Write for Business - Blog

The way you construct sentences makes a big difference in your communication. Here are the four types of sentences:

• The Simple Sentence is made up of one independent clause. It has only one subject and one predicate, although either may be single or compound. For example, you can write Tom wrote the proposal, or you can write Tom and Elena wrote and delivered the proposal. Both sentences are simple because, even with compound elements, each is made up of one independent clause.
• The Compound Sentence is a little more complicated. It’s made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, or, so, or but. An example is We hoped to be finished by now, but the client demanded changes. You can see that without the conjunction, either clause could be a simple sentence on its own.
• The Complex Sentence is composed of one main independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. For example, consider the sentence If we could run the specs one more time, we might be able to spot the problem. The first clause, if we could run the specs one more time, cannot stand on its own because of the little word “if.” That subordinating conjunction makes the clause dependent upon the main clause, we might be able to spot the problem. Complex sentences often begin with relative pronouns or subordinating conjunctions.
• The Compound-Complex Sentence includes two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause, as in this example: Whenever I am in Chicago, I try to get to the Art Institute, but I didn’t have time during my last trip. Get the picture? Whenever I am in Chicago is a dependent clause, making this example sentence complex; and the other two clauses are independent, also making the sentence compound.

Try varying the types of sentences in your writing by rearranging and combining clauses. You’ll probably find that writing is a lot more fun, and the result will be a fresher, more interesting style.

You can learn more about sentences on pages 258-260 in in Write for Business, just one of the many helpful business writing materials from UpWrite Press.

- Joyce Lee

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