Sentence Structure

A compound sentence has

• two independent clauses

• an independent clause & a dependent clause

• one independent clause

• two independent clauses plus a dependent clause

A compound/complex sentence has

• one independent clause

• two independent clauses

• and independent clause and a dependent clause

• two independent clauses plus a dependent clause

A complex sentence has

• two independent clauses

• an independent clause and a dependent clause

• two independent clauses and one dependent clause

• one independent clause

A simple sentence has

• two independent clauses plus a dependent clause

• two independent clauses

• one independent clause only

• an independent clause plus a dependent clause

Is the following sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex? 

There is leftover pizza in the fridge.

• compound/complex

• complex

• compound

• simple

Is the following sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex? 

You can have the leftover pizza in the fridge if your brother hasn't already eaten it all.

• simple

• compound

• compound/complex

• complex

Is the following sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex? 

You can have the leftover pizza in the fridge if your brother hasn't already eaten it all.

• simple

• compound

• compound/complex

• complex

Is the following sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex? 

Because the trash pickup is Thursday, you have to put it out on Wednesday night or you'll have to wait until next week.

• simple

• compound

• complex

• compound/complex

Is the following sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex? 

Because the trash pickup is Thursday, you have to put it out on Wednesday night or you'll have to wait until next week.

• simple

• compound

• complex

• compound/complex

Is the following sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex?

Jack, Wendy and Doc loved the Overlook Hotel until scary things started to happen.

• simple

• compound

• complex

• compound/complex