Compound &
Complex Sentences
Notes
Simple Sentence
Group of words that expresses a complete
thought and has one subject-predicate
combination
Amy loves horses.
Compound sentence




Contains two or more simple sentences.
Each simple sentence is called a main clause
(subject and predicate).
Main clauses are joined either by a comma
followed by a conjunction or by a semicolon.
The comma may be omitted if the main clauses
are short.
Compound sentence examples

Flowers are delicate, and they need
tender care.

Flowers are delicate; they need tender
care.
Complex sentence
Has a main clause and one or more
subordinate clauses.
 Subordinate clauses also have a subject
and predicate, but it cannot stand alone as
a sentence. It depends on the main
clause to complete its meaning.
 It (subordinate clause) can act as an
adjective, adverb, or a noun.

Complex sentence examples
MAIN CLAUSE
SUB. CLAUSE
They are playing music
that I like to hear. (adj.)
We must stop skating
when the music stops. (adverb)
I will tell you
what happened at the rink. (noun)
FANBOYS
coordinating conjunctions
For And Nor But Or Yet So -