What is Sentence Structure?
Sentence structure (also known as syntax) has to do with how the words in sentences are arranged. Where do the subjects, objects, verbs, adjectives, etc. go? How do you decide where to put each word? In order to delve into this topic, there are a few concepts we need to go over:Subject - Predicate
All sentences are about something or someone. The something or someone the sentence is about is called the subject of the sentence. You probably already knew this, or picked it up from the previous weeks' exercises, but just in case here are a few examples:- Rufus Scrimgoeur reluctantly handed over the possessions Dumbledore bequeathed to the trio.
- Having been an auror most his life, Mad-Eye Moody was quite jumpy.
- Harry unwrapped the gift to find an invisibility cloak.
The predicate contains information about the subject. Using the same examples from above, you can now see the predicate marked in yellow.
- Rufus Scrimgeour reluctantly handed over the possessions Dumbledore bequeathed to the trio.
- Having been an auror most his life, Mad-Eye Moody was quite jumpy.
- Harry unwrapped the gift to find an invisibility cloak.
Clauses and Conjunctions:
- Clauses:
- a clause is a group of words that must contain a subject and a predicate. Clauses are like the building blocks of sentences. There are two types of clauses:
- Independent Clauses
- Can stand on their own as a full, correct sentence or they can be combined with other independent and dependent clauses.
- Example: Hagrid is a giant.
- Dependent Clauses
- Cannot stand on their own, they depend on another clause to form a complete sentence. So, they must be combined with an independent clause.
- Example: Although talented and hardworking...
- This is a dependent clause that would not be able to stand on its own. Complete the sentence by adding your own independent clause!
- Although talented and hardworking, Lupin is discriminated against for being a werewolf.
So how do we combine clauses into one sentence? Introducing Conjunctions
A conjunction is a word used to connect phrases, clauses, or sentences. There are three types of conjunctions: coordinating, subordinating, and correlative.
- Coordinating Conjunctions: placed between words, phrases, and clauses to indicate equal emphasis to each.
- There are only 7 coordinating conjunctions, just remember FANBOYS.
- For
- And
- Nor
- But
- Or
- Yet
- So
- Examples:
- Harry did not want to break his promise to Mr. Weasley, but he needed to find Peter Pettigrew.
- In the end, Draco was not Harry's enemy nor his friend.
- Snape worked for Lord Voldemort, yet he protected Harry to honor his love of Lily Potter.
- Subordinating Conjunctions: a word or phrase that introduces a dependent clause.
- Here's a chart with some commonly used subordinating conjunctions:
- Examples:
- Unless all seven horcruxes were destroyed, Voldemort would be immortal.
- Snape killed Dumbledore because Voldemort would have questioned his allegiance had he not.
- While Harry loved Ginny, he had to leave her behind to search for the horcruxes.
- Correlative Conjunctions: words that connect clauses or sentences to indicate a relationship between the two.
- Some commonly used correlative conjunctions are:
- Either...or...
- Neither...nor...
- Not only...but also...
- Rather...or...
- Both...and...
- Examples:
- Not only is Kingsley an auror, but also a member of the Order of the Phoenix.
- Professor Snape is neither a villain nor a hero.
- Mrs. Weasley is both kind and powerful.
Practice: Identify whether the following sentences use coordinating, subordinating, or correlative conjunctions.
- Tonks and Lupin loved each other, but Lupin thought she deserved better than a werewolf.
- Angela Johnson became captain of the Gryffindor quidditch team when Oliver Wood graduated.
- If Voldemort had believed the prophecy was about the Longbottoms, then Neville would have been the chosen one.
- After Hogwarts, Ginny played professional quidditch until she had children.
- Hermione scoffed at Scrimgeour's suggestion she go into Magical Law Enforcement, yet that is exactly what she does after Hogwarts.
Answers:
- Coordinating
- Subordinating
- Correlative
- Subordinating
- Coordinating
Now, let's look at how sentences are formed!
There are four types of sentence structures.
- Simple Sentences: contain only one independent clause.
- Hermione danced with Victor Krum.
- Compound Sentences: contain at least two independent clauses that are joined with a conjunction or semicolon.
- Hermione danced with Victor Krum, and Ron watched her reluctantly.
- Complex Sentences: contain an independent and dependent clause.
- Hermione danced with Victor Krum because he asked her to.
- Compound-Complex Sentences: contain at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause usually a conjunction is used to connect clauses.
- Hermione danced with Victor Krum because he asked her to, and Ron watched reluctantly.
So why is this important?
It's important to vary your sentence types in order to give your writing life and rhythm. If all your sentences are the same structure or length, readers will get bored. Short sentences can pack a punch. On the other hand, long sentences are useful for incorporating a lot of information which might be needed when explaining complex ideas or thoughts.
Assess Your Understanding:
That wraps up week four of our grammar unit. To check your knowledge of what we learned this week write a paragraph on any topic you like. Use all 4 sentence structures, 4 coordinating conjunctions, 2 subordinating conjunctions, and 1 correlative conjunction.
Please box your simple sentences, circle your compound sentences, star your complex sentences, and underline your compound-complex sentences.
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