Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

Front

What is a simple sentence?

Back

A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Example: 'The dog barks.'

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. Example: 'I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain.'

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Example: 'Although it was raining, we went for a walk.'

Front

What is a subordinating conjunction?

Back

A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause to an independent clause. Examples include 'because,' 'since,' and 'although.'

Front

What is a coordinating conjunction?

Back

A coordinating conjunction connects words, phrases, or independent clauses. The most common coordinating conjunctions are 'for,' 'and,' 'nor,' 'but,' 'or,' 'yet,' and 'so.'

Front

Identify the independent clause: 'Although it was cold, we went outside.'

Back

The independent clause is 'we went outside.'

Front

Identify the dependent clause: 'Because I was tired, I went to bed early.'

Back

The dependent clause is 'Because I was tired.'

Front

What is the purpose of a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a 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 is an example of a compound sentence?

Back

Example: 'I wanted to play outside, but it was too hot.'