Sentence structure

Sentence Structure
Contents
1. Building blocks .....................................................................................2

2. Simple sentence …………………………………………………….....4

3. Compound sentence …………………………………………………5

3.1 Compound sentence with coordinator………………………… 5
3.2 Compound sentence with conjunctive adverb……………….. 6
3.3 Compound sentence with semicolons………………………….8

4. Complex sentence……………………………………………………...9
4.1 Noun clause …………………………………………………………9
4.2 Relative clause………………………………………………………11
4.3 Adverb clause……………………………………………………….15

5. Compound- complex sentence …………………………………... 23

1
Sentence structure

1. Building blocks
An essay is built from paragraphs.
A paragraph is built from sentences.
A sentence is built from clauses, phrases, and words.

Word: + noun: pen, human, city…..

+ adjective: dangerous, necessary, beautiful…..
+adverb: luckily, anxiously, potentially….
+preposition: from, in, at….

Phrase: + noun phrase: her dog, beautiful garden ….

+phrasal verb: close up, wipe out, break out …
+ adjective phrase: too hot, very sweet….
+preposition (prepositional phrase): in front of, next to, in the middle of…..
+ adv phrase: at the sunrise, at the seaside, because of the traffic jam….

Clause: + Independent clause (IC)

S + V+ O

The most popular form of instant communication is television.

Nonverbal communication is used everywhere in the world.

+ Dependent clause (DC)

Subordinator S + V + O

2
Sentence structure

There are 3 types of dependent clauses:

Noun clause: that Ngo Bao Chau won the Field Prize
if the air plane landed safely or not
Adjective clause: who has the highest score in my class
which is the first Chinese restaurant in Hanoi

Adverb clause: when she was five years old.

although the water is very hot

There are 4 types of sentences in English:

 Simple sentence
 Compound sentence
 Complex sentence
 Compound-complex sentence

3
Sentence structure

2. Simple sentence
A simple sentence is one independent clause.

S + V +O

I enjoy playing tennis with my friend every week.

He went to Paris last summer.

My parents are now living in Thai Nguyen.

Subject of a simple sentence can be noun(s) or noun phrase(s)

If subject is a noun

Women live longer than men.

Basketball is my favorite sports.

If subject is a noun phrase

My lovely daughter likes playing with dolls. (Normal N phrase)

That red skirt is mine.

Reading book is a good habit for children. (Gerund)

Becoming a famous fashion designer is my dream.

To understand about sentence structure is necessary for TOEFL test. (to + infinitive)

To help people is his mission.

4
Sentence structure

3. Compound Sentence
A compound sentence has two independent clauses.

There are 3 ways to join two independent clauses in to a compound sentence:

+ Use coordinators

+ Use conjunctive adverb

+ Use semicolons

3.1. Compound sentence with coordinator

IC, coordinator IC

There are 7 coordinators

For And Nor But Or Yet

You can remember this 7 coordinators by the phrase FANBOYS.

Coordinator Meaning Example

For The second clause gives the reason for Women live longer than men, for
the first clause they take better care of their health.

And The two clauses express equal, similar Women follow more healthful diets,
ideas. and they go to the doctor more often

Nor Nor means “ and not” Women don’t smoke as much as men
It joins 2 negative independent clauses. do, nor do they drink as much
Notice that question word order is used alcohol.
after nor.

But The two clauses express equal, Men may exercise harder, but they
contrasting ideas. may not exercise as regularly as
women do.

Or The two clauses express alternative Both men and women should limit

5
Sentence structure

possibilities. the amount of fat in their diets, or

they risk getting heart disease.
Yet The second clause is a surprising or Women used to be known as
unexpected contrast to the first clause. “weaker sex”, yet in some ways,
they are stronger than men.

So The second clause is the result for the Men are less cautious than women,
first clause. so more men die in accident.

3.2. Compound sentence with conjunctive adverb

IC; conjunctive adverb, IC

All conjunctive adverbs are sentence connectors.

