KINDS OF SENTENCES Simple Sentences

A simple sentence has one independent clause. The President flew to Camp David. (one subject, one predicate)
subject predicate

A simple sentence can also have a compound subject and/or a compound predicate. The President and his advisors flew to Camp David and began work on the subject.
compound subject compound predicate

It is still only one independent clause.

Compound Sentences
A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), semicolons, or a semicolon followed by a conjunctive adverb (transition). The new art show opened today, and the crowd was immense.
independent clause independent clause

The new art show opened today; the crowd was immense.
independent clause independent clause

Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses (dependent clauses usually begin with a subordinate conjunction such as after, although, as, because, before, if, since, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, wherever, while). When the new art show opened at the museum, the crowd was immense.
dependent clause independent clause

A comma is used after a dependent clause that introduces an independent clause. The crowd was immense when the new art show at the museum opened.
independent clause dependent clause

No comma is necessary when the independent comes first

Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence is a compound sentence with one or more independent clauses. When the play ended, the curtain closed, and the audience applauded.
dependent clause independent clause independent clause

SENTENCE PATTERNS
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The three basic sentence patterns in English may be described as follows: SubjectCVerb He sits.

Notice that it would be difficult for this verb to have an object or complement. Of course, the sentence could be much longer if we added modifiers, but it would still be the simple SUBJECT-VERB pattern: He sits quietly on his front porch.
S V adverb prepositional phrase

SubjectCVerbCObject

Mario hates mathematics.

Notice that it would be difficult for this verb not to have an object; where there is hate, there is something obviously being hated. In this pattern, you must have a transitive verb, usually an action verb showing the subject acting in some way on an object. Again, don't become confused simply because modifiers have been added to the sentence: Sylvia hit the dirty old man in the face with her purse.
S V adj adj obj prepositional phrase

SubjectCLinking VerbCComplement.

She seems shy.

In this pattern, it is important to note that the verb "links" or connects the subject to a complement which either describes or renames it. Thus we have two possible kinds of complements. Adjective complement: Noun complement: Maria appears pretty. Maria is a secretary.

Remember that all linking verbs can have adjectives for complements, but only to be, to become, and to remain are frequently used with noun complements

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