Types of Sentences
In Modern English the choice of the oblique moods is determined by the structure of the sentence even more than by the attitude of the speaker to what is said. So, it’s really important to be able to identify the types of sentences.
There are simple, compound and complex sentences.
Simple sentences have only one subject - predicate centre.
E.g.: In your place I wouldn’t buy that dress.
Compound sentences consist of two or more independent clauses connected by way of coordination. The parts of a compound sentence can be also used as simple sentences.
E.g.:[Get up now] or [you will be late] = Get up now. You’ll be late.
Complex sentences are made up of the main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. A subordinate clause can’t be used as a simple sentence.
E.g.:[I
wouldn't tell you.]even
if
(I
knew).
I wouldn't tell you. I
knew.
↓ ↓
main clause subordinate clause
The whole subordinate clause performs a syntactic function which determines the type of the subordinate clause.
what kind of?
E.g.:[The house (I’m going to build) will be unique.]
↓ ↓ ↓
subject attribute predicate
It’s a complex sentence with an attributive subordinate clause.
Compare: My house will be unique. My = I’m going to build = attribute.
There are five syntactic functions: the subject, the predicate, the object, the attribute and the adverbial modifier. Each of them can be performed by a subordinate clause, except one – a simple predicate, which is normally performed by a finite form of the verb.
Compare the use of a word and a clause in the same function:
Subject (comes before the predicate): It is a secret.
What I say is a secret.
Predicate: I study English. (A clause can’t be used as the predicate.)
Predicative (comes after the link verb):
That is a masterpiece.
That is what you can call a masterpiece.
A part of a compound modal predicate (comes after a modal verb): I would rather walk the dog.
I would rather you walked the dog.
Object (what?): I saw you with someone.
I saw that you were talking with someone.
Attribute (what kind of?): I like bright colours.
I like colours which are bright.
Adverbial modifier of
time (when?): He will come in a week.
He will come after he passes all his exams.
purpose (why?): I’ve come to apologise.
I’ve come so that we can talk about it.
manner (how?): He slept tight.
He slept as if he hadn’t slept for a week.
contrast (= despite the fact that)
The rooms, though small, were pleasant and airy.
I liked the rooms, though they were small.
condition (on what condition?):
With luck, we’ll get home before dark.
If we are lucky, we’ll get home before dark.