1. Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences
Sentence Structure
Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

2. Sentences There are four types of sentences: Simple Compound Complex

3. Simple Sentence The subject, the predicate, or both may be compound.
A simple sentence consists of one independent clause (one complete subject and one complete predicate.)
The subject, the predicate, or both may be compound.
Audrey had a demanding day at work.
Audrey and Bruce work in the same office.
Subject Verb
Subject Subject Verb

4. Simple Sentences
A simple sentence does not have to be short; many simple sentences are quite long.
Example –
The large brown dog and the young boy ran and played in the new park across the street from the old church. S
Adjectives S V
Conj.
Conj.
Adjective V
Prepositional Phrase
Prepositional Phrase
Prepositional Phrase
Dog boy ran played

5. Simple Sentences Examples of simple sentences –
Students at Odom study hard and always make good grades.
Ms. Oliver grades every day but never finishes in a timely manner.
Robert and Steve are constantly talking in class and disturbing the other students. S V V S V V S S V V

6. Coordinating Conjunction
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence is composed of TWO (or more) INDEPENDENT clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction.
Example -
Mike enjoys football, but Jeff likes track.
comma
Independent
Independent
Coordinating Conjunction

7. Coordinating Conjunctions
FANBOYS
F – for A – and N – nor
B – but O – or Y – yet S – so

8. Compound Sentence
A compound sentence can also be connected by a semicolon.
Example -
Mike enjoys football; Jeff likes track.
semicolon
Simple Sentence
Simple Sentence

9. Compound Sentence Examples of compound sentences –
The girls ran down the hall, but Ms. Loyd caught them.
Evan didn’t study, but he still passed.
The dog slept on the rug; the cat slept on the table.
Comma and conjunction
Independent
Independent
Comma and conjunction
Independent
Independent
Semicolon
Independent
Independent

10. Subordinating Conjunction
Complex Sentence
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
The dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.
Example –
Dan set the table while his mom cooked dinner.
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
Subordinating Conjunction

11. Subordinating Conjunctions
ABBI SAW A WUWU
a mnemonic for the most frequently used subordinating conjunctions:
As Before Because If
Since After While Although
When(ever) Unless Whether Until

12. Subordinating Conjunction Subordinating Conjunction
Complex Sentences
You do not need a comma when the independent clause comes before the dependent clause.
The dog ran across the yard because it saw a cat.
Brandon jumped when he heard Janice scream.
Subordinating Conjunction
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
Subordinating Conjunction

13. Subordinating Conjunction Subordinating Conjunction
Complex Sentences
When the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, use a comma.
Because it saw a cat, the dog ran across the yard.
When Janice screamed, Brandon jumped.
comma
Subordinating Conjunction
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Subordinating Conjunction
comma

14. Complex Sentences Examples of complex sentences –
Although David went to Disneyland, he never saw Mickey Mouse.
Theresa plays softball because she loves it.
It’s easy to win if you practice.
Subordinating Conjunction
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Subordinating Conjunction
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
Subordinating Conjunction

15. Compound- Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence consists of two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
Examples:
Before the bell rang, the students packed up, and the teacher collected their work.
The dog cried when its owner left, and it sat by the door until she arrived home.
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause
Independent Clause
Dependent Clause

16. Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound-Complex?
Label the following sentences simple (S), compound (CD), complex (CX), or compound-complex (CC).
The boys and girls in Ms. Oliver’s class are the best students.
If Wendy is correct, a hurricane will hit Houston.
The door opened, but no one was there.
I forgot to study; I hope I pass.
I usually need some coffee when I first wake up.
Because I overslept, I missed the bus and was late to school.
Whenever I need extra help, I stay after school for tutoring, and I study my notes.
Travis likes to sleep all day but usually doesn’t get the chance.
The door slammed; the students were startled because they saw no one in the doorway.