by Jessica Messerer-Trosin

Sentence Variety

To keep your reader engaged and your writing interesting, it is important that you use a variety of sentence types. There are four main types that will be outlined below: simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and complex compound sentences.

Before we describe each one, there are two definitions to know:

Independent clause – a group of words that contain both a subject and a verb, and together express a complete idea. An independent clause is a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Dependent clause – a group of words that contain both a subject and a verb, but together they do not express a complete idea. A dependent clause cannot be used as a sentence on its own.

Dependent clauses are often marked by words called dependent marker words.

Examples of dependent marker words include after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

Now that you know the difference between independent and dependent clauses, let us look at each type of sentence and provide some examples.

1) Simple sentence – a sentence with one independent clause and no dependent clauses.

A group of eight kids went to the neighbourhood waterpark for their friend’s birthday party.

2) Compound sentence – a sentence with multiple independent clauses and no dependent clauses.

The Munster family went to the lake to enjoy the hot summer day, and they spent all day laying on the beach.

3) Complex sentence – a sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

If someone wants to play a musical instrument, they will spend hundreds of hours practicing before they become good at it.

Note: In the above example, “If someone wants to play a musical instrument” is the dependent clause. “Someone wants to play a musical instrument” is an independent clause, but adding “If” makes it a dependent clause. If is the dependent marker word.

4) Complex compound sentence – a sentence with multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Although they endured many sleepless nights, upon graduation the students felt proud of their achievements, and they realized that all of their hard work was worth it.

The next time you sit down to write an essay, keep in mind the different types of sentences you could utilize. Mixing up the different types you use will keep your reader interested and make your writing sound more professional.

Sources:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/573/02/

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/598/01/

Photo Credit:

http://link-educational-resources.co.nz/images/Boring%20Sentences_Page_1.jpg