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the five sentence-joining structures

The five legal patterns for joining independent and dependent clauses into a compound or complex sentence.

A simple sentence has exactly one independent clause. A compound sentence joins two independent clauses one of three ways (Structure #1: comma + FANBOYS; #2: semicolon alone; #3: semicolon + conjunctive adverb + comma). A complex sentence joins one independent clause with one dependent clause one of two ways (#4: independent clause + subordinator + dependent clause, no comma; #5: subordinator + dependent clause + comma + independent clause). A compound-complex sentence combines at least two independent clauses with at least one dependent clause.

Examples

  • I love spicy tacos; however, I rarely want to eat sushi. (Structure #3, compound)

  • Even though I rarely want to eat sushi, I love spicy tacos. (Structure #5, complex)

See also

independent clause dependent clause coordinating conjunction
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