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.

Day 1

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

The cat crept through the dark house. The wary mouse watched from underneath

an upturned cereal box. The predatory cat stopped and surveyed his

surroundings. The mouse darted for the safety of the

nearly invisible hole under the cabinet.

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.

Sample Compound Sentences The cat was unsuccessful in his attempt to

catch the mouse, and the mouse was equally as unlucky in his attempt to get the cheese.

The dog had watched all of this, but he had refused to become involved.

The mouse could wait until dark, or he could risk a daylight raid on the pantry.

The cat usually slept during the day, yet curiosity held him at the corner of the kitchen.

Identify the Simple or Compound Sentences and explain your answer.

1. The Industrial Revolution began in England in the 18th century.

2. In addition, the children often suffered dangerous working conditions.

3. Many children worked for long hours in factories and mines, and most of them received extremely low wages.

4. Charles Dickens, a popular author at the time, saw the problem in England, and like many others, he sought to abolish the abuses.

5. The efforts of Dickens and other citizens eventually resulted in more effective labor laws.

Answers

1. Simple – Industrial Revolution began2. Simple – children suffered3. Compound – children worked and most

received4. Compound – Charles Dickens saw and he

sought5. Simple – efforts resulted

Day 2 - 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 wordsCommon subordinating words include:as because if aftersince provided before whereunless whether while oncewhenalthough so that untilthough whenever than as if

Common relative pronouns include:which what who thatwhom whatever whoever

Sample Complex Sentences After he gave it some thought, the mouse

decided to wait until later for his trek. The cat fell asleep in the warm kitchen

because he was deprived of sleep the night before.

When the mouse heard the soft snoring of his sleeping nemesis, he scurried to the pantry and grabbed enough food for a week.

The dedicated, feline sleuth keeps his nightly vigil even though the foresighted mouse will not be venturing out this week.

Explain why the sentences are Complex.1. John worked on his story while the noisy

children played.

2. Joe ate while Jill packed her lunch.

3. Knowing our friends were disappointed, we were sorry to leave.

4. We were upset when the party was over.

5. We stayed at home while our parents went to dinner.

Answers1. IC – John worked on his story

DC – while the noisy children played.

2. IC – Joe ate

DC – while Jill packed her lunch.

3. IC – we were sorry to leave.

DC – Knowing our friends were disappointed,

4. IC – We were upset

DC – when the party was over.

5. IC – We stayed at home

DC – while our parents went to dinner.

Day 3 – Warm-up – Identify each sentence1. Jim rode the bus and Tully walked.

2. Mary was a good player, yet she wasn’t a top scorer.

3. Jake and Chris were exhausted from the long car ride.

4. Karl and Tina went shopping while Tracy worked on her car.

5. We rang the doorbell, but no one answered.

Answers

1. Compound

2. Compound

3. Simple

4. Complex

5. Compound

Day 4 - 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. After the two adversaries had spent years playing

this “cat and mouse” game, they were joined by their children, and the fun continued.

Even though it seems the two were bent on the other’s destruction, the cat and mouse were rather fond of one another, and neither wanted the other’s defeat.

This game was begun thousands of years ago, and it will continue far into the future as other cats and mice revel in hide-and-seek.

Copy each sentenceHighlight the dependent clauseUnderline the Compound Sentence

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. Here is the money that I owe you, and I am happy to be free of debt.

4. Were you ever in a storm that was full of lightning, or don’t you recall?

Answers1. 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. Here is the money that I owe you, and I am happy to be free of debt.

4. 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.

Answers

1. Simple

2. Complex

3. Compound

4. Compound-Complex

5. Simple

6. Compound-Complex

Day 5 -

NO SLIDE WORK ON INDEPENDENT HANDOUT

Day 6

NO SLIDE TEST