Varying Sentence Structure
Two Paragraphs
Read the paragraphs below. Choose the
paragraph that is more effective.
I love living in the city. I have a wonderful view of the
entire city. I have an apartment. I can see the Golden
Gate Bridge. I can see many cargo ships pass under the
bridge each day. I like the restaurants in San Francisco. I
can find wonderful food from just about every country. I
don’t like the traffic in the city.
I love living in the city of San Francisco. I have a
wonderful view of the entire city from my apartment
window. In addition, I can see the Golden Gate Bridge
under which many cargo ships pass each day. I also like
San Francisco because I can find wonderful restaurants
with food from just about every country; however, I don’t
like the traffic in the city.
How do you vary sentence
structure?
You will want to use a variety of
sentence structures in your writing.
There are three types of sentences we
will study in this lesson:
- Simple Sentence
- Compound Sentence
- Complex Sentence
- Compound-Complex sentence
The Simple Sentence
A simple sentence has one independent clause
I live in San Francisco.
Subject
Verb
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence has the most basic elements that make it a sentence:
a subject, a verb, and a completed thought.
Examples of simple sentences include the following:
1. Joe waited for the train.
"Joe" = subject, "waited" = verb
2. The train was late.
"The train" = subject, "was" = verb
3. Mary and Samantha took the bus.
"Mary and Samantha" = compound subject, "took" = verb
4.I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station.
"I" = subject, "looked" = verb
5. Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station and waited until noon for
the bus.
"Mary and Samantha" = compound subject, "arrived" and "waited" =
compound verb
Compound Sentence
A compound sentence contains two
independent clauses that are joined
together.
She works in the city, but she lives in the suburbs.
Independent Independent
Clause Clause
Compound Sentence
You can make a compound sentence
by joining two logically related
independent clauses by using…
- a semicolon
- a coordinating conjunction
- a transition
Using a Semicolon
Independent Clause ; Independent Clause
I love living in the city ; there are so many things to do.
Independent Independent
Clause Clause
Using a Coordinating Conjunction
Independent Clause ,coordinating conjunction Independent Clause
He couldn’t watch the show , so he decided to
tape it.
Independent Independent
Clause Clause
FANBOYS
Another way to remember these is…
For F
And A
Nor N
But B
Or O
Yet Y
So S
CAUTION!
Do NOT use a comma every time you use the words
and, or, but, nor, for, so, yet. Use a comma only
when the coordinating conjunction joins two
independent clauses.
Simple Sentence
The necklace was beautiful but expensive.
Independent No comma- not an
Clause independent clause
Using a Transition
( Conjunctive Adverb
Independent Clause ; transition , Independent Clause
I love San Francisco ; however, I hate the traffic.
Independent Independent
Clause Clause
Note :
When a conjunctive adverb joins clauses, it is preceded by
a semicolon & followed by a comma.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains at least one
independent clause and one subordinate
clause.
I will buy a new house
Independent Clause
if I have a lot of
money.
Subordinating Subordinate Clause
Conjunction
Example- Complex Sentence
A complex sentence contains at least one
independent clause and one dependent
clause.
She will go to school in the city
Independent Clause
until she finds a job.
Subordinating Subordinate Clause
Conjunction
Complex Sentences
Use a comma after a subordinate clause if it
begins the sentence.
When I first moved to the city,
Subordinating Use a comma if
Conjunction the dependent
clause is the first
part of the
sentence.
I was afraid to drive the steep and narrow streets.
Independent
Clause
A complex sentence is a sentence with an
independent clause and at least one
subordinate clause. The subordinate clause is
introduced by either a subordinate conjunction
(such as although, while, or because) or a
relative pronoun (such as who or which).
Simple My friend invited me to a party. I do
not want to go.
Compound My friend invited me to a party,
but I do not want to go.
Complex Although my friend invited me to a
party, I do not want to go.
Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence contains two or
more independent clauses & at least one
subordinate clause.
Example: Laura forgot her friend’s birthday, so she
sent her a card when she finally remembered.
Self-Check
1. Does your sentence have at least 2 independent clauses?
Underline them.
2. Are your sentences joined by a conjunction? Draw a box
around it.
3. Does your sentence have a subordinate clause? Circle it.
4. Does your subordinate clause start with a transitional word ?
Draw a box around it.
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"
Subordinate clause: "Although I like to go camping... "
1- If Barack Obama is re-elected this November, he'll
serve another four years, but it won't be an easy contest
to win.
independent cause: he'll serve another four years
independent cause: it won't be an easy contest to win.
Subordinate clause: If Barack Obama is re-elected this
November,
2- Even though he prefers to eat with a fork, he chooses
to use chopsticks in Chinese restaurants; however, they
aren't easy to use.
independent clause: he chooses to use chopsticks in
Chinese restaurants
independent clause: they aren't easy to use.
Subordinate clause: Even though he prefers to eat with a
fork
