Advanced Sentence Structure for Crafting Engaging Business Documents

Writing would quickly become tedious if every English sentence were composed solely of subject + verb + object! That’s why good writers employ a range of sentence structures when crafting their text.

An effective way to add variety to sentences is through dependent clauses. These subordinating conjunctions such as because, although, if, while and so forth connect dependent clauses to independent clauses.

Simple Sentences

Simple sentences consist of one independent clause with only one subject and verb: noun representing action performed and verb describing how they’re completed; object being the recipient of these actions.

Understanding sentence structure can make written works easier to read and comprehend, as well as help identify errors during editing/proofreading processes.

Simple sentences are the most basic and straightforward type of sentence structure in English. They typically consist of a single independent clause, which is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate (verb) and expresses a complete thought. The subject is what or whom the sentence is about, and the predicate is what the subject is doing or what is happening to it.

Here’s the basic structure of a simple sentence:

Subject + Verb (Predicate)

In a simple sentence, the subject and verb can be followed by various elements. Such elements include objects, adverbs, adjectives, and more to provide additional information, but the core structure remains the same. Simple sentences are used to convey clear and concise statements or ideas. Here are some examples:

1. “The CEO presented the annual report.”
2. “The team completed the project ahead of schedule.”
3. “The company achieved record sales last quarter.”
4. “Our marketing campaign increased website traffic.”
5. “The board approved the budget proposal.”

These sentences follow the basic structure of subject + predicate and convey clear and concise information relevant to business activities.

The examples demonstrate the simplicity of the structure where a subject performs an action (or a verb describes a state) or is described in some way. Simple sentences are commonly used in everyday communication and are essential building blocks for constructing more complex sentences and paragraphs.

Compound Sentences

Compound sentences combine two independent clauses by joining them with a coordinating conjunction. They provide an easy way to add extra information while keeping the writing brief and succinct.

The key feature of a compound sentence is that it joins two or more independent clauses using coordinating conjunctions (such as “and,” “but,” “or,” “nor,” “for,” “so,” and “yet”) or semicolons (;).

The structure of a compound sentence typically consists of the following components:

1. Independent Clause 1: This is the first complete thought or statement, often with its own subject and verb.
2. Coordinating Conjunction (optional): A coordinating conjunction is used to join the independent clauses and shows the relationship between them. The most common coordinating conjunctions are “and,” “but,” “or,” “nor,” “for,” “so,” and “yet.”
3. Independent Clause 2 (and possibly more): This is the second independent clause, which is also a complete thought or statement.

Compound sentences must always be punctuated with a comma prior to any coordinating conjunctions; here are some examples:

1. “We need to finalize the project proposal, and then we can submit it to the client.”

• Independent Clause 1: “We need to finalize the project proposal.”
• Coordinating Conjunction: “and”
• Independent Clause 2: “then we can submit it to the client.”

2. “The sales team exceeded their quarterly targets, so they will receive a performance bonus.”

• Independent Clause 1: “The sales team exceeded their quarterly targets.”
• Coordinating Conjunction: “so”
• Independent Clause 2: “they will receive a performance bonus.”

3. “We can either hire additional staff or outsource the work to a third-party vendor.”

• Independent Clause 1: “We can either hire additional staff.”
• Coordinating Conjunction: “or”
• Independent Clause 2: “outsource the work to a third-party vendor.”

4. “Our marketing campaign increased brand awareness, but our sales figures remained steady.”

• Independent Clause 1: “Our marketing campaign increased brand awareness.”
• Coordinating Conjunction: “but”
• Independent Clause 2: “our sales figures remained steady.”

5. “The CEO will address the shareholders during the annual meeting, for she wants to communicate our strategic vision.”

• Independent Clause 1: “The CEO will address the shareholders during the annual meeting.”
• Coordinating Conjunction: “for”
• Independent Clause 2: “she wants to communicate our strategic vision.”

These compound sentences help convey complex information and decisions within a business context, showing the relationships between ideas and actions.

Utilizing various sentence structures makes your content more interesting, leading to greater engagement with readers. However, remember that compound sentences differ from complex sentences and should only be employed when appropriate.

Complex Sentences

Complex sentences are complete thoughts combining an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence but helps amplify the meaning of its associated independent clause.

Complex sentences are more intricate than simple or compound sentences and are characterized by the inclusion of at least one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. Dependent clauses, also known as subordinate clauses, cannot stand alone as complete sentences because they lack a subject-verb pair that forms a complete thought. Instead, they rely on the independent clause to give them context and meaning.

