# Quick Revision Notes – Sentence Structure *(For TET, CTET, WBTET, Tripura TET, and Competitive Exams)* --- ## **Kinds of Sentences (By Structure)** ### 1. **Simple Sentence** - **Definition:** A sentence with **only one independent clause** (one subject + one predicate). - **Features:** - Expresses a single idea. - May have modifiers, phrases, or compound subjects/predicates. - **Examples:** - She reads every morning. - Birds fly. - **Quick Trick:** *One subject–one verb = Simple.* --- ### 2. **Compound Sentence** - **Definition:** A sentence made of **two or more independent clauses** joined by a **coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)**, semicolon, or conjunctive adverb. - **Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS):** For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. - **Examples:** - He worked hard, and he succeeded. - She wanted to go, but she stayed at home. - **Quick Trick:** *Clause + FANBOYS + Clause = Compound.* --- ### 3. **Complex Sentence** - **Definition:** A sentence with **one independent clause + one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses**. - **Subordinating Conjunctions:** because, although, if, when, while, since, unless, that, etc. - **Examples:** - I left because it was late. - Although he is poor, he is honest. - **Quick Trick:** *One main clause + one dependent clause = Complex.* --- ## **Important Exam Notes** - **Simple = One thought only.** - **Compound = Two equal clauses joined by FANBOYS.** - **Complex = Main clause + Subordinate clause.** - **Shortcut Memory Aid:** - *Simple → Single Idea* - *Compound → Co-ordination* - *Complex → Sub-ordination* - Common exam tasks: - Identify sentence type. - Spot conjunctions. - Convert one type into another. - Error spotting in clause usage. --- ### **Quick Tricks for Exams** 1. **Count the Independent Clauses:** * **Simple:** One independent clause. No connecting words like FANBOYS or subordinating conjunctions between main ideas. * **Compound:** Two or more independent clauses, usually joined by a **coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)** or a semicolon. Look for two complete sentences that could stand alone. * **Complex:** One independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Look for a **subordinating conjunction** (e.g., *because, although, when, if*) or a **relative pronoun** (*who, which, that*) at the beginning of a clause that can't stand alone. 2. **Identify the Conjunction:** The type of joining word is a dead giveaway. * **FANBOYS?** Likely a **Compound** sentence. * **Subordinating Conjunction?** Definitely a **Complex** sentence. 3. **The "Stand-Alone" Test:** Mentally separate the clauses. If both parts can stand alone as complete sentences, it's a compound sentence. If only one part can, it's a complex sentence. *** ### **Important for Exams: Key Concepts** * **Punctuation:** A comma is used before the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence (*...night, so he passed...*). If a dependent clause comes first in a complex sentence, a comma is used to separate it from the independent clause (*Because he was late, he missed...*). * **Compound-Complex Sentences:** A sentence with two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. While not a core topic in this quick note, recognizing this structure is the next step. *** ## **Exam-Focused Objective Questions** 1. Q: A sentence with only one independent clause is called? **Ans:** Simple Sentence 2. Q: Name the conjunction family used in compound sentences. **Ans:** FANBOYS 3. Q: "Although she was tired, she completed the work." → Identify the sentence type. **Ans:** Complex Sentence 4. Q: How many independent clauses are there in a simple sentence? **Ans:** One 5. Q: Which type of sentence uses subordinating conjunctions? **Ans:** Complex Sentence 6. Q: "She danced and he sang." → This is an example of? **Ans:** Compound Sentence 7. Q: What is the key feature of a complex sentence? **Ans:** One main clause + one subordinate clause 8. Q: Write the mnemonic for coordinating conjunctions. **Ans:** FANBOYS 9. Q: Identify the sentence type – "He studies hard but fails every time." **Ans:** Compound Sentence 10. Q: "If you run fast, you will catch the train." → Sentence type? **Ans:** Complex Sentence --- --- *Last updated: 19/8/2025*
# Quick Revision Notes – Sentence Structure *(For TET, CTET, WBTET, Tripura TET, and Competitive Exams)* --- ## **Kinds of Sentences (By Structure)** ### 1. **Simple Sentence** - **Definition:** A sentence with **only one independent clause** (one subject + one predicate). - **Features:** - Expresses a single idea. - May have modifiers, phrases, or compound subjects/predicates. - **Examples:** - She reads every morning. - Birds fly. - **Quick Trick:** *One subject–one verb = Simple.