Types of Sentences: A Christmas Carol

Four Types of Sentences

1. Simple Sentences

2. Compound Sentences

3. Complex Sentences

4. Compound - Complex Sentences

Simple Sentence

• One independent clause

• This sentence is not always short

• Example: Nick and Tiarra play football every afternoon on the weekends.

Compound Sentence

• 2 independent clauses joined by a comma & coordinating conjunction

• Coordinating Conjunctions: FOR. AND. NOR. BUT. OR. YET. SO

• Can also be joined by semicolon

• Example: Ashley enjoyed rap music ; she really likes the City Girls.

Complex Sentence

• 1 independent clause & 1 dependent clause (starts with subordinating conjunction)

• Examples: Unless you complete the work, you will not pass the class.

• She did not go to the movies even though she had a ticket.

Compound-Complex

• Contains at least 2 independent clauses and 1 dependent clause joined by a FANBOYS or ; and subordinating conjunction.

• I would have purchased the cheese that you like, but it was too expensive.

Multiple Choice

He said he didn't mind if I stayed home; it soon became clear he wasn't being honest

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Multiple Choice

Although we lived there for ten years, we are moving in May.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Multiple Choice

As soon as I heard the news, I called Nathan, and we made plans to celebrate.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Multiple Choice

I was wearing my navy linen suit, a crisp white shirt, a red tie, black loafers, and a can-do attitude accentuated by a warm smile.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a compound sentence?

• The changed Scrooge always celebrated Christmas with enthusiasm.

• When Scrooge awoke on Christmas morning, he was grateful for Marley’s help.

• Scrooge made amends for his unkindness, and everyone responded warmly to him.

• Although the Cratchits had no idea where the huge Christmas turkey came from, they were delighted.

Multiple Choice

Read the following sentence.

When Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, he probably had no idea that it would become a classic Christmas story and part of the traditional Christmas celebration.

                Which of the following excerpts from the sentence is an independent clause?

• When Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol

• he probably had no idea

• that it would become a classic Christmas story

• part of the traditional Christmas celebration

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a complex sentence? (Consider the definition of “complex sentence” as you choose.)

• Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol in December of 1843.

• A Christmas Carol is a beloved tale, and it has been filmed many times.

• Dickens later wrote a shorter version that he used for dramatic readings.

• Dickens’s dramatic readings were very popular, and audiences loved them so much that tickets were difficult to get.