Types of sentences

1
Types of sentences

• There are four main types of sentence.
• A simple sentence
• A compound sentence
• A complex sentence
• A compound-complex sentence

2
Independent vs. Dependent (or subordinate) Clauses

• Independent Clauses

• Dependent Clauses

• Contain a subject AND a verb
• Express a complete thought
• CAN stand alone as a sentence
• Ex The cat in the window hissed at the mailman.

• Contain a subject AND a verb
• Do NOT express a complete thought
• CANNOT stand alone as a sentence they need to
  be hooked to a main or independent clause
• EX When I walked by your house

3
Combine those last two examples

• When I walked by your house, the cat in the
  window hissed at the mailman.

4
Types of sentences
Simple sentence one action. It contains one
independent clause and NO dependent clauses. It
may have one or more phrases added on, but no
other clauses.
The cat pounced. The cat pounced at me. The mouse
ran away.
5
Types of sentences
Compound sentence has two or more independent
clauses hooked together by a comma and the
appropriate conjunction.
The cat pounced, but the mouse ran away.
6
Types of sentences
Complex sentence a simple sentence plus a
subordinate clause which adds information to the
sentence. The subordinate clause cannot stand on
its own as a sentence.
Although the cat pounced, the mouse ran away.
7
Compound-Complex Sentences

• A Compound-complex sentence has two or more
  independent clauses AND one or more subordinate
  clauses. Whew!
• Can you pick out the independent vs. the
  subordinate clauses in the example?
• Ex All the students knew the answer that their
  teacher expected, yet they were too shy to
  volunteer.

8
Types of sentences
With a partner, create the following from your
own, creative, brilliant heads 2 simple
sentences. 2 compound sentences. 1 complex
sentence. 1 compound-complex sentence