Sentence Types

What is a simple sentence?

• A sentence that has two independent clauses which are combined by a comma or semicolon as well as a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

• A sentence that stands on its own. It is considered an independent clause.

• A sentence with an independent and dependent clause which are combined by a comma or semicolon, if the dependent clause is before the independent clause, as well as a subordinating conjunction.

What is a compound sentence?

• A sentence that stands on its own. It is considered an independent clause.

• A sentence with an independent and dependent clause which are combined by a comma or semicolon, if the dependent clause is before the independent clause, as well as a subordinating conjunction.

• A sentence that has two independent clauses which are combined by a comma or semicolon as well as a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

What is a complex sentence?

• A sentence with an independent and dependent clause which are combined by a comma or semicolon, if the dependent clause is before the independent clause, as well as a subordinating conjunction.

• A sentence that has two independent clauses which are combined by a comma or semicolon as well as a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

• A sentence that stands on its own. It is considered an independent clause.

What is an independent clause?

• A clause that cannot stand on its own. It needs another clause to be considered a sentence.

• A clause that can stand on its own. It may be combined with another clause.

Answer explanation

Independent clauses can be a part of simple, compound, and complex sentences.

What is a dependent clause?

• A clause that cannot stand on its own. It needs another clause to be considered a sentence.

• A clause that can stand on its own. It may be combined with another clause.

Answer explanation

Dependent clauses need an independent clause to function as a sentence. Because of this, dependent clauses are always a part of complex sentences.

What are coordinating conjunctions?

• Links two independent clauses using a comma or semicolon as well as FANBOYS.

• Links an independent and dependent clause using a comma or semicolon as well as FANBOYS.

• Links two independent clauses using a comma or semicolon as well as a conditional word (unless, while, etc.).

• Links an independent and dependent clause using a comma or semicolon as well as a conditional word (unless, while, etc.).

Answer explanation

This answer describes how coordinating conjunctions work. Two options combine how coordinating and subordinating conjunctions work. The final option describes how subordinating conjunctions work.

What are subordinating conjunctions?

• Links two independent clauses using a comma or semicolon as well as FANBOYS.

• Links an independent and dependent clause using a comma or semicolon as well as FANBOYS.

• Links two independent clauses using a comma or semicolon as well as a conditional word (unless, while, etc.).

• Links an independent and dependent clause using a comma or semicolon as well as a conditional word (unless, while, etc.).

Answer explanation

This answer describes how subordinating conjunctions work. Two options combine how coordinating and subordinating conjunctions work. The final option describes how coordinating conjunctions work.

Identify the sentence type from the following sentence:

Red and white make the color pink.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Answer explanation

There is a compound subject (red and white),a verb (make), and an object (pink).

Identify the sentence type from the following sentence:

I like traveling by bus unless there is a way to take a train.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Answer explanation

This sentence has a dependent and independent clause. There is no comma because the dependent clause is after the independent clause. The subordinating conjunction (unless) is placed at the beginning of the dependent clause.

Identify the sentence type from the following sentence:

I like french fries, but I think they taste really good with honey mustard and other condiments.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Answer explanation

There are two independent sentences that are combined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS). Both clauses are of equal importance.