Guides: Writing Style: Sentence Types: How to Join Clauses

Sentence Types: How To Join Clauses

A basic clause contains a subject, a verb, and an object or subject complement.

There are four patterns for clauses.

Simple Sentences (i.e., clauses) can be joined in different ways.

Compound Sentence

A Compound Sentence contains two simple sentences joined with a Coordinating Conjunction (FANBOYS).

Use "and " to show additional information or ideas.

Example: Hamad Hospital provides a high quality of care for its patients, and it aims to reach higher.

Use "but " to show contrast.

Example: The patient stated that she took a pain reliever, but it did not work.

Use "so" to show cause and effect..

Example: The patient forgot he had an allergy to antibiotics, so he suffered a skin rash.

Use "or" to show alternatives.

Example:A stronger dose might make her become addicted to the medication, or she may develop physical dependency.

Complex Sentence

Join an Independent Clause and a Dependent Clause with a Subordinating Conjunction (SC).

Example: This model has also been used in other medical fields even though it was developed for nursing.

I saw the patient laughing though she was still in considerable pain from the operation.

Adding a SC at the beginning creates a Dependent Cause joined by a comma (,) to an Independent Clause.

Example: Even though it was developed for nursing, this model has also been used in other medical fields.

Although the lady in the third scenario was screaming, I still felt much more positive about her condition.

Transitional Word or Phrase

Use a transitional word or phrase (T) to join two Independent Clauses.

TIPS

Use a semi-colon, followed by a transitional word or phrase (T), then by a comma. (; + Transitional word/phrase +,)

Example: The nurse assumed the patient knew how to use it; however, the patient had forgotten what to do.

More Information
"Five Basic Structures of Simple Sentences", The University of Montana

"Kinds of Sentences", Towson University