Simple, Compound, Complex and Compound-Complex Sentences

Once a writer knows the difference between the three sentence types (simple, compound, and complex), it is possible to write with sentence variety. Sentence variety helps make your writing more interesting.

What is sentence A sentence is a group of words that you use to communicate your ideas. Every sentence is formed from one or more clauses and expresses a complete thought. The four basic kinds of sentences in English are simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. The kind of sentence is determined by the kind of clauses used to form it.

Types of Sentences by Structure Simple Compound Complex Compound-Complex Sentences

Simple Sentence  A simple sentence contains a subject and verb.  It expresses a single complete thought.  A simple sentence is a single independent clause.

Sample Simple Sentences  Joe waited for the train. "Joe" = subject, "waited" = verb  The train was late. "The train" = subject, "was" = verb  Mary and Sara took the bus. "Mary and Sara" = compound subject, "took" = verb

I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station. "I" = subject, "looked" = verb Mary and Sara arrived at the bus station early but waited until noon for the bus. "Mary and Sara" = compound subject, "arrived" and "waited" = compound verb

 Use a separate sheet of paper for this exercise.  1. Write two simple sentences with one subject and one verb.  2. Write two simple sentences with one subject and two verbs.  3. Write two simple sentences with two subjects and one verb.  4. Write two simple sentences with two subjects and two verbs.

Compound Sentences  A compound sentence contains two independent clauses.  Conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, and yet, so) join these independent clauses. (Hint: The conjunctions spell FANBOYS.)  The conjunction used can impact the meaning of the sentence.

 A compound sentence can be formed as follows:  Independent clause, + coordinator + independent clause

Sample Compound Sentences  Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.  I looked for Mary and Sara at the bus station, but they arrived at the station before noon and left on the bus before I arrived.

 Mary and Sara arrived at the bus station before noon, and they left on the bus before I arrived.  Mary and Sara left on the bus before I arrived, so I did not see them at the bus station.

 Compound Sentences with Coordinators  A compound sentence can be formed as follows:  Independent clause, + coordinator + independent clause  Salt water boils at a lower temperature than freshwater, so food cooks faster in  salt water.  There are seven coordinators, which are also called coordinating conjunctions. You  can remember them by the phrase FAN BOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). The  (Punctuation note: There is a comma after the first independent clause.)

Complex Sentences  A complex sentence is an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses.  A subordinating conjunction begins the dependent clauses.  A dependent clause that begins a sentence must be followed by comma.  A dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it does not make sense on its own.

Subordinating Conjunctions Afterhow Until Althoughif Unless Asin as much as if in order thatWhenas long as At least Wheneveras much as now that whereas soon whereveras though Since Whilebecauseso that Beforeeven if That even though though

Sample Complex Sentences  A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses connected to it. A dependent clause is similar to an independent clause, or complete sentence, but it lacks one of the elements that would make it a complete sentence.  Examples of dependent clauses include the following:  because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon  while he waited at the train station  after they left on the bus

Dependent clauses such as those above cannot stand alone as a sentence, but they can be added to an independent clause to form a complex sentence. Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Below are some of the most common subordinating conjunctions: After although as because before even though

 if  since  though  unless  until  when  whenever  whereas  wherever  while

 A complex sentence joins an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses.  The dependent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the independent clause, as in the following:  Tip: When the dependent clause comes first, a comma should be used to separate the two clauses.

 Because Mary and Sara arrived at the bus station before noon, I did not see them at the station.  While he waited at the train station, Joe realized that the train was late.  After they left on the bus, Mary and Sara realized that Joe was waiting at the train station.

 Conversely, the independent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the dependent clause, as in the following:  Tip: When the independent clause comes first, a comma should not be used to separate the two clauses.

 I did not see them at the station because Mary and Sara arrived at the bus station before noon.  Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at the train station.  Mary and Sara realized that Joe was waiting at the train station after they left on the bus.  Complex sentences are often more effective than compound sentences because a complex sentence indicates clearer and more specific relationships between the main parts of the sentence. The word "before," for instance, tells readers that one thing occurs before another. A word such as "although" conveys a more complex relationship than a word such as "and" conveys.

Compound-Complex Sentences  A compound-complex sentence is a sentence that has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.  The same subordinating conjunctions are used to introduce the dependent clauses.  The same coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) are used for joining the independent clauses.

Sample Compound-Complex Sentences.  1.John went to school, but James remained at home because he had a sore throat.  2. If he changes his mind, we shall know for sure that Joe has learned his lesson, but only time will tell.  3. Those clouds promise rain; we should hurry before we get caught in a flash flood.  4. Here is the money that I owe you, and I am happy to be free of debt.  5. Were you ever in a storm that was full of lightning, or don't you recall?

Test Yourself – Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound-Complex? 1. The teacher walked into the classroom, greeted the students, and took attendance. 2. Juan played football while Jane went shopping. 3. Juan played football, yet Jim went shopping. 4. Although Mexico has a better team, they lost the tournament, and their more aggressive style did not pay off. 5. The island was filled with many trails winding through the thick underbrush, a small lake, and dangerous wild animals. 6. Naoki passed the test because he studied hard, but Stacy did not understand the material.