* --- ### 2. **Compound Sentence** - **Definition:** A sentence made of **two or more independent clauses** joined by a **coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)**, semicolon, or conjunctive adverb. - **Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS):** For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So. - **Examples:** - He worked hard, and he succeeded. - She wanted to go, but she stayed at home. - **Quick Trick:** *Clause + FANBOYS + Clause = Compound.* --- ### 3. **Complex Sentence** - **Definition:** A sentence with **one independent clause + one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses**. - **Subordinating Conjunctions:** because, although, if, when, while, since, unless, that, etc. - **Examples:** - I left because it was late. - Although he is poor, he is honest. - **Quick Trick:** *One main clause + one dependent clause = Complex.* --- ## **Important Exam Notes** - **Simple = One thought only.** - **Compound = Two equal clauses joined by FANBOYS.** - **Complex = Main clause + Subordinate clause.** - **Shortcut Memory Aid:** - *Simple → Single Idea* - *Compound → Co-ordination* - *Complex → Sub-ordination* - Common exam tasks: - Identify sentence type. - Spot conjunctions. - Convert one type into another. - Error spotting in clause usage. --- ### **Quick Tricks for Exams** 1. **Count the Independent Clauses:** * **Simple:** One independent clause. No connecting words like FANBOYS or subordinating conjunctions between main ideas. * **Compound:** Two or more independent clauses, usually joined by a **coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)** or a semicolon. Look for two complete sentences that could stand alone. * **Complex:** One independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Look for a **subordinating conjunction** (e.g., *because, although, when, if*) or a **relative pronoun** (*who, which, that*) at the beginning of a clause that can't stand alone. 2. **Identify the Conjunction:** The type of joining word is a dead giveaway. * **FANBOYS?** Likely a **Compound** sentence. * **Subordinating Conjunction?** Definitely a **Complex** sentence. 3. **The "Stand-Alone" Test:** Mentally separate the clauses. If both parts can stand alone as complete sentences, it's a compound sentence. If only one part can, it's a complex sentence. *** ### **Important for Exams: Key Concepts** * **Punctuation:** A comma is used before the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence (*...night, so he passed...*). If a dependent clause comes first in a complex sentence, a comma is used to separate it from the independent clause (*Because he was late, he missed...*). * **Compound-Complex Sentences:** A sentence with two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. While not a core topic in this quick note, recognizing this structure is the next step. *** ## **Exam-Focused Objective Questions** 1. Q: A sentence with only one independent clause is called? **Ans:** Simple Sentence 2. Q: Name the conjunction family used in compound sentences. **Ans:** FANBOYS 3. Q: "Although she was tired, she completed the work." → Identify the sentence type. **Ans:** Complex Sentence 4. Q: How many independent clauses are there in a simple sentence? **Ans:** One 5. Q: Which type of sentence uses subordinating conjunctions? **Ans:** Complex Sentence 6. Q: "She danced and he sang." → This is an example of? **Ans:** Compound Sentence 7. Q: What is the key feature of a complex sentence? **Ans:** One main clause + one subordinate clause 8. Q: Write the mnemonic for coordinating conjunctions. **Ans:** FANBOYS 9. Q: Identify the sentence type – "He studies hard but fails every time." **Ans:** Compound Sentence 10. Q: "If you run fast, you will catch the train." → Sentence type? **Ans:** Complex Sentence --- --- *Last updated: 19/8/2025*