GROUP 3
1. Simple Sentences
Theory: A simple sentence contains only one independent clause, meaning
it has a single subject-verb combination and expresses a complete thought.
Simple sentences are straightforward and focus on one idea. They don’t have
any dependent clauses.
Format: Subject + Verb (+ Object/Complement)
Examples:
• “The dog barked.”
• “She reads every evening.”
• “The sun rises in the east.”
Each example is a complete thought with one subject and one verb. Simple
sentences can sometimes include compound subjects or verbs (e.g., “Tom
and Jerry play outside”), but they remain a single clause.
2. Compound Sentences
Theory: A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent
clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or
a semicolon. Each clause in a compound sentence could stand alone as a
complete sentence.
Format: Independent Clause + (Coordinating Conjunction/Semicolon) +
Independent Clause
Examples:
• “I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.”
• “She loves to read, so she visits the library often.”
• “He studied hard; he passed the test.”
In each example, there are two independent clauses connected by a
coordinating conjunction or semicolon. Each clause could be a sentence by
itself, but the conjunction or semicolon links them to show a relationship.
3. Complex Sentences
Theory: A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least
one dependent (or subordinate) clause. A dependent clause does not express
a complete thought and cannot stand alone. It is usually introduced by
subordinating conjunctions like “because,” “although,” “if,” “when,” etc.,
which link the dependent clause to the main idea in the independent clause.
Format: Independent Clause + (Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent
Clause)
or
(Dependent Clause + Subordinating Conjunction) + Independent Clause
Examples:
• “Although it was raining, we decided to go hiking.”
• “She couldn’t go out because she was sick.”
• “When the movie ended, everyone clapped.”
Each example has a main idea (independent clause) and additional
information in a dependent clause. The dependent clause provides context,
reason, or additional information about the main clause but cannot stand
alone.
These three sentence types—Simple, Compound, and Complex—are
fundamental in constructing clear and varied writing. Simple sentences
provide clarity, compound sentences connect related ideas, and complex
sentences add depth by showing relationships between ideas.
