Sentence Types

Sentence Types

By Erica Covington

A clause is a group of words that contains a noun or pronoun that performs a verb.
ex. Before the game starts or
The folder is blue

Clause

A phrase is a group of words that contains a noun or pronoun, but that noun or pronoun does not have verb.
ex. Before the game; At the door

Phrase

Phrase vs. Clause

A dependent clause has a noun/pronoun that performs a verb but it does not express a complete thought.
ex. If cats are better than dogs

Dependent Clause

An independent clause has a noun/pronoun that performs a verb and expresses a complete thought.
ex. The folder is blue.

Independent Clause

Independent vs. Dependent

Multiple Choice

Before you leave for break

• Phrase

• Clause

Multiple Choice

After the intermission

• Phrase

• Clause

Multiple Choice

About last night

• Phrase

• Clause

Multiple Choice

Each basket is full

• Phrase

• Clause

Multiple Choice

Either team in the division

• Phrase

• Clause

Multiple Choice

Never doubt yourself

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

What do you know about the scandal

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

When people disturb the order of things

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

Because no one saw what really happened

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Multiple Choice

Close the door

• Independent Clause

• Dependent Clause

Sentence Types

Sentence Types are determined by the number of independent and dependent clauses in the sentence. Phrases do not factor into it.

Sentence Types

There are 4 types of sentences.

• Simple sentence

• Compound sentence

• Complex sentence

• Compound-Complex sentence

• Joshua is my best friend.

• Please pass the salt.

• Are you hungry?
  

Example

A simple sentence has one independent clause and no dependent

Definition

Simple Sentence

• The movie was bad, but the soundtrack was pretty good.

• Hannah likes the beach; Kim likes the mountains.

• We need to leave; unfortunately, the exit is blocked.

Example

A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses and no dependent clauses. Note three methods to join the two clauses are joined together.

Definition

Compound Sentence

• If you eat all of your dinner, you can have ice cream.

• Put the stamp on the envelope after you write the address on the front.

Example

A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. When the dependent clause comes first, a comma is needed to separate them.

Definition

Complex Sentence

• Tony called about the job several times before he received a response from the manager, but he accepted another job by then.

Example

A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Definition

Compound-Complex Sentence

Sentence Types

​Sentence Type	​# of Independent Clauses	​# of Dependent Clauses
​Simple	​1	0​
​Compound	​2+	0​
​Complex	​1	1+​
​Compound-Complex	​2+	1+​

Multiple Choice

Because no one finished the report, Brad has to work overtime to finish. 

• Simple

• Compond

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Multiple Choice

Since the protest, conditions for factory workers have improved. 

• Simple

• Compond

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Multiple Choice

My father hates tomatoes; nevertheless, he loves spaghetti sauce and pizza. 

• Simple

• Compond

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Multiple Choice

Even though Jake and Chris want to see a movie today, they had agreed to help their dad move some furniture, so they will see the movie another day.

• Simple

• Compond

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Multiple Choice

Natasha loves cookie dough ice cream, but she hates cookies ‘n cream ice cream. 

• Simple

• Compond

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Multiple Choice

Jasper has to get milk, eggs, cereal, cheese, bread, and peanut butter from the grocery store. 

• Simple

• Compond

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Multiple Choice

Oprah has been in several movies that her company has either funded or produced. 

• Simple

• Compond

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Multiple Choice

Tony called about the job several times before he received a response from the manager. 

• Simple

• Compond

• Complex

• Compound-Complex

Multiple Choice

Kristen cannot make a decision because she is indecisive; therefore, you may have to make a decision for her.

• Simple

• Compond

• Complex

• Compound-Complex