Types of Sentences

Written and Oral English Language Conventions 1.2 Grammar and Mechanics of Writing: Understand sentence construction (e.g., parallel structure, subordination, proper placement of modifiers) an proper English usage (e.g., consistency of verb tenses).

Definitions:
Subject:
The person or thing the sentence is about
The person or thing doing the action

Verb:
The action performed by the subject

Independent Clause:
Contains a subject and a predicate Is a complete thought and can stand alone

Dependent Clause:
A group of words that has both a subject and a verb but

(unlike an independent clause) cannot stand alone as a sentence

Types of Sentences:
1. Simple Sentences 2. Compound Sentences 3. Complex Sentences 4. Compound-Complex Sentences

Simple Sentence
Definition:
A simple sentence may contain a compound

subject, and a compound verb, and any number of phrases. It will contain ONE independent clause and NO dependent clauses.

Examples:
[Cora and Kareem bought party supplies at the

mall.] This sentence contains a compound subject, but it is still a simple sentence because it contains ONE independent clause and no subordinate clauses.

You Do! Complete the example in your notes

Compound Sentence
Definition:

A compound sentence contains two or more

independent clauses and NO dependent clauses. A compound sentence is two or more independent clauses joined by:
_comma_ + _coordinating conjunction_ _semicolon_ + _conjunctive adverb_+ _comma_ _semicolon_

Examples:
[Cora hung colorful streamers from the ceiling], and

[Kareem set party favors on the table.]

This is a compound sentence because there are two independent clauses that are joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction. There are NO dependent clauses.

You Do! Complete the 2 examples in your notes

Stop and Jot:

What is the difference between a Simple and a

Compound Sentence?
Try this: Classify each sentence below in your notes as either SIMPLE or COMPOUND. Be sure to justify your decision.

Complex Sentences
Definition:
Contains ONE independent clause and ONE

subordinate clause.
Example:
When they had finished their work, [they compliment

each other on the results.]

This is an example of a complex sentence because it has one dependent/subordinate clause which begins with the dependent marker word/subordinating conjunction when. The dependent clause is joined to the independent clause with a comma.

Stop and Jot:

What is the MAJOR difference between Simple,

Compound and Complex Sentences?

Compound-Complex Sentence
Definition:
Contains TWO or more independent clauses and at

least ONE dependent clause.

Example:
[Cora waited for just the right moment to ask Kareem to

the banquet], and he [promptly accepted her invitation], adding that he had been planning to ask her. This is an example of a compound-complex sentence because it contains 2 independent clauses that are joined by a dependent clause.

Practice
Directions: Classify each of the sentences as

simple, compound, complex, or compoundcomplex. Then justify your answer. You may work in your table groups!