1. Simple, Compound, and Complex
Three Kinds of Complete Sentences
Simple, Compound, and Complex

2. Introduction: Dependent & Independent Clauses
To distinguish between simple, complex, or compound sentences, it is important to know what dependent and independent clauses are.
dependent clause - cannot stand on its own as a sentence
THINIK: If a person is “dependent,” he or she needs help from someone.
Example: Whether or not I decide to go.
independent clause - can stand on its own as a sentence
THINK: If a person is “independent,” he or she doesn’t need help from anyone.
Example: Whether or not I decide to go depends on if I have enough money.
This is a dependent clause.
This is an independent clause.

3. The Three Kinds of Complete Sentences
Sentences can be simple, compound, or complex.
A simple sentence has one independent clause.
A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
A compound sentence joins two independent clauses.

4. Simple Sentence
The simple sentence tells who or what the sentence is about (subject).
A simple sentence also dells what the subject does.
A simple sentence has one independent clause with one or more subjects (nouns), and one or more predicates (verbs), and expresses a complete thought.
“The dog sat.”  or   “The dog and cat ate and sat.”

5. Compound Sentence
A compound sentence is made of two simple sentences that are joined by a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or.
The girl pulled the cat’s tail, and the cat ran away.
She tried to pull the cat’s tail, but the cat ran away.
Would she like a cat, or would she rather have a dog?
complete sentence
complete sentence
complete sentence

6. Complex Sentence A complex sentence consists of
a subordinate clause (also referred to as a dependent clause or a fragment) and
a main clause (also referred to as an independent clause, or as a complete sentence).
In other words, a complex sentence is made up of an incomplete thought and a complete thought joined together.
Examples:
If I plan ahead, I can achieve all my goals.
When you leave the room, please close the door quietly.
fragment
fragment
complete sentence
complete sentence

7. Practice Decide if the sentence is simple, compound, or complex.
After finding an error, the teacher returned the homework.
Brianda studies every night.
Steven likes to talk and drink coffee at break.
John Henry forgot to put his name at the top of his paper when he handed in his homework.
I tried speaking English, but my friend tried to speak Spanish.
James and John play ball at night.
Jim’s favorite flavor is chocolate, yet he had strawberry ice cream at the party.
Complex
Simple
Simple
Simple
Compound
Simple
Complex

8. Practice Decide if the sentence is simple, compound, or complex.
The dog likes to bark.
The keys belong to your father.
Sean returned Maria’s homework after finding the error.
When Janet handed in her homework, she forgot to put her name on it.
You can have recess, or you can watch a movie.
Brahndo played football, so his mom went shopping.
Simple
Simple
Simple
Complex
Complex
Complex

9. Let’s try some!
Simple, Compound, Complex Sentences