5.4 Sentence types and clause structures

Sentences are the building blocks of language, conveying thoughts and ideas through different structures. From simple declarations to complex combinations of clauses, sentences serve various functions in communication, allowing us to make statements, ask questions, give commands, and express emotions.

Clauses form the backbone of sentences, with independent clauses standing alone and dependent clauses providing additional information. The relationships between clauses, along with conjunctions and pronouns, create intricate sentence structures that enable nuanced expression in language.

Sentence Structure and Function

Classification of sentence types

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• Declarative sentences make statements or assertions end with a period subject typically precedes the verb (The cat is sleeping)

• Interrogative sentences ask questions end with a question mark often begin with question words (who, what, where, when, why, how) may involve subject-auxiliary inversion (Is the cat sleeping?)

• Imperative sentences give commands or make requests often begin with a verb subject (you) is usually implied can end with a period or exclamation point (Go to sleep!)

• Exclamatory sentences express strong emotions or sudden outbursts end with an exclamation point may have irregular syntax (What a beautiful cat!)

Clause Types and Relationships

Simple vs compound vs complex sentences

• Simple sentences contain one independent clause express a complete thought (The dog barks)

• Compound sentences contain two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) can be connected using semicolons (The dog barks, and the cat meows)

• Complex sentences contain one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses dependent clauses cannot stand alone as complete sentences (While the dog barks, the cat sleeps)

Main and subordinate clause relationships

• Main clause (independent clause) can stand alone as a complete sentence contains the primary subject and predicate (The sun shines)
• Subordinate clauses (dependent clauses) cannot stand alone as complete sentences modify or provide additional information to the main clause
  • Adverbial clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (When it rains, the grass grows)
  • Relative clauses modify nouns or noun phrases (The book that I read was interesting)
  • Noun clauses function as subjects, objects, or complements (What you said surprised me)
• Relationships between clauses
  • Subordination: dependent clause is subordinate to the main clause (Because it's raining, we stayed inside)
  • Embedding: subordinate clause is embedded within the main clause (The car, which was red, sped down the street)

Conjunctions and pronouns in clauses

• Subordinating conjunctions introduce adverbial clauses (because, although, if, when, while, since) indicate relationships such as time, cause, condition, or contrast (After the movie ended, we went home)

• Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses (who, whom, whose, which, that) refer back to a noun or pronoun in the main clause (The person who called earlier left a message)

• Types of subordinate clauses formed:

  • Adverbial clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (Before the sun rises, the rooster crows)
  • Relative clauses modify nouns or noun phrases (The book which I borrowed is overdue)
  • Noun clauses function as subjects, objects, or complements (Whoever arrives first will get the prize)

• Function of subordinate clauses provide additional information or context establish logical relationships between ideas create more complex and nuanced sentences (Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk)