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: 'Shelly has a lot of friends at school.'

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What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. Example: 'I like school, but I wish I didn't have to get up so early.'

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What is a complex sentence?

Back

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.'

Front

Identify the structure: 'While I was playing with my dog, it started to rain.'

Back

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

Front

Identify the structure: 'I was running late, so I didn't finish my morning work.'

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Compound (CP) - It has two independent clauses joined by 'so'.

Front

What is the purpose of a conjunction in a compound sentence?

Back

A conjunction connects two independent clauses. Examples include 'and', 'but', 'or'.

Front

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

Back

An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone and depends on an independent clause.

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Give an example of a simple sentence.

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Example: 'The dog barks.'

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Give an example of a compound sentence.

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

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Give an example of a complex sentence.

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Example: 'Because it was raining, I stayed indoors.'