Sentence Structure

Question 1

Difference Between Phrases & Clauses

Answer 1

A phrase is a collection of words without a subject-verb relationship. A phrase can never stand alone as a sentence.

Question 2

Finite Verb

Answer 2

Informs when something occurred.

Question 3

Independent Clauses

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Dependent Clauses

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Subordinate Clause

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

What is a Sentence

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Simple Sentence

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Compound Sentence

Answer 8

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)

Question 9

Use of Colons

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Complex Sentence

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Compound-Complex Sentence

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Relative Clause

Answer 12

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”.

Question 13

Relative Pronoun

Answer 13

Relative Pronouns make clauses dependent.

That, which, who, whom, whose, where when

Question 14

Relative Clause - When Relative Pronoun is Subject of Relative Clause

Answer 14

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)

Question 15

Relative Clause When Relative Pronoun in NOT the Subject of the Relative Clause

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Relative Clauses are used to create Sentence Fragments by GMAT

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Noun Clause

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Direct Object

Answer 18

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”

Question 19

Noun Clause as a Direct Object

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Noun Clause as Object of a Preposition

Answer 20

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”.