Types of Sentences Review Simple, Compound, Complex, Compound-Complex By: Amanda Taylor.

What makes up a sentence? First, in order to identify the different types of sentences, you must know what is a clause. A clause is a collection of words including a subject and a predicate. There are 2 types: Independent – a complete thought; can stand by itself Dependent – an incomplete thought; can't stand by itself, and needs an independent clause in order to make sense

Types of Sentences All sentences use clauses in some way or form. There are four individual types: Simple Compound Complex Compound-Complex *In this presentation, you will learn the different types as well as how to use them in a sentence.

Simple Sentences We use these in speech all the time even without noticing. A simple sentence consists of a subject and a verb, and demonstrates a complete thought. In other words, it is an independent clause. Ex: The girl hit the softball in one swing. subject + verb = complete thought

Ex: The day was very cloudy, yet no rain fell from the sky. Compound Sentences When dealing with these sentences, think of compound words like backpack. Back and pack both have complete meanings that are put together, much like compound sentences. A compound sentence consists of two complete thoughts, or independent clauses, joined by a coordinating conjunction. Ex: The day was very cloudy, yet no rain fell from the sky.

Coordinating Conjunctions These coordinating conjunctions, also known as coordinators, are words that join two independent clauses in a compound sentence. A good memorization technique is FANBOYS. For And Nor Because Or Yet So

Complex Sentences These sentences are called “complex” because they are a little more complicated than simple and compound. A complex sentence is one independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. Ex: After running a lap, Bill was feeling exhausted.

What joins complex? The words that always join the clauses of a complex sentence are either subordinators or relative pronouns. Subordinators are words such as: because, since, after, although, when Relative pronouns include: that, which, who, whom, whose Remember that a subordinator can start at the beginning OR after the comma of a complex sentence

Compound-Complex Sentences These sentences combine components of both compound and complex sentences together. A compound-complex sentence contains two complete thoughts (independent clauses) and one or more incomplete thoughts (dependent clauses). Ex: While their parents are at work, Ted and Freddy finish the homework, and they have a particularly hard time on math.

Bibliography Baack, E. (n.d.). Sentences: Simple, Compound, Complex. Retrieved March 23, 2011, from Eslbee website: http://www.eslbee.com/sentences.htm Benner, L. M. (2003-11). Retrieved March 23, 2011, from Towson University website: http://wwwnew.towson.edu/ows/sentences.htm