Types of Sentences Overview

Sentence Types

• Declarative sentences state a fact or opinion. They typically end with a period (.).
• Example: The sun rises in the east. The coffee is cold. I like to read.

Imperative Sentences

• Imperative sentences give a command, make a request, or offer a suggestion. They typically end with a period (.) or an exclamation mark (!).
• Example: Please shut the door. Sit down. Open the window! Be careful!

Interrogative Sentences

• Interrogative sentences ask a question. They typically end with a question mark (?).
• Example: Why are you late? Did you see the dog? Where are the keys? Is it raining?

Exclamatory Sentences

• Exclamatory sentences express strong emotion. They usually end with an exclamation mark (!).
• Example: Wow! That's amazing! Help! My computer is broken! I love you!

Distinguishing Features

• The form of the sentence can be used to immediately determine the type of function.
• The ending punctuation is a strong clue to the type of sentence.
• The sentence's purpose/intent determines its form.

Dependent Clauses: Definition and Characteristics

• A dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause, is a group of words containing a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
• It depends on an independent clause (main clause) to complete its meaning.
• Dependent clauses usually begin with subordinating conjunctions, relative pronouns, or relative adverbs.

Subordinating Conjunctions: Examples and Function

• Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and show the relationship between the dependent clause and the independent clause.
• Examples: after, although, as, as if, as long as, because, before, even though, if, in order that, since, so that, than, that, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, while.
• These conjunctions signal the type of relationship between the clauses, such as cause-and-effect, comparison, time, condition, etc.
• Each subordinating conjunction creates a specific type of dependent clause.

Relative Pronouns: Examples and Functions

• Relative pronouns introduce dependent clauses and connect them to a noun or pronoun in the independent clause.
• Examples: who, whom, whose, which, that.
• They often refer to a noun or pronoun in the independent clause.
• They can specify which noun or pronoun in the main clause the dependent clause refers to.

Relative Adverbs: Examples and Functions

• Relative adverbs introduce dependent clauses and specify when, where, or why something happens.
• Examples: when, where, why, how.
• They link a dependent clause to a noun or pronoun in the independent clause in a way that relates to time, place, or reason.
• Similar to relative pronouns, but focusing on specific relationships of time, place, and reason.

Types of Dependent Clauses

• Adjective Clauses: Modify nouns or pronouns in the main clause. They often begin with relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) or relative adverbs (when, where, why).
• Adverb Clauses: Modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs in the main clause. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions.
• Noun Clauses: Function as nouns in the main clause. They can be the subject, object, or complement of the main clause. They are often introduced by subordinating conjunctions (that, because, since), or relative pronouns (who, what, which, etc.).

Examples of Dependent Clauses in Sentences

• Adjective clause: The dog, which barked loudly, ran away.
• Adverb clause: Because it rained heavily, they stayed home.
• Noun clause: What he said was true about everything.
• Although he was nervous, he performed well.
• I will go to the store if I have time.

Distinguishing Between Dependent and Independent Clauses

• Independent clauses express complete thoughts and can stand alone as sentences.
• Dependent clauses cannot stand alone; they need an independent clause to complete their meaning.
• Identify the presence of a subject and verb within the clause; if it's complete, it is independent. If it needs something more to make sense, it is dependent.
• A test for independence: Remove the clause and see if the remaining portion makes sense. If not, then it's a dependent clause.

Independent Clauses

• An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
• It can stand alone as a sentence.
• Example: The dog barked loudly. The sun shone brightly. We went to the park.
• Characteristics of an independent clause: Contains a subject and a verb. Expresses a complete thought. Can stand alone as a sentence.
• Distinguishing independent clauses from dependent clauses: Independent clauses can stand alone as a complete sentence, while dependent clauses cannot. Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions. Dependent clauses are often used to add more detail or context to a sentence.

Nouns

• A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.

• Types of nouns:

  • Common nouns: General names for people, places, things, or ideas (e.g., dog, city, book, happiness).
  • Proper nouns: Specific names for people, places, things, or ideas (e.g., Fido, New York, The Great Gatsby, Love). Proper nouns are always capitalized.
  • Concrete nouns: Names for things that can be perceived by the senses (e.g., table, house, music).
  • Abstract nouns: Names for ideas, qualities, or feelings that cannot be perceived by the senses (e.g., joy, freedom, democracy, love).

• Functions of nouns in a sentence:

  • Subject: The noun that performs the action in a sentence. (e.g., The dog barked.)
  • Direct object: The noun that receives the action of the verb. (e.g., The boy threw the ball.)
  • Indirect object: The noun that receives the direct object. (e.g., The boy threw the ball to the girl.)
  • Object of a preposition: The noun that follows a preposition. (e.g., The book is on the table).
  • Appositive: A noun or noun phrase that renames another noun or pronoun. (e.g., My friend, Sarah, is here.)

• Plurals of nouns: Most nouns form their plural by adding -s or -es (e.g., cat/cats, dog/dogs, church/churches).

• Notable Nouns:

  • Collective nouns: Name a group of people, animals, or things (e.g., team, flock, committee, family, jury).
  • Compound nouns: Combine two or more words to name a single thing or person (e.g., backpack, greenhouse, doghouse).
  • Gerunds: Verbs used as nouns (e.g., Running is good exercise). These typically end in -ing.
  • Infinitives: Verb phrases comprising to + [verb], used as nouns (e.g., To err is human).

• Relationship between Nouns and Independent Clauses:

  • A noun phrase, comprising a noun or pronoun and its modifiers, can form part of an independent clause.
  • An independent clause can serve as an appositive to clarify a noun within that clause.

Complex Sentences

• A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
• The dependent clause provides further information or clarifies something in the independent clause.
• Complex sentences express more sophisticated ideas compared to simple sentences.