Sentence Structure Flashcards
Difference Between Phrases & Clauses
A phrase is a collection of words without a subject-verb relationship. A phrase can never stand alone as a sentence.
Finite Verb
Informs when something occurred.
Independent Clauses
An independent clauses has both a subject and a verb and can stand on its own as a sentence. Every sentence must have at least one independent clause.
Dependent Clauses
Dependent clauses cannot stand on their own. They fulfill specific functions within sentences (enhance or modify the meaning expressed by the independent clause).
3 types of dependent clauses
- Subordinate Clauses
- Relative Clauses
- Noun Clauses
Subordinate Clause
A clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction. Subordinate clause = [subordinating conjunction] + [subject] + [finite verb].
A subordinate clause will always be dependent.
Subordinating conjunctions: after, before, until once, while, although, whereas, because, if, unless, though, even though, as much as, just as, whenever.
What is a Sentence
A collection of words that includes at least 1 independent clause (1 subject, 1 verb).
Any answer choice that lacks either a subject or a main verb in a sentence creates a sentence fragment and is INCORRECT.
4 Types of Sentences:
- Simple: Single independent clause followed by a period.
- Compound: At least, two (2) independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions (Comma + FANBOYS)
- Complex
- Compound-Complex
Simple Sentence
A single independent clause (subject + finite verb) followed by a period.
I do.
I was at the beach.
John and Jeff were reading books.
Spending time with animals is one of the best ways to enjoy your days.
Compound Sentence
A sentence composed of at least two (2) independent clauses.
These clauses can be connected by:
- Coordinating Conjunctions - (Comma + FANBOYS)
- Semicolon - [Independent clause] ; [Independent clause]
- Colon - [Independent clause] : [Independent clause] OR [examples, set of examples]
Linking two independent clauses with no intermediary word or punctuation is always incorrect. Linking two independent clauses with only a comma is incorrect (comma splice)
Use of Colons
A colon MUST be preceded by an independent clause. It may be followed by an independent clause or an example/series of examples.
The board of directors made its final decision: the CEO will be replaced immediately.
My dad tells me the same thing before school: “Don’t talk to strangers”.
Here is a simple rule for being happy: find gratitude in your life.
I love everything about strawberries: the taste, the texture, and the smell.
Please tell us one thing: how many people will attend.
They had a great day: beaches, boating, and a balloon ride
Complex Sentence
A complex sentence is composed of at least 1 independent clause and at least 1 dependent clause.
IC + SC
SC + Comma + IC
IC + Comma (optional) + IC
Because Lucy loves wine, I bought her a bottle of pinot noir
I bought Lucy a bottle of pinot noir because she loves wine
I bought Lucy a bottle of pinot noir, because she loves wine
When a subordinate clause precedes an independent clause, the subordinate clause must be followed by a comma. When a subordinate clause comes after an independent clause, the comma is optional.
Compound-Complex Sentence
A sentence with more than 1 independent clause and at least 1 subordinate clause.
SC + comma + IC + [Coordination conjunction/semi colon] + IC
Because we went to the beach, I ran on the soft sand, so I could build my endurance.
Whenever a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) is followed by a subordinating conjunction (but, because, even though, although, etc.), a third IC must follow.
I wanted to go scuba diving, but because I was tired, I read a book instead.
INCORRECT: I wanted to go scuba diving, but because I was tired from our long run.
Relative Clause
A type of dependent clause that begins with a relative pronoun (that, which, who, whom, whose, where, when). It must have a subject and a finite verb.
RC = [relative pronoun acting as a subject] + [finite verb] RC = [relative pronoun not acting as subject] + [subject] + [finite verb]
Relative clauses are embedded with other clauses.
The baboon “that grasped its baby” had an angry look about it.
- The subject of the relative clause is “that” and the verb is “grasped”.
My boat, which has an electric motor, is faster than most boats with gas engines.
