2. An even more useful classification of
sentences is classification by form.
Sentences take take three basic forms :
simple,compound and complex. An
additional form,the compound-complex
sentence is possible through combination
3. There are 9 understanding sentences forms can
be of great help in constructing better sentences
:
1. The Simple
Sentence
2. The Compound
Sentences
3. The Clause
4. The Complex
Sentence
5. The Compound –
Complex Sentence
6. The Adjective
Clause
7. The Adverb Clause
8. The Noun Clause
9. The Sentence
Redefined
4. 1. The Simple Sentence
A simple sentence contains only one
subject and predicate. Both the subject
and the predicate may be compound.
5. Compound means having two or
more similar parts :
• Compound Subject
Example : The supervisor and three employess
worked far into the night.
• Compound Verb
Example : Jan liked and often bought blue hats
• Compound Predicate
Example : Gary devoured a huge
sandwhich and drank a quart of milk
• Compound Subject and Compound Predicate
Example : Both the architect and the contractor
approved tha plans and endorsed the
project
6. 2. The Compound Sentences
The compound sentence consists of two
or more simple sentences put together.
Example : Lucy wrote five letters and her
father mailed them
7. 3. The Clause
A clause is a group of words containing a
verb and its subject. A clause that can
stand by itself as a sentence is a main
clause.
Example : The sack that contained
peanuts has disappeared
8. 4. The Complex Sentence
The complex sentence consists of one
main clause and one or more subordinate
clauses.
Example : Larry will sing if you coax him
9. 5. The Compound – Complex
Sentence
A Compound – Complex Sentence
consist of two or more main clauses and
one or more subordinate clauses.
Example : I looked for you,but you had
gone before I arrived
10. 6. The Adjective Clause
An adjective clause is a subordinate
clause used to modify a noun or pronoun
in the main clause.
Example : The man for whom I worked is
my uncle
11. 7. The Adverb Clause
An adverb clause is subordinate clause
used to modify a verb,adjective,or adverb
in the main clause.
Example : Tim whispers louder than most
people talk
12. 8. The Noun Clause
A noun clause is a subordinate clause
used as a noun
Example : She sai that the room is too
cold
13. 9. The Sentence Redefined
A phrase a group of words used within a sentence
as single part of speech.
A clause is a group of words which contains a
subject and verb.
Clause and phrase are sentence parts. The
sentence itself is not part of any other grammatical
construction. Complete definition sentence then is in
three parts :
A sentence is a group of words that
a. Expresses a complete thought
b. Contains a subject and verb
c. Is not part of any other grammatical construction
