Types of Sentences

The Simple Sentence

What is a sentence? A group of words with a subject, a verb and a complete idea. We expect to make a profit this year. What is a simple sentence? A sentence with one subject and one main verb. All of the employees and their husbands or wives enjoyed the annual dinner at the hotel.

Simple Sentence Example

Majed travels to Amsterdam every year in the summer time.

This is a simple sentence. It contains one subject Majed and one verb travels.

SIMPLE SENTENCE with compound subject

Tom and Mary play tennis.

SIMPLE SENTENCE with compound subject and compound predicate

Tom and Mary play tennis and swim.

Compound Sentence

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses (or simple sentences) joined by coordinating conjunctions like "and," "but," and "or": Simple

Canada is a rich country.

Still, it has many poor people. Canada is a rich country, but still it has many poor people.

Simple

Compound

What is an independent clause?

A subject, verb and complete idea it can be a sentence on its own! Everyone was celebrating.

Compound Sentence
A compound sentence contains two independent clauses that are joined together.
She works in the city, but she lives in the suburbs.

Independent Clause

Independent Clause

Compound Sentence with Coordinating Conjunctions

SUBJECT
and

PREDICATE

SUBJECT

PREDICATE

COMPOUND SENTENCE:
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

Hani swims, and Sami plays tennis.

Clause 1 Independent Clause 2 Independent

COMPOUND SENTENCE:
COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS FOR

AND
NOR BUT OR YET

SO

COMPOUND SENTENCE:
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS

Fahd is handsome; moreover, he is rich.

Clause 1 Independent Clause 2 Independent

COMPOUND SENTENCE:
CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS MOREOVER HOWEVER OTHERWISE THEREFORE

Coordinating Conjunctions
Logical Relationship Coordinating Conjunction

Addition Contrast Choice Cause Result

And But, yet Or, nor For So

Complex & Compound-complex Sentences

We can do anything we want as long as we stick to it long enough. Helen Keller

The Complex Sentence

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Unlike a compound sentence, however, a complex sentence contains clauses which are not equal. Consider the following examples: Simple
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.

The Complex Sentence

A complex sentence is very different from a simple sentence or a compound sentence because it makes clear which ideas are most important. When you write
My friend invited me to a party. I do not want to go.

or even
My friend invited me to a party, but I do not want to go.

The reader will have trouble knowing which piece of information is most important to you. When you write the subordinating conjunction "although" at the beginning of the first clause, however, you make it clear that the fact that your friend invited you is less important than, or subordinate, to the fact that you do not want to go.

Are these sentences?

When we went on a long journey through the woods on a sunny Friday morning. It was fine. Because he was not only tall but also one of the hardest workers in the area. Sing that song. (View answers on the next slide.)

Answers!
(Dependent clause)When we went on a long journey through the woods on a sunny Friday morning. (Sentence)It was fine. (Dependent Clause)Because he was not only tall but also one of the hardest workers in the area. (Sentence)Sing that song.

What is a dependent clause?

A group of words with a subject and verb, but not expressing a complete idea. Because the profits had been so great. Although it was late. Until the early hours of the morning. Whether they wanted to or not. Even if theyd rather be at home reading the newspaper.

A dependent clause cannot stand on its own!

A dependent clause
Cannot stand on its own because it does not express a complete thought because
It begins with a subordinating conjunction
(because, although, until, whether, etc.) BUT

It can join an independent clause (simple sentence) to become a Complex sentence!

The Complex Sentence

Complex sentences have a different structure from simple and compound sentences: Independent Clause + Dependent Clause or Dependent Clause + Comma + Independent Clause = Complex Sentence A complex sentence contains 1 independent clause and 1 or more dependent clauses. If a dependent clause begins the sentence, there normally is a comma (,) after it. If an independent clause begins a complex sentence there should not be a comma after it.

Subordinating Conjunctions
After Although As in order that At least now that wherever While Before even though how if in as much When Whenever whereas as though because even if though Until Unless as if as long as as much as soon Since so that That

Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains at least one independent clause and one dependent clause. John cannot set up his typewriter
Independent Clause because the wall has no outlet.

Subordinating Conjunction

Dependent Clause

An example of Complex Sentences

A complex sentence contains at least one independent clause and one dependent clause. She will go to school in the city
Independent Clause

until she finds a job.

Subordinating Conjunction
Dependent Clause

Complex Sentences
Use a comma after a dependent clause if it begins the sentence.
When I first moved to the city,
Subordinating Conjunction

Use a comma if the dependent clause is the first part of the sentence.

I was afraid to drive the steep and narrow streets.

Independent Clause

The COMPLEX Sentence

A complex sentence contains an independent clause and at LEAST one dependent clause. Both clauses in the sentence are not equal. They can not both be dependent or independent. EXAMPLE: She planted the flowers that he enjoyed smelling.

