1. Types of the English sentence
The English sentence can be classified in a number of different ways depending on the criterion chosen. In this regard, the classification will be either according to the structure of the sentence, the meaning, or the function it performs. As regards our syllabus, we will deal with the first two criteria of classification only.
1. 1. Classifying the sentence according to structure
In this criterion, the classification depends on the number and the type of the clause in the sentence. Here the sentence has the following types:
1.1.1. The simple sentence
The simple sentence is the one that contains only one independent clause, e. g.
John was writing.
1.1.2. The compound sentence
The compound sentence is the sentence that consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a co-ordinating conjunction, e. g.
John was writing and Jane was reading.
1.1.3. The complex sentence
The complex sentence is the sentence that consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, e. g.
John was writing when the bell rang.
1.1.4. The compound-complex sentence
The compound-complex sentence is the sentence that contains one dependent clause and at least two independent clauses, e. g.
John was writing and Jane was reading when the bell rang.