Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences

A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Example: 'Shelly has a lot of friends at school.'

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. Example: 'I was running late, so I didn't finish my morning work.'

A complex sentence contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Example: 'Although it was snowing outside, we still had to go to school.'

Complex (CX) - it has a dependent clause and an independent clause.

Simple (S) - it has one independent clause.

Complex (CX) - it has a dependent clause and an independent clause.

A conjunction is a word that connects clauses or sentences. Examples: 'and', 'but', 'or', 'because'.

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. Example: 'I like to read.'

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction. Example: 'Although it was raining...'

Complex sentences add variety and depth to writing by combining ideas and showing relationships between them.