Transcript Types of sentences

Simple, Compound, Complex and
Compound-Complex Sentences
Once a writer knows the
difference between the three
sentence types (simple,
compound, and complex), it is
possible to write with sentence
variety. Sentence variety helps
make your writing more
interesting.
What is sentence
A sentence is a group of words that you use
to communicate your ideas. Every sentence
is formed from one or more clauses and
expresses a complete thought.
The four basic kinds of sentences in English
are simple, compound, complex, and
compound-complex. The kind of sentence is
determined by the kind of clauses used
to form it.
Types of Sentences by Structure
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-Complex
Sentences
Simple Sentence
 A simple sentence contains a subject and
verb.
 It expresses a single complete thought.
 A simple sentence is a single independent
clause.
Sample Simple Sentences
 Joe waited for the train.
"Joe" = subject, "waited" = verb
 The train was late.
"The train" = subject, "was" = verb
 Mary and Sara took the bus.
"Mary and Sara" = compound subject,
"took" = verb
I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus
station.
"I" = subject, "looked" = verb
Mary and Sara arrived at the bus station early but
waited until noon for the bus.
"Mary and Sara" = compound subject, "arrived"
and "waited" = compound verb
 Use a separate sheet of paper for this
exercise.
 1. Write two simple sentences with one
subject and one verb.
 2. Write two simple sentences with one
subject and two verbs.
 3. Write two simple sentences with two
subjects and one verb.
 4. Write two simple sentences with two
subjects and two verbs.
Compound Sentences
 A compound sentence contains two
independent clauses.
 Conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, and yet,
so) join these independent clauses. (Hint:
The conjunctions spell FANBOYS.)
 The conjunction used can impact the
meaning of the sentence.
 A compound sentence can be formed as
follows:
 Independent clause, + coordinator +
independent clause
Sample Compound Sentences
 Joe waited for the train, but the train was
late.
 I looked for Mary and Sara at the bus
station, but they arrived at the station
before noon and left on the bus before I
arrived.
 Mary and Sara arrived at the bus station
before noon, and they left on the bus before
I arrived.
 Mary and Sara left on the bus before I
arrived, so I did not see them at the bus
station.
 Compound Sentences with Coordinators
 A compound sentence can be formed as
follows:
 Independent clause, + coordinator +
independent clause
 Salt water boils at a lower temperature than
freshwater, so food cooks faster in
 salt water.
 There are seven coordinators, which are also
called coordinating conjunctions. You
 can remember them by the phrase FAN
BOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). The
Complex Sentences
 A complex sentence is an independent
clause joined by one or more dependent
clauses.
 A subordinating conjunction begins the
dependent clauses.
 A dependent clause that begins a sentence
must be followed by comma.
 A dependent clause has a subject and a
verb, but it does not make sense on its own.
Subordinating Conjunctions
After
Although
As
in order that
At least
now that
wherever
While
Before
even though
how
if
in as much
When
Whenever
whereas
as though
because
even if
though
Until
Unless
as if
as long as
as much as
soon
Since
so that
That
Sample Complex Sentences
 A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause
and one or more dependent clauses connected to it. A
dependent clause is similar to an independent clause, or
complete sentence, but it lacks one of the elements that
would make it a complete sentence.
 Examples of dependent clauses include the
following:
 because Mary and Samantha arrived at the
bus station before noon
 while he waited at the train station
 after they left on the bus
Dependent clauses such as those above cannot stand
alone as a sentence, but they can be added to an
independent clause to form a complex sentence.
Dependent clauses begin with subordinating
conjunctions. Below are some of the most common
subordinating conjunctions:
After
although
as
because
before
even though
 if
 since
 though
 unless
 until
 when
 whenever
 whereas
 wherever
 A complex sentence joins an independent
clause with one or more dependent clauses.
 The dependent clauses can go first in the
sentence, followed by the independent
clause, as in the following:
 Tip: When the dependent clause comes
first, a comma should be used to separate
the two clauses.
 Because Mary and Sara arrived at the bus
station before noon, I did not see them at
the station.
 While he waited at the train station, Joe
realized that the train was late.
 After they left on the bus, Mary and Sara
realized that Joe was waiting at the train
station.
 Conversely, the independent clauses can go
first in the sentence, followed by the
dependent clause, as in the following:
 Tip: When the independent clause comes
first, a comma should not be used to
separate the two clauses.
 I did not see them at the station because Mary and Sara
arrived at the bus station before noon.
 Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at the
train station.
 Mary and Sara realized that Joe was waiting at the train
station after they left on the bus.
 Complex sentences are often more effective than
compound sentences because a complex sentence indicates
clearer and more specific relationships between the main
parts of the sentence. The word "before," for instance, tells
readers that one thing occurs before another. A word such
as "although" conveys a more complex relationship than a
word such as "and" conveys.
Compound-Complex Sentences
 A compound-complex sentence is a
sentence that has at least two independent
clauses and at least one dependent clause.
 The same subordinating conjunctions are
used to introduce the dependent clauses.
 The same coordinating conjunctions
(FANBOYS) are used for joining the
independent clauses.
Sample Compound-Complex
Sentences.
 1.John went to school, but James remained at
home because he had a sore throat.
 2. If he changes his mind, we shall know for sure
that Joe has learned his lesson, but only time will
tell.
 3. Those clouds promise rain; we should hurry
before we get caught in a flash flood.
 4. Here is the money that I owe you, and I am
happy to be free of debt.
 5. Were you ever in a storm that was full of
lightning, or don't you recall?
Test Yourself – Simple, Compound,
Complex, or Compound-Complex?
1. The teacher walked into the classroom, greeted the students, and took
attendance.
2. Juan played football while Jane went shopping.
3. Juan played football, yet Jim went shopping.
4. Although Mexico has a better team, they lost the tournament, and their
more aggressive style did not pay off.
5. The island was filled with many trails winding through the thick
underbrush, a small lake, and dangerous wild animals.
6. Naoki passed the test because he studied hard, but Stacy did not
understand the material.