10.07.24: Level 2: Sentence structure [1]; terminology (1)

10.07.24: Level 2: Sentence structure [1]; terminology (1)

[i] sentence: simple sentence; compound sentence

[ii] verb: finite verb

[iii] conjunction: coordinating conjunction

[iv] clause: main / principal clause

simple and compound sentences

Image #1

[i] simple sentence: John goes to the shops every day.

The sentence stands alone and makes sense.

It contains one finite verb, a verb that has [a] a subject [b] number and [c] a tense.

Rōmānī nūntiōs ad Cincinnātum mīsērunt. │ The Romans sent messengers to Cincinnatus.

Image #2: [ii] compound sentence.

John goes to the shops every day. He buys bread.

Two simple sentences. Both have a single finite verb and both can stand alone and make sense. Now join them:

[1] John goes to the shops every day and [2] (he) buys bread.

A compound sentence comprises two or more simple sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction e.g. ‘and’ or ‘but’.

[1] Coriolānus cōpiās redūxit. │ Coriolanus brought back his troops. [simple sentence]

[2] Oppidum erat tūtum. │ The town was safe. [simple sentence]

[1] Coriolānus cōpiās redūxit [finite verb] ¦ et [2] oppidum erat [finite verb] tūtum. │ Coriolanus brought back his troops andthe town was safe. [compound sentence]

Image #3: However, now that the two separate sentences are joined to form one sentence, those original sentences are described as clauses i.e. those “blocks” of information mentioned at the beginning of the post. This is where a range of different terms can be used.

The clauses here are called principal or main clauses because they both originally could stand alone. A principal clause is the main idea in a sentence.