Sentence Structure : Grammar Levels

When we analyse how sentences work, we need to be able to identify and separate the different grammatical levels.

Let's consider the above example. It is an example of a complex sentence. Simple sentence consists of only one clause. But here , in the above example, two clauses are present.

A sentence can consist of one or more than one clauses.
Simple sentence: If it contains just one clause, it is referred to as a simple sentence.
Compound or Complex sentence: If it contains more than one clause - those are joined together with conjunctive words (i.e. joining words) - then such sentences are termed as complex or compound sentences.

Now, What is a Clause? 

A clause is a unit of a sentence which consists of at least one subject and one predicate (i.e. verb, and / or an object, and / or a compliment).

So, in the above example, the sentence can be broken down into two clauses :

(a) Rama & Jaya were watching a cartoon show
And
(b) Their mother made their tea

Similarly each sentence is further broken down into phrases. Phrases can be a single word or a group of words giving a complete meaning.

And phrases are further broken down into words.

Next Post : Clause Components and Patterns