Core Sentence Components – Definitions and Examples

The Writing Essentials webinar series also highlights the building blocks of sentences and showcases different sentence forms. Visit these archived webinars for additional insights.

Key:

• • Yellow, bold = subject
  • Green underline = verb
  • Blue, italics = object
  • Pink, regular font = prepositional phrase

Independent Clause

An independent clause stands alone as a complete sentence. It features a subject and a verb, presenting a full idea.

• • I play soccer.
  • She enjoys painting.

Dependent Clause

A dependent clause is an incomplete thought and must pair with an independent clause to form a complete sentence. Also known as a subordinate clause.

• • Although I play soccer, …
  • Because she enjoys painting, …

Sentence Elements

Subject: Refers to a person, animal, place, thing, or idea performing an action. Identify it by asking, “Who or what?”

• • I play soccer.
  • She enjoys painting.

Verb: Indicates what the subject does or experiences. Determine it by asking, “What action occurred?”

• • I play soccer.
  • She enjoys painting.
  • The sky is clear. (The verb is serves as a linking verb, connecting the subject “the sky” with its description “clear.”)

Object: Refers to what receives the action. Determine the object by asking, “The subject did what?” or “To whom/what?”

• • I play soccer.
  • She enjoys painting.

Prepositional Phrase: A group of words starting with a preposition (e.g., in, at, on, during) that provides more detail. These phrases often answer questions like “Where?” or “When?”

• • I play soccer on weekends.
  • She enjoys painting in her studio.

English Sentence Rules

Sentences in English adhere to specific rules:

1. Begin with a capital letter.

• • He finished his assignment.

2. End with punctuation (a period, question mark, or exclamation point).

• • Did she finish her assignment?

3. Contain a subject that appears only once.

• • James he finished his assignment. (Incorrect)

4. Include a verb or verb phrase.

• • She completed her project.

5. Follow the subject + Verb + Object structure.

• • She (subject) completed (verb) her project (object).

6. Form a complete thought as an independent clause.

• • She completed her project.

Simple Sentences

A simple sentence consists of a subject and a verb. It may include objects or modifiers but contains only one independent clause.

Key:

• • Yellow, bold = subject
  • Green underline = verb
  • Blue, italics = object
  • Pink, regular font = prepositional phrase

Examples:

• • He ran.
  • She baked a cake.
  • They travelled to Spain.
  • We studied in the library.

Compound Sentences

A compound sentence connects at least two independent clauses, joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon.

Key:

• • Yellow, bold = independent clause
  • Pink, regular font = comma or semicolon
  • Green underline = coordinating conjunction

Examples:

• • He baked a cake, and she prepared coffee.
  • They travelled to Spain and then explored Madrid.
  • We studied in the library, but they chose to study at home.

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence includes one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Dependent clauses often address time (when), cause (why), or details about the subject (who, which).

Key:

• • Yellow, bold = independent clause
  • Pink, regular font = comma
  • Blue, italics = dependent clause

Examples:

• • While exploring Madrid, they discovered many historic landmarks.
  • Since she had prepared the coffee, the meeting started smoothly.
  • We studied in the library until it closed.

Compound-Complex Sentences

These sentences combine multiple independent clauses with at least one dependent clause.

Key:

• • Yellow, bold = independent clause
  • Pink, regular font = comma or semicolon
  • Green underline = coordinating conjunction
  • Blue, italics = dependent clause

Examples:

• • Although they explored Madrid, they discovered new places, and they tried local food.
  • Because she had prepared the coffee, he organised the meeting agenda, and the team was ready to begin.
  • We studied in the library, but they went home because they felt tired.

Tips:

• • Mix sentence structures to add variety and improve readability.
  • Use commas carefully in complex and compound-complex sentences to maintain clarity.