It is important to be familiar with the different types of sentence structures in English so that you add variety to your writing. Every possible sentence you write belongs to one of four categories of sentence:
Type One: Simple Sentences
The simple sentence is the most basic sentence structure in the English language. It is one complete, independent clause. It must contain a subject, it needs a main verb, and it must formulate a complete thought.
Examples:
- Many students play computer games.
- In the evening, many students play computer games for hours to relieve the stress of daily life.
Simple sentences can have compound subjects:
- Both the teacher and his students were perplexed by the question.
Simple sentences can have more than one verb:
- Many students play computer games and chat with friends online in the evenings.
Type Two: Compound Sentence
Compound sentences consist of two complete, independent clauses connected with some form of punctuation (comma or semi-colon) and/or linking word (conjunction or adverb). In other words, a compound sentence is two simple sentences linked to form one complete sentence. There are three ways to form a compound sentence:
Option A:
Two independent clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and/but/or/so/for/yet/nor)
| Independent Clause | ,and ,but ,so ,or ,for ,nor ,yet |
Independent Clause |
Examples:
- Many people grew up with curfews, so they impose curfews on their own children.
- I understand his point, but I completely disagree with it.
- Language students often rely heavily on electronic translation, and this can cause problems in their writing.
Option B:
Two independent clauses joined by a semi-colon (;). In this structure, the two clauses are joined without a linking word, which means the relationship between the two clauses must be clear. The second clause will most often express a cause/effect relationship or will help to clarify the first clause.
| Independent Clause | ; | Independent Clause |
Examples:
- There is no point in asking for another extension; the teacher will never allow it.
- The economic collapse of 2008 had devasting consequences; many families lost their homes and savings.
When using only a semi-colon, be sure that the relation between the two clauses is clear. Contrasting two ideas with only a semi-colon can sometimes be confusing.
Unclear:
- The Healthcare system helps people get necessary medical care; many people are protesting against it.
In such cases, it would be clearer to use Option A or Option C
Option C:
Two independent clauses joined by a semi-colon and a conjunctive adverb. The adverb is most often followed by a comma, though there are some exceptions.
| Independent Clause | ; as a result, ; consequently, ; for example, ; furthermore, ; however, ; in addition, ; in fact, ; instead, ; likewise, ; meanwhile, ; moreover, ; nevertheless, ; next, ; now, ; on the other hand, ; otherwise, ; similarly, ; still, ; then, ; therefore, |
Indedent penClause |
Examples:
- Jasmin is glad that her IELTS score improved overall; however, she was hoping to get better results on her writing.
- Andrew volunteers at the local retirement home; similarly, his sister teaches free music lessons to underprivileged children.
So when writing compound sentences, you have options and should try to vary your sentences:
- Andrew wants to give back to society in some way, so he volunteers at a retirement home on weekends.
- Andrew wants to give back to society in some way; he volunteers at a retirement home on weekends.
- Andrew wants to give back to society in some way; therefore, he volunteers at a retirement home on weekends.