Editing Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences & More

Front

What is a simple sentence?

Back

A simple sentence, or independent clause, contains a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought.

Front

What punctuation mark is used to connect two independent clauses?

Back

A semi-colon (;) is used to connect two independent clauses.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semi-colon.

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Front

How do you identify a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., because, although, since).

Front

What is the purpose of using a semi-colon in a sentence?

Back

A semi-colon is used to link closely related independent clauses or to separate items in a complex list.

Front

What is the difference between a simple sentence and a compound sentence?

Back

A simple sentence has one independent clause, while a compound sentence has two or more independent clauses.

Front

What is the correct way to punctuate a complex sentence?

Back

If the dependent clause comes first, use a comma before the independent clause; if the independent clause comes first, no comma is needed.

Front

What is an example of a correctly punctuated complex sentence?

Back

After I finished my homework, I went for a walk.

Front

What is the best way to combine sentences for clarity?

Back

Use conjunctions and appropriate punctuation to create a single coherent sentence.