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Sentence Structure and Types of Sentences - Grammar

Definitions and Examples of Basic Sentence Elements

The Mastering the Mechanics webinar series also describes required sentence elements and varying sentence types. Please see these archived webinars for more information.

 

Key: Yellow, bold = subject; green underline = verb, blue, italics = object, pink, regular font = prepositional phrase

 

Independent clause: An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a subject and a verb and is a complete idea.

  • I like spaghetti.
  • He reads many books.

Dependent clause: A dependent clause is not a complete sentence. It must be attached to an independent clause to become complete. This is also known as a subordinate clause.

  • Although I like spaghetti,…
  • Because he reads many books,…

Subject: A person, animal, place, thing, or concept that does an action. Determine the subject in a sentence by asking the question “Who or what?”

  • I like spaghetti.
  • He reads many books.

Verb: Expresses what the person, animal, place, thing, or concept does. Determine the verb in a sentence by asking the question “What was the action or what happened?”

  • I like spaghetti.
  • He reads many books.
  • The movie is good. (The be verb is also sometimes referred to as a copula or a linking verb. It links the subject, in this case "the movie," to the complement or the predicate of the sentence, in this case, "good.")

Object: A person, animal, place, thing, or concept that receives the action. Determine the object in a sentence by asking the question “The subject did what?” or “To whom?/For whom?”

  • I like spaghetti.
  • He reads many books.

Prepositional Phrase: A phrase that begins with a preposition (i. e., in, at for, behind, until, after, of, during) and modifies a word in the sentence. A prepositional phrase answers one of many questions. Here are a few examples: “Where? When? In what way?”

  • I like spaghetti for dinner.
  • He reads many books in the library.

English Sentence Structure

The following statements are true about sentences in English:

  • A new sentence begins with a capital letter.
    • He obtained his degree.
  • A sentence ends with punctuation (a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point).
    • He obtained his degree.
  • A sentence contains a subject that is only given once.
    • Smith he obtained his degree.
  • A sentence contains a verb or a verb phrase.
    • He obtained his degree.
  • A sentence follows Subject + Verb + Object word order.
    • He (subject) obtained (verb) his degree (object).
  • A sentence must have a complete idea that stands alone. This is also called an independent clause.
    • He obtained his degree.

Simple Sentences

A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb, and it may also have an object and modifiers. However, it contains only one independent clause.

Key: Yellow, bold = subject; green underline = verb, blue, italics = object, pink, regular font =prepositional phrase

Here are a few examples:

  • She wrote.
  • She completed her literature review.
  • He organized his sources by theme.
  • They studied APA rules for many hours.

Compound Sentences

A compound sentence contains at least two independent clauses.   These two independent clauses can be combined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or with a semicolon.

Key: independent clause = yellow, bold; comma  or semicolon = pink, regular font; coordinating conjunction = green, underlined

Here are a few examples:

  • She completed her literature review, and she created her reference list.
  • He organized his sources by theme; then, he updated his reference list.
  • They studied APA rules for many hours, but they realized there was still much to learn.

Using some compound sentences in writing allows for more sentence variety.

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence contains at least one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Dependent clauses can refer to the subject (who, which) the sequence/time (since, while), or the causal elements (because, if) of the independent clause.

If a sentence begins with a dependent clause, note the comma after this clause. If, on the other hand, the sentence begins with an independent clause, there is not a comma separating the two clauses.

Key: independent clause = yellow, bold; comma = pink, regular font; dependent clause = blue, italics

Here are a few examples:

  • Although she completed her literature review, she still needed to work on her methods section.
    • Note the comma in this sentence because it begins with a dependent clause.
  • Because he organized his sources by theme, it was easier for his readers to follow.
    • Note the comma in this sentence because it begins with a dependent clause.
  • They studied APA rules for many hours as they were so interesting.
    • Note that there is no comma in this sentence because it begins with an independent clause.
  • Using some complex sentences in writing allows for more sentence variety.

Compound-Complex Sentences

Sentence types can also be combined. A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Key: independent clause = yellow, bold; comma  or semicolon = pink, regular font; coordinating conjunction = green, underlined; dependent clause = blue, italics

  • She completed her literature review, but she still needs to work on her methods section even though she finished her methods course last semester.
  • Although he organized his sources by theme, he decided to arrange them chronologically, and he carefully followed the MEAL plan for organization. 
  • With pizza and soda at hand, they studied APA rules for many hours, and they decided that writing in APA made sense because it was clear, concise, and objective.
  • Using some complex-compound sentences in writing allows for more sentence variety.
  • Pay close attention to comma usage in complex-compound sentences so that the reader is easily able to follow the intended meaning.

Sentence Structure Video Playlist

Related Resources

Knowledge Check: Sentence Structure and Types of Sentences

5 tips to make constructing English sentences easy

English grammar can often seem strange. We have so many rules for making sentences and almost as many exceptions to those rules. On a basic level, though, most English sentences follow a similar structure. Follow these five tips to make constructing English sentences easy.

Enjoy? Try downloading our eBooks! And find more tips on how to best present yourself on paper using perfect English grammar, alongside other useful examples.

  1. Get the words in the right order. The most common order for parts of a sentence is: subject, verb, object (if present).

Steve kicked the ball.

In this sentence, the subject is ‘Steve’, the verb is ‘kicked’ and the object is ‘the ball’. To help you remember this structure, try making an example with someone you know well as the subject and something they do often for the verb and object.

  1. Parts of speech aren’t always just one word. A subject, verb, or object is sometimes made up of several words so make sure you look at the structure of a whole sentence rather than just individual words if you want to get it right.

People who practice a lot get higher scores.

In this sentence, the subject is ‘people who practice a lot’. We can call a subject made of several words a ‘subject phrase’ or ‘predicate’.

  1. There are two types of object. Sometimes you will see sentences with two objects. If that’s the case, we split them into two types:

Direct – the object with which the subject has a direct connection.

Indirect – the object with a weaker connection to the subject.

I bought some flowers for my mother.

In this sentence, ‘flowers’ is a direct object and ‘my mother’ is an indirect object. The indirect has a preposition before it if we want to use it at the end of the

sentence.

I bought my mother some flowers.

In this sentence the direct and indirect objects are in a different order. When the direct comes last, we don’t need to use a preposition.

  1. Compound sentences follow the same structure but do it twice. A compound sentence is one made of two clauses (sections). In this case, the sentence uses a conjunction to join two halves of the sentence, each of which has the same structure.

I cooked dinner and my father bought some drinks.

Subject Verb Object + Subject Verb Object

  1. Learn the exceptions to the rules. There are some sentence structures, for example, the passive voice, that work slightly differently. Once you are comfortable with declarative sentences, take some time to explore other sentence structures as they will give you language more variety and are a fun challenge to learn.

So, now you have some tips on how to make English sentences easily, have a go yourself in the comments section below. If you know any exceptions to the rules, share them with the other readers.

Want to learn more? Visit our website to start learning English online today!

Article related: Regular and irregular verbs

What are the rules for constructing sentences in Russian? / Directory :: Bingoskul

What are the rules for constructing sentences in Russian?

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Contents:

Syntax teaches the correct construction of a sentence. The intelligibility of the statement to the addressee depends on this.

The sentence structure characteristic of the Russian language was first described by NM Karamzin. The scientist and historian identified two traditional formulas for the construction of the base:

  1. The sun has risen. The birds chirped. - Prepositive subject. The model is characteristic of the narrative, it conveys the dynamics of the action.

  2. Lightning flashed. Great summer storm! - Prepositive predicate. Found in descriptive texts. Typical for interrogative and exclamatory structures.

Both constructions illustrate the direct word order in Russian.

What is direct word order in Russian?

The rules for constructing sentences in Russian require the arrangement of syntagmas, due to the laws of syntax, semantics and functional style conditions.

Word order is stylistic. A word placed in an unusual position in a sentence acquires a special meaning.

Direct word order is the arrangement of phrase elements traditional for Russian syntax.

How to correctly compose sentences in Russian? Sentence structure

The correct construction of sentences in Russian is as follows:

  • The subject comes before the predicate: The forest rustled.

  • Controlled element follows the controler: Student will answer the question.

  • Agreed prepositive definition: Sunbeam illuminated the room.

  • Inconsistent definition is in postposition: The house on the right seemed uninhabited.

  • Circumstances of the mode of action, time and place are in front of the predicate: How quickly time has flown !

  • Circumstances of other values ​​have free space in the design.

Recommendations on how to correctly compose sentences in Russian also apply to phrases that are part of the statement:

  • In phrases with a noun scheme. + n. dependent, usually in postposition: teacher's question, child's tears.

  • An adverb preceded by a supporting adjective: absolutely impossible, slightly crooked.

  • In the verb + adverb model, the dependent word comes after the main word if the adverb is accented: she sang wonderfully.

How is a sentence constructed in Russian if it has homogeneous members? When a number of homogeneous definitions are included in the construction, the name of a more important feature is put in the first place: A spring carriage was moving along a sloppy autumn forest road.

The structure of a sentence with an infinitive in Russian suggests its postposition: Let's go to study in Moscow.

What is reverse word order in a sentence?

Reverse order is a violation of the traditional sequence of words in a sentence. If this is done to enhance the imagery, such a reverse word order in a sentence is called inverted .

Any change in the rules for composing sentences in Russian focuses attention on words that are in unusual places. For example, rearranging the definition before the main word emphasizes it intonation and semantically: There were beautiful young ladies here, well done brave , fathers of families portly .

Changing the place of the definition and separating it from the noun it defines always strengthens this member of the sentence: Late we got spring this year.

Indirect word order is often used in literature to create an artistic image, as well as in speech practice. Inversion makes our statement more capacious, precise, expressive. For example, by violating the rule about the postposition of a controlled word that is correlated with a verb, we emphasize the quality of the action being performed: Slowly, with unsteady shuffling steps , an old man was walking along a long corridor.

