Sentence Structure

Sentence Structure

SIMPLE, COMPOUND, & COMPLEX SENTENCES

WHAT IS AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE?

Independent clauses are phrases that can stand alone. They form a complete thought.

• ​EXAMPLE: I watched the movie.

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WHAT IS A DEPENDENT CLAUSE?

Dependent clauses are phrases that do NOT form a complete thought.

• ​EXAMPLE: After I watched the movie...

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Multiple Choice

Is the underlined phrase INDEPENDENT or DEPENDENT?

If you work on Saturday, you will not have time to go to the birthday party.

• Independent

• Dependent

Multiple Choice

Is the underlined phrase INDEPENDENT or DEPENDENT?

Because he was running, he was able to catch the bus.

• Independent

• Dependent

Multiple Choice

Is the underlined phrase INDEPENDENT or DEPENDENT?

We are going to sit on the beach until the sun sets.

• Independent

• Dependent

​Simple Sentences

Simple sentences contain ONE independent clause. They are basic sentences that contain a subject and a predicate.

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​Examples

• ​Amanda went to the store.

• ​My brother and I played video games.

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​*SUBJECT. *PREDICATE.

Multiple Choice

Is the underlined part of the sentence the SUBJECT or PREDICATE?

The principal ate lunch with the students.

• Subject

• Predicate

Multiple Choice

Is the underlined part of the sentence the SUBJECT or PREDICATE?

The teachers and the students are allowed to wear pajamas on December 17th.

• Subject

• Predicate

Compound Sentences

Compound sentences contain TWO simple sentences (independent clauses) joined with a comma and a conjunction.

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​Examples

• ​Amanda went to the store, but she forgot to get bread.

• ​My brother and I like playing video games, and we like to play basketball.

• ​We can go to the movies, or we can go bowling.

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Open Ended

Combine these sentences to create a COMPOUND SENTENCE.

I forgot to set my alarm. I woke up late this morning.

Open Ended

Combine these sentences to create a COMPOUND SENTENCE.

I love desserts. I do not like cupcakes.

Fill in the Blanks

Choose a conjunction to go in the blank.

I do not like apples,

do I like oranges.

Fill in the Blanks

Choose a conjunction to go in the blank.

I bought some new glasses,

my other ones broke.

Complex Sentences

Complex sentences contain ONE independent clause and ONE dependent clause. Dependent clauses begin with a "marker word" such as although, since, or while.

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​Examples

• ​Although I studied all night, I did not do well on my test.

• ​​​I did not do well on my test although I studied all night.

Multiple Choice

When the clock strikes 10, we have to go to bed.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Multiple Choice

Jennifer plays softball, and she plays volleyball.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Multiple Choice

James and Eva rode their bikes around the neighborhood.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Multiple Choice

Many brave soliders fought in the war, and they received medals.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Multiple Choice

The queen gave a speech before she rode in the parade.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Multiple Choice

My mom has to cook dinner and wash dishes.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex