Compound & Complex Sentences Notes

Simple Sentence

Group of words that expresses a complete thought and has one subject-predicate combination

Amy loves horses.

Compound sentence

Contains two or more simple sentences. Each simple sentence is called a main clause

(subject and predicate). Main clauses are joined either by a comma

followed by a conjunction or by a semicolon. The comma may be omitted if the main clauses

are short.

Compound sentence examples

Flowers are delicate, and they need tender care.

Flowers are delicate; they need tender care.

Complex sentence

Has a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.

Subordinate clauses also have a subject and predicate, but it cannot stand alone as a sentence. It depends on the main clause to complete its meaning.

It (subordinate clause) can act as an adjective, adverb, or a noun.

Complex sentence examples

MAIN CLAUSE SUB. CLAUSEThey are playing music that I like to hear. (adj.)

We must stop skating when the music stops. (adverb)

I will tell you what happened at the rink. (noun)

FANBOYScoordinating conjunctions

For - And - Nor - But - Or - Yet - So -