THE KINDS OF SENTENCE STRUCTURE

THE KINDS OF SENTENCE STRUCTURE

By: Puji Sumarsono

According to their construction, there are four kinds of sentences:

1. The Simple Sentence (1 IC)

              A simple sentence has one independent clause and no subordinate clauses/dependent clauses. It may have two subjects or two verbs.

Examples:

a. Marelyn cuts her hair. (one subject and one verb)

     S            V

b. Dina and Lina are new lecturers at UMM. (two subjects)

      S            S

c. Ronaldo caught the ball but then dropped it. (two verbs)

                   V                                   V

d. The Rector and his assistant studied students’ charecteristics and wrote

               S                   S            V                                                  V

    the reports on their findings. (two subjects and two verbs)

the rector studied and his assistant wrote.

2. The Compound Sentence (2/ lebih IC)

              A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses but no subordinate/ dependent clauses. The independent clauses are usually joined by conjunctions; and, but, or, nor, for.

Examples:

a.  Deddy prepared the slides, and Jack examined the students by the microscope.             (two independent clauses joined by the conjunction and).

b.     The train stopped at the station, but no one got off.

(two independent clauses joined by the conjunction but).

c.     The whistle blew, the drum rolled, and the crowd cheered.

(three independent clauses, the last joined by the conjunction and).

3. The Complex Sentence (1 IC + 1 or 2 DC)

              Like a compound sentence, a complex sentence contains more than one clause. But unlike the compound sentence, the complex sentence has at least one subordinate clause/ dependent clause. A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. A subordinate clause/ dependent clause may be an adjective clause or adverb clause.

Examples:

a. When an important government official dies, flags are flown at half-mast.

              one dependent/ subordinate clause                    one independent clause

b. Some of men who joined demonstration destroyed public facilities.

- Some of the men destroyed public facilities. (one independent clause)

- Who joined in demonstration. (one dependent/ subordinate clause)

c. Because his mother who takes care is not at home, he cooks by himself.

- Because his mother is not at home, who takes care (two dependent clauses)

- He cooks by himself. (one independent clause)

4. The Compound-Complex  Sentence (2/more IC + 1 or more DC)

          A Compound-Complex Sentence is a combination of the compound sentence and complex sentence. Like a compund sentence, it has at least two independent clauses. And like a complex sentence, it has at least one subordinate / dependent clause. In short, a Compound-Complex Sentence has two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate/ dependent clauses.

Example:

1. Atmojoyo began studying computer only a year, but he has already been asked to teach computer that is scheduled for next month.

- Two independent clauses:

   Atmojoyo began studying computer only a year, but he has already been

                  an independent clause                                    an independent clause

   asked to teach computer.  

- One subordinate/ dependent clause:

   that is scheduled for next month.

      dependent/ subordinate clause