Complex Sentence
Bob
even though

is popular

he

is ugly.

Complex Example
Although she worked hard to gain recognition, many people did not know who she was.
Although she worked hard to gain recognition is a dependent clause because it begins with the subordinating conjunction although. Many people did not know who she was would be an independent clause, therefore making the sentence a complex sentence.

In a complex sentence, either the dependent or the

independent clause can come first: Even though it was late, everyone was celebrating. Everyone was celebrating even though it was late. [You do not usually need a comma if the independent clause is first.]

although, but, however

All of these words join clauses in sentences, but they are different parts of speech.
This presentation explains the impact of the word choice on sentence pattern and punctuation.

although, but, however

Semantic similarity
These three words are related semantically (in meaning):
they all signal a contrast in the information that follows with the information that precedes.

although, but, however

Structural difference
However, these words differ
structurally: they are different parts of speech and affect sentence patterns in different ways.

parts of speech
word although but however part of speech effect on sentence subordinating makes clause conjunction dependent coordinating conjunction conjunctive adverb joins like things (2 independent clauses) modifies an independent clause

Review

although, but, however

Although makes a clause dependent and the sentence complex. But joins independent clauses in a compound sentence. However can join independent clauses but does not change their independence.

The Compound-Complex Sentence

The compound-complex sentence has the following structure: Independent clause + coordinating conjunction + independent clause

+ dependent clause
= compound-complex sentence

It does not have to be in that order. A dependent clause can stand in between two independent clauses. The rule is there should be at least two independent and at least one dependent clause in a compound-complex sentence.

Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence is a

sentence that has at least two independent

clauses and at least one dependent clause. The same subordinating conjunctions are used to introduce the dependent clauses. The same coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) are used for joining the independent clauses.

Compound-Complex Example
Although she worked hard to gain recognition, many people did not know who she was, and her friends did not even appreciate her work.
Here, we added an extra clause to the complex sentence we used earlier her friends did not even appreciate her work. Adding this independent clause with the coordinating conjunction and makes this a compound-complex sentence.

Compound/Complex
The kitty purred softly, and she bounced on the pillow as her master read a funny magazine. The soldiers did not think they would reach the bridge because the bridge was far away, and they were being eaten alive by hundreds of mosquitoes.

Sample Compound-Complex Sentences.

After

the two adversaries had spent years playing this cat and mouse game, they were joined by their children, and the fun continued. Even though it seems the two were bent on the others destruction, the cat and mouse were rather fond of one another, and neither wanted the others defeat. This game was begun thousands of years ago, and it will continue far into the future as other cats and mice revel in hide-and-seek.

Compound-Complex Sentence

Mike
because

is popular

he
but

is good looking,

he

is not very happy.

Compound-Complex Sentence

Mike
because

is popular

he
but

is good looking,

he

is not very happy.

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
Simple

A lion, a tiger, and a bear appeared on stage.

Even more practice.

Sauls car started to fall apart after the mechanic

adjusted the carburetor.

Complex

When his computer crashed for the third time, Bill began

to weep, and his mother tried to console him.

Compound complex

Sylvia who is my sisters best friend set out to find a red

rose.

Complex

The rum was aboard, and the harpoons were sharp, but

Ahab hesitated.

Compound

The Four Types of Sentences

Simple We drove from St. Johns to Corner Brook in one day. Compound We were exhausted, but we arrived in time for my mothers birthday party. Complex ( Although she is now 81 years old ), she still claims to be 75. Compound-complex ( After it was all over ), my mother claimed she knew we were planning something, but we think she was really surprised.

Review
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Mary went to the park, but John stayed at home. Tom wanted to exercise, so he went for a walk. The dog that ate my homework is sick. Mary likes reading; John likes television. Bill is the one who usually sits here. When the movie was over, we went to Moo Moos for ice cream, but my favourite flavour was all gone. 7. John who sits behind me is on the basketball team. 8. While we were away, the girl who was looking after our cat discovered that she had an allergy to them. 9. You can study now or pray later. 10. All that glitters is not gold.

Answers
1. 2.

3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

9. 10.

Mary went to the park, but John stayed at home. Tom wanted to exercise, so he went for a walk. The dog that ate my homework is sick. Mary likes reading; John likes television. Bill is the one who usually sits here. When the movie was over, we went to Moo Moos for ice cream, but my favourite flavour was all gone. John who sits behind me is on the basketball team. While we were away, the girl who was looking after our cat discovered that she had an allergy to them. You can study now or pray later. All that glitters is not gold.

1. Compound
2. Compound 3. Complex 4. Compound 5. Complex

6. Compound-Complex
7. Complex 8. Compound-Complex 9. Simple 10. Complex