Sentence Structures

English as a Second Language (ESL)

1. Simple Sentence

A simple sentence contains only one independent clause (a complete thought). It has a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete idea.

Structure:

Subject + Verb (and sometimes an object or complement)

Examples:

  1. I eat lunch every day.
    (Subject: "I", Verb: "eat")
  2. She studied for the exam.
    (Subject: "She", Verb: "studied")
  3. The dog barked loudly.
    (Subject: "The dog", Verb: "barked")

2. Compound Sentence

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), or by a semicolon.

Structure:

Independent clause + coordinating conjunction + independent clause

Examples:

  1. I wanted to go to the party, but I was too tired.
    (Two independent clauses: "I wanted to go to the party" and "I was too tired," joined by "but")
  2. She likes reading books, and he enjoys playing sports.
    (Two independent clauses: "She likes reading books" and "He enjoys playing sports," joined by "and")
  3. I am studying for my test; I will take a break later.
    (Two independent clauses joined by a semicolon)

3. Complex Sentence

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause (a clause that cannot stand alone and does not express a complete thought). Dependent clauses are connected to the independent clause by a subordinating conjunction (because, although, if, when, since, etc.).

Structure:

Independent clause + subordinating conjunction + dependent clause

Examples:

  1. I stayed home because it was raining.
    (Independent clause: "I stayed home" and dependent clause: "because it was raining")
  2. Although she was tired, she finished her homework.
    (Independent clause: "She finished her homework" and dependent clause: "although she was tired")
  3. We will go to the park if it doesn't rain.
    (Independent clause: "We will go to the park" and dependent clause: "if it doesn't rain")

4. Compound-Complex Sentence

A compound-complex sentence is a combination of both a compound sentence and a complex sentence. It contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Structure:

Independent clause + coordinating conjunction + independent clause + subordinating conjunction + dependent clause

Examples:

  1. I wanted to go to the beach, but it started raining, so we stayed home.
    (Independent clauses: "I wanted to go to the beach" and "it started raining," joined by "but"; dependent clause: "so we stayed home")
  2. Although I studied hard, I didn't pass the test, and I felt disappointed.
    (Independent clauses: "I didn't pass the test" and "I felt disappointed," joined by "and"; dependent clause: "Although I studied hard")
  3. She loves reading books, and she often reads late into the night, because she finds it relaxing.
    (Independent clauses: "She loves reading books" and "She often reads late into the night," joined by "and"; dependent clause: "because she finds it relaxing")

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