Simple, Complex, and Compound Sentences

Front

What is a simple sentence?

Back

A simple sentence is a sentence that contains a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete thought. It has no dependent clauses.

Front

Provide an example of a simple sentence.

Back

Example: 'The cat sleeps.'

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

Front

Provide an example of a compound sentence.

Back

Example: 'I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.'

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

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

Front

Provide an example of a complex sentence.

Back

Example: 'Although it was raining, we decided to go for a hike.'

Front

What are coordinating conjunctions?

Back

Coordinating conjunctions are words that connect two independent clauses. The seven coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Front

What is the purpose of a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and provides additional information to the independent clause.

Front

What is the difference between an independent clause and a dependent clause?

Back

An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a dependent clause cannot.

Front

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

Back

A comma is used before the coordinating conjunction to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence.