Grammar :types of
sentences
Types of sentences( compound
and complex)
Learner Objectives:
To be able to identify types of
sentences
Key words:
compound, complex
By Mr.Mohsen Sassi
Sentence Structure
Types of Sentences:
Compound
and Complex
sentences
Recap
What is a simple sentence?
Sample Simple Sentence
Majed travels to Amsterdam every year in the
summer time.
This is a simple sentence. It contains one
subject Majed and one verb travels.
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence contains two
independent clauses.
The coordinating conjunctions (for, and,
nor, but, or, and yet, so) join these
independent clauses. (Hint: The
conjunctions spell FANBOYS.)
Tom plays football, and Mary plays
tennis.
The conjunction used can impact the
meaning of the sentence.
Also, we can use semicolons to make
compound sentences.
Tom plays football; Mary plays tennis.
Sample Compound
Sentences
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.
Canada is a rich country, but still it has many poor
people
Complex Sentence
A complex sentence contains one
independent clause and at least one
dependent clause.
Unlikea compound sentence, a complex
sentence contains clauses which are not
equal.
Dependent clauses are clauses which
have a subject and a verb, but do not
express complete thoughts.
Complex Sentence
Examples of dependent clauses:
Subordinated clauses: clauses staring with a
subordinating conjunction.
Because he is smart, he got good grades.
If he knew the answer, he would have answered.
Relative clauses: clauses acting as adjectives.
The student who just arrived is my best friend.
Doha is the city where I live.
Complex Sentence
Consider the following examples:
Simple (Sentences)
My friend invited me to a party. I do not want to go.
Compound
My friend invited me to a party, but I do not want to
go.
Complex
Although my friend invited me to a party, I do not
want to go.
The Complex Sentence
IN THE FIRST EXAMPLE, THERE ARE TWO SEPARATE SIMPLE
SENTENCES: "MY FRIEND INVITED ME TO A PARTY" AND "I DO
NOT WANT TO GO."
THE SECOND EXAMPLE JOINS THEM TOGETHER INTO A SINGLE
SENTENCE WITH THE COORDINATING CONJUNCTION "BUT,"
BUT BOTH PARTS COULD STILL STAND AS INDEPENDENT
SENTENCES -- THEY ARE ENTIRELY EQUAL, AND THE READER
CANNOT TELL WHICH IS MOST IMPORTANT.
IN THE THIRD EXAMPLE, HOWEVER, THE SENTENCE HAS
CHANGED QUITE A BIT: THE FIRST CLAUSE, "ALTHOUGH MY
FRIEND INVITED ME TO A PARTY," HAS BECOME INCOMPLETE,
OR A DEPENDENT CLAUSE.
Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions
After how Until
Although if Unless
As in as much as if
in order that When as long as
At least Whenever as much as
now that whereas though
wherever as though Since
While because so that
Before even if That
even though despite where
Samples of Complex
Sentences
After he gave it some thought, the mouse decided to
wait until later for his trek.
The cat fell asleep on 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.
Last Practice
We drove from St. John’s to Corner Brook
in one day.
Simple
We were exhausted, but we arrived in time
for my mother’s birthday party.
Compound
Although she is now 81 years old , she still
claims to be 75.
Complex
After it was all over , my mother claimed
she knew we were planning something,
but we think she was really surprised.
More practice
Most of the rotten eggs missed the actors, but one hit
the orchestra.
Compound
Because the weather along the coast was cold and
rainy, we spent the day in the desert.
Complex
When he had finished the test, Ernie ate a gallon of
chocolate ice cream, and Sandra drank a chocolate
shake.
Compound complex
A lion, a tiger, and a bear appeared on stage.
Simple
Even more practice.
Saul’s car started to fall apart after the
mechanic adjusted the carburetor.
Complex
Sylvia who is my sister’s best friend set
out to find a red rose.
Complex
The rum was aboard, and the harpoons
were sharp, but Ahab hesitated.
Compound
Test Yourself – Simple,
Compound, Complex, or
Compound-Complex?
1. Mary went to the park, but John stayed at home.
2. Tom wanted to exercise, so he went for a walk.
3. The dog that ate my homework is sick.
4. Mary likes reading; John likes television.
5. Bill is the one who usually sits here.
6. John who sits behind me is on the basketball team.
7. You can study now or revise later.
Thank you
