Sentences
Introduction
Sentences are a string of words that express an idea or thought. A complete sentence generally has a noun and a verb, which is also known as an independent clause. When writing, authors should try and diversify the types of sentences they use, so as to engage the reader and avoid repetitive sentences and sentence structures. There are several types of sentences which are detailed below.
Clauses and Phrases
There are two types of clauses, independent and dependent. Independent clauses are what you might think of as a simple sentence, whereas dependent clauses do not usually make sense on their own. An example of each is provided below:
Dependent Clause: When they reached the playground...
Independent Clause: The girl hugged the boy.
In both instances there is a noun (they/girl/boy/playground) and a verb (hugged/reached). This differentiates clauses from phrases as a phrase does not require a noun or a verb, but can still add detail to a sentence.
Phrase: Much too quickly to see it coming.
All of these could be placed together to form a compound-complex sentence. For example:
When they reached the playground, the girl hugged the boy, much too quickly to see it coming.
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence contains one independent clause.
Example: The girl hugged the boy.
In this instance, there are two nouns (boy/girl) and one verb (hugged).
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence contains two independent clauses, and is generally put together using a comma and/or a conjunction.
Example: The girl hugged the boy, but he did not appreciate it.
In this instance, there are four nouns (boy/girl/he/it), two verbs (hugged/appreciate), a conjunction (but), and a comma.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains at least one independent clause and one dependent clause, generally separated by a comma.
Example: The girl hugged the boy, instead of her friend.
In this instance, there are four nouns (boy/girl/her/friend), one verb (hugged), a conjunction (instead), and a comma.
Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause.
Example: The students walked over to the table and the girl hugged the boy, instead of her friend.
In this instance, there are two independent clauses (the students walked over to the table/the girl hugged the boy), and a dependent clause (instead of her friend).