Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences
"Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences - YouTube." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.Web. 27 Jan. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hby4NBOwf7E>.
Sentences: Simple, Compound, and ComplexA common weakness in writing is the lack of varied sentences. Becoming aware of three general types of sentences--simple, compound, and complex--can help you vary the sentences in your writing.
The most effective writing uses a variety of the sentence types explained below.
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence has the most basic elements that make it a sentence: a subject, a verb, and a completed thought.
Examples of simple sentences include the following:
A simple sentence can also be referred to as an independent clause. It is referred to as "independent" because, while it might be part of a compound or complex sentence, it can also stand by itself as a complete sentence.
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence refers to a sentence made up of two independent clauses (or complete sentences) connected to one another with a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions are easy to remember if you think of the words "FAN BOYS":
Clearer and more specific relationships can be established through the use of complex sentences.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses connected to it. A dependent clause is similar to an independent clause, or complete sentence, but it lacks one of the elements that would make it a complete sentence.
Examples of dependent clauses include the following:
Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Below are some of the most common subordinating conjunctions:
The dependent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the independent clause, as in the following:
Tip: When the dependent clause comes first, a comma should be used to separate the two clauses.
Tip: When the independent clause comes first, a comma should not be used to separate the two clauses.
Resources "ENG 1001: Sentences: Simple, Compound, and Complex." IVCC » Home Page Transition Page. Web. 27 Jan. 2012. <http://www2.ivcc.edu/rambo/eng1001/sentences.htm>.
The most effective writing uses a variety of the sentence types explained below.
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence has the most basic elements that make it a sentence: a subject, a verb, and a completed thought.
Examples of simple sentences include the following:
- Joe waited for the train.
"Joe" = subject, "waited" = verb - The train was late.
"The train" = subject, "was" = verb - Mary and Samantha took the bus.
"Mary and Samantha" = compound subject, "took" = verb - I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station.
"I" = subject, "looked" = verb - Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon and left on the bus before I arrived.
"Mary and Samantha" = compound subject, "arrived" and "left" = compound verb
A simple sentence can also be referred to as an independent clause. It is referred to as "independent" because, while it might be part of a compound or complex sentence, it can also stand by itself as a complete sentence.
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence refers to a sentence made up of two independent clauses (or complete sentences) connected to one another with a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions are easy to remember if you think of the words "FAN BOYS":
- For
- And
- Nor
- But
- Or
- Yet
- So
- Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.
- I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station, but they arrived at the station before noon and left on the bus before I arrived.
- Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon, and they left on the bus before I arrived.
- Mary and Samantha left on the bus before I arrived, so I did not see them at the bus station.
Clearer and more specific relationships can be established through the use of complex sentences.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses connected to it. A dependent clause is similar to an independent clause, or complete sentence, but it lacks one of the elements that would make it a complete sentence.
Examples of dependent clauses include the following:
- because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon
- while he waited at the train station
- after they left on the bus
Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Below are some of the most common subordinating conjunctions:
- after
- although
- as
- because
- before
- even though
- if
- since
- though
- unless
- until
- when
- whenever
- whereas
- wherever
- while
The dependent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the independent clause, as in the following:
Tip: When the dependent clause comes first, a comma should be used to separate the two clauses.
- Because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon, I did not see them at the station.
- While he waited at the train station, Joe realized that the train was late.
- After they left on the bus, Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station.
Tip: When the independent clause comes first, a comma should not be used to separate the two clauses.
- I did not see them at the station because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon.
- Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at the train station.
- Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station after they left on the bus.
Resources "ENG 1001: Sentences: Simple, Compound, and Complex." IVCC » Home Page Transition Page. Web. 27 Jan. 2012. <http://www2.ivcc.edu/rambo/eng1001/sentences.htm>.