Learning Center
Sentence Structure
One way to avoid short choppy sentences and add variety to your paragraph is to change the structure of
your sentences. To eliminate repetition and keep your sentences from sounding boring, you can vary the
structure by adding dependent and independent clauses to your main clause. There are four main types of
sentence structure: simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound complex
sentences.
Simple Sentences
Regardless of whether they are long or short, simple sentences contain only one independent clause and
no dependent clauses. Simple sentences may contain a compound subject and/or a compound predicate,
but they don’t contain two independent clauses. See the following examples:

He walked to the store every morning.

Five brown kittens curled up in the fluffy blanket in front of the fire.

Highlighters are useful for marking important information, definitions, and dates in textbooks.

America’s best known novelists, journalists, and editors attended a conference in New York last
week.

Her last semester in school, the brilliant student received top marks on all her final exams,
graduated with honors, and was interviewed for a junior faculty position at the university.

The mashed avocado, minced garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mayonnaise, and lemon-flavored
pepper should be blended thoroughly, whipped briefly for a light consistency, and served with
warm tortillas.
Compound Sentences
Compound sentences contain two independent clauses that have been connected with a semicolon or a
comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS). See the following examples:

The letter carrier had never seen the two dogs before, so she approached them cautiously.

Roger is a grouch when he first wakes up, but after his first cup of coffee, he feels human again.

I got sick, so I did not do my reading response

Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.

You will want to bring many backpacking items on our camping trip; sleeping bags, cooking
utensils, and warm clothing will make the trip more enjoyable.
Learning Center
Complex Sentences
Complex sentences contain at least one dependent clause and one independent clause. There are two ways
to build a complex sentence: you can attach the dependent clause to either the beginning of the
independent clause or the end of the dependent clause. When you begin a sentence with a dependent
clause, don’t forget to use a comma to connect the dependent clause to the independent clause. When you
add the dependent clause to the end of an independent clause, you don’t need to use a comma. In the
following examples, the dependent clause has been underlined for you:

While the orchestra performed patriotic tunes, fireworks appeared in the night sky above the
picnic area.

George walked into his office as the phone began to ring.

Because the cost of gas has steadily climbed over the past month, Maria decided that riding her
bike to work was the most economical solution to her budget problems.

The city decided to impose a ban on outdoor watering because the water level of the lakes had
fallen below the critical point.
Here is a list of commonly used dependent words, or subordinating conjunctions, that can make a clause
dependent:
After
Although
As
As if
As long
As soon as
As though
Because
Before
Even though
If
Once
Since
So that
That
Though
Unless
Until
What
Whatever
When
Whenever
Where
Wherever
Which
While
Who
Compound Complex Sentences
A compound complex sentence contains multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
See the following examples:

Because they cannot get along, CJ, my brown dog, and Cream, my orange Taby, like to wrestle
and play fight in the living room; as a result, they broke the vase.

Because my favorite character died at end of the movie, I lost my interest in the film series; I cried
for a long time after this since I no longer liked the movies.

My long range goal is to open my own business because I like the idea of not having to answer to
anyone else; since I hope eventually to just supervise and not have to do the hands-on work, I'd
like to be the CEO.