Sentence Structures in English
An introduction to different sentence structures in English and guidelines on how to use these structures effectively.
What Is Sentence Combining and How Does It Work?
Find out about sentence combining--a friendly (and generally more effective) alternative to traditional grammar instruction. Then begin developing your sentence-combining skills here at About.com Grammar & Composition.
Find out about sentence combining--a friendly (and generally more effective) alternative to traditional grammar instruction. Then begin developing your sentence-combining skills here at About.com Grammar & Composition.
Basic Sentence Structures
One of the keys to good writing is understanding the countless ways in which basic sentence structures can be combined and arranged. Let's begin, then, by identifying those basic sentence structures and considering how to use them effectively.
One of the keys to good writing is understanding the countless ways in which basic sentence structures can be combined and arranged. Let's begin, then, by identifying those basic sentence structures and considering how to use them effectively.
Subjects, Verbs, & Objects
Here you will learn how to identify and use subjects, verbs, and objects--which together form the basic sentence unit.
Here you will learn how to identify and use subjects, verbs, and objects--which together form the basic sentence unit.
Adding Adjectives and Adverbs to the Basic Sentence Unit
A common way of expanding the basic sentence is with modifiers--words that add to the meanings of other words. The simplest modifiers are adjectives and adverbs.
A common way of expanding the basic sentence is with modifiers--words that add to the meanings of other words. The simplest modifiers are adjectives and adverbs.
Identifying Prepositional Phrases
This exercise, adapted from a paragraph by novelist John Steinbeck, will give you practice in recognizing prepositional phrases.
This exercise, adapted from a paragraph by novelist John Steinbeck, will give you practice in recognizing prepositional phrases.
Adding Prepositional Phrases to the Basic Sentence Unit
Acting like adjectives and adverbs, prepositional phrases add meaning to the nouns and verbs in a sentence.
Acting like adjectives and adverbs, prepositional phrases add meaning to the nouns and verbs in a sentence.
Arranging Prepositional Phrases
Here we'll consider how to arrange prepositional phrases effectively--and, at times, how to condense or even eliminate them to cut the clutter.
Here we'll consider how to arrange prepositional phrases effectively--and, at times, how to condense or even eliminate them to cut the clutter.
Sentence Building with Prepositional Phrases
In this exercise you will continue to apply the basic strategies outlined in Introduction to Sentence Combining.
In this exercise you will continue to apply the basic strategies outlined in Introduction to Sentence Combining.
Sentence Building with Coordinators
In this exercise you will apply the strategies introduced in "Coordinating Words, Phrases, and Clauses."
In this exercise you will apply the strategies introduced in "Coordinating Words, Phrases, and Clauses."
Coordinating Words, Phrases, and Clauses
A common way to connect related words, phrases, and even entire clauses is to coordinate them--that is, connect them with a conjunction such as "and" or "but."
A common way to connect related words, phrases, and even entire clauses is to coordinate them--that is, connect them with a conjunction such as "and" or "but."
Subordination with Adjective Clauses
To show that one idea in a sentence is more important than another, we rely on subordination--that is, treating one word group as secondary (or subordinate) to another. One common form of subordination is the adjective clause--a word group that modifies a noun.
To show that one idea in a sentence is more important than another, we rely on subordination--that is, treating one word group as secondary (or subordinate) to another. One common form of subordination is the adjective clause--a word group that modifies a noun.
Relative Pronouns and Adjective Clauses
Here we'll focus on the five relative pronouns that are used in adjective clauses.
Here we'll focus on the five relative pronouns that are used in adjective clauses.
Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Adjective Clauses
Here we'll learn to distinguish between the two main types of adjective clauses: restrictive and nonrestrictive.
Here we'll learn to distinguish between the two main types of adjective clauses: restrictive and nonrestrictive.
Sentence Building with Adjective Clauses
Now we're ready to practice building and combining sentences with adjective clauses.
Now we're ready to practice building and combining sentences with adjective clauses.
Building Sentences with Appositives
An appositive is a word or group of words that identifies or renames another word in a sentence. Appositive constructions offer concise ways of describing or defining a person, place, or thing.
An appositive is a word or group of words that identifies or renames another word in a sentence. Appositive constructions offer concise ways of describing or defining a person, place, or thing.
Sentence Building with Appositives
Additional practice in building and combining sentences with appositives.
Additional practice in building and combining sentences with appositives.
Practice in Using Appositives
These exercises offer practice in using appositives effectively.
These exercises offer practice in using appositives effectively.
Building Sentences with Adverb Clauses (part one)
Here we will practice building sentences with adverb clauses. Like an adjective clause, an adverb clause is always dependent on (or subordinate to) an independent clause.
Here we will practice building sentences with adverb clauses. Like an adjective clause, an adverb clause is always dependent on (or subordinate to) an independent clause.
Building Sentences with Adverb Clauses (part two)
Here we'll consider ways of arranging and revising sentences with adverb clauses.
Here we'll consider ways of arranging and revising sentences with adverb clauses.
Building Sentences with Adverb Clauses (part three)
Here we'll practice building and combining sentences with adverb clauses.
Here we'll practice building and combining sentences with adverb clauses.
Creating and Arranging Participial Phrases
Participles can add vigor to our writing as they add information to our sentences. Here we will practice creating and arranging participial phrases.
Participles can add vigor to our writing as they add information to our sentences. Here we will practice creating and arranging participial phrases.
Building Sentences with Participial Phrases
These sentence-building exercises will give you a chance to apply the principles introduced in "Creating and Arranging Participial Phrases."
These sentence-building exercises will give you a chance to apply the principles introduced in "Creating and Arranging Participial Phrases."
Building Sentences with Absolute Phrases
Among the modifiers that add information to sentences, the absolute phrase may be the least common but one of the most useful.
Among the modifiers that add information to sentences, the absolute phrase may be the least common but one of the most useful.
Revising Sentences with Absolute Phrases
These exercises offer practice in revising sentences with absolute phrases, which are especially useful, compact, and flexible constructions.
These exercises offer practice in revising sentences with absolute phrases, which are especially useful, compact, and flexible constructions.
The Artistic Side of Grammar, by Darryl Bishop
Guest writer Darryl Bishop suggests ways to "make the connection between grammar and art."
Guest writer Darryl Bishop suggests ways to "make the connection between grammar and art."