Simple and Compound Sentences

Subject Names the person, place, or thing the sentence is about.

Simple Subject The noun or the pronoun about which something is said. Who or what is the sentence about?

Simple Subject A new ring grows around the sequoia’s trunk every year.

Compound Subject Two or more subjects joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, yet) form a compound subject.

Compound Subject The dog and its owner walked through the park.

Predicate Tells what the subject is or is doing

Simple Predicate Is the verb or verb phrase A verb phrase is two or more verbs that work together Ex. He has finished cleaning the garage.

Simple Predicate This bark grows as thick as four feet!

Compound Predicate Two or more predicates joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, yet) form a compound predicate.

Compound Predicate He stopped and waited for his friends.

Simple Sentence Contains a subject and a predicate. Expresses a complete thought. Either (subject or predicate) or both can be compound.

Simple Sentence Examples The auroral lights are a natural wonder. Colorful lights streak or hang in the sky. The baby and its mother watched the keeper.

Compound Sentences Contains two or more independent clauses. An independent clause has a subject and a predicate and can stand on its own as a sentence. Ex.- We drove off after I answered the phone.

Compound Sentences Independent clauses in a compound sentence are usually connected by a coordinating conjunction. And, but, or, nor and yet A semicolon (;) may be used instead of a coordinating conjunction.

Compound Sentence Examples Marta will be here soon, and then we’ll leave. Marta will be here soon. Then we’ll leave. Tom is going to drive; he has the biggest car. Tom is going to drive. He has the biggest car.