Sentence Structure Definitions

Front

A clause contains

Back

a subject and a verb

Front

Independent clause

Back

Can stand alone & expresses a complete thought.

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A subordinate clause is another name for

Back

a dependent clause

Front

A dependent clause

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cannot stand alone as a sentence and begins with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun.

Front

A phrase

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is a group of words that does not contain a subject and a verb.

Front

A simple sentence

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consists of an independent clause plus modifying words.

Front

A compound sentence

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Two or more independent clauses joined by a semicolon or a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

Front

A complex sentence

Back

consists of one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses

Front

A compound-complex sentence

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Consists of two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

Front

Dependent clause requires:

Back

a wabu word or a relative pronoun