English Composition/Sentence Structure
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English Composition ＞ Sentence Structure (1)
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3 types of sentences
There are three main types of sentences:
Simple Sentences
There is no clause and there is only one relationship between subject and verb (subject and predicate).
e.g :
The Rangers won.
S V
In this way, how to write the type of the underlined part (S is the main part, V is the predicate, O O1 O2 etc is the object, the first object, the second object).
Here, it is expressed as follows for convenience. And I will use this writing method after that.
The Rangers(S) won(V).
We(S) enjoyed(V) the party(O).
I(S1) and my sister(S2) enjoyed(V) the party(O).
Mr. Chen(S) called(V) the police(O1) and the ambulance(O2).
I(S) will read(V1) a book or watch(V2) TV tonight.* *There are two verbs “will read” “watch” but there is only one subject, so a single sentence.
Carlos(S) speaks(V1) English but doesn't read(V2) it.* *This is also two verbs "speaks" "does not read" but there is only one subject, so a single sentence.
Compound Sentences
Two or more independent clauses are connected in equal relationship by the coordinate conjunctions <and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so>, and each clause has a main part and a predicate.
e.g :
It(S) was(V) too hot, so I(S) opened(V) the window(O).
It(S) is(V) a nice house(O), but it(S) doesn't have(V) a garage(O).
My mother(S) bought(V) some fresh greens, and we(S) made(V) salad.
Complex Sentences
A sentence in which there are two or more clauses including the subject + predicate, and the main clause and the subordinate clause are connected by the subordinate conjunction <that, when, while, as, if, though, till, because, etc ...>.
e.g :
I(S) think(V) that they(S) are(V) quite serious.
While the children(S) were getting dressed(V), their father(S) prepared(V) their breakfast.
We(S) didn't go swimming(V) because the weather(S) was bad(V) and the water(S) was polluted(V).
Compound-Complex Sentences
A sentence with two or more main clauses:
e.g :
Even though the weather(S) is bad(V), Paul(S) is driving(V) to Orlando and Ann(S) is flying(V) to Miami.
Exercise
Exercise1
Decide whether the following sentences are simple（S）, compound（C）, or complex（X）.
- Nothing surprise me any more.（ ）
- My brother likes soccer and plays for a local team.（ ）
- My brother likes soccer, and he plays for a local team. （ ）
- The students were late because there was a traffic accident. （ ）
- I have two sisters but no brothers. （ ）
- Joe is married, and he has two children. （ ）
- I don’t drink or smoke. （ ）
- I don’t drink, and I don’t smoke. （ ）
Exercise2
Use a conjunction to form a compound or a complex sentence. Write the sentence.
- Tom works in sales department. Miyuki works in accounting.
- The library was closed. I could not borrow reference books for my study.
- Turn to the left at that corner. You’ll find the station.
- Everybody promised to attend. Nobody showed up at the meeting.
