Structure of simple sentence: Identifying the core of a sentence Structure of a simple sentence: the core
In order to understand what is the idea of a sentence in the text, we need to find its main topic first. Where is the main topic of a sentence? The term "core" is often used to refer to the main idea of the topic. This core consists of 2 parts: the subject and the verb. If you do not know what the subject and the verb are in the sentence, you are not likely to understand the meaning of a sentence.
Watch the following video to understand the functions of the subject and the verb:
Now you can do Exercises 1 and 2
Structure of complex sentences
If simple sentences contain only 1 core (subject and verb), compound and complex sentences have 2 or more cores.
Ex.: I tried to cook a Chinese dish, but that didn't go so well. (compound sentence)
Ex.: After they finished studying, Johnny and Michael went for lunch. (complex sentence)
Reference
Reference shows a relationship between words or ideas within a sentence or between sentences and paragraphs.
Ex: Yesterday I was introduced to Michael. He is a very nice person.
In this example the word "he" is a reference, as it shows relationship between 2 sentences: "he" replaced the word "Michael" in the 2nd sentence.
Very often synonyms and pronouns are used to avoid repetitions in the text, so it is very useful to notice reference as it helps understand what is being discussed in the text.
Functions of linking words
Linking words are words that help connect parts of the sentences and establish a relation between them. These words are mostly represented by conjunctions.
There are 2 main groups of conjunctions: conjunctions for compound sentences (coordinating) and conjunctions for complex sentences (subordinate). Coordinating conjunctions connect parts of a sentence that are of equal importance. Subordinate conjunctions connect an independent clause with a dependent clause.
Ex. I tried to cook a Chinese dish, but that didn't go so well. (But is a coordinating conjunction because it connects parts of the sentence of equal importance: these clauses do not have a dependency relation)
Ex. After they finished studying, Johnny and Michael went for lunch. (After is a subordinate conjunction as it is part of a complex sentence with an independent and dependent clause: "Johnny and Michael went for a lunch" - independent clause WHEN? "After they finished studying")
Coordinating conjunctions:
For And Nor But Or Yet So
These conjunctions fulfill the function of addition (and), contrast (but), consequence (so) and alternative (or and nor).
Subordinating conjunctions and other linking words according to their functions:
Addition Moreover, plus, as well Contrast On the other hand, however, whilst, on the contrary, whereas Reason because, since, as, due to, owing to Example for instance, such as, for example Condition if, unless, lest, provided that, when, on the condition that Concession although, nevertheless, yet, in spite of, despite Emphasis above all, especially, particularly, in particular Consequence in order to, to, so as to, so that, in order that Result/effect so, therefore, thus, consequently, hence, as a consequence Time sequence when, until, after, before, since Explanation that is, in other words Watch this video which explains the use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions: