English sentence types
• Simple sentences
These are sentences that have only one independent clause. An independent clause has one or more subjects, a single verb and usually some other words.
Examples:
John saw a strange man near the entrance.
In the new year my wife and I intend to get better jobs.
Other kinds of simple sentences are:
• Passive voice:
Examples:
A strange man was seen near the entrance.
The library was built over a hundred years ago.
• Sentences with subject-verb inversions
• Starting with negative words:
Examples:
Not once has he studied adequately for a test.
Rarely does the professor change a student’s marks.
• Starting with limiting words
Examples:
Little does he know about astronomy.
Only once was she late for class.
• Starting with prepositional phrases of location
Examples:
On his desk was the first draft of his term paper.
Off the coast of B.C. lie the Queen Charlotte Islands.
• Compound sentences
These are sentences that have two or more independent clauses. Between the two clauses is one of these conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, or a semicolon ( ; ). With and, but, or the second clause doesn’t have to have a subject if it’s the same as the subject in the first clause.
Examples:
Peter was pleased with his results on the test, for he had studied many hours for it.
We decided to go to the park and have a picnic.
I am not buying her a present, nor am I going to her party.
Note: After nor, the subject and verb are inverted.
Jack was tired, but he finished all his homework before bedtime.
She‘s studying at her friends house, or she‘s in the library.
Everything was quiet, yet there was an excitement in the air.
Cindy got promoted at work, so she and her friends went out to celebrate.
The professor was very pleased; all of the students were present and on time.
Special kinds of compound sentences are
• Sentences with paired conjunctions
Not only/but also:
Examples:
Not only is she a good athlete, but she is also a scholar.
Note: When not only starts the sentence, the subject and verb that follow are inverted.
She not only writes poetry but she also composes songs.
Either … or:
Examples:
Either I’m going to pass all my courses, or I’m going to die trying.
I’m going to either pass all my courses or die trying.
Neither … nor:
Examples:
Neither is the team prepared for, nor is it capable of winning the game.
Note: When neither starts a sentence, the subject and verb that follow are inverted.
He will neither fly nor will he take the train to visit his sister.
• Proportional sentences:
Examples:
The harder Jack works, the better his grades are.
The more fried food I eat, the fatter I get.
• Complex sentences
These are sentences that have one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. These dependent clauses could be adverb clauses, adjective clauses, or noun clauses, all of which start with markers.
Examples:
Jack went to bed before he finished all his homework.
Jack went to bed early, which was unusual for him.
What Jack told me was a secret.
Special kinds of complex sentences are conditional sentences.
• Conditional sentences
These are sentences that have an “if” clause (adverb clause) and an independent clause.
Examples:
If Jack doesn’t finish his homework, the teacher will be disappointed.
If Jack didn’t finish his homework, the teacher would be disappointed.
If Jack hadn’t finished his homework, the teacher would have been disappointed.
Another special kind of complex sentence is one with subject-verb inversions
• Starting with negative words:
Example:
No sooner had he arrived when everybody shouted, “Happy birthday.”
• Starting with “so”
Examples:
So great was his interest in medicine that he studied day and night.
So far did he have to walk to school that he was always tired in class.
• Compound-complex sentences
These are sentences that have two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
Examples:
Jack was very tired when he went to bed, so he didn’t get up until noon.
As soon as she gets home from work, she kicks off her shoes and lies on the sofa.
Quiz: English sentence types - exercise
What kind of sentence is it?
- Question 1 of 15
1.
I often go for a walk in the park after school.
Correct!
Not right. There’s only one subject ( I ) and one verb (go)
- Question 2 of 15
2.
Maybe I can get a new smart phone if I save up enough money.
Right answer!
Wrong, I’m afraid. There’s one dependent clause (if …) and one independent clause.
- Question 3 of 15
3.
My sister and I once got lost in Amsterdam and had to ask for directions.
Nice job!
Too bad. There are two verbs joined with “and.”
- Question 4 of 15
4.
John and his brother were late for the meeting downtown at the library.
Perfect!
Not so good. Although there are two subjects, there’s only one verb (were).
- Question 5 of 15
5.
The person that I saw running away was tall and had on dark clothes.
Sweet!
Try again. There’s a dependent clause and two verbs joined with “and.”
- Question 6 of 15
6.
We aren’t going to join the club even though they want us to.
Right you are!
Afraid not this time. There one independent clause and one dependent clause.
- Question 7 of 15
7.
We rarely go to the movies or go out to dinner.
Nicely done!
No good. There are two independent clauses joined by “or.”
- Question 8 of 15
8.
He never thought of the consequences of his actions.
You got it!
You missed it. There’s only one subject (he) and one verb (thought).
- Question 9 of 15
9.
She left the party immediately and her friends followed her.
Great job!
Sorry. No. There are two independent clauses joined by “and.”
- Question 10 of 15
10.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if he came home early?
Well done!
Not very good. There is one independent clause (Have you …) and two dependent clauses.
- Question 11 of 15
11.
What she told me is a secret that I’ll never tell anyone, and you can count on that.
Impressive!
Mistake. There are two independent clauses joined by “and,” and two dependent clauses.
- Question 12 of 15
12.
Not even once was he late for his morning class at 8:00.
Good for you!
Wrong answer. There’s only one subject (he) and one verb (was.)
- Question 13 of 15
13.
A strange man was seen walking towards the bridge and smoking a cigar.
Bravo!
Incorrect. There one independent clause (A strange man …) and two dependent clauses (walking … smoking …)
- Question 14 of 15
14.
He is very talented yet seems to lack confidence in his own ability.
Nicely done!
Not this time. There are two independent clauses joined by “yet.”
- Question 15 of 15
15.
We knew we were going to be late, so we skipped breakfast.
Yes. Right answer!
No. Wrong answer. There are two independent clauses joined by “so” and one dependent clause (we were …)
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© 2013 Ambien Malecot