Types of Sentences P Quiz Review

​Types of Sentences Practice Quiz Review

By Allison Carter

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence and choose the correct sentence type: Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound-Complex.

Although the storm was severe, the plane landed safely.

• simple

• compound

• complex

• compound-complex

Although the storm was severe, the plane landed safely.

Although is subordinating conjunction (AAAWWUUBBIIS).

When it starts a clause, that clause is DEPENDENT.

The other clause is independent, so the sentence is COMPLEX.

Hint: remember that a comma comes after a dependent clause when it comes at the start of a sentence.

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence and choose the correct sentence type: Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound-Complex.

The children played in the yard.

• simple

• compound

• complex

• compound-complex

The children played in the yard.

Children- subject
played- verb

We only have one clause here (subject+verb), so we must have a simple sentence.

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence and choose the correct sentence type: Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound-Complex.

Jake was late to his meeting, but he remembered his presentation although his boss hated it.

• simple

• compound

• complex

• compound-complex

Jake was late to his meeting, but he remembered his presentation although his boss hated it.

What's the easiest way to spot two independent clauses together? Think punctuation.


What's the clue that we have a dependent clause?

Independent

Independent

Dependent

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence and choose the correct sentence type: Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound-Complex.

The sun disappeared, and the stars began to twinkle.

• simple

• compound

• complex

• compound-complex

The sun disappeared, and the stars began to twinkle.

A comma followed by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) tells you the sentence is compound. You would still need to look for subordinating conjunctions to see if it's complex, but there are none here.

Multiple Choice

Read each sentence and choose the correct sentence type: Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound-Complex.

We went to the museum, but it was closed because it was a holiday.

• simple

• compound

• complex

• compound-complex

We went to the museum, but it was closed because it was a holiday.

You should have noticed the comma FANBOYS right away and known this sentence was at least compound.

Does it have any AAAWWUUBIS words?

Multiple Select

Hint: You'd better have these in your notes.

Identify the subordinating conjunction(s) in the following sentence:

Although Ana loves nachos, she can't eat them for lunch again.

• Although

• Loves

• she

• eat

• again

Multiple Select

Identify the coordinating conjunction(s) in the following sentence:

Because Ms. A bought us coffee, we will go to work, and I will not cry.

• Because

• bought

• us

• we

• and

Multiple Select

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence(s). 

• The team played well but they lost the game.

• The team played well, but they lost the game.

• The team played well but, lost the game.

• Although the team played well; they lost the game.

This is a run-on! We have the FANBOYS but no comma.

The comma comes BEFORE the FANBOYS.

The first clause is dependent. We only use a semicolon to join two independent clauses.

The team played well but they lost the game.

The team played well but, lost the game.

Although the team played well; they lost the game.

Identifying Errors

Multiple Select

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence(s).

• Although he is known for his violent breakups Henry VIII only beheaded two of his wives.

• Although he is known for his violent breakups; Henry VIII only beheaded two of his wives.

• Henry VIII is known for his violent breakups; but he only beheaded two of his wives.

• Henry VIII is known for his violent breakups, but he only beheaded two of his wives.

If a dependent clause comes before the independent clause, we put a comma after it.

We don't use a semicolon to join a dependent clause with an independent clause; the semicolon should be a comma.

We don't need a FANBOYS (coordinating conjunction) if we have a semicolon. The semicolon is just as strong by itself as a comma is with a FANBOYS.

Although he is known for his violent breakups Henry VIII only beheaded two of his wives.

Although he is known for his violent breakups; Henry VIII only beheaded two of his wives.

Henry VIII is known for his violent breakups; but he only beheaded two of his wives.

Identifying Errors

Multiple Select

Choose the correctly punctuated sentence(s).

• Sloths spend most of their lives in trees; they are also surprisingly good swimmers.

• Sloths spend most of their lives in trees, they are also surprisingly good swimmers.

• Although sloths spend most of their lives in trees, they are also surprisingly good swimmers.

• Although sloths spend most of their lives in trees; they are also surprisingly good swimmers.

This is a run-on, specifically a comma splice. It's missing a FANBOYS.


The first clause is dependent, so you need a comma after it, not a semicolon.

Sloths spend most of their lives in trees, they are also surprisingly good swimmers.

Although sloths spend most of their lives in trees; they are also surprisingly good swimmers.

Identifying Errors

What questions do you have?