A
simple sentence consists of only one clause. A compound sentence consists of two or
more independent clauses. A complex sentence has at least one independent clause plus at
least one dependent clause.
Simple Sentences:
They killed the tiger easily.
I can speak English.
His mother-in-law asked him for the haircut.
I want to skydive.
I am Happy.
She cries.
Complex Sentence:
A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent and at least one dependent
clause (sometimes called a subordinate clause). ... When these two types of clauses appear in
a sentence, we create a complex sentence. Consider this example: I like to eat the candy
before I watch a movie.
Complex sentences are often formed by putting these words at the beginning of the
dependent clause: as, as if, before, after, because, though, even though, while, when,
whenever, if, during, as soon as, as long as, since, until, unless, where, and wherever.
These words are called subordinating conjunctions.
Complex Sentence Examples
Because my coffee was too cold, I heated it in the microwave.
I guess, he just does not respect you.
When all else fails, read the user manual.
It was Ali, who paid for the drinks.
All the Students laughed when the teacher cracked a joke.
Although he was wealthy, he was still unhappy.
She returned the computer after she noticed it was damaged.
Whenever prices go up, customers buy less products.
Compound Sentences:
A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating
conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so) and a comma or by a semicolon alone.
Example: The pirate captain lost her treasure map, but she still found the buried treasure.
Examples of Compound Sentences
I want to lose weight, yet I eat chocolate daily.
Ali can be rude sometimes, but he is a nice guy.
Two minutes ago, the child was fast asleep, but now he is wide awake.
She is an airhostess; therefore, she has seen many places in the world.
Ahmed did not like to read. He was not very good at it.
Dr. Hamza said I could come to his office on Friday or Saturday of next week.
My favorite sport is skiing. I am vacationing in Swat this winter.
How do you identify simple complex and compound sentences?
A simple sentence consists of only one clause. A compound sentence consists of
two or more independent clauses. A complex sentence has at least one independent
clause plus at least one dependent clause.
Compound-Complex Sentences:
A COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE has two independent clauses joined to one or more
dependent clauses.
Examples of Compound Complex Sentences:
In these examples, the dependent, or subordinate, clause is underlined.
1. When I grow up, I want to be a doctor, and my mom is proud of me.
2. I will get to watch television, but first, I have to clean up the dishes after we finish eating.
3. We won the game, but my uniform was muddy because it rained the entire time.
4. After our trip to the beach, school started back, and I was excited to see my friends.
5. Sarah cried when her cat got sick, but he soon got better.
6. The sun is shining through the clouds, so I think that we can go swimming.
How do you identify an independent clause?
Independent Clause Defined
1. They have a subject - they tell the reader what the sentence is about.
2. They have an action or predicate - they tell the reader what the subject is doing.
3. They express a complete thought - something happened or was said.