Conjunctive Examples
adverb
To introduce a similar additional idea
Also Community colleges offer preparation for many jobs; Also, they prepare
Besides students to transfer to four-years colleges or university
Furthermore Besides
In addition Furthermore
Moreover In addition
Too Moreover
Too
To introduce compare things
Also Hawaii has sunshine and friendly people, similarly, Mexico’s weather is sunny
Likewise and its people hospitable. Also
Similarly Likewise
Too Too
To introduce unexpected result
However The cost of attending a community college is low; however, many students need
Nevertheless financial aid.
Nonetheless Nevertheless
Still Nonetheless
Still

To introduce direct contrast / opposition

However I studied very hard; however, I failed the exam.
In contrast In contrast

6
Sentence structure

Instead Instead
In/by In/by comparison
comparison Nevertheless
Nevertheless Nonetheless
Nonetheless On the other hand
On the other On the contrary
hand Still
On the
contrary
Still
To introduce an example
For example Colors can have different meanings; for example, white is the color of
For instance weddings in some cultures.
for instance
To introduce emphasize
In fact Mangoes are very common fruit; in fact, people eat more mangoes than any
other fruits in the world
To explain and restate
Indeed Some cultures are matriarchal; that is, the mothers are the head of the family.
That is Indeed

To introduce an alternative
Otherwise Students must take final exams; otherwise, they will receive a grade of
incomplete.
To introduce an effect or result
Accordingly Native and nonnative English speakers have different needs; therefore, more
As a result schools provide separate English classes for each group.
As a Accordingly
consequence As a result
Consequently As a consequence
Hence Consequently
Thus Hence
Therefore Thus

3.3 Compound sentence with semicolons

IC; IC.

7
Sentence structure

3.3.1 IC; IC = IC, and IC.

My older brother studies law; my younger brother studies medicine.

Poland was the first Eastern European country to turn away from communism; others
soon followed.

3.3.2 The second clause gives the reason for the first clause by supporting more information
or giving examples.

Jones is the most outstanding student in my class; almost her scores are 100/100.

Mary is not a good girl; she usually steals her parent’s money and go out very late
without her parent’s permission.

8
Sentence structure

4. Complex sentence
Complex sentence has one independent clause and one (or more) dependent clause

subordinator S+ V+ O, IC.

There are 3 kinds of dependent clause: + Noun clause

+ Adjective clause
+ Adverb clause

4.1 Noun clause

A Noun clause functions as a noun, It can be a subject or a object in a complex sentence.
That he passed the final exam surprised his classmates.
(in this sentence, subject is a noun clause)

I don’t know who teaches you Math.

(in this sentence, object is a noun clause)

A noun clause begins with that, a wh-question word, or whether/ if.

There are three types of noun clause: That-clause, wh-word clause and if/whether clause.

4.1.1 That-clause
A that-clause is composed of:

That + S + V+ O

The word that is often omitted if the meaning is clear without it.
The Russian president and his wife told the press (that) they were enjoying their visit.
The professor explained (that) the brain is the master control for both mind and body.

9
Sentence structure

After certain verbs and adjectives in an introductory clause, the verb in that-clause is in the
simple tense or bare form, called subjunctive. These verbs and adjectives indicate urgency,
advisability, necessity, and desirability.

Verbs Adjectives

Advise Direct Recommend Advisable Important

Ask Insist Suggest Essential Urgent
Command Move Urge Necessary Vital
Demand Propose

The company president urged that the marketing department be more aggressive.
It is necessary that each salesperson work longer hours.

4.1.2 Wh-word clause

A wh-word clause begins with a wh-word such as who, what, where, when, why, how much….
A wh-word clause is composed of:

Wh-word +S + V+ O

Or

Wh-word + V+ O
(when the wh-word and the subject of the clause is the same word)
Examples:
I don’t know who started the band.
Can you tell us which vocalists have sung with the group?
I can’t remember how often the group performs during the year.
We asked who lead singer was.

4.1.3 If/Whether- Clause

A whether/if clause begins with the subordinator whether or if, and is composed of:

Whether / If + S + V + O

10
Sentence structure

We want to know if Dr. Chen practices acupuncture (or not).

The question is whether (or not) American and European companies understand the
Russian business environment (or not).

4.2 Adjective clause (relative clause)

An adjective clause functions as an adjective, it modifies a noun or a pronoun in the main clause.
It can also modify the whole main clause.
Many Vietnamese students are awarded VEF scholarship, which improves Vietnam’s
human recourses.
Relative clause comes after the noun or pronoun that it modified.
An adjective clause can be restrictive or nonrestrictive. If it is nonrestrictive, add comas after and
before it.
WTO, which promotes trading activities, approved Vietnam’s membership.
Everyone who studied for the exam passed it easily.
A relative clause begins with a relative pronoun or relative adverb.

Relative pronoun
Who Refers to Subject in Restrictive or The professor who teaches my
humans its own nonrestrictive biology class won a Nobel Prize 2
clause years ago.

Professor Jones, who teaches my

biology class, won a Nobel Prize 2
years ago.

