Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

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What is a simple sentence?

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A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Example: 'Tom eats bananas.'

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What is a compound sentence?

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A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Example: 'The students went to class, and went to lunch.'

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What is a complex sentence?

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A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Example: 'Because the school went to the zoo, they did not go to the aquarium.'

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Identify the conjunctions used in compound sentences.

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Coordinating conjunctions such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so are used to join independent clauses in compound sentences.

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What is an independent clause?

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An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb. Example: 'Bob goes to the park.'

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What is a dependent clause?

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A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction. Example: 'Because the school went to the zoo.'

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How can you identify a complex sentence?

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A complex sentence can be identified by the presence of a dependent clause and an independent clause.

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

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

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What is the purpose of a subordinating conjunction?

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A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, indicating a relationship between the two.

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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.'