Clauses, Phrases and Sentence Structure
PHRASE: A group of related words that is used as a single part of speech and that does not contain both a verb and its subject.
Types of phrases:
· Prepositional – in the classroom – Everyone was seated in the classroom.
· Gerund - winning three gold medals – Winning three gold medals was her greatest achievement.
· Participial – addressing the senior class - Addressing the senior class, the principal praised them for their work on keeping the campus clean.
· Infinitive - to return soon – They promised to return soon.
Clause: a word group that contains a verb and its subject and that is used as a sentence or part of a sentence.
Types of clauses:
· Independent – can stand alone as a sentence
o I have lived in Ramona since 1999.
· Subordinate (dependent) – cannot stand alone as a sentence
o Because I have lived in Ramona since 1999
Types of sentences:
· Simple
· Compound
· Complex
· Compound-complex
1. Simple: Contains one independent clause and no subordinate clause.
· Jonathon has attended school in Ramona for many years.
· Jonathon enjoys surfing and playing basketball.
2. Compound: Contains two or more independent clauses and no subordinate clause. Independent clauses may be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction, by a semicolon, or by a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb or transitional expression (see list below)
· Jonathon has attended school in Ramona for many years, and he has made some lifelong friends.
· Jonathon has attended school in Ramona for many years; he has made some lifelong friends.
· Jonathon has attended school in Ramona for many years; however, he would like to move away when he graduates.
· Jonathon has attended school in Ramona for many years; in fact, he plans to live here all his life.
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List of Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)
and but nor or
so yet for (used like you would use the word because)
List of Common Conjunctive Adverbs ;_____________,
accordingly incidentally indeed meanwhile
nonetheless besides instead however consequently likewise finally
furthermore moreover therefore
nevertheless thus otherwise
Common Transitional Expressions ;_____________,
after all even so in fact as a result
for example in other words at any rate for instance
on the contrary by the way in addition on the other hand
3. Complex: Contains one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.
· Because Jonathon has lived in Ramona for so many years, he has decided to move elsewhere.
· Jonathon has decided to move elsewhere because he has lived in Ramona for so many years.
· After Jonathon has graduated from high school, he plans to attend college in New York.
· Jonathon plans to attend college in New York after he graduates from high school.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions
*after as though *since when
although because so that / that whenever
*as *before than where
as if if though (even though) wherever
as long as in order that unless whether
as soon as provided that *until *while
*The words after, as, before, since, until, and while may also be used as prepositions.
Conjunction: You must clean your room before you go to play basketball.
Preposition: You must clean your room before dinner.
Relative Adverbs: when where why
· Chewing with her mouth open is one reason why Fred cannot stand sitting across from his sister.
Relative Pronouns: who, whom, whose, that, which
· Diana felt manipulated by her dog whose big brown eyes pleaded for another cookie.
· Growling fiercely, the two dogs competed for the ball that bounced across the floor.
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4. Compound-complex: Contains two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.
a. The interest that you pay on a car loan will increase the cost of the car, so you should shop for the lowest interest rate.
b. The process of purchasing a car can be an exciting experience; however, if you are not careful, you may end up paying more than you originally planned.