Whom Refers to Object in its Restrictive or She loaned her car to someone whom
humans clause nonrestrictive she didn’t know.

Professor Jones, whom I have for

biology, won a Nobel Prize 2 years
ago

Whose Refers to Subject or Restrictive or I studied algebra from a professor

humans, object in its nonrestrictive whose name I have forgotten.
nonhumans, own clause
and things; Apple Computer, whose Macintosh
show computer changed computing, was
possession started by 2 men working in a garage.

11
Sentence structure

Which Refers to Subject or Nonrestrictive She teaches biology, which is my

nonhumans object in its only favorite subject.
and things own clause
Her husband teaches algebra, which I
enjoy the least.

That Refers to Subject or Restrictive The class that meets in the next room
nonhumans object in its only is very noisy.
and things, own clause The subject that I enjoy the least is
informally, If that is an algebra.
refers to object, it The subject I enjoy the least is
human may be algebra.
omitted.

Relative adverb

When Refers to a Restrictive or I work full time on days when I don’t

time nonrestrictive have classes.

I didn’t work last week, when I had

my final exam.

Where Refers to a Restrictive or She has never returned to the city

place nonrestrictive where she was born.

First City Bank, where I have

checking account, was robbed last
week.

Relative pronoun can be the subject or the object in relative clause.

Relative pronouns as subjects

Who
Which +V+O
That
Whose +noun

Football, which is the most popular American sport, began at Harvard University

People who use microwave ovens save time and energy.

12
Sentence structure

Princess Diana, whose life ended in a Paris car crash, was the most photographed
woman in the world.

Relative pronouns as object

Whom
Which +S+V+O
That
Whose + noun

The professor whom you should see is chair of the English Department.

The book that the professor translated was written in German.

Environment science, which Dr. White teaches, is one of the most popular courses in the
college.

The citizens whose property the government had confiscated could do nothing.

A relative pronoun may be the object of a preposition in its own clause.

In formal way:

Preposition+ whom + S + V+ O
which

The person to whom I mailed the letter never received it.

The position of office manager, for which he applied, had already been filled.

In informal way:

Whom
Which + S + V + O + preposition
That

The candidate whom I vote for lost the election.

No one had read the book that he quoted from.

13
Sentence structure

Reduction of relative clause

If relative pronoun is the subject of its own clause, it can be reduced.
1. If the verb in relative clause is active

+ Delete the relative pronoun

+ Change the verb into V-ing form.

The man who spoke to John is my father.

The man speaking to John is my father.

The man who sat next to me on the train looked gentle.

The man sitting next to me on the train looked gentle.

2. If the verb in relative clause is be- verb

Delete the relative pronoun and the be-verb

The picture which is on the wall is valuable.

The picture on the wall is valuable.

TOEFL ibt, which is a standard test, is designed by ETS.

TOEFL ibt, a standard test, is designed by ETS.

3. If the verb in relative clause is passive

Delete the relative pronoun and be

The Sport Game which was held in India in 1951 was the first Asian game.
The Sport Game held in India in 1951 was the first Asian game.

Have you read the book that was written by Nguyen Du?
Have you read the book written by Nguyen Du?

4. ….the first/second… + noun + relative pronoun+ V + O

14
Sentence structure

+ Delete the relative pronoun

+ Change the verb into to-inf form

Yuri Gagarin is the first man who flew into space.

Yuri Gagarin is the first man to fly into space.

Don’t let me be the last person who knows your decision.

Don’t let me be the last person to know your decision.

4.3 Adverb clause

In a complex sentence, adverb clauses modify the verb in main clause or the main clause. They
express a relationship of time, place, distance/frequency, manner, reason, result, purpose,
concession, and contrast, they answer questions such as when, where, how or why.
It can come before or after an independent clause. If it comes before an independent clause, a
comma is placed after it.

Types of adverb clause

Type of subordinator Meaning example Notes
clause
1.Time after Following After I finish college, I In this example, the
the time that will work in my father’s speaker is talking about
company. the future, but note that
a future tense is not used
in adverb clause.
Always use the simple
present tense in adverb
clauses of time that talk
about the future.
before Earlier than Before I started this The use of the past
the time job, I (had) worked for perfect in sentences with
when a travel agent. before and after clause
is optional, as in this
example.

when A point in Joe was in college In the first example,

time/ short when he met Jill. when means during or at

15
Sentence structure

duration that time.

They had known each In the second example,
other 2 years when they when means before, the
got married. past perfect is necessary
in the main clause.

