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BASIC SKILLS—REVIEW
SENTENCE TYPES
The Simple Sentence
The simple sentence is the most basic sentence.
It contains a subject and a predicate.
The simple sentence will have only a single independent clause (An
independent clause can stand alone and make sense).
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The professor yelled at the student.
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Both the teacher and the student became angry.
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The student had fallen asleep and had begun to snore.
The Compound Sentence
A compound sentence contains two simple sentences.
It will have two independent clauses joined by a coordinating
conjunction:
and, but, nor, or, for, so, yet.
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I am tired of studying, but I have to pass the test.
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I want to finish this course, and I never want to take English
again.
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The instructor will pass the paper, or he will require a
revision.
Sometimes two simple sentences are connected by a word or group of
words called a logical connective.
The logical connective is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a
comma.
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It is possible to copy another student's papers; however, the
penalties for such
actions are severe.
The Complex Sentence
The complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one or
more dependent clauses.
A "dependent clause" makes no sense on its own and can not stand
alone.
Independent Clause:
I have plenty of room
Dependent Clause:
if my roommate doesn't
appear.
Complex Sentence:
I have plenty of room if my roommate doesn't
appear.
Dependent Clause:
Although she liked him
Independent Clause:
She would not go out with
him.
Complex Sentence:
Although she liked him, she would not go
out with him.
The Compound-Complex Sentence
A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses
combined with one or more dependent clauses.
Independent Clause:
I believe in equal rights
therefore
Independent Clause:
I support the ERA,
Dependent Clause:
although I have questions about
it.
Compound-Complex Sentence:
I believe in equal rights; therefore, I support the
ERA, although I have questions about it.
Independent Clause:
Football is a rough
sport
Independent Clause:
no one should play it
Dependent Clause:
unless he is in good shape
Compound-Complex Sentence:
Football is a rough sport; no one should play
it unless he is in good shape.
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