Unit 2 : Simple, Compound & Complex sentences

1. Simple Sentences

A simple sentence, also called an independent clause, contains a subject (S) and a verb (V),
and it expresses a complete thought
Formula : SUBJECT (S) + VERB (V)
The man walked home.

2. Compound Sentences

A compound sentence is the combination of two simple sentences. Compound sentences have
two verbs (V) and are joined together by a conjunction (C) (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet,
So)

Formula : SUBJECT (S) + VERB (V) + CONJUNCTION (C)

The dog barked and it woke the baby.

I opened the door so she could come inside.

3. Complex Sentences

Complex sentences can have more than one verb. A complex sentence always has a
subordinating conjunction such as because, since, after, although, or when or a relative
pronoun such as that, who, or which.

Formula : SUBJECT (S) + VERB (V) + SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION (SC) / RELATIVE

PRONOUN (RP)
The baby woke up when the doorbell rang

RP

4. Example of simple compound complex sentence

Simple
My friend invited me to a party.

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.

Exercise 1
Read the following sentence and decide if they are simple, compound or complex
1. The boy at his lunch.
2. The unhappy boy with no shoes ate his tiny lunch on the door step in the rain.
3. After dinner, the baby woke up his mother with a loud yell.
4. The dog barked and the baby woke up
5. The police caught them and put them in jail.
6. She lived in Hull for many years but she didn't like it.
7. The dog barked because it was lonely
8. Because the dog barked, the baby woke up
9. The dog barked until the baby woke up
10. I was very happy when I first came to Hull.

Write five simple sentences

1. ___________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________
Write five compound sentences
1. ___________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________
Write five complex sentences
1. ___________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________

Exercise 2
Combine the following simple sentences to create a compound sentence. You can check your
answers below.
1. It rained for three days. The streets in my neighborhood flooded.
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2. I got to ball practice late. I forgot to set my alarm.
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3. Kyle completed his homework. He put it in his school bag.
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4. Luke mowed the lawn. He earned ten dollars.
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5. I stayed up late last night. I am tired today.
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6. Neil doesn't like seafood. He doesn't like cabbage.
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7. My pencil was broken. I borrowed one from Jake.
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8. I like apples. I like pears more.
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9. Eight people got into the elevator. It was crowded. Three people got off.
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10. Georgia gathered the pictures. She could arrange them in a special album for her family.
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