Sentence Types
Grammar Rules Guide - Chapter 34
Sentences can be either simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
The Simple Sentence
Simple sentences have only one independent clause. There are no dependent clauses, and the sentence must be limited to one subject and one predicate. The sentence may contain modifying words or phrases: Grammar class is boring. Magma is a French progressive rock band.
The Compound Sentence
Compound sentences are composed of two or more independent clauses, which are joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon. One should always use a comma before any coordinating conjunction that connects two independent clauses: Sissy likes Magma, but she thinks grammar class is boring. Timmy likes grammar class, so he does not like Magma.
The Complex Sentence
Complex sentences use one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. One must use a comma only after a dependent clause that occurs before an independent clause: When Sissy is in grammar class, she often dreams of the next Magma show. (When Sissy... is a dependent clause, she often... is an independent clause.) Timmy thinks of grammar when he is at a Magma concert. (Timmy thinks... is an independent clause, when he... is a dependent clause.)
The Compound-Complex Sentence
The compound-complex sentence joins a compound and a complex sentence together. It should contain two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clause. One must always use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins the two independent clauses. One must also use a comma after an adverb clause that comes before an independent clause, and to set off any non-restrictive clauses: Magma sings in a language they created, and they feel that proper grammar has no place at their shows, which are often quite obnoxious. (Magma sings... is an independent clause, they feel... is an independent clause, which are... is a dependent clause and also a non-restrictive modifier.) After he left the show, Timmy decided he really liked Magma, but the band did not like him because he always insists on proper grammar. (After he... is a dependent clause, Timmy decided... is an independent clause, the band... is an independent clause, he always...is a dependent clause.)
Grammar Rules Guide Index
Active and Passive Voice - Chapter 1
Adjective, Adverb, and Noun Clauses - Chapter 2
Adjectives - Chapter 3
Adverbs - Chapter 4
Appositives - Chapter 5
Auxiliary Verbs - Chapter 6
Common and Proper Nouns - Chapter 7
Comparatives and Superlatives - Chapter 8
Complements - Chapter 9
Conjunctions - Chapter 10
Conjunctive Adverbs - Chapter 11
Dangling Modifiers - Chapter 12
Direct and Indirect Objects - Chapter 13
Fused Sentences, Run-Ons, and Comma Splices - Chapter 14
Homophones - Chapter 15
Independent and Dependent Clauses - Chapter 16
Interjections - Chapter 17
Mass and Count Nouns - Chapter 18
Misplaced Modifiers - Chapter 19
Noun and Pronoun Case - Chapter 20
Noun and Verb Phrases - Chapter 21
Nouns - Chapter 22
Parallelism - Chapter 23
Perfect and Progressive Verb Forms - Chapter 24
Prepositional Phrases - Chapter 25
Prepositions - Chapter 26
Principal Parts of Verbs - Chapter 27
Pronoun and Antecedent Agreement - Chapter 28
Pronouns - Chapter 29
Regular and Irregular Verbs - Chapter 30
Relative Clauses - Chapter 31
Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Clauses - Chapter 32
Sentence Fragments - Chapter 33
Sentence Types - Chapter 34
Subjects and Predicates - Chapter 35
Verb Mood - Chapter 36
Verbals and Verbal Phrases - Chapter 37
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