There is no strict regulation on how to correctly construct a sentence in Russian. Word order has relative freedom, limited by grammatical laws and the requirements of meaning.

The word order is connected with the actual division of the sentence into the topic (known) and the rheme (new). As a rule, the topic is connected with the subject, the rheme with the predicate. Their syntactic place is not fixed: Afanasy Ivanovich was breathing heavily. Whirlwinds twisted blue clouds in the sky.

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June 11, 2021, 03:22 PM

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How to “build” sentences in English?

January 14, 2014

6 min. read

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Is it possible to build such an understandable system that would allow you to easily build sentences in English and quickly understand all tenses? Let's see.

Learn English with the stars. Every week new useful videos on our Youtube channel - subscribe.

Article content:

  • Simplicity is the key to success
  • Golden Rule
  • Times

First you need to figure out what generally accepted standards exist, and how you can not get lost in the apparent complexity while teaching English.

Complete the topic in the online simulator:
  • Alien speech and sentences with it
  • Mixed type of conditional sentences
  • Conditional offers

If you look in more detail at the structure of a sentence in English, it becomes obvious that in order to quickly learn how to express yourself concisely and clearly, you just need to practice recognizing the subject (who is doing?) and the predicate (what is he doing?) in an English sentence .

In most cases, in sentences, the subject comes before the predicate. The only exceptions are interrogative sentences. But in any case, you need to start simple. Thus, it will be easy to learn how to write sentences in English.

Simplicity is the key to success

Let's start with the simplest. This will be the base from which you will need to build on in the future. Understanding it will greatly simplify the job of automating the construction of sentences in our head on the fly.

It is worth knowing that English sentences, unlike Russian ones, are distinguished by simplicity, conciseness and brevity. Perhaps this is due to the English mentality, but now is not about that.

Long and very complex sentences in English can still be found. They are found in legal texts or in fiction, i.e. where appropriate. However, in live communication, long sentences are extremely rare. But to start, you need to build on the simple.

Let's find out what a simple sentence is in English. Any sentence is built in order to describe the real life situation as clearly as possible.

In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to use words to describe the current situation and connect them so that the meaning is conveyed as succinctly as possible. If it is possible to convey the meaning correctly, then in the head of the one to whom the information is transmitted, an image of the same picture will be obtained.

See also : Types of compound sentences in English

In Russian, words are connected with the help of endings. However, in English the situation is completely different, there is no change in many endings.

On the one hand, this simplifies the process of memorization and study, and on the other hand, it requires maximum clarity in sentence construction and the correct use of prepositions.

Read also

Template for writing a letter of request and letter of application in English

Golden Rule

So, let's define the first and most important rule - the direct word order! First it says who does it, then what it does. Any variations are available in Russian, for example:

  • A boy is fishing.
  • A boy is fishing.
  • A boy is fishing.
  • A boy is fishing.

There is always only one word order in English - "A boy is catching some fish".
Remember this golden rule to start with when learning English. Everything is tied to verbs (simple predicates). They will, of course, stand in some form of one of the English tenses (from here you can immediately understand how to use tenses), three moods and two pledges. For beginners, the main thing is to understand the basic:

In English sentence structure always follows a certain structure:

  • Subject (who/what?),
  • verb (what is he doing?),
  • object (who/what? addition),
  • place (where?),
  • time (when?).

For example: "I like to walk with my dog ​​in the park in the evening".

  • I;
  • like to walk;
  • with my dog;
  • in the park;
  • in the evening.

You may also be interested in: Conditional sentences in English

Read also

Template: how to write a review in English

Tenses

Many beginners to learn a language feel dizzy from an infinite number of tenses. If we take into account all of them, then it turns out 16. This is explained by the fact that the tense system is clearly different from the one used in the Russian language. Of course, there are also common points, but the main trump card of the system of English tenses is strict order, consistency, obedience to the laws of grammar and logic.

But times are not as terrible as they are portrayed. If you master at least six of the most consumed, you can feel confident in almost any communication situation - these are Present Simple, Past Simple, Future Simple, Present Continuous, Past Continuous, and Present Perfect.
Example:

  • I go to work every day. - Present Simple (what happens regularly).
  • I went to work yesterday. - Past Simple (stating a fact in the past).
  • I will go to work tomorrow. - Future Simple (stating a fact in the future).
  • I am going to work now. - Present Continuous (what is happening now).
  • I was going to work when you called me. - Past Continuous (what happened at a certain point in time in the past).
  • I have already gone to work. - Present Perfect (it is not known when the action took place, but there is its result in the present).

What is most important is the need to remember that each group of tenses has similar characteristics and norms for the formation of a semantic verb, as well as principles of use, and this is the key to the rapid assimilation of all tenses.

Once you can draw parallels and feel the differences, you can use all tenses without much difficulty. Therefore, for starters, just try to remember how the English sentences of the Simple group are built, starting with Present (present).

Learn more