While/as At the same The children are in day A progressive tense is

time/ longer care while Lou Anne is usually used in while
duration working. and as clauses, as it is in
2 examples.
As Lou Anne was taking
her children to day While and as have the
care, she saw a bus hit same meaning (at the
a tractor trailer. same time).

since From that Sue has been working Use an appropriate

time/ since Johnny was born. perfect tense in the
moment independent clause of a
sentence with a since
clause. In this example,
the present perfect
progressive is used.

whenever At any time Whenever George Whenever= each time

thinks about getting that.
married, he gets Use a simple present or
butterflies in his past tense in a whenever
stomach. clause, this example
uses a simple present to
express his habitual
activity.

once after Once Carole graduates Note that this example is

from high school, she a sentence about the
will move to New York. future, use the future
tense in the main clause,
but the simple present
tense in the adverb
clause.
As soon as Immediately As soon as she moves Don’t use a future tense
at or there, she will rent an in the adverb clause with
instantly apartment. as soon as.
after the
time that
Until/till Up to the Alex won’t get married
time of until he can afford a

16
Sentence structure

house.
As long as/ During the Joan will never leave
So long as entire time her home town as long
that as her mother is alive.
2.Place where A definite I want to live where my
place children will be safe

Anywhere/ Any place I will not raise my

wherever children anywhere
(wherever) there is
crime.
Everywhere All places Everywhere he travels,
he sees poverty in the
big cities.
3.Reason Because/ For the Because her parents All of these
since/ as reason that divorced when she was subordinators state a
small, Marry is cause and have the same
reluctant to marry. meaning as because.
As long as/ so As long as you are in As/so long as is used
long as the kitchen, could you more in conversation.
get me a glass of water?
Now that Now that Maria’s Now that is used to
father has moved far express time and clause,
away, she only sees him it means because now.
once a year.
Inasmuch as/ Her parents were These subordinators all
in view of the granted a divorce mean because.
fact that/ on inasmuch as they had
account of irreconcilable They are more formal
the fact that/ differences. and are mainly used in
as a result of formal writing and
the fact that/ Due to the fact that you speaking.
on the failed to file your
grounds that/ income taxes on time,
due to the you must pay a penalty.
fact that
4.Purpose So that For the Jim studied business so So that is always
purpose of (that) he could work for followed by a modal :
his father will, could, can, would,
may, might.
That is sometimes
deleted with no change
in meaning.
In order that Ruth studied In order that has the
architecture in order same meaning and use

17
Sentence structure

that she could design as so that, but it is not

the house of her dream. commonly used.

5.Manner As if/ In the way This room looks as if a As if and as though are
as though or manner tornado hit it. used to answer the
that/like My boss treated me as question “how?”
though I were a When the as though/ as
secretary, which I if clause is untrue- as in
definitely am not! the

You look as if you are The second example-

very tired the speaker is not a
secretary- use were, not
was.

If the statement is
possibly true, as in the
third example- you
could be tired- then the
verb be takes its usual
form.
like This room looks likes a Like is a preposition, so
tornado hit it it is followed by a noun,
not a clause. It may be
followed by a clause in
formal conversation as
in this example, but it is
not considered standard
English.
as It happened just as we
imagined it would

6.Distance As + adverb+ Comparison Pat jogs as far as she

frequency as can. (distance)

She jogs on the beach

as often as she can.
(frequency)

7.Contrast While Direct While private schools Use while and whereas
whereas opposition are very expensive, to show that 2 things or
publics schools are free situations are in direct
in the US. opposition or contrast.

Private schools provide While and whereas

a lot of individual have same meaning, but

18
Sentence structure

attention whereas whereas is more formal.

public schools don’t
have the means to cater Unlike other
to individual students. subordinators, while and
whereas may occur
Private schools are very before either the main or
expensive while public adverb clause with no
schools are free in the change in meaning
US.
A comma is sometimes
placed after the main
clause, but it is not
necessary.
8.Concess Although Unexpected Al though private A concession clause
-ion Even though result schools provide careful shows contrast by
Though supervision, many placing limits on the
students still use drugs ideas in the main clause.
and alcohol. The main clause shows
surprising or unexpected
Private school students results, as in the first
often got accepted in to example.
good colleges, though
some choose to go to Although, even though,
work instead. and though have
basically the same
meaning.