- The subject of the relative clause is “which” and the verb is “has”.
Relative Pronoun
Relative Pronouns make clauses dependent.
That, which, who, whom, whose, where when
Relative Clause - When Relative Pronoun is Subject of Relative Clause
When the relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause, it CANNOT be omitted.
John lives on a beach “that becomes populated with sea turtles between May and November”.
IC + Relative Clause (subject: that) (verb: becomes)
INCORRECT: John lives on a beach becomes populated with sea turtles between May and November
I lost the sapphire that was given to me
I lost the sapphire (IC) + Relative clause (subject: that) (verb: was given)
Relative Clause When Relative Pronoun in NOT the Subject of the Relative Clause
When the relative pronoun is not the subject of the clause, it can be omitted.
Both examples below are CORRECT:
The baboon that Irving was feeding had an angry look about it.
- IC (The baboon had an angry look about it) + RC (that Irving was feeding) (subject: Irving) (verb: was feeding)
The baboon Irving was feeding had an angry look about it.
- IC (The baboon had an angry look about it) + RC (Irving was feeding) (subject: Irving) (verb: was feeding)
Valerio is at the coffee shop that he mentioned yesterday.
Valerio is at the coffee shop he mentioned yesterday.
Relative Clauses are used to create Sentence Fragments by GMAT
To determine whether the sentence has an independent clause (or it’s a fragmented sentence), cross off anything after relative clauses.
INCORRECT: The polymerase chain reaction, which allows scientists to quickly make tens of thousands million copies of a specific sample of DNA and has aided in the discovery of many new diagnostic test, vaccines, and medical therapeutics.
If you cross off everything after “, which” you get “The polymerase chain reaction”. This is just a phrase, there is no verb, so it can’t be a sentence.
CORRECT: The polymerase chain reaction ALLOWS scientists to quickly make tens of millions of copies of a specific sample of DNA and has aided in the discovery of many new diagnostic tests.
INCORRECT: Gettysburg, where, between July 1, 1863 and July 3, 1863, the Union Army under the command of General George Meade engaged the Confederate Army under the command of General Robert E. Lee, stopping the second, and most ambitious, push by the Confederate Army into the North.
If you cross everything after “where”, you get “Gettysburg”. This is a just a phrase without a verb.
CORRECT: Gettysburg IS where, between July 1, 1863 and July 3, 1863, the Union Army under the command of General George Meade engaged the Confederate Army under the command of General Robert E. Lee, stopping the second, and most ambitious, push by the Confederate Army into the North.
Noun Clause
A noun clause can serve a the subject of a sentence
That Napoleon’s ruse would fail in its intended objective had not occurred to the French generals.
“That Napoleon’s ruse would fail in its intended objective” - SUBJECT
That I would be chosen the winner came as a surprise to all.
“That I would be chosen the winner” - SUBJECT
Direct Object
A noun or pronoun that receives the action of the finite verb.
Dayo picked apples. Direct Object is “apples”
The deer ate the green grass. Direct Object is “green grass”
Noun Clause as a Direct Object
The noun clauses below are receiving the action of the finite verb.
I knew why the deer was eating my flowers. Noun clause: “Why the deer was eating my flowers”
I felt that it was time to go swimming. Noun clause: “That it was time to go swimming”
The court mandated that deer be allowed to swim and eat grass. Noun clause: “that deer be allowed to swim and eat grass”.
In noun clauses that serve as direct objects, the word “that” is often dropped.
I knew that dinner would be served soon
I knew dinner would be served soon
Noun Clause as Object of a Preposition
A noun clause can be the object of a preposition. Prepositions express relationships.
I was unhappy about what the auditors found. Noun clause is “what the auditors found”. Preposition is “about”
I was unhappy about how the matter was handled. Noun clause is “how the matter was handled”. Preposition is “about”
Everyone was amazed by what the children had achieved. Noun clause is “what the children had achieved”. Preposition is “by”.
