Introduction

Sentence construction, grammar, and usage are all critical elements to review during the writing process. Activities in this section will provide you with a basic understanding for each of these items and you will be able to assess your understanding throughout.

I suggest considering your own writing style and individual strengths and weaknesses as you read through. The goal for this section is to review the rules of sentence construction and learn how to identify errors. Keeping your own writing in mind will help you apply these strategies in your course work and throughout your professional career.

We will begin with the structure of a sentence, starting with the most basic concept: subject and predicate. Definitions and example for the parts of a sentence will be included as well. We will also explore the four basic sentence structures: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex

Subject and Predicate

Subject. The subject of a sentence is that noun, pronoun, or phrase or clause about which the sentence makes a statement.

Predicate. The predicate is the rest of the sentence coming after the subject. It can include the main verb, subject complement, direct object, indirect object, and object complement.

Subject Examples	Predicate Examples
Einstein’s general theory of relativity has been subjected to many tests of validity over the years. Although a majority of caffeine drinkers think of it as a stimulant, heavy users of caffeine say the substance relaxes them. Surrounding the secure landfill on all sides are impermeable barrier walls. (inverted sentence pattern) In a secure landfill, the soil on top and the cover block storm water intrusion into the landfill. (compound subject)	The pressure in a pressurized water reactor varies from system to system. The pressure is maintained at about 2250 pounds per square inch to prevent steam from forming. The pressure is then lowered to form steam at about 600 pounds per square inch. In contrast, a boiling water reactor operates at constant pressure.

Four Types of Sentences Structure

Before diving into the four sentence structures, let’s quickly review independent and dependent clauses.

An independent clause can stand alone; it includes both a subject and verb and is considered a complete sentence.

Fred ate.

Mary ran.

Susan wrote.

Dependent clauses may include a subject and verb, but they do not stand alone as a complete sentence. These clauses leave the readers eager for more information and often do not paint a full picture.

When the bus drove

As the snow fell

While you were asleep

Simple. Simple sentences contain one independent clause.

Examples include:

Jenny swam.

Sherry baked.

Jeremy wrote.

Compound. Compound sentences link two independent clauses.

John walked to the store because he needed more milk.

Kiera bought a new bathing suit, but she forgot to buy sunblock on her way to the pool.

Complex. Complex sentences include an independent clause and a dependent clause.

As the snow fell, Susan wrote.

(As the snow fell- dependent; Susan wrote- independent)

While you were asleep, Mary ran.

(Mary ran- dependent; While you were asleep- independent)

Compound-complex. Compound-complex sentences include multiple clauses: at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause. These are the least common type of sentence structure.

Although Mia bought a bag of chips, she was very hungry, and her lunch break was over.

(dependent + independent + independent)

Because of the snow, the roads were icy, and I maintained speed below the speed limit.

(dependent + independent + independent)

Summary

To review, the most basic concept of sentence construction includes a subject and predicate. 

For example: 

The flowers (subject) bloomed (predicate). 

The car (subject) was parked (predicate). 

Definitions we reviewed in this section include: 

Subject. The subject of a sentence is that noun, pronoun, or phrase or clause about which the sentence makes a statement.

Predicate. The predicate is the rest of the sentence coming after the subject. It can include the main verb, subject complement, direct object, indirect object, and object complement.

Independent clause. Independent clauses can stand alone and include a complete thought with both a subject and verb. 

Dependent clause. Dependent clauses may include a subject and verb, but they do not represent a complete thought and cannot stand alone. 

The four basic sentence structures include: 

Simple. Simple sentences contain one independent clause. (Jeremy wrote.)

Compound. Compound sentences link two independent clauses. (John walked to the store because he needed more milk.) 

Complex. Complex sentences include an independent clause and a dependent clause. (As the snow fell, Susan wrote.) 

Compound-complex. Compound-complex sentences include multiple clauses: at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause. These are the least common type of sentence structure. (Although Mia bought a bag of chips, she was very hungry, and her lunch break was over.) 

Sources:

“Basic Patterns and Elements of the Sentence.” By David McMurrey. Retrieved from: https://www.prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/twsent.html Licensed under: CC-BY