Sentence structures

A simple sentence is one independent clause in a subject-verb pattern.

e.g. The Australian government introduced an official carbon tax on 1 July 2012.

A compound sentence is two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction.

e.g. The Australian government introduced an official carbon tax on 1 July 2012, but this was met with opposition from the general public.

A complex sentence consists of an independent clause and a dependent clause.

e.g. As the Australian government recognised the necessity to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it introduced an official carbon tax on 1 July 2012.

A compound-complex sentence consists of more than one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses:

e.g. As the Australian government recognised the necessity to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it introduced an official carbon tax on 1 July 2012, but this was met with opposition from the general public.

A sentence fragment is missing some of its parts. There are three main reasons why a sentence may be incomplete.

1. Missing subject

[Incorrect] Becoming extinct because of rising sea temperatures.

[Correct] Phytoplankton could become extinct because of rising sea temperatures.

2.  Missing verb

[Incorrect]  Significantly, one particular form of Western Australian finch.

[Correct]  Significantly, one particular form of Western Australian finch has decreased in numbers.

3. Incomplete thought

[Incorrect]  In a recent article about loss of habitat due to climate change.

[Correct] In a recent article about loss of habitat due to climate change, Australian animals were shown to be particularly vulnerable.

Sentences beginning with words like so, as, because, who, which, that are often incomplete.

A run-on sentence occurs when two simple sentences are incorrectly joined.

e.g. Poverty, famine and major public health problems around the developing world are important indicators of a changing climate these issues are not being addressed globally.

There are two ways to resolve a run-on sentence:

1. Use a joining or linking word such as and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.

   e.g. Poverty, famine and major public health problems around the developing world are important indicators of a changing climate, but these issues are not being addressed globally.

2. Make two separate sentences.   

   e.g. Poverty, famine and major public health problems around the developing world are important indicators of a changing climate. These issues are not being addressed globally.

Ensure that each sentence you write has clear meaning in English. It must be fully understandable when read. If you are not sure if your sentence has clear meaning in English, perhaps think about re-writing it in a simpler and clearer way that you can fully understand (as will hopefully your reader).