Sentences

Simple, compound, complex

Simple sentences

subject + verb

Simple sentencesCan have a

compound subject

Ex. Mary and John rode the bus.

Don’t use a comma!

Simple sentences

can have a compound verb

Ex. Mary skipped and ran

in P.E.

•Don’t use a comma!

Compound sentencesSubject verb + subject

verb

Separate with a comma & a conjunction (AND, OR,

BUT)!Make sure both sides have a

subject and verb!

Complex sentencesSubject & verb + subject & verb

BUT

One half has a subordinating conjunction

attached to it.

Ex. since, although, until, so that, etc.

Complex sentencesSubordinating conjunction comes at the front of the

dependent clause.The part of the sentence w/ the sub.

conjunction is called the dependent clause.

*It is dependent because it can’t stand alone.*

Complex sentencesThe part of the sentence w/ NO sub. conjunction is called

the INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

(because it can stand alone— independently—as a complete sentence.)

Complex sentences

Before the game started, she fell.dep. clause ind. clause

sub. conj. “before”

Why does this sentence have a comma?

Complex sentencesShe fell before the game

started.

This sentence is like the one before EXCEPT that the dependent clause is at the end. (It’s underlined.)

Does this sentence need a comma?

Complex sentences

If a dependent clause comes at the beginning, put a comma

after it.

If a dependent clause comes at the end, DON’T use a comma.

Complex sentencesEx. She told me to study so that I

would make good grades.(dep. clause underlined; no comma)

Ex. So that I would make good grades, she told me to study.(dep. clause underlined; has a

comma)

Complex sentences

If you eat too much, you might throw up.

Which is the dependent clause?The independent clause?

Why does it have a comma?

Complex sentences

I didn’t study although I knew I had a test.

Complex sentences

Even though Mary is tired, she does her very best.

Complex sentences

If you watch too much T.V., you will go blind.

Complex sentences

I fell off the porch after I laughed too hard.

Complex sentences

Unless you win the lottery, you should stay in school.

Complex sentences

After school I took a long nap.

Complex sentences

Will you give us time to study before the test?

Complex sentences

When you walk down the street, look out for cars.

Complex sentences

Remember…Each side of a complex

sentence contains a subject and a verb;

A prepositional phrase does not contain a verb!

Now look at your Complex Sentence

handout!