Basic Grammar I

Phrase: a string of words without a fully inflected verb (and a grammatical subject)

e.g. Because of Peter's illness, being ill, laughing at the joke, in spite of the problems etc.

Clause: a string of words containing a grammatical subject and a fully inflected verb (and an object)
1. Independent clause (simple sentence)

2. Subordinate/dependent clause (subordinator + independent clause)

e.g. Because Peter was ill, ....
e.g. Since Peter could not concentrate well, ....
*Note: a subordinate clause by itself is not a complete sentence. It must be combined with an independent clause to become one.

Simple sentence:
1. One single clause (independent clause) / Subject + Verb + (Object)

2. Phrase + independent clause

Compound sentence: Independent clause + coordinator + independent clause

Complex sentence: Independent clause + subordinate clause (subordinator + independent clause)

* Now go to my English Quizzes page and test your understanding of English sentence structures by trying the Sentence Analysis quiz.