Simple, Compound, Complex Sentences & Clauses

Front

What is a simple sentence?

Back

A simple sentence contains only one independent clause and expresses a complete thought.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

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

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

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

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence; it has a subject and a verb.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

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

Front

What punctuation is used before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence?

Back

A comma is used before the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.

Front

Give an example of a simple sentence.

Back

The dog barks.

Front

Give an example of a compound sentence.

Back

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

Front

Give an example of a complex sentence.

Back

Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.

Front

What is the purpose of a dependent clause in a sentence?

Back

A dependent clause adds additional information to the independent clause but cannot stand alone.