You learned in lesson one that a sentence consists of a subject and a verb. This subject and verb pair forms what is called an independent clause and is a called a simple sentence. However, you can also form complex sentences, compound sentences, and complex-compound sentences. These sentences are formed by pairing independent and dependent clauses or by pairing two independent clauses. These sentences must be joined by a conjunction or conjunctive adverb. Learning to vary your writing by varying sentence structure makes for much more interesting and engaged reading.
Compound Sentence
A compound sentence is formed by pairing two separate independent clauses. This is an effective way to join two ideas together. A conjunction must be used with a comma preceding the conjunction. (see below for conjunction information) If the ideas are closely related, a semicolon can be used in place of a conjunction.
Examples:
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1. Jim walked the dog, and he fed the cat.
2. I was the leader of the mod, but I was forced to resign.
3. A man chooses; a slave obeys.
4. Nothing is true; everything is permitted.
Complex Sentence
A complex sentence is formed by pairing an independent clause with a dependent one. A subordinating conjunction is used to form part of the complex sentence.
Examples:
Spoiler for Source: ivcc.edu:
The dependent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the independent clause, as in the following:
1. Because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon, I did not see them at the station.
2. While he waited at the train station, Joe realized that the train was late.
3. After they left on the bus, Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station.
Conversely, the independent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the dependent clause, as in the following:
1. I did not see them at the station because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon.
2. Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at the train station.
3. Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station after they left on the bus.
Note: A comma should follow the dependent clause if it precedes the independent clause. However, if the independent clause precedes the dependent clause, a comma should not be used.
Complex-Compound Sentence
A complex sentence is formed by using two separate independent clauses as well as one or more dependent clauses. As the name implies, it is like combining both complex and compound sentences into one sentence.
Examples:
Spoiler for Source: learnamericanenglishonline.com; mccd.edu:
1. Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with.
independent clause: "I haven't had the time to go lately"
independent clause: "I haven't found anyone to go with"
dependent clause: "Although I like to go camping... "
2. We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that we were wrong.
independent clause: "We decided that the movie was too violent"
independent clause: "(but) our children thought that we were wrong"
dependent clause: "who like to watch scary movies"
When I looked into the mirror, I saw an old man, and I was surprised.
As I look out the window, I see no clouds, but the weather report predicted rain.
Whenever the old man walked around the mansion, he wanted hide his money, for he feared his children would steal it from him.
Conjunctions
These words pair two independent clauses together and can be coordinating conjunctions, correlative conjunctions, or subordinating conjunctions.
Coordinating Conjunctions
These are your most common conjunctions and simply connect two equal parts of a sentence. (Independent clauses)
Examples:
Spoiler for Source: Wikipedia:
For presents a reason (e.g., "He is gambling with his health, for he has been smoking far too long."); "for" is more commonly used as a preposition. And presents non-contrasting item(s) or idea(s) (e.g., "They gamble, and they smoke."). Nor presents a non-contrasting negative idea (e.g., "They do not gamble, nor do they smoke."). But presents a contrast or exception (e.g., "They gamble, but they don't smoke."). Or presents an alternative item or idea (e.g., "Every day, they gamble or they smoke."). Yet presents a contrast or exception (e.g., "They gamble, yet they don't smoke."). So presents a consequence (e.g., "He gambled well last night, so he smoked a cigar to celebrate.").
These common conjunctions are commonly remembered by using the acronym: FANBOYS.
Subordinating Conjunctions
These conjunctions join an independent and dependent clause. They are used to form complex sentences. Some of the most common subordinating conjunctions are provided below.
Examples:
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After
Although
As
As far as
As if
As long as
As soon as
As though
Because
Before
If
Since
Though
Unless
Until
When
Whenever
Where
Whereas
Wherever
While
Note: Technically, there are other kinds of conjunctions, but for this lesson, we will only be concerned with the coordinating and subordinating conjunction.
Conjunctive Adverbs
Similar to conjunctions, these words pair two clauses together. They show cause and effect, sequence, contrast, comparison, or other relationships. A good time to use this is when two ideas are strongly related and having two separate sentences dilutes the relationship.
Examples:
Spoiler for Source: Wikipedia:
· accordingly · additionally · also · anyway · again · as a result · besides · certainly · comparatively · consequently · contrarily · conversely · finally · further · furthermore · elsewhere · equally · hence · henceforth · however · just as · in addition · in comparison · in contrast · in fact · incidentally · indeed · instead · likewise · meanwhile · moreover · namely · nevertheless · next · nonetheless · notably · now · otherwise · rather · similarly · subsequently · still · that is · then · thereafter · therefore · thus · undoubtedly · uniquely
Spoiler for Source: Wikipedia:
Bret enjoys video games. He is a crazy nerd.
Bret enjoys video games; therefore, he is a crazy nerd.
He went to the store. He did not buy anything.
He went to the store; however, he did not buy anything.
Stephanie lent me a barrel of pickled plums. She is consequently my friend.
Stephanie lent me a barrel of pickled plums; consequently, she is my friend.
Note: Conjunctive adverbs must be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.
Fort Hood, Texas/Parramatta, New South Wales, Bristol, Tennessee
Posts
11,588
Re: Lesson 4
Originally Posted by StealthFox
Due tomorrow and no one has completed it? The lesson/assignment isn't too difficult is it? As always we are here to help if help is needed.
It's bewildering.... Am sitting down to try and go through it now. I haven't tried to tackle it during the week due to limited internet time.
If I get stuck,and it's looking that way atm, I'll report back...
A Lion serves in Winter, then perhaps a Unicorn for the Spring.
**************** If you cannot stand behind what you say.... then do not speak. If your words are taken out of context,
then the weight of the evidence will still fall in your favor and carry the day The Casual Tortoise: Mega's Guide to Fast Turtling
Fort Hood, Texas/Parramatta, New South Wales, Bristol, Tennessee
Posts
11,588
Re: Lesson 4
Originally Posted by StealthFox
We now have some names up on the board!
That was really rough......Beyond brutal actually...
Last edited by Mega Tortas de Bodemloze; February 18, 2012 at 05:02 PM.
Reason: clarification
A Lion serves in Winter, then perhaps a Unicorn for the Spring.
**************** If you cannot stand behind what you say.... then do not speak. If your words are taken out of context,
then the weight of the evidence will still fall in your favor and carry the day The Casual Tortoise: Mega's Guide to Fast Turtling
Lesson 4
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The lesson/assignment isn't too difficult is it? As always we are here to help if help is needed.
Originally Posted by StealthFox
