It is important to be familiar with the different types of sentence structures in English so that you add variety to your writing. Fortunately, there are only four sentence types in the English language; every possible sentence you write belongs to one of these four categories. Here are the first two kinds of sentence:
Type one: simple sentences
The simple sentence is the most basic sentence structure in the English language. It is one complete, independent clause. It must contain a subject, it needs a main verb, and it must formulate a complete thought.
- Andrew works in the pharmacy department.
- On the weekend, Andrew works in the pharmacy department at a children's hospital.
Simple sentences can have compound subjects:
- Andrew and his sister volunteer to help refugges.
Simple sentences can have more than one verb:
- Andrew works in the pharmacy department at a children's hospital and volunteers to help refugees.
Type two: compound sentences
Compound sentences consist of two complete, independent clauses connected with some form of punctuation (comma or semi-colon) and/or linking word (conjunction or adverb). In other words, a compound sentence is two simple sentences linked to form one complete sentence. There are three ways to form a compound sentence:
Option A:
Two independent clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and/but/or/so/for/yet/nor)
| Independent clause | , and , but , so , or , for , nor , yet |
independent clause |
- I’ve had a very long day, so I’m going to bed.
- Andrew works in the pharmacy at a children's hospital, and his sister volunteers to help refugees.
- Moving to a new hospital can be a stressful experience, but it can also be very exciting.
Option B:
Two independent clauses joined by a semi-colon (;). In this structure, the two clauses are joined without a linking word, which means the relationship between the two clauses must be clear. The second clause will most often express a cause/effect relationship or will help to clarify the first clause.
| Independent clause | ; | Independent clause |
- I did my rounds in the labor and delivery floor last week; it was very heartwarming to see the new parents.
- Last year's flu was very dangerouns; millions of people were admitted into hospitals.
When using only a semi-colon, be sure that the relation between the two clauses is clear. Contrasting two ideas with only a semi-colon can sometimes be confusing.
Unclear:
- She loves helping her patients; she is thinking about applying for a full time job.
In such cases, it would be clearer to use OPTION A or OPTION C
Option C:
Two independent clauses joined by a semi-colon and a conjunctive adverb. The adverb is most often followed by a comma, though there are some exceptions.
| Independent clause | ; as a result, ; besides, ; consequently, ; furthermore, ; however, ; in addition, ; in fact, ; instead, ; likewise, ; meanwhile, ; moreover, ; nevertheless, ; next ; now ; on the other hand, ; otherwise, ; similarly, ; still ; then ; therefore, |
Independent clause |
- Jasmin is glad that her IELTS score improved overall; however, she was hoping to get better results on her writing.
- Andrew volunteers at the local children's hospital; similarly, his sister volunteers to help refugees.
So when writing compound sentences, you have options and should try to vary your sentences:
- Andrew wants to give back to society in some way, so he volunteers at the local children's hospital.
- Andrew wants to give back to society in some way; he volunteers at the local children's hospital.
- Andrew wants to give back to society in some way; therefore, he volunteers at the local children's hospital.
Review - Combining Sentences 1
Shaun explains how to combine sentences
Exercise
Using what you have learned about combining sentences, complete the activity.