States, women could not vote until 1920 although they could own property.

Notice that there are two possible positions for an adverb clause: before or after the independent clause. If
it comes before the independent clause, it is followed by a comma (sentence 1). If it comes after the
independent clause, no comma is used (sentence 2).

Adjective Clauses
A dependent adjective (relative) clause begins with a relative pronoun such as who, whom, which, whose,
or that, or with a relative adverb such as where or when. An adjective clause functions as an adjective; that
is, it modifies a noun or pronoun. The position and punctuation of dependent adjective clauses will be
discussed in details.

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 Structure

3. Men who are not married are called bachelors.

4. Last year we vacationed on the Red Sea, which features excellent scuba diving.

Noun Clauses
A dependent noun clause function as a noun and begins with a wh-question word, that, whether, or
sometimes if. A dependent noun clause can either a subject (sentence 5) or an object (sentence 6). No
commas are necessary.

5. That there is a hole in the ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere is well known
6. Scientists believe that excess chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere are responsible for creating
it..

Exercise 1

a. Underline the independent clause of each sentence with a solid line.

b. Underline the dependent clause with a broken line.
c. Circle the subordinator.

1. Because the cost of education is rising, many students must work part-time.
2. Last year, the government reported that drug use is increasing.
3. Doctors are concerned about drug use by young people, who think that smoking marijuana is risk-
free.

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