Sentence Structure

Subject and verb

Most complete English sentences need at least:

• a subject
• a verb

Example:

The students laughed.

Subject: The students

Verb: laughed

The subject tells us who or what the sentence is about.

The verb tells us what happens or what the subject is or does.

Subject + verb + object

Many verbs also need an object.

The teacher explained the assignment.

Subject: The teacher

Verb: explained

Object: the assignment

The object receives the action.

Complements

Some verbs are followed by information that describes or identifies the subject.

Maya is tired.

Daniel became a doctor.

The words tired and a doctor are not objects. They complete the meaning of the subject.

Independent clauses

An independent clause can stand on its own as a complete sentence.

The lesson ended.

We continued working.

Dependent clauses

A dependent clause cannot normally stand alone.

because the lesson ended

although we were tired

It needs to be connected to an independent clause.

We went home because the lesson ended.

Simple sentences

A simple sentence contains one independent clause.

The students discussed the article.

Simple does not necessarily mean short.

The students in the back of the classroom discussed the controversial article for almost twenty minutes.

This is still one independent clause.

Compound sentences

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses.

I wanted to continue, but the lesson ended.

Common coordinating conjunctions include:

• and
• but
• or
• so
• yet

Complex sentences

A complex sentence contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Although I was tired, I finished the assignment.

I finished the assignment because it was due the next morning.

Consider:

Because the train was delayed.

This is not normally a complete sentence.

The word because introduces a dependent clause.

Complete version:

Because the train was delayed, we arrived late.

or:

We arrived late because the train was delayed.

1. Find the main verb.
2. Identify the subject connected to that verb.
3. Check whether the sentence expresses a complete thought.
4. Look for dependent clauses beginning with words such as because, although, if, when or while.
5. Make sure dependent clauses are connected to a complete sentence.
6. Vary your sentence structure when writing longer texts.

Sentence fragment

Incorrect: Although the argument was convincing.

Correct: Although the argument was convincing, I disagreed with the conclusion.

Run-on sentence

Incorrect: The article was interesting I read it twice.

Better: The article was interesting, so I read it twice.

or: The article was interesting. I read it twice.

Missing subject

Incorrect: Is important to understand the context.

Correct: It is important to understand the context.

Which sentence is complete?

• A. Because the weather was terrible.
• B. Although we studied all evening.
• C. The match was cancelled because the weather was terrible.
• D. When the teacher arrived.

Answer: C. It contains an independent clause and expresses a complete thought.

• Complete sentences normally need a subject and a verb.
• Independent clauses can stand alone.
• Dependent clauses need to be connected to an independent clause.
• Simple, compound and complex sentences describe different structures.
• Avoid fragments and run-on sentences.
• Sentence variety can make writing more effective.