What is a SENTENCE?

• A sentence is a group of words that we

can use to communicate our ideas. It is a
group of words that usually contains a subject
and a verb, and expresses a complete idea.
(Longman Dictionary of Contemporary
English , 1978)

• Every sentence is formed of one or more

clauses.
What is a CLAUSE?

• “A group of words that contains a subject

and a verb, but which is usually only part of a 
sentence”. (Longman Dictionary of
Contemporary English , 1978)

• Clauses can be further divided into two

types:
1. Independent Clause
2. Dependent Clause
Types of a CLAUSE?

● Independent or Main Clause :

An independent clause is a clause that can
stand on its own. It does not need to be
joined to any other clauses, because it
contains all the information necessary to
become a complete sentence

● Structure : Subject + Verb

Sarah arrived home.
Ahmed ate a sandwich.
Identifying Independent Clause
Independent clauses have three
components:
• They have a subject - they tell the
reader what the sentence is about.
• They have an action or predicate –
they tell the reader what the subject is
doing.
• They express a complete thought –
something happened or was said.
Independent Clause

Examples:
• Asif plays hockey
• She could not catch the bus
• Arifa quickly ate her lunch
• You must work hard
• You should attend classes
• He is good at English
Types of Clause
Dependent or Subordinate Clause:
It does not express a complete thought
so cannot stand on its own and must be
combined with at least an
independent clause to make a complete
sense.
Structure: Subordinating
Conjunction + Subject + Verb

After Sarah arrived home

Identifying Dependent Clause
You can spot a dependent clause by
identifying the subordinating conjunction.

List of subordinating conjunctions:

After, since, when, although, that, whenever,
as, supposing, where, because, than, whereas,
before, that, wherever, but, that, though,
whether, if, though, which, in order, that, till,
while, lest, unless, who, no matter, until, why,
how, what, even though
Dependent Clause Examples
As he enjoys
Because she was late
So he must take rest
As she was very hungry
Although he knew all the sums
If you want to succeed in life
Whenever they visit our home
Unless I allow you
No matter how difficult it is?
Types of Sentences - by Structure

Sentences are divided into four categories:

 Simple sentences
 Compound sentences
 Complex sentences
 Compound-complex sentences
Simple Sentence
A sentence is a group of words that:
(a) contains at least one subject and one
verb
(b) expresses a complete thought
A simple sentence contains one independent
clause.
Examples
 Ali rides his bike to school.
 He is your best friend.
 She ate her lunch.
Compound Sentence

Definition
A compound sentence contains two independent
clauses. Coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor,
but, or, yet, so) often links the two independent
clauses and is preceded by a comma.
Examples
❑ She wanted to go on vacation, so she saved up
her money.
❑ I like apples, but my sister likes to eat bananas.
❑ Anny loves to read, and she also loves to hike
Compound Sentence
You can also make a compound sentence by joining
two logically related independent clauses by using
a semicolon, and a transition.
By using a semicolon:
Structure: Independent Clause ; Independent
Clause
e.g., I love living in the city ; there are so many
things to do.
By using a transition:
Structure: Independent Clause ; transition ,
Independent Clause
e.g., I love Karachi ; however, I hate the traffic.
Complex Sentence
Definition
A complex sentence contains one independent
clause and one or more dependent clauses. A
complex sentence will include at least one
subordinating conjunction
Examples
❑ She went to class even though she was sick
❑ As Jawad was arriving to work, he realized that
he forgot his lunch
❑ While I enjoy classical music, I prefer rock
and roll because I play the drums
Complex Sentence
Complex Sentences use a comma after a
dependent clause if it begins the sentence.

Example:
Structure:
Dependent clause , Independent Clause
When I was going to market, I saw a beautiful bird.
Compound-Complex Sentence
Definition
A compound-complex sentence combines
complex sentence and compound sentence
forms. A compound-complex sentence contains
two independent clauses and one or more
dependent clauses.
Examples
❑ As she felt guilty for missing her friend’s
birthday, she took her out to dinner the next day,
and they had a great time.
❑ I try to eat healthy food, because fast
food is so convenient, I cannot maintain a healthy
diet.
❑ If he got the job, he would have to commute 50 miles to
work, so he decided the job was not worth it.
Types of Sentences - by Function
There are four types of sentences in English

Language, classified by their purpose:

 Declarative/Assertive sentence (statement)

 Interrogative sentence (question)
 Imperative sentence (command)
 Exclamative sentence (exclamation)
Types of Sentences - by Function
Declarative/Assertive sentence:
Declarative sentences make a statement. They
normally end with a full-stop.
Example: She is making tea.
Ali is good at mathematics.

Interrogative Sentence:
Interrogative sentences ask a question. They

always end with a question mark.

Example: What are your hobbies?
Who is playing in the garden?
Types of Sentences - by Function
Imperative Sentence
An imperative sentence gives a command. They
end with a full-stop (.) or an exclamation mark (!).
Example:
 Switch off the light.
 Do not stop!
 Stop it, please.
 Keep quiet, please.
 Complete your work.
 Don’t text me.
 Don’t sit here.
 Do not smoke in the classroom.
Types of Sentences - by Function
Exclamative Sentence

Exclamative sentences express strong emotion,

surprise and disbelief. They always end with an

exclamation mark(!).
Example:
What a great surprise!
How beautiful this city is!
What an idea!
Do not touch!
What a rude girl she is!
Thank You