SYNTAX : The Types of Sentence Structure

Hello friends!! Come back with me…. And at this time, I’m going to talk about syntax.. Huh! What is syntax? Who knows? Nobody? Ha Ha. Okay okay. According to Noam Chomsky (2002:11) syntax is a lesson or lecture on the principles and processes in which sentences are arranged in certain languages. So, we can conclude that syntax is the study of rules that govern how words are combined to form phrases, clauses, and sentences. Because the syntax discusses the structure of sentences and the arrangement of a sentence, here I will discuss about ‘Four Types of Sentence Structure’

4 Types of Sentence Structure

A sentence is a unit of text consisting of one or more words related to grammar. A sentence can enter words that are grouped meaningfully to express statements, questions, exclamations, requests, orders or suggestions. Here are 4 types of sentence structures:

     1. Simple Sentence Structures

A simple sentence consists of one independent clause. An independent clause contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.  Examples;

• Synta likes tea.
• I like coffee.
• Lala did not go to the party.
• The earth goes round the sun.

          
2. Compound Sentence Structure

Compound sentences are two or more independent clauses which are combined with conjunction or semi-colon. Each of these clauses can form only one sentence. Examples;

• I like vanilla and Cilla likes Strawberry.
• Siska went to work but Sinta went to the party.

There are seven coordinating conjunctions:

• and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so

                  
3. Complex Sentence Structure

Complex sentences consist of independent clauses plus dependent clauses. The dependent clause starts with subordinate conjunctions or relative pronouns, and contains the subject and verb, but does not express complete thought. Examples;

• We missed our plane because we were late.
• He left in a hurry after he got a phone call.
• Do you know the girl who is talking to Shawn?

Here are some common subordinating conjunctions:

• after, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, till, until, when, where, whether, while

Here are the five basic relative pronouns:

• that, which, who, whom, whose

          
4. Compound-Complex Sentence Structure

Complex-compound sentences consist of at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. Examples;

• Clara didn't come because he was ill so Micael was not happy.
• He left in a hurry after he got a phone call but he came back five minutes later.