TYPES OF SENTENCES

Serly Novita Ayuningtias

Independent Clause
Dependent Clause

Independent Clause
Definition:
An independent clause is a group of words
that contains a subject and verb and
expresses. An independent clause is a
sentence.

Example :
1. I was late to work.
2. He ran fast.

Dependent Clause
Definition:
A dependent clause is a group of words that
contains a subject and verb but does not
express a complete thought. Often a
dependent clause is marked by a dependent
marker word.
Some common dependent markers are: after,
although, as, as if, because, before, even if,
even though, if, in order to, since, though,
unless, until, whatever, when, whenever,
whether, while.

Example:
1. Because I woke up late this morning
2. When we arrived in class
3. When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for
this chemistry quiz

EXERCISES
Decide which of these clauses are Independent
and which are dependent clause. Place I
(independent clause) or D (dependent clause) I
n the blank after sentence.
1.
2.
3.
4.

She went to Lampung yesterday. ___

Even though she was very tired. ___
She read the book.___
After he came home from work.___

SENTENCE TYPES
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-Complex

BASIC ELEMENTS OF
EVERY SENTENCE
SUBJECT

PREDICATE

BASIC ELEMENTS
SUBJECT

Mary

PREDICATE

playstennis.

SIMPLE SENTENCE
Definition:
A Simple Sentence consist of a subject a
verb and an object. It contains one complete
thought or one independent clause.
Example:
1. Somestudentsliketo study in the morning.
2. JuanandArturoplayfootball every
afternoon.
3. Aliciagoesto the library andstudiesevery
day.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Kinds of simple sentence:

A statement - I have seen that movie
twice.
A question - Did you attend the
concert given by Addie MS?
A request
- Please be on time for the
program.
An exclamation - How lucky you are!

EXERCISES
1. A statement
2. a question
3. A request 4. an exclamation
Read the following sentences and decide the
classification of each. Place the number that
corresponds to each sentence category in the
blank.
1. Please fasten your seat belt. ___
2. San Marino is the smallest republic in
Europe.___
3. Meet me at 7 oclock in front of library.___
4. You cant be serious!___

COMPOUND SENTENCE
Definition:
A compound sentence consist of two independent
clauses joined by a coordinator.

reason
addition, conjunction
negation
contrast
option
unexpected
result
Except for very short sentences, coordinators are
always preceded by a comma.

Example:
1. The weather was very bad; all classes were
canceled.
2. She ran to school, but she was late.
3. I tried to speak Spanish, and my friend
tried to speak English.
4. Anna studied hard, so she passed the test.

EXERCISES

1.
2.
3.
4.

Place S for Simple Sentence or C for

Compound Sentence in the blank after the
sentence.
Dinda is afraid of the water, so she didnt
want to swim. ___
The children laughed joyfully at the
puppets. ___
Will you wait for me, or do you want to go
ahead? ___
My brother dressed in his best clothes.___

COMPLEX SENTENCE
Definition:
A complex sentence is a sentence
containing at least one independent clause and
at least one dependent or subordinate clause.

A complex sentence always has a

subordinator such as because, since, after,
although, or when (and many others). Or a
relative pronoun such as that, who, or which.

1.

2.
3.
4.
5.

Examples:
Whenhehandedin his
homework,heforgotto give the teacher the
last page.
Theteacherreturnedthe
homeworkaftershenoticedthe error.
Thestudentsare studyingbecausetheyhavea
test tomorrow.
Aftertheyfinished
studying,JuanandMariawentto the movies
JuanandMariawentto the
moviesaftertheyfinishedstudying.

EXERCISE

1.
2.
3.

Read the following sentences. Indicate

whether each sentence is compound or
complex.
When Im tired, Im not good company for
anyone. ________
Caroline rang the doorbell, but no one
answered it._______
The children are not allowed to watch
television while they are eating. ________