Simple, Compound, Complex and Compound-Complex Sentences

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Simple, Compound, Complex and Compound-Complex
Sentences
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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.
Day 1
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Simple Sentence

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

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Sample Simple Sentences

• The cat crept through the dark house.
• The wary mouse watched from underneath an
  upturned cereal box.
• The predatory cat stopped and surveyed his
  surroundings.
• The mouse darted for the safety of the nearly
  invisible hole under the cabinet.

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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.

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Sample Compound Sentences

• The cat was unsuccessful in his attempt to catch
  the mouse, and the mouse was equally as unlucky
  in his attempt to get the cheese.
• The dog had watched all of this, but he had
  refused to become involved.
• The mouse could wait until dark, or he could risk
  a daylight raid on the pantry.
• The cat usually slept during the day, yet
  curiosity held him at the corner of the kitchen.

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Identify the Simple or Compound Sentences and
explain your answer.

• The Industrial Revolution began in England in the
  18th century.
• In addition, the children often suffered
  dangerous working conditions.
• Many children worked for long hours in factories
  and mines, and most of them received extremely
  low wages.
• Charles Dickens, a popular author at the time,
  saw the problem in England, and like many others,
  he sought to abolish the abuses.
• The efforts of Dickens and other citizens
  eventually resulted in more effective labor laws.

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Answers

1. Simple Industrial Revolution began
2. Simple children suffered
3. Compound children worked and most received
4. Compound Charles Dickens saw and he sought
5. Simple efforts resulted

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Day 2 - 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.

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Subordinating words

• Common subordinating words include
• as because if after
• since provided before where
• unless whether while once
• when although so that until
• though whenever than as if
• Common relative pronouns include
• which what who that
• whom whatever whoever

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Sample Complex Sentences

• After he gave it some thought, the mouse decided
  to wait until later for his trek.
• The cat fell asleep in the warm kitchen because
  he was deprived of sleep the night before.
• When the mouse heard the soft snoring of his
  sleeping nemesis, he scurried to the pantry and
  grabbed enough food for a week.
• The dedicated, feline sleuth keeps his nightly
  vigil even though the foresighted mouse will not
  be venturing out this week.

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Explain why the sentences are Complex.

1. John worked on his story while the noisy children
   played.
2. Joe ate while Jill packed her lunch.
3. Knowing our friends were disappointed, we were
   sorry to leave.
4. We were upset when the party was over.
5. We stayed at home while our parents went to
   dinner.

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Answers

• 1. IC John worked on his story
• DC while the noisy children played.
• 2. IC Joe ate
• DC while Jill packed her lunch.
• 3. IC we were sorry to leave.
• DC Knowing our friends were disappointed,
• 4. IC We were upset
• DC when the party was over.
• 5. IC We stayed at home
• DC while our parents went to dinner.

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Day 3 Warm-up Identify each sentence

1. Jim rode the bus and Tully walked.
2. Mary was a good player, yet she wasnt a top
   scorer.
3. Jake and Chris were exhausted from the long car
   ride.
4. Karl and Tina went shopping while Tracy worked on
   her car.
5. We rang the doorbell, but no one answered.

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Answers

1. Compound
2. Compound
3. Simple
4. Complex
5. Compound

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Day 4 - 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.

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Sample Compound-Complex Sentences.

• After the two adversaries had spent years playing
  this cat and mouse game, they were joined by
  their children, and the fun continued.
• Even though it seems the two were bent on the
  others destruction, the cat and mouse were
  rather fond of one another, and neither wanted
  the others defeat.
• This game was begun thousands of years ago, and
  it will continue far into the future as other
  cats and mice revel in hide-and-seek.

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Copy each sentenceHighlight the dependent
clauseUnderline the Compound Sentence

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. Here is the money that I owe you, and I am happy
   to be free of debt.
4. Were you ever in a storm that was full of
   lightning, or dont you recall?

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Answers

• John went to school, but James remained at home
  because he had a sore throat.
• If he changes his mind, we shall know for sure
  that Joe has learned his lesson, but only time
  will tell.
• Here is the money that I owe you, and I am happy
  to be free of debt.
• Were you ever in a storm that was full of
  lightning, or dont you recall?

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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.

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Answers

1. Simple
2. Complex
3. Compound
4. Compound-Complex
5. Simple
6. Compound-Complex

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Day 5 -

• NO SLIDE
• WORK ON INDEPENDENT HANDOUT

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Day 6

• NO SLIDE
• TEST