Kinds of Sentences and Their Punctuation
A sentence may be one of four kinds, depending upon the number and type(s) of clauses it contains.
Review:
An independent clause contains a subject, a verb, and a complete thought.
A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb, but no complete thought.
1. A SIMPLE SENTENCE has one independent clause.
Punctuation note: NO commas commas separate compound elements (subject, verb, direct object, indirect object, subjective complement, etc.) in a simple sentence.
The following are the chief ways of combining two or more Simple Sentences into one Simple Sentence. 1. By usin using g a Part Partici iciple ple::
• He jumped up. He ran away. • Jumping up, he ran away. • He was tired of play. He sat down to rest. • Tired of play, he sat down to rest. • He is well versed in English. He was appointed as the English teacher in the school. • For his knowledge of English, he was appointed as English teacher in the school Here you may find the Synthesis of Sentences into a simple sentence. 2. By using a noun or a phrase in apposition:
• This is my friend. His name is Rama. • This is my friend Rama. • I spent two days in London. Londo n. It is one of the most attractive a ttractive places in England. • I spent two days in London, Londo n, one of the most attractive places p laces in England. • Buddhism was founded in 2500 years ago. It is one of the greatest religions. •
Buddhism, one of the greatest religions, was founded in 2500 years ago. Here you may find the Synthesis of Sentences into a simple sentence. 3. By using a preposition with noun or gerund:
• The moon rose. Their journey was not ended. • Before their journey was ended, the moon rose. • He has failed many times. He still hopes to win. • Having failed for many times, he still hopes to win. • Her husband died. She heard the news. She fainted. • On hearing the news of the death of her husband, she fainted. 4. By using, Nominative Absolute Construction:
• The soldiers arrived. The mob dispersed. d ispersed. • The soldiers having arrived, the mob dispersed.
• The town was enclosed by strong wall. The enemy was unable to capture it. • The town having been enclosed by strong wall, the enemy was unable to capture it. Here you may find the Synthesis of Sentences into a simple sentence. 5. By using an infinitive:
• I have some duties. I must perform them. • I have some duties to perform. • We must finish this exercise. There are still three sentences. • We have still three sentences in this exercise to finish. • He wanted to educate his son. He sent him to London. • He sent his son to London to educate him. • He is very fat. He can not run. • He is very fat to run. 6. By using an adverb or an Adverbial Phrase:
• He deserved to succeed. He failed. • He failed undeservedly. • The sun set. The boys had not finished the game. • The boys had not finished the game by sunset. Here you may find the Synthesis of Sentences into a simple sentence. Several of these methods can be combined in the same sentence. • The sun rose. The fog dispersed. The general determined to delay no longer. He gave order to advance. These four simple sentences may be combined to form a single simple sentence. • At sunrise, the fog having dispersed, the general, determined to delay no longer, gave the order to advance.
2. A COMPOUND SENTENCE has two independent clauses joined by A. a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so ), B. a conjunctive adverb (e.g. however, therefore), or C. a semicolon alone.
Punctuation patterns (to match A, B, and C above):
A. Independent clause , coordinating conjunction independent clause. B. Independent clause ; conjunctive adverb , independent clause. C. Independent clause ; independent clause.
3. A COMPLEX SENTENCE has one dependent clause (headed by a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun ) joined to an independent clause. clause .
Punctuation patterns (to match A, B, C and D above):
A. Dependent clause , independent clause B. Independent clause dependent clause
C. Independent , D. Independent
nonessential dependent clause , essential dependent clause
clause.
clause.
4. A COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE has two independent clauses joined to one or more dependent clauses.
Punctuation patterns:
Follow the rules given above for compound and complex sentences. A compound-complex sentence is merely a combination of the two.
CONNECTORS--COMPOUND AND COMPLEX SENTENCES
Two independent clauses may be joined by 1. Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) 2. Conjunctive adverbs
Ic;
therefore,
Ic, and
ic
ic.
A dependent (subordinate) clause may be introduced by 1. Subordinating conjunctions (ADVERB CLAUSE)
Dc, ic. or Ic dc.
2. Relative pronouns (ADJECTIVE CLAUSE) I, dc, c.
or
I dc c.
3. Relative pronoun, subordinating conjunctions, or adverbs (NOUN CLAUSE)
