ENG 121 LEC 07 Sentence Types (MONAKA)

Subordination and Coordination

What is a Sentence?
A sentence is a complete set of words that conveys meaning. A sentence is composed of one or
more clauses. A clause contains a subject and verb.

Independent and Dependent Clauses

There are two types of clauses: independent clauses and dependent clauses. A sentence
contains at least one independent clause and may contain one or more dependent clauses.

An independent clause (or main clause): expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself.
A dependent clause (or subordinate clause): is an incomplete thought and cannot stand by
itself.

You can spot a dependent clause by identifying the subordinating conjunction. A subordinating
conjunction creates a dependent clause that relies on the rest of the sentence for meaning. The
following list provides some examples of subordinating conjunctions.

After, as, before, if, though, while, unless, although, because, even though, since, when, until,
whereas

Sentence Types
Sentences are divided into four categories: simple sentences, compound sentences, complex
sentences, compound-complex sentences.

Simple Sentences
A simple sentence contains one independent clause.
Examples:
a) Johnny rode his bike to school.
b) The students are studying English.
c) My name is Betty.

Compound Sentences
A compound sentence contains two independent clauses. A coordinating conjunction (for, and,
nor, but, or, yet, so) often links the two independent clauses and is preceded by a comma.

Examples:
a) She wanted to go on vacation, so she saved up her money.
b) I like apples, but my sister loves bananas.
c) Tim loves to read, and he also loves to hike.

Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. A
complex sentence will include at least one subordinating conjunction.

Examples:
a) She went to class even though she was sick.
 b) As John was arriving to work, he realized he forgot his lunch.
c) While I enjoy classical music, I prefer rock and roll because I play the drums.

Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence combines complex sentence and compound sentence forms. A
compound-complex sentence contains two independent clauses and at least one dependent
clauses.

Examples:
a) Although she felt guilty for missing her friend’s birthday, she took her out to dinner the
next day, and they had a great time.
b) If he got the job, he would have to commute 50 miles to work, so he decided the job was
not worth it.

Communicative function of sentences

Function 1: Exclamative
An exclamative is a sentence type in English that typically expresses a feeling or emotion.
a) How wonderful!.
b) What a stupid man he is!
c) How wonderful you look!
d) Fire! Run!

Function 2: Imperative
An imperative sentence gives anything from a command or order, to a request, direction, or
instruction. The aim of Imperative sentences is to get the person(s) being addressed either to do
or to not do something. And although this function usually deals with the immediate temporal
vicinity, its scope can be extended, i.e., you can order somebody to move out as soon as you find
yourself a job. An imperative can end in either a period or an exclamation point depending on
delivery.
a) Look at me.
b) Close the door.
c) After separating them from the yolks, beat the whites until they are light and fluffy.
d) Please look at me.
e) Could you kindly close the door.

Function 3: Declarative
The declarative sentence states an idea for the sheer purpose of transferring information. In
writing, a statement will end with a period.
a) The internet connection working again.
b) She must be out of her mind.

Function 4: Interrogative
An interrogative sentence asks a question and hence ends with a question mark. In speech, it
almost universally ends in a rising inflection/intonation. Its effort is to try to gather information
that is presently unknown to the interrogator, or to seek validation for a preconceived notion
held.
a) What do you want? b) Are you feeling well?