Classifying Sentences Based on Clauses
A sentence can be classified based on the number of kinds of clauses that contains.
1. Simple Sentence
A simple sentence contains a single independent clause. It may contain a compound subject, a compound predicate, or both. The important thing to remember is that it is only made up of a single independent clause and it does not contain any dependent clause.
The following illustrate the variety of simple sentence. The predicates are underlined.
* Eva wrote a book. (Simple subject and simple predicate)
* Eva and her husband wrote a book. (Compound subject and simple predicate)
* Eva wrote and published a book. (Simple subject and compound predicate)
* Eva and her husband wrote and published a book. (Compound subject and compound predicate)
2. Compound Sentence
A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses. The clauses may be put together by a conjunction. A semicolon may also form them.
* Eve wrote a book. (Simple sentence)
* Her husband published it. (Simple sentence)
Combine the two simple sentences to form a compound sentence:
* Eve wrote a book, but her husband published it.
Using Comma and Semicolon
Comma may express a slight break in the thought expresses.
A. In combining simple sentences into a compound sentence, you may; use a comma before a conjunction, use a semicolon without a conjunction, or use a conjunction without a comma.
* Eve wrote a book, but her husband published it.
The sentence could also be written:
* Eve wrote a book; her husband published it.
* Eve wrote a book but her husband published it.
B. When the independent clauses of a compound sentence are very long, or have internal punctuation, a semicolon is generally used before the coordinate conjunction. Internal punctuation means that there are commas within one or both of independent clauses.
* I missed my children, especially in the late afternoons; but, I managed to cope.
C. A comma should not join two independent clauses unless a coordinate conjunction is used. When the writer uses a comma between the independent clauses of a compound sentence, he makes the error known as the comma fault.
* President Juan campaigned hard in the cities, he also visited the remote towns. (Comma fault)
Comma Fault- the sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined solely by a comma.
To eliminate the error, you may do the following:
* President Juan campaigned hard in the cities; he also visited the remote towns. (Use of semicolon)
* President Juan campaigned hard in the cities, and he also visited the remote towns. (Use of a conjunction with a comma)
* President Juan campaigned hard in the cities and he also visited the remote towns. (Use of a conjunction without a comma)
* President Juan campaigned hard in the cities. He also visited the remote towns. (Punctuate the two independent clauses as two simple sentences)
Run on sentence error is similar to a comma fault. The only difference is that the run on sentence consists of two or more independent statements that are run together without any punctuation, or without any connecting word.
* President Juan campaigned hard in the cities he also visited the remote towns.
D. Transitional words can also be used to connect between two independent clauses of a compound sentence. A semicolon always precedes connectives that belong to this group.
Commonly Used Transitional Words
Accordingly | indeed | as a result |
Afterwards | likewise | at last |
Again | meanwhile | at the same time |
Anyhow | moreover | for example |
Besides | namely | for instance |
Consequently | nevertheless | for this reason |
Doubtless | next | in any case |
Eventually | otherwise | in fact |
Evidently | perhaps | in like manner |
Finally | passively | in short |
Furthermore | still | on the contrary |
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Hence | then | on the other hand |
However | therefore | that is |
Yet | thus | in addition |
* Rain is our choice for the post; besides, he is the only one qualified.
* Yul was in the shower; meanwhile, I finished cleaning the dishes.
* We paid them as scheduled; as a result, we were given discounts.
3. Complex Sentence
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clause.
* Before the cock crows twice, you will disown me three times.
* She went to the bank when it was convenient.
4. Compound Complex Sentence
A compound complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. (Independent clauses in hold letters, dependent clauses is underline)
* While I was waiting for you, our teacher passed by and she inquired about your health.
* I have to endure the heat, although I am feeling exhausted; moreover, I need to win this race.
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