Sentence Structure

Question 1

Phrase

Answer 1

• A collection of words without a subject-verb relationship
• Can never stand alone as a sentence

Question 2

Clause

Answer 2

Has both a subject and a finite verb

Question 3

Finite Verb

Answer 3

• Finite verb: answers when the action occurred.
• e.g., The boy ran down the hill (vs. The boy to run down the hill)

Question 4

Main Verb

Answer 4

The finite verb in an independent clause

Question 5

Coordinating Conjunctions: FANBOYS

Answer 5

FANBOYS: For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Question 6

Sentence Types

Answer 6

• Simple sentence: 1 independent clause
• Compound sentence: 2 independent clauses
• Complex sentence: 1 independent clause + at least 1 subordinate clause
• Compound-complex sentence: more than 1 independent clause + at least 1 subordinate clause

Question 7

Compound Sentence

Answer 7

[independent clause] + [,] + [coordinating conjunction] + [independent clause] + [.]

Question 8

Compound-Complex Sentence Example

Answer 8

I wanted to go scuba diving, but because I was tired from our long run, I read a book instead.

Question 9

Semicolon Rules

Answer 9

When a semicolon is used as a substitute for a comma and coordinating conjunction, an independent clause must be found on each side of the semicolon. Exception: listing items in a list

Question 10

Semicolon: Clarifying Lists

Answer 10

Example #1:

• Correct: When Monica is in Europe, she’ll visit London, England; Paris, France; Rome, Italy; and Vienna, Austria.
• Incorrect: When Monica is in Europe, she’ll visit London, England, Paris, France, Rome, Italy, and Vienna, Austria.

Example #2:

• Correct: Tropical bats play an important role in the rain forest ecosystem, aiding in the dispersal of cashew, date, and fig seeds; pollinating banana, breadfruit, and mango trees; and indirectly helping to produce tequila by pollinating agave plants.

Question 11

Colon Rules

Answer 11

• A colon must be preceded by an independent clause
• It may be followed by an independent clause, but it need not be
• Incorrect: My morning routine included: pushups and sit ups.
• Correct: My morning routine included some exercises: pushups and sit ups.

Question 12

Subordinating Conjunction

Answer 12

After, before, until, once, while, although, whereas, because, if, unless, though, even though, as much as, just as, whenever

Question 13

Subordinate Clause Rules

Answer 13

• When a subordinate clause precedes an independent clause, the subordinate clause must be followed by a comma.
• When a subordinate clause comes after an independent clause, the comma between the two clauses is optional.

→ I went to the gym, because I wanted to work out.

→ I went to the gym because I wanted to work out.

Question 14

Dependent Clause

Answer 14

Clauses that can’t constitute sentences on their own.

1. Subordinate clause: When a subordinating conjunction is placed at the head of a clause
2. Relative clause: A clause that follows a noun and modifies that noun
3. Noun clause:

Question 15

Noun Clause: Examples

Answer 15

• Whichever movie you choose is fine by me.
• What Jeff said is confusing.
• Marty feels that spiritual development has no limits.

Question 16

In noun clauses that serve as direct objects, the word “that” is often dropped.

Answer 16

• I knew that dinner would be served soon.
• I knew dinner would be served soon.

Question 17

Relative Clause

Answer 17

A clause that follows a noun and modifies that noun

• Relative clause: The elephants that live in the area generally avoid humans.
• Noun clause: That Shaniqua had won the election surprised nobody.

Question 18

Relative Clause: Subject Rules

Answer 18

Situation #1: Relative pronoun is the subject of the relative clause.

• I lost the sapphire that was given to me → that is the subject of the relative clause

Situation #2: When the relative pronoun is not the subject of the clause, the relative pronoun can be dropped.

• The baboon that Irving was feeding had an angry look about it.
• The baboon Irving was feeding had an angry look about it.