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Sentence Type
One of the trickiest patterns to spot is that of repetitive sentence type. Just like subject and
length, overusing a sentence type can hinder a reader’s engagement with a text. There are four
types of sentences: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. Each sentence is
defined by the use of independent and dependent clauses, conjunctions, and subordinators.
 Simple sentences: A simple sentence is an independent clause with no conjunction or
dependent clause.
 Compound sentences: A compound sentence is two independent clauses joined by a
conjunction (e.g., and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so).
 Complex sentences: A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at
least one dependent clause. The clauses in a complex sentence are combined with
conjunctions and subordinators, terms that help the dependent clauses relate to the
independent clause. Subordinators can refer to the subject (who, which), the
sequence/time (since, while), or the causal elements (because, if) of the independent
clause.
 Compound-complex sentences: A compound-complex sentence contains multiple
independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. These sentences will contain
both conjunctions and subordinators.
Understanding sentence type will help writers note areas that should be varied through the use
of clauses, conjunctions, and subordinators.
In her article, Author (Year) noted that the participants did not see a change in symptoms after
the treatment. Even during the treatment, Author observed no change in the statements from
the participants regarding their symptoms. Based on these findings, I will not use this article for
my final project. Because my project will rely on articles that note symptom improvement,
Author’s work is not applicable.

Notice how the writer relies solely on complex sentences in this paragraph, even placing
dependent clauses at the beginning of each sentence. Here is an example of merely adjusting
the placement of these dependent clauses but not the sentence type:
In her article, Author (Year) noted that the participants did not see a change in symptoms after
the treatment. Author observed, even during treatment, no change in the statements from the
participants regarding their symptoms. I will not use this article for my final project based on
these findings. Because my project will rely on articles that note symptom improvement,
Author’s work is not applicable.

While this change in the placement of dependent clauses does avoid a repetitive rhythm to the
paragraph, try combining sentences or using conjunctions to create compound or compound-
complex sentences to vary sentence type:
In her article, Author (Year) noted that the participants did not see a change in symptoms after
the treatment. Author observed, even during treatment, no change in the statements from the
participants regarding their symptoms, and based on these findings, I will not use this article for
my final project. Because my project will rely on articles that note symptom improvement,
Author’s work is not applicable.
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Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions connect words or phrases that serve the same grammatical
purpose in a sentence. There are seven main coordinating conjunctions in English, which form
the acronym FANBOYS:

F: for: The teachers were frustrated, for the school had cut funding for all enrichment
programs.*
A: and: In this course, I will write a literature review, a case study, and a final paper.**
N: nor: The students did not complete their homework, nor did they pass the test.
B: but: The study is several years old but still valuable to this study.
O: or: At the end of the class, the students can choose to write an essay or take a test.
Y: yet: The patient complained of chronic pain, yet she refused treatment.
S: so: I have only been a nurse for one year, so I have little experience with paper charting.
* For is rarely used as a conjunction in modern English.
** When the conjunctions and and or connect three or more words or phrases, use a serial
comma to separate items in the series.
Transitional words such as however and therefore can also function as conjunctions:
 The authors agreed on the prevalence of the problem; however, they disagreed on the
problem’s cause.
 Several employees complained about the new policies, and therefore, the manager held
an all-staff meeting to address their concerns.

Paired Conjunctions
Paired conjunctions consist of two words or phrases that help make a point or establish
alternatives. While paired conjunctions can be helpful in structuring a sentence, they can also
make sentences wordier than necessary, so use these conjunctions sparingly.
 both…and
o The project will require significant investments of both time and money.
o Both the students and the teachers were satisfied with the pilot program.
o Note: When two subjects are connected by both…and, use a plural verb (such
as are or were).
 not only…but also
o Students who did not complete the assignment received not only a poor
grade but also a warning from the teacher.
o Not only did the student include full sentences from the source without using
quotation marks, but he also failed to properly cite paraphrased material.
 either…or
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o Either the students were unprepared or the assessment was poorly written.
o Participants in the survey could either choose from a list of possible
answers or write in their own responses.
 neither…nor
o Students who did not complete the project received neither praise nor rewards.
o The staff neither followed the new policy nor asked for clarification.

Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions join a subordinate clause to a main clause and establishes a
relationship between the two. There are many subordinating clauses, but here are some of
the most common:
 after
 although
 as much as/as soon as/as long as
 as though
 because
 before
 how
 if
 in order to/in order that
 once
 since
 than
 that
 though
 unless
 until
 when/whenever
 where/wherever
 whether
 while
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There are two ways to structure a sentence using a subordinating conjunction:

1. Main clause + subordinate clause
o The teacher administered the test after giving instructions.
o The author must avoid bias if she wants to maintain a scholarly tone.
o I will turn in this assignment at midnight whether or not I complete it.
2. Subordinate clause + , + main clause
o After giving instructions, the teacher administered the test.
o If she wants to maintain a scholarly tone, the author must avoid bias.
o Whether or not I complete this assignment, I will turn it in at midnight.

A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent

clauses connected to it. A dependent clause is similar to an independent clause, or
complete sentence, but it lacks one of the elements that would make it a complete
sentence.

Examples of dependent clauses include the following:

 because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon
 while he waited at the train station

 after they left on the bus

Dependent clauses such as those above cannot stand alone as a sentence, but they can
be added to an independent clause to form a complex sentence.

Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Below are some of the
most common subordinating conjunctions:

 after
 although

 as

 because

 before

 even though

 if

 since

 though
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 unless

 until

 when

 whenever

 whereas

 wherever

 while

A complex sentence joins an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses.

The dependent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the independent clause,
as in the following:

Tip: When the dependent clause comes first, a comma should be used to
separate the two clauses.
1. Because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon, I did not see
them at the station.
2. While he waited at the train station, Joe realized that the train was late.

3. After they left on the bus, Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the
train station.

Conversely, the independent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the
dependent clause, as in the following:

Tip: When the independent clause comes first, a comma should not be used
to separate the two clauses.
1. I did not see them at the station because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus
station before noon.
2. Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at the train station.

3. Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station after they left
on the bus.

Complex sentences are often more effective than compound sentences because a
complex sentence indicates clearer and more specific relationships between the main
parts of the sentence. The word "before," for instance, tells readers that one thing occurs
before another. A word such as "although" conveys a more complex relationship than a
word such as "and" conveys.

"That" as a Subordinating Conjunction

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Sometimes “that” functions as a subordinating conjunction in a sentence, especially with

the use of reporting or linking verbs (such as found, reported, posited, argued, claimed,
maintained, and hypothesized). It is part of the dependent clause and it introduces the
main independent clause.
 These dependent clauses are also known as noun clauses. They are often used to
report what other people think or have said, such as when introducing a paraphrase,
summary, or quotation.
 In formal written English, “that” is usually maintained for clarity. Indeed, Caplan
(2012) found that most academic writers choose to keep the “that” in these types of
sentences. (However, in spoken English, it may be dropped).
 For example,
o Smith (2015) reported that more research was necessary.
 Smith (2015) reported that = dependent clause
 more research was necessary = main independent clause
o The authors hypothesized that there would be significant results.
 The authors hypothesized that = dependent clause
 there would be significant results = main independent clause
o Jones (2014) asserted that confidentiality was maintained throughout the
study.
 Jones (2014) asserted that = dependent clause
 confidentiality was maintained throughout the study = main
independent clause
 Sometimes dropping “that” could confuse the reader because the phrase following
could be read as the object of the verb in the main clause (Jamieson, 2012).
 For example,
o He saw the movie was being released on Friday.
 In this sentence, it seems that he saw the movie.
o He saw that the movie was being released on Friday.