A simple sentence is a single independent clause with a subject and predicate. Simple sentences convey a complete thought, but they do not contain any dependent clauses (also known as subordinate clauses).
Mice love snacks.
He left.
Continue reading: Simple Sentence | Definition & Examples
Restrictive clauses are a type of relative clause (or adjective clause) that gives essential, identifying information about a noun or pronoun. Restrictive clauses typically begin with the relative pronouns “that,” “who,” “whom,” or “whose.”
Restrictive clauses (also called essential clauses) cannot be removed from a sentence without changing its meaning or making the meaning unclear.
The woman who is leading the meeting is my boss.
The person whose wallet this is must be looking for it.
I can’t find the man whom I gave my coat to.
Continue reading: Restrictive Clauses | Examples & Definition
Nonrestrictive clauses are a type of adjective clause (or relative clause) that gives nonessential, extra information about a noun, noun phrase, or pronoun. Nonrestrictive clauses begin with a relative pronoun (e.g., “which,” “who,” “whom,” or “whose”) and are set off from the sentence by commas.
Nonrestrictive clauses (also called nonessential clauses) can be removed from a sentence without changing its meaning.
My brother, who is two years younger than me, is graduating from high school.
Our next-door neighbors, whose yard is always overgrown, are out of town.
Amal’s nephew, whom he babysits frequently, is coming over today.
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A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is separated from what it is intended to modify in a sentence. Misplaced modifiers can create ambiguity or change the meaning of the sentence.
In the example above, the modifier “dressed in costumes” is supposed to modify “the children,” but instead, because of its location, it looks like it’s modifying the noun “the streets.” This placement lends itself to the interpretation that the streets are wearing costumes rather than the children.
To fix this mistake, the modifier needs to be moved next to the words it is intended to modify.
The children, dressed in costumes, ran through the streets.
Continue reading: What Is a Misplaced Modifier? | Definition & Examples
A compound subject is more than one noun or pronoun joined by a conjunction that functions as the subject of a sentence or clause (e.g., “my sister and I”).
Like all subjects, a compound subject either performs the action described by the verb in the predicate (e.g., “Sarah and Alana walk”) or is described by the predicate (e.g., “Trevor and Cara are tall”).
The nouns or pronouns in a compound subject are joined using the coordinating conjunctions “and,” “or,” or “nor” or a correlative conjunction (e.g., “either … or“).
The irises, pansies, and violets are all in bloom.
Pizza or pasta sounds good for dinner.
Neither Caden nor his brother is coming.
Continue reading: Compound Subject | Examples & Definition
A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent clause in order to link it to an independent clause.
Subordinating conjunctions express a variety of meanings, and they often comprise more than one word.
| Meaning | Subordinating conjunction examples |
|---|---|
| Condition | I’ll do the report for you as long as you help me with the proposal. |
| Time | He only suggested it after I mentioned it at the meeting. |
| Purpose | Put your keys in your bag now so that you don’t forget them. |
| Place | We can meet wherever it is most convenient for you. |
| Contrast | Despite the fact that I reminded her twice, she still forgot my book. |
Subordinating conjunctions are also sometimes called subordinate conjunctions or subordinators.
Continue reading: Subordinating Conjunctions | Examples & List
A sentence fragment is a piece of writing that looks like a sentence but is grammatically incomplete. This is normally because it is missing a subject or a verb.
Sentence fragments can usually be spotted quite easily because they do not express a complete thought. They always lack at least one piece of information that is key to understanding the meaning.
Continue reading: What Is a Sentence Fragment? | Examples & Definition
A coordinating conjunction is a type of conjunction used to connect two words, phrases or clauses that are grammatically equal. There are seven coordinating conjunctions in the English language. You can remember these using the mnemonic FANBOYS: “for,” “and,” “nor,” “but,” “or,” “yet,” and “so.”
These words can have other functions, but “and,” “but,” and “or” are mainly used as coordinating conjunctions.
Coordinating conjunctions indicate the relationship between the elements they connect, such as addition (“and”), contrast (“but”), choice (“or”), and result (“so”).
Knowing about coordinating conjunctions helps us to use commas correctly.
The film was good but very long.
Do you want still or sparkling water?
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Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that are used to show the relationship between two words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., “both rain and snow”).
Correlative conjunctions join two grammatically equal parts of a sentence (i.e., two words, phrases, or clauses).
You can either go to the store with me or stay home.
Neither snow nor rain will ruin our fun.
Sophie is not only a great student but also a star athlete.
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The term interrogative is used to refer to words that help form questions (e.g., “who,” “what,” “when”). It is also used to describe sentences that ask questions, whether they use an interrogative word (e.g., “Who is that?”) or not (e.g., “Are you tired?”).
Which dog are you going to adopt?
What is the best way to go home?
Continue reading: What Is an Interrogative? | Definition & Examples