The structure of a complex sentence typically includes the following components:

1. Independent Clause: This is the main clause that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
2. Dependent Clause(s): These are subordinate clauses that provide additional information or modify the independent clause. Dependent clauses usually begin with subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, although, while, if, since, when) or relative pronouns (e.g., who, which, that, whose).
3. Subordinating Conjunction or Relative Pronoun: This word or phrase is used to introduce the dependent clause and connect it to the independent clause.

Here are a few examples:

1. “Although it rained heavily, we still went ahead with the outdoor event.”
   • Independent Clause: “We still went ahead with the outdoor event.”
   • Dependent Clause: “Although it rained heavily.”
2. “Because the market is highly competitive, we need to focus on our pricing strategy.”
   • Independent Clause: “We need to focus on our pricing strategy.”
   • Dependent Clause: “Because the market is highly competitive.”
3. “The project that we’ve been working on for months finally reached its completion.”
   • Independent Clause: “The project finally reached its completion.”
   • Dependent Clause: “that we’ve been working on for months.”
4. “After the meeting, which lasted for hours, the team was exhausted.”
   • Independent Clause: “The team was exhausted.”
   • Dependent Clause: “After the meeting, which lasted for hours.”
5. “Since he had a prior commitment, he couldn’t attend the conference.”
   • Independent Clause: “He couldn’t attend the conference.”
   • Dependent Clause: “Since he had a prior commitment.”

Complex sentences allow for the combination of ideas and provide a more nuanced and detailed way of expressing thoughts and relationships between different pieces of information within a sentence. Dependent clauses add depth and context to the independent clause, making complex sentences an essential tool in written and spoken communication.

Complex sentences add variety and engagement for readers by keeping their attention throughout your writing, yet should only be used sparingly to avoid overuse. If your writing seems repetitive, run it through ProWritingAid‘s Sentence Structure report for help; the software will highlight instances of comma splice and suggest corrections before giving suggestions on what changes can be made to improve it further.

Adverbial Clauses

Adverbial clauses, also known as adverb clauses, are a type of dependent clause that functions as an adverb within a sentence. They provide additional information about the action or event described in the main (independent) clause. Adverbial clauses typically answer questions such as when, where, why, how, or to what extent, helping to clarify the circumstances or conditions of the action in the main clause.

The structure of an adverbial clause consists of the following elements:

1. Subordinating Conjunction: Adverbial clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions, which link the dependent clause to the independent clause. Common subordinating conjunctions include “when,” “where,” “because,” “although,” “since,” “while,” “if,” “unless,” “until,” and many others.
2. Subject and Verb: Like any clause, an adverbial clause contains a subject and a verb. The subject may or may not be explicitly stated, but the verb is essential for the clause to function properly.

Here are some examples of adverbial clauses along with their subordinating conjunctions:

1. “Since the market is highly competitive, we must focus on product differentiation.”

• Adverbial Clause: “Since the market is highly competitive”
• Subordinating Conjunction: “Since”
• Main Clause: “we must focus on product differentiation.”

2. “Although the economy is uncertain, we are cautiously optimistic about our growth prospects.”

• Adverbial Clause: “Although the economy is uncertain”
• Subordinating Conjunction: “Although”
• Main Clause: “we are cautiously optimistic about our growth prospects.”

3. “We will proceed with the expansion plans once the necessary funding has been secured.”

• Adverbial Clause: “once the necessary funding has been secured”
• Subordinating Conjunction: “once”
• Main Clause: “We will proceed with the expansion plans.”

4. “In light of recent developments, we’ve decided to reevaluate our strategic priorities.”

• Adverbial Clause: “In light of recent developments”
• Subordinating Conjunction: “In light of”
• Main Clause: “we’ve decided to reevaluate our strategic priorities.”

5. “To maximize efficiency, we should streamline our supply chain processes.”

• Adverbial Clause: “To maximize efficiency”
• Subordinating Conjunction: “To”
• Main Clause: “we should streamline our supply chain processes.”

These sentences demonstrate how adverbial clauses are used in business writing to provide context, reasons, conditions, or timing related to specific actions or decisions. Adverbial clauses help convey more detailed and nuanced information within business communications.

Adverbial clauses add depth and context to sentences by providing information about when, where, why, how, or to what extent an action takes place. They help to clarify and modify the meaning of the main clause, making sentences more informative and nuanced.

Students need to become adept in various sentence structures in order to convey complex ideas and add depth and dimension to their writing. Mastering adverb clauses is one way of doing just this!

Adjective Clauses

An interesting, engaging, and sophisticated business document demands more diverse writing, which ProWritingAid’s Sentence Length Report can assist with. By helping identify your sentence length diversity and developing more dynamic sentences.

Adjectives describe the quality or state of being of nouns: enormous, doglike, silly and yellow are examples. Adjectives may also describe quantity such as “many and few”.

