Classifying Sentences by Structure

The structure of a sentence refers to the types of parts in the sentence as well as the
way(s) these parts are put together. The structure of a sentence is also determined by the number
and types of clauses it has. According to the structure of English sentences, there are four basic
structures such as:
1. Simple
A simple sentence is a sentence structure that contains one independent clause and no dependent
clauses.
Example:
a. The nurse measured the patients temperature.
b. The nurse entered geriatric ward.
c. The newborn baby cried in the neonatal intensive care unit.
d. Some nurses go to the central sterile supply department.
e. A nurse checked my vital signs.
2. Compound
A compound sentence contains more than one independent clause and no dependent clauses.
These clauses are connected either with a semi-colon or with a comma and coordinating
conjunction such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS), by punctuation or by both.
Example:
a. The nurse tried to save a patient live, but she failed.
b. Her daughter studies pediatric nursing; her son studies medical surgical nursing.
c. Nurse Jackie goes to the surgical ward and Nurse Annabel follows her.
d. My father registers in the admission department; he fills the registration form.
e. Rosamund wants to feel more relax; she uses lavender aromatherapy.

3. Complex
A complex sentence consists of one independent clause connected to one or more dependent
clauses. A dependent clause, like an independent clause, contains a subject and a predicate;
however, the dependent clause is preceded by a subordinating element, such as after, because,
during, even though, however, if, since, though, unless, and while.
Example:
a. Shawns body temperature is very high, because he has a fever.
b. Nurse Caleigh installs oxygen set to my little sister, after she checks the vital sign.
c. Sierras ankle is sprained after she fell down from the bicycle.
d. Lana gets hypothermia, because she drowns in the cold river.
e. The nurse did the airway management intervention, because the patient had impaired
breathing pattern.
4. Compound-complex
Compound complex sentence consists of two (or more) independent clauses and one (or more)
dependent clauses (which can also be called subordinate clause).
Example:
a. Nanda went to school, but his brother was hospitalized, because he had typhoid.
b. Helen wants to go to the lavatory, but she has activity intolerant so the nurse helps her.
c. The patient still didnt want to eat although the nurse already persuaded him, but if he
didnt eat, he wouldnt recover soon.
d. Some nurses help doctor to do the surgery in the operating theatre, but the family stays
outside, because it will interrupt the operation processes.
e. Although Shane likes to eat spicy food, the nurse forbids him to eat anything spicy,
because he has digestive problem.
Classifying Sentences by Function
The function of a sentence refers to the purpose in communicating an idea. There are four basic
types of functions for English sentences: declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, and imperative.
1. Declarative sentence
A declarative sentence is used to indicate a statement. Most sentences used in
communication are declarative.
Example:
a. The nurse has to check the patient condition every two hours.
b. Leyla was hospitalized since Thursday.
c. The premature baby is placed in the incubator to maintain the body temperature.
d. My sister delivered baby in the maternity unit.
e. Nurse can use face scales to assess pain for children.
2. Interrogative sentence
An interrogative sentence is used to indicate a question. An interrogative sentence is
noted by its ending punctuation, a question mark.
a. Do you want to measure my blood pressure?
b. Why did the patients weight decrease?
c. Where did the patient go after surgery?
d. When will the nurse come back to check the vital signs?
e. What is the function of IV line?
3. Exclamatory sentence
An exclamatory sentence is used to indicate an exclamation, or an expression of thought
mixed with strong emotion. Like an interrogative sentence, an exclamatory sentence is noted
by its ending punctuation, an exclamation point.
Example:
a) We need an oxygenation set!
b) Ouch, it hurts!
c) What an extraordinary progress!
d) Amazing, we can do another therapy session tomorrow!
e) Awesome, youre condition is getting better!


4. Imperative sentence
An imperative sentence is used to indicate a request or a command. An imperative sentence
will always use the second-person "you" form in the subject and the predicate
Example :
You should wait in the waiting room.
You should drink the medicine twice a day.
You may want to see the doctor.
Lay down, please.
Open your mouth, please.