{"id":7855,"date":"2013-09-06T23:26:46","date_gmt":"2013-09-06T23:26:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=7855"},"modified":"2026-03-26T11:58:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T16:58:11","slug":"sentence-structure","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/sentence-structure\/","title":{"rendered":"Sentence Structure"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_L4VwORYO5tE\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_L4VwORYO5tE\" data-source-videoID=\"L4VwORYO5tE\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Sentence Structure Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Sentence Structure\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_L4VwORYO5tE:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_L4VwORYO5tE {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/756-sentence-structure-2.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_L4VwORYO5tE\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_L4VwORYO5tE\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Sentence Structure\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_L4VwORYO5tE\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_L4VwORYO5tE\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_L4VwORYO5tE\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction zpL_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"zpL\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"zpL_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"zpL\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Simple_Sentences\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Simple Sentences<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Compound_Sentences\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Compound Sentences<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Complex_Sentences\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Complex Sentences<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#CompoundComplex_Sentences\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Compound-Complex Sentences<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label><input id=\"FAQs\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Hey guys! Welcome to this video on sentence structure. In this video, we\u2019ll learn about the different <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/intro-to-sentence-types\/\">types of sentences<\/a>, so you can make sure your writing is interesting and engaging to the reader.<\/p>\n<p>Take a look at this paragraph:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Daniel went to the grocery store. He wasn\u2019t sure if it had any more fresh apples. The store did not have any apples. Daniel was very sad. Apples are Daniel\u2019s favorite food.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nHow did this paragraph sound to you? Monotonous, boring, and uninteresting, right?<\/p>\n<p>How about this version:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Daniel went to the grocery store, but he wasn\u2019t sure if it had any more fresh apples. Much to his dismay, the store did not have any apples, and Daniel was distraught. After all, apples are Daniel\u2019s favorite food.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nSounds a lot better, right?<\/p>\n<p>While there are many differences between these two <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/how-to-write-a-good-paragraph\/\">paragraphs<\/a>, the main difference is that the first used the same, simple type of sentence throughout, while the second used many different types of sentences in order to enhance the content.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Simple_Sentences\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Simple Sentences<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe first type of sentence we\u2019re going to look at is a simple sentence, which consists of both a subject and predicate and can stand independently as its own sentence. A simple sentence is essentially the same thing as an independent clause.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s look at an example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">The old car survived the drive across the country, despite the weather conditions.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nThere is only one independent clause, with a subject (<em>the old car<\/em>) and a predicate (<em>survived the drive across the country, despite the weather conditions<\/em>).<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Compound_Sentences\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Compound Sentences<\/h2>\n<p>\nLet\u2019s move on to the second type of sentence: compound sentences.<\/p>\n<p>A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses, joined together by a conjunction.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">Max drove to the store, and Ben picked up the grills.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nNote that there are two independent clauses here that could stand alone as sentences. You could just as easily write \u201cMax drove to the store. Ben picked up the grills.\u201d But we\u2019ve joined these two independent clauses together by using the conjunction <em>and<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Another example would be:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">With all the heavy traffic, Josh was able to get home in time for dinner, but Ariana was stuck on the busy freeway.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nThe first independent clause is \u201cJosh was able to get home in time for dinner\u201d and the second is \u201cAriana was stuck on the busy freeway\u201d. The two clauses are joined by the conjunction <em>but<\/em>. The beginning of the sentence, \u201cWith all the heavy traffic,\u201d is a prepositional phrase and does not have any bearing on this type of sentence.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Complex_Sentences\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Complex Sentences<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe third type of sentence is a complex sentence, which consists of one independent clause with the addition of one or more dependent clauses.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s look at an example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">After she took the time to clean her room, Sara could finally play with her new dollhouse.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nThe first part of the sentence, \u201cAfter she took the time to clean her room,\u201d is a dependent clause\u2014more information is needed for it to serve as its own independent sentence. The second part of the sentence, \u201cSara could finally play with her new dollhouse,\u201d is an independent clause, because it has a subject and predicate and can stand alone as a sentence.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"CompoundComplex_Sentences\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Compound-Complex Sentences<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe last type of sentence is a compound-complex sentence. This type of sentence contains two independent clauses, as well as a dependent clause.<\/p>\n<p>An example would look something like this:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Before the treehouse is used for the first time, all the beams need to be checked and the ladder must be connected.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nThe two independent clauses are \u201call the beams need to be checked\u201d and \u201cthe ladder must be connected\u201d. They are combined using the conjunction <em>and<\/em>. The start of the sentence, \u201cBefore the treehouse is used for the first time,\u201d is a dependent clause, since it has a subject (<em>the treehouse<\/em>) and a predicate (<em>is used for the first time<\/em>) but cannot stand independently as its own sentence.<\/p>\n<p>We hope this quick review of sentence structure leaves you prepped and empowered. See you next time!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"FAQs-spoiler\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is a simple sentence?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A simple sentence is a sentence that is made up of a <strong>single independent clause<\/strong>. There are no dependent clauses in a simple sentence. Here are a couple of examples:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;Kaden waited for the taxi.&quot;<br \/>&quot;Ashley enjoys rainy weather.&quot;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is a compound sentence?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A compound sentence is made up of <strong>two independent clauses<\/strong> joined together in one of the following ways: by a comma and a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb, or simply joined by a semicolon.<\/p>\n<p>Here is an example of a compound sentence that includes a comma and a coordinating conjunction; the independent clauses are underlined:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">He wasn\u2019t feeling well<\/span>, so <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">he stayed home from school<\/span>.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Here is an example of a compound sentence that includes a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb; the independent clauses are underlined:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Lena studied for her exam<\/span>; thus, <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">she felt confident when taking it<\/span>.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>Here is an example of a compound sentence that includes only a semicolon; the independent clauses are underlined:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Check back here tomorrow<\/span>; <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">I will see if the package has arrived then<\/span>.&quot;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is a complex sentence?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A complex sentence is made up of <strong>a dependent clause and an independent clause<\/strong>, often joined together using a comma. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;Since Jamie washed the dishes yesterday, it is your turn to wash them today.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>In this sentence, the dependent clause &quot;Since Jamie washed the dishes yesterday&quot; is being joined with the independent clause &quot;it is your turn to wash them today.&quot; Since the independent clause appears first, a comma is used to join it with the independent clause. If the independent clause appears first, no comma is needed. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;It is your turn to wash the dishes today since Jamie washed them yesterday.&quot;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is a compound-complex sentence?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A compound-complex sentence is made up of at least three clauses: <strong>two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses<\/strong>. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">&quot;Though we both love animals, I prefer cats, and she prefers dogs.&quot;<\/p>\n<p>In this example, there are two independent clauses: &quot;I prefer cats&quot; and &quot;she prefers dogs.&quot; There is one dependent clause: &quot;Though we both love animals.&quot;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/writing\/\">Return to Writing Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Writing Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99865,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-7855","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","7":"page_category-writing-videos","8":"page_type-video","9":"subject_matter-english"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7855","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7855"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7855\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":280325,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7855\/revisions\/280325"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}