These sentences contain adjective clauses which begin with relative pronouns (who, that, or which). The words in the adjective clause describe or modify the noun or noun phrase it modifies; also known as adjective phrases or clauses.

An adjective clause, also known as a relative clause, is a type of dependent clause that functions as an adjective within a sentence. Its primary purpose is to provide more information about a noun or pronoun in the main (independent) clause. Adjective clauses serve to add descriptive or identifying details to the noun they modify, making the sentence more informative and specific.

The structure of an adjective clause consists of the following elements:

1. Relative Pronoun: Adjective clauses are introduced by relative pronouns, such as “who,” “whom,” “whose,” “which,” or “that.” The choice of relative pronoun depends on the noun being modified and its role in the clause.
2. Subject and Verb: Like any clause, an adjective clause contains a subject and a verb. The subject is typically found within the clause, and the verb is necessary for the clause to function properly.

Here are some examples of adjective clauses along with their relative pronouns:

1. The employee who arrived late missed the morning meeting.

• Adjective Clause: “who arrived late”
• Relative Pronoun: “who”
• Main Clause: “The employee missed the morning meeting.”

2. The project that was completed ahead of schedule received special recognition.

• Adjective Clause: “that was completed ahead of schedule”
• Relative Pronoun: “that”
• Main Clause: “The project received special recognition.”

3. The supplier whose products meet our quality standards will be our preferred choice.

• Adjective Clause: “whose products meet our quality standards”
• Relative Pronoun: “whose”
• Main Clause: “The supplier will be our preferred choice.”

4. The software which the IT department installed is now fully operational.

• Adjective Clause: “which the IT department installed”
• Relative Pronoun: “which”
• Main Clause: “The software is now fully operational.”

5. The candidate that the hiring manager interviewed received a job offer.

• Adjective Clause: “that the hiring manager interviewed”
• Relative Pronoun: “that”
• Main Clause: “The candidate received a job offer.”

Adjective clauses provide essential information about a noun in the main clause and allow for a more precise and detailed description of that noun. They are commonly used in both written and spoken language to provide additional context and clarity.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Students learn to utilize subordinating conjunctions in sentences by pairing up and racing to complete one sentence using both clauses of their sentence card. One student from each pair receives sentence card 1, while their partner takes sentence card 2. Students must select an coordinating or subordinating conjunction and write an effective sentence that contains both clauses.

Subordinating conjunctions are words or phrases that connect two clauses in a sentence and show a dependent relationship between them. These conjunctions introduce subordinate (dependent) clauses, which cannot stand alone as complete sentences but instead rely on the main (independent) clause for their meaning and context. Subordinating conjunctions are an essential part of complex sentences, as they clarify the relationship between the independent and dependent clauses. Here’s the typical structure of subordinating conjunctions:

1. Subordinating Conjunction: This is the introductory word or phrase that signals the beginning of a dependent clause. Subordinating conjunctions establish various relationships between the two clauses, such as cause and effect, time, condition, contrast, and more.
2. Dependent Clause: Following the subordinating conjunction, the dependent clause contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought on its own. It relies on the main clause to provide context and meaning.

Here are some common subordinating conjunctions and their typical usage:

• Because: Indicates a cause-and-effect relationship. Example: “She stayed home because she was feeling unwell.”
• Although: Introduces a contrast or concession. Example: “Although it rained, the event continued as planned.”
• When: Specifies a point in time or event. Example: “When the meeting concludes, we can discuss our next steps.”
• If: Expresses a condition. Example: “If the project is completed on time, we will meet our deadline.”
• Since: Indicates a reason or because of something that has occurred in the past. Example: “Since the budget was approved, we can start implementation.”
• While: Demonstrates a concurrent or simultaneous action. Example: “While I was on vacation, my colleague managed my responsibilities.”
• Whereas: Highlights a contrast or comparison. Example: “She prefers email communication, whereas he prefers phone calls.”
• Though: Introduces a concession or contrast. Example: “Though the competition is fierce, we’re confident in our product.”

Subordinating conjunctions are crucial for creating complex sentences and adding depth to the relationships between ideas within a sentence. They allow for more nuanced and detailed communication by connecting dependent and independent clauses effectively.

Subordinating conjunctions connect independent clauses with dependent ones or vice versa. They establish relationships among these clauses such as time, place, purpose, cause or condition – such as once, although, because, since, as, despite while where and whenever. Examples are once but there could also be “because since, as, despite while or wherever.”

Subordinating Adverbs

When writing more complex sentences, compound-complex sentences may be beneficial. These types of sentences consist of independent clauses connected by subordinating conjunctions.

These words can add more detail to an independent clause by emphasizing transitions in time or place, and can express cause/effect, concession/contrasting and conditional relationships between ideas in the sentence.

