Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

by Jay Rogier

Multiple Choice

The boy walked down the hallway with pride. 

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

• A little bit of all three.

​Simple Sentences

​Simple sentences have one independent clause. Remember, independent clauses have a subject and verb and express a complete thought.

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​Simple Sentence/Independent Clause = The boy walked down the hallway with pride.

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​Not a Simple Sentence/Independent Clause = Because (adding subordinating conjunction makes clause dependent) the boy walked down the hallway with pride.

Multiple Choice

The game was over, and he was not happy with the result.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

• Super Simple

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​Why Compound?

• ​Independent Clause #1 (The game was over.)

• ​Comma and Conjunction (, and)

• ​Independent Clause #2 (He was not happy.)

Multiple Choice

The gym class was over after the students claimed victory.

• Simple

• Compound 

• Complex

• Super Simple

​Why Complex?

• ​Independent Clause (The gym class was over.)

• ​Dependent clause starting with a subordinating conjunction. (after the students claimed victory.)