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basic
49
398
Sentence types
2. Whetheryoulikeitornot,youcannotchooseyourfamily.
3. Th
emeteorologistwhounderestimatedthetotalsnowfallofthe
firstwinterstormwasrightontargetaboutthesecondstorm.
4. IfRamondidn’thavetoworkeveryafternoon,hewouldbewilling
tosignupfortheyogaclasswithAndrea.
5. Th
ebookthatwesawintheshopinDublinwasnotavailable
whenwereturnedhome.
49
Sentence types
Sentencesareclassifiedintwoways:accordingtotheirstructure
(simple,compound,complex,andcompound-complex)andaccording to their purpose (declarative, imperative, interrogative,
andexclamatory).
49a Sentence structures
Depending on the number and the types of clauses they contain, sentences are classified as simple, compound, complex, or
compound-complex.
Clausescomeintwovarieties:independentandsubordinate.
Anindependentclausecontainsasubjectandapredicate,andit
eitherstandsaloneorcouldstandaloneasasentence.Asubordinateclausealsocontainsasubjectandapredicate,butitfunctions
withinasentenceasanadjective,anadverb,oranoun;itcannot
standalone.(See48e.)
Simple sentences
Asimplesentenceisoneindependentclausewithnosubordinate
clauses.
INDePeNDeNT clAuSe
Withoutapassport,Evacouldnotvisithergrandparentsin
Hungary.
A simple sentence may contain compound elements—a
compound subject, verb, or object, for example—but it does
notcontainmorethanonefullsentencepattern.Th
efollowing
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sentence structures • simple • compound • complex • compound-complex
basic
49a
399
sentence is simple because its two verbs (comes in and goes out)
share a subject (Spring).
independent clause
Spring comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb.
Compound sentences
A compound sentence is composed of two or more independent
clauses with no subordinate clauses. The independent clauses are
usually joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and,
but, or, nor, for, so, yet) or with a semicolon. (See 14a.)
independent independent clause
clause
The car broke down, but a rescue van arrived within minutes.
independent clauseindependent clause
A shark was spotted near shore; people left immediately.
Complex sentences
A complex sentence is composed of one independent clause with
one or more subordinate clauses. (See 48e.)
subordinate clause
adjective
The pitcher who won the game is a rookie.
subordinate clause
adverb
If you leave late, take a cab home.
subordinate clause
noun
What matters most to us is a quick commute.
Compound-complex sentences
A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause. The following
sentence contains two independent clauses, each of which contains a subordinate clause.
independent clauseindependent clause
sub cl
Tell the doctor how you feel, and she will decide whether
sub cl
you can go home.
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basic
400
49b
Sentence types
49b Sentence purposes
Writers use declarative sentences to make statements, imperative sentences to issue requests or commands, interrogative
sentences to ask questions, and exclamatory sentences to make
exclamations.
declarative
The echo sounded in our ears.
imperative
Love your neighbor.
interrogative
Did the better team win tonight?
exclamatory
We’re here to save you!
EXERCISE 49–1 Identify the following sentences as simple, compound,
complex, or compound-complex. Identify the subordinate clauses and
­classify them according to their function: adjective, adverb, or noun.
(See 48e.) Answers to lettered sentences appear in the back of the book.
Example:
The deli in Courthouse Square was crowded with lawyers
at lunchtime. (Simple)
a. Fires that are ignited in dry areas spread especially quickly.
b. Th
e early Incas were advanced; they used a calendar and developed a decimal system.
c. Elaine’s jacket was too thin to block the wintry air.
d. Before we leave for the station, we always check the Amtrak Web
site.
e. Decide when you want to leave, and I will be there to pick you up.
1. The fact is that the network outage could have been avoided.
2. Those who lose a loved one in a tragic accident may find group
therapy comforting.
3. The outlets in the garment district are the best places to find
Halloween costumes.
4. There were six lunar Apollo missions, but people usually
remember Apollo 13 best.
5. Our generator kicks in whenever we lose power.
PRACTICE hackerhandbooks.com/rules
> Grammar basics > 49–2
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