Explanations typically appear in the form of words or phrases like because, although, while, since, before, whereas, even though, as, if and in order to. When these phrases are used they should be preceded by a comma; alternatively they can simply connect directly to an independent clause.

Subjective adverbs, also known as conjunctive adverbs or adverbial conjunctions, are adverbs that serve as connectors within sentences. These adverbs help link two independent clauses or sentences, providing information about the relationship between the ideas presented in those clauses. Subjective adverbs help create smoother transitions between sentences and convey various relationships, such as cause and effect, contrast, comparison, sequence, or concession.

The structure of subjective adverbs includes the following components:

1. Subjective Adverb: This is the adverbial word or phrase that serves as a transitional element in a sentence. Subjective adverbs include words like “however,” “therefore,” “nonetheless,” “meanwhile,” “furthermore,” “consequently,” “nevertheless,” and “thus,” among others.
2. Semicolon (optional): In some cases, a semicolon (;) may appear before the subjective adverb when it connects two independent clauses. Using a semicolon instead of a comma before the subjective adverb is a stylistic choice that can emphasize the relationship between the clauses.
3. Comma (optional): A comma may follow the subjective adverb when it separates two independent clauses. Whether or not to use a comma depends on the specific style guide or preference. Generally, it is used to enhance clarity when the adverbial connector appears in the middle of a sentence.

Here are some examples of subjective adverbs in sentences:

1. “She worked hard; therefore, she earned a promotion.”

• Subjective Adverb: “therefore”
• Semicolon before the subjective adverb: Yes
• Comma after the subjective adverb: Yes

2. “I wanted to go to the concert; however, I couldn’t get tickets.”

• Subjective Adverb: “however”
• Semicolon before the subjective adverb: Yes
• Comma after the subjective adverb: Yes

3. “He arrived late; consequently, he missed the opening remarks.”

• Subjective Adverb: “consequently”
• Semicolon before the subjective adverb: Yes
• Comma after the subjective adverb: Yes

4. “She finished her work; meanwhile, her colleagues continued to toil.”

• Subjective Adverb: “meanwhile”
• Semicolon before the subjective adverb: Yes
• Comma after the subjective adverb: Yes

5. “They faced many obstacles; nevertheless, they persevered.”

• Subjective Adverb: “nevertheless”
• Semicolon before the subjective adverb: Yes
• Comma after the subjective adverb: Yes

Subjective adverbs enhance the flow of writing and make complex sentences more coherent by indicating the logical relationships between ideas. They are valuable tools for writers seeking to convey complex thoughts and arguments effectively.

Subordinating Adjectives

Subordinating clauses differ from coordinating conjunctions in that they unite sentences with dissimilar ideas in different but related ways. Subordinating clauses are defined by words like for, while, although, when, if, because of, even though, or unless that establish a relationship between dependent and independent clauses based on time/place/cause and effect/concession/comparison/contrast.

Subordinating adjectives, also known as relative adjectives, are adjectives that modify nouns and are typically used within adjective clauses (also known as relative clauses). These clauses provide additional information about the noun they modify and are introduced by relative pronouns such as “who,” “which,” “whose,” “whom,” and “that.” Subordinating adjectives help specify or describe the noun more precisely within the context of the sentence.

The structure of subordinating adjectives within adjective clauses consists of the following elements:

1. Relative Pronoun: This is the introductory word that signals the beginning of the adjective clause and connects it to the noun it modifies. The choice of relative pronoun depends on the noun being modified and its role in the clause.
2. Subordinating Adjective: This is the adjective that modifies the noun in the adjective clause. It provides additional information about the noun, such as its characteristics, qualities, or attributes.

Here are some examples of subordinating adjectives within adjective clauses:

1. The book that I read yesterday was fascinating.

• Adjective Clause: “that I read yesterday”
• Relative Pronoun: “that”
• Subordinating Adjective: “read”

1. The car whose owner is my neighbor needs repairs.

• Adjective Clause: “whose owner is my neighbor”
• Relative Pronoun: “whose”
• Subordinating Adjective: “neighbor”

1. The project for which he is responsible is running smoothly.

• Adjective Clause: “for which he is responsible”
• Relative Pronoun: “which”
• Subordinating Adjective: “responsible”

1. The company that offers exceptional benefits is attracting top talent.

• Adjective Clause: “that offers exceptional benefits”
• Relative Pronoun: “that”
• Subordinating Adjective: “exceptional”

1. The restaurant where we had dinner was crowded.

• Adjective Clause: “where we had dinner”
• Relative Pronoun: “where”
• Subordinating Adjective: None (the subordinating adjective here is “dinner”)

Subordinating adjectives provide additional details and context to the noun they modify, allowing for more precise and descriptive language within sentences. They are essential for conveying specific information about people, things, or ideas in a structured manner.