Sentence Structure

Question 1

Complex sentence

Answer 1

contains an independent clause and a subordinate clause, connected by a subordinating conjunction

You know that an independent clause has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
A dependent clause, or subordinate clause, has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

Subordinate clause: Until the sun set.

You also know that a compound sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. You can create a complex sentence when join an independent clause and a subordinate clause. The subordinate clause adds information or details to the main independent clause.

Complex sentence: The fireworks did not start until the
sun set.

A subordinate clause is introduced by subordinating conjunction. Here are some subordinating conjunctions and relationships they show.

Time: after, before, once, since, until, when, whenever,
while
Result/effect: in order that, so, so that
Location: where, wherever
Condition: if, even if, unless
Choice: whether
Concession: although, even though, though
Reason/cause: as, because, since

Method: A subordinate clause is a sentence fragment if it is not connected to an independent clause. You can correct the fragment by attaching it to an independent clause to create a complex sentence.

Independent clause
and fragment: The game was canceled. Because it
rained.

Complex sentence: The game was canceled because it
rained.

Rule: Use a comma after a subordinate clause at the beginning of a sentence. You usually do not need a comma before a subordinate clause at the end of a sentence.

Complex sentence: Because it rained, the game was
canceled.
Complex sentence: The game was canceled because it
rained.

Question 2

clause

Answer 2

a group of words with a subject and a verb. An independent clause expresses a complete thought; a dependent, or subordinate, clause does not.

Question 3

independent clause

Answer 3

a group of words that has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Example: With hard work, they all passed the test.

Question 4

subordinate clause

Answer 4

(also called a dependent clause) a group of words that has a subject and verb but is not a sentence because it does not express a complete thought. Example: As we finished cleaning up.

Question 5

Combining Details

Answer 5

A simple sentence has a subject, a verb, and one idea. Simple sentences are often short. Too many short, simple sentences—— or too many short, simple clauses in a compound sentence—– will make your writing seem choppy and repetitions.

There are several methods for combining details to make your writing flow more smoothly. Notice that while all three methods solve the problem slightly. each contains the same details, eliminates repetition, and shows the relationship of ideas.

Method 1: Combine details into one longer simple
sentence.

Choppy: Many different needles are required for hand
sewing.
The needles vary according to eye shape.
They vary according to length. They vary
according to point.

Choppy: The needles vary according to eye shape, and
they vary according to length, and they vary
according to point.

Smooth: Needles for hand sewing vary according to eye
shape, length, and point.

Method 2: Combine details into one compound
sentence

Smooth: Hand sewing requires different needles, so
they vary according to eye shape, length, and
point.

Method 3: Combine details into one complex sentence.

Smooth: Because hand sewing requires different
needles, they vary according to eye shape,
length, and point.