Types of

Sentences

Four Types of
Sentences
SIMPLE sentence
COMPOUND Sentence
COMPLEX Sentence
COMPOUND-COMPLEX
Sentence

Simple sentence
A simple sentence has one independent clause and
no dependent clauses:

The student yawned.

Although a simple sentence cannot have a

dependent clause, it can have modifiers:
The tall student sitting in the back in my algebra
class yawned loudly.
The basic sentence is The student yawned. The
other words are modifiers - they are descriptive
words.

 A simple sentence contains only one

independent clause, but it can have more than
one subject or verb:
TWO SUBJECTS: The student and his friend
yawned.

TWO VERBS : The student yawned and fell

asleep.

A sentence with all these elements will be long, but

it is still simple because it contains only one
independent clause:

The tall student sitting in the back

in my physics class and his friend
yawned loudly and fell asleep.
Refer to page 164 (textbook)

Compound sentence
A compound sentence has two or more
independent clauses that are usually
joined by a coordinating conjunction:

Henry got a new job, so he has to move.

I have a lot of homework, but I am not
going to have time to study tonight.

Notice the difference between a simple

sentence with a compound verb and a
compound sentence with two clauses:

SIMPLE

My house guests returned from a

long day of shopping and went
straight to bed.

COMPOUND My house guests returned home

from a long day of shopping, and
we decided to stay at home
instead of going out.
What is the difference?

Compound sentence with

coordinating conjunctions
Most compound sentences are formed
with a coordinating conjunction: and,
or, but, so, for, nor, yet. The last
three occur almost exclusively in
writing, so they add a level of formality:
The experiment was deemed successful,
yet our results were unsatisfactory.
The students were unhappy with their
professor, for he often wasted their
time in class.

Compound sentence
without coordinating
conjunctions
Yet, while most compound sentences are

formed with a coordinating conjunctions, often

good writers decide to eliminate the
conjunction and simply add a semicolon:

The ambitious student initiated the research;

the teacher was pleased by her efforts.
The students were unhappy with their
professor; he often wasted their time in class.
Refer to page 165 (textbook)

Complex sentence
A complex sentence has an independent
clause with one or more dependent clauses
(or its called a subordinate clause). It is
connected using a subordinating
conjunctions.
Note that introductory dependent clauses
must be followed by commas:
- Since we got to the concert late, we had to
make our way to our seats in the dark.
-We left class early so that we could attend
a special lecture.

Complex sentences should be

punctuated in one of two ways:

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE dependent clause (no

comma)
We left class early so that we could attend
a special lecture.
Dependent clause, INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
(comma)
So that we could attend a special lecture,
we left class early.

Continued
Sample 1
Astronauts often feel seasick.
They first experience weightlessness.
- Astronauts often feel sick when they first experience weightlessness.
- When they first experience weightlessness, astronauts often feel sick
Sample 2
The students were noisy.
The teacher handed out the test.
- The students were noisy until the teacher handed out the test.
- Until the teacher handed out the test, the students were noisy
Sample 3
The teacher told them to stop writing.
They put down their pencils

Subordinating
Conjunctions
Time subordinators: Begin a clause that tells when

sth happens
After After Jessica goes to class, she finishes her
assignments.
As As the time passed by, Roy has grown to be a very
mischievous boy.
As soon as We will leave the airport as soon as Masitah
arrives.
Before Jamie cooks lunch for his family before he goes to
work everyday.
Since Puan Saripah has been sorrow since her husband
passed away a few years ago.

Continued
Until I will keep the cat with me until the owner
claims for it.
When When Dalila is busy, her husband will take
care of their children.
Whenever Whenever there is a robbery case,
Hashim would be the main suspect as he just got
out from the prison.
While Syima is eating a pack of nasi lemak while
she is driving.

Continued
Reason subordinators: Begin a clause that
tells why sth happens.
Because Camelia cries loudly because her
mother scolds her.
Since Latifah gets scolded by her lecturer since
she always comes late to class.
As Nobody dares to speak to her as she is a badtempered girl.

Continued
Place subordinators: Begin a clause that
tells where sth happens or where sth is
located.
Where I write my phone number where my
students can easily see it.
Wherever I will follow you wherever you go.

Continued
Comparison subordinators:
Although (in spite of the fact that)
Although its raining, the boys dont want to go home.
Even though (to show something that is unexpected
or to make a comparison stronger)
Even though he is my father, he doesnt have a right
to beat me.
Just as Selina is good in Math just as her twin
sister, Serina.
Whereas Ahmad is tall whereas his elder brother is
short.

Comparing compound and

complex sentences
interest, variety, and coherence
compound sentences differ from complex
sentences in one important way: In a compound
sentence, both clauses have equal importance;
in a complex sentence, the independent clause
is more important.

Compare these sentences

COMPOUND John was tired, but he finished
his homework.
COMPLEX Although John was tired, he
finished his homework.
In the first sentence, the writer is
communicating that both clauses are
equally important. In the second sentence,
the writer is saying that the subordinate
clause ("John was tired") is less important
than the independent clause ("he finished
his homework").

Compound-Complex
Sentence

A compound-complex sentence has three clauses,

at least two of which are independent.
You can use almost any combination of dependent
and independent clause as long there is at least
one independent clause in the sentence.
Refer to page 174 (textbook)

Example
I wanted to travel after I graduated from
college; however, I had to go to work
immediately.
After I graduated to college, I wanted to
travel, but I had to go to work immediately.
I wanted to travel after I graduated from
college, but I had to go to work
immediately because I had to support my
family.
I could not decide where I should work or
what I should do, so at first I did nothing.