Sentence Types

Sentence Types

Sources Used: Walden University Writing Center & Khan Academy

Simple Sentences

A simple sentence is an independent clause with no conjunction or dependent clause.

Independent Clause

• Independent clause: An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. It contains a subject and a verb and is a complete idea.

  
  

• I like spaghetti.

  
  

• He reads many books.

Multiple Choice

An independent clause is a complete idea.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

In addition to the subject and verb, a simple sentence can contain an object and a modifier.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

An independent clause has a subject and a verb and can stand alone.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

A simple sentence can contain many independent clauses.

• True

• False

Compound sentences

A compound sentence is two independent clauses joined by a conjunction (e.g., and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so).

Multiple Choice

FANBOYS is not the acronym for coordinating conjunctions

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Transitional words such as "however" and "therefore" can also serve as conjunctions.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

When the conjunctions "and" and "or" connect three or more words or phrases, use a serial comma to separate the words in a series.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

You can use a semicolon (;) to combine two independent clauses in order to create a compound sentence.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

You can use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to combine two independent clauses.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Is this a simple or a compound sentence?

The lizard rested on a rock.

• simple

• compound

Multiple Choice

Choose the compound sentence.

Choose 1 answer

• The aliens collected wheat and corn.

• The aliens collected wheat, and they also collected corn.

Multiple Choice

Is this a simple or a compound sentence?

The little flowers grew towards the sun.

• simple

• compound

Complex sentences

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. The clauses in a complex sentence are combined with conjunctions and subordinators, terms that help the dependent clauses relate to the independent clause. Subordinators can refer to the subject (who, which), the sequence/time (since, while), or the causal elements (because, if) of the independent clause.

Dependent clause: A dependent clause is not a complete sentence. It must be attached to an independent clause to become complete. This is also known as a subordinate clause.

• Although I like spaghetti,…

• Because he reads many books,…

Multiple Choice

If a sentence begins with an independent clause, there is not a comma separating the clauses.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

If a sentence begins with a dependent clause, then don't use a comma to separate the clauses.

• True

• False

Compound-complex sentences

A compound-complex sentence contains multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. These sentences will contain both conjunctions and subordinators.

Multiple Choice

Which of these options is a compound-complex sentence?

• Noah peered into the bottle, but, although Diane kept trying to explain it to him, he couldn’t figure out what coconut aminos were.

• Despite Diane's repeated explanations, Noah couldn't figure out what coco aminos were.

Multiple Choice

Which of these options is a compound-complex sentence?

• Although she was dismayed, Nicole set off to the campsite alone; she said goodbye to her friends who’d decided not to join her.

• Although she was dismayed, Nicole set off to the campsite alone, having said goodbye to her friends who’d decided not to join her.