Sentence Structure Syntax What is Syntax In English

Sentence Structure Syntax

What is Syntax? �In English there are many different ways in which a sentence can be structured. �This year you will learn some of the main sentence types and the parts which they are made of.

Clauses �The different sections or parts of a sentence are called clauses. There are two different kinds of clause; Main clause: This is a clause which ALWAYS contains a subject and a verb. It expresses a complete thought. It makes sense without the additional parts of the sentence. Dependent clause: This clause can also contain both a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. This is a part of a sentence which does not make sense without the other parts of the sentence.

Examples of Clauses �Some examples of main clauses Diane kicked the door. The giant spider lives on the ceiling. �Some examples of dependent clauses When John went home If we knew what we were doing Although the opposition played well

Minor Sentences �A minor sentence is sometimes also known as an incomplete sentence. �A minor sentence is one without a verb. America, of all places. Hello. �Headings are often minor sentences.

Simple Sentences �A simple sentence is essentially one main clause. �It is a sentence with a subject, a verb and contains a complete thought. The cat sat on the mat. The Breakers won the final. I went to the shops. Some students like to study in the evenings.

Compound Sentences �A compound sentence is two main clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. �There are 7 coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so- FANBOYS). Jack played soccer, so Annie went shopping. It was a cold day, but the sun was shining. My cat is small, and my dog is big.

Complex Sentences �A complex sentence is a main clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. �Complex sentences usually contain a subordinator (usually a conjunction e. g. although, because, since, after, when) When she handed in her homework, she forgot to write her name on it. After they finished studying, the girls went to the movies.

Compound-Complex Sentences �Two or more main clauses joined with one or more dependent clause. E. g “The All Blacks scored 100 points and they won the match, although the opposition played valiantly. ”