In spite of In spite of the fact that A comma is sometimes

the fact that/ public schools have bad placed after the main
Despite the reputations, there are idea as it is in the second
fact that many qualified and example, but it is not
caring teachers who obligatory.
work there.
These phrases have the
same meaning as
although.
9. result So+adj+that With the The city is so polluted
So+ adv+ that result that that I often think of
Such a(n)+ moving to the country.
noun phrase+ My job pays so well that
that I can’t afford to give up
So much/
it.
many/little/ few
+ noun phrase+
that

19
Sentence structure

Reduction of adverb clause

Adverb clauses of time, reason and opposite can be reduced to adverb phrases without any
change in meaning.

Reduction of time clause

Clause Reduction Notes

Before With before, after, and since:

Before she had her heart Before having her heart Delete the subject.
attack, Mrs. Rose was happy attack, Mrs. Rose was happy
in the nursing home in the nursing home. (1a) Change the verb to a
participial phrase v-ing form
Before her heart attack, Mrs. Keep the subordinator
Rose was happy in the nursing
home.(1b) Sometimes the clause can be
After reduced to a prepositional
After she had worn it for 2 After wearing it for 2 years, phrase as in 1b and 2b
years, she began to have she began to have problems
problems with the pacemaker. with the pacemaker. (2a)
After 2 years, she began to
have problems with the
pacemaker.(2b)
Since
Mrs. Rose’s children have Mrs. Rose’s children have
visited her twice since they visited her twice since
arrived in town. arriving in town.(3)

While With while:

Mrs. Rose had a heart attack While visiting with her Delete the subject
while she was visiting with daughter, Mrs. Rose had a Change the verb to an –ing
her daughter. heart attack form
While may be deleted when it
Visiting with her daughter, means “at the same time”
Mrs. Rose had a heart attack.

As With as:
Mrs. Rose had a heart attack Visiting with her daughter, As must be deleted
as she was visiting with her Mrs. Rose had a heart attack. The phrase must come at the
daughter. beginning of the sentence.
As soon as With As soon as:
As soon as the children heard Upon hearing about their Replace as soon as with upon

20
Sentence structure

about her mother’s heart mother’s heart attack, the or on.

attack, they rushed to the children rushed to the Change the verb to an –ing
hospital. hospital. form.
On hearing about their
mother heart attack, the
children rushed to the
hospital.

Reduction of reason clause

Clause Reduction Notes

Because/Since/As
Because (since/as) she lived Living all alone, Mrs. Rose To reduce clause of reason:
all alone, Mrs. Rose was was happy to move a nursing Delete the subject and the
happy to move to a nursing home. subordinator.
home. Change the verb to an –ing
form
Be Verbs
Because she was all alone, Being all alone, Mrs. Rose If the verb is be, change it io
Mrs. Rose was happy to move was happy to move to a being.
to a nursing home. nursing home.

Negative Verb
Because she didn’t want to Not wanting to prolong her If the verb are negative, place
prolong her life any longer, life any longer, Mrs. Rose Not in front of the –ing verb.
Mrs. Rose refused a new refused a new pacemaker.
pacemaker.

Because of
Because she was lonely, Mrs. Because of her loneliness,
Rose was happy to move to Mrs. Rose was happy to move
nursing home a nursing home.

Reduction of opposite clause

21
Sentence structure

Clause Reduction Notes

Although/ Though/ While

Although (Though/ While) Although (though/while) Adv clauses with although,

she was lonely, Mrs. Rose lonely, Mrs. Rose tried to have though, and while (of
tried to have a positive a positive attitude. opposition) can reduced to
attitude. phrases in the same way.

Although (though/while) she Although (though/while) an Note that the adv clause
is an old person, Mrs. Rose old person, Mrs. Rose still reduces to subordinator +
still feels young. feels young. adj in the first sentence,
subordinator+ noun in the
Although (though/while) she Although (though/while) second sentence, or
missed her house, she was missing her house, she was subordinator +v-ing
glad for the company at the glad for the company at the
nursing home. nursing home.

5. Compound-complex sentence

22
Sentence structure

Subordinator S + V + O, IC; conjunctive adverb, IC

,coordinator
;

I want to travel after I graduated from college; however, I had to go to work immediately.

After I graduated from college, I wanted to travel, but I had to go to work immediately.

I couldn’t decide where I should work or what I should do, so I do nothing.

Subordinator S + V + O, IC; conjunctive adverb, Subordinator S + V + O, IC

,coordinator
;

I wanted to travel after a graduated college, but I have to go to work immediately because I had
to support my family.

She studied as much as she can; however, she failed the exam, which was very important to
her.

23