Simple, Compound, & Complex Sentences

Front

What is a simple sentence?

Back

A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause that contains a subject and a predicate. It expresses a complete thought.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1J

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.7.1B

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semicolon.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.7.1B

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, which cannot stand alone as a complete thought.

Tags

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.7.1B

Front

What is a coordinating conjunction?

Back

A coordinating conjunction is a word that connects two independent clauses in a compound sentence. Examples include 'for', 'and', 'nor', 'but', 'or', 'yet', and 'so'.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1G

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.5.1A

CCSS.L.5.1E

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Front

Can a compound sentence contain a dependent clause?

Back

No, a compound sentence consists only of independent clauses. However, a compound-complex sentence can contain both independent and dependent clauses.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.7.1B

Front

What punctuation is used to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence?

Back

A comma is used before the coordinating conjunction when separating independent clauses in a compound sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.7.1B

Front

What is an example of a simple sentence?

Back

An example of a simple sentence is: 'The cat sleeps.'

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1J

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.7.1B

Front

What is an example of a compound sentence?

Back

An example of a compound sentence is: 'I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.'

Tags

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.7.1B