Sentence Types
Types of Sentences
► You
can determine a sentence’s structure
by looking at the number and kind of
clauses it contains. Sentences are classified
as simple, compound or complex or
compound-complex.
Simple Sentences
►A
simple sentence contains one independent clause.
► Mrs.
Robinson ate the strawberry cake.
► Sometimes
► Mrs.
a simple sentence contains a compound subject.
Robinson and River ate the strawberry cake.
► Sometimes
a simple sentence contains a compound verb.
River ate the strawberry cake and drank the cold milk.
Compound Sentences
►A
compound sentence contains two or more
independent clauses.
► Each
independent clause in a compound
sentence can stand alone as a separate
Compound sentences are usually joined by a
coordinating conjunction.
Label the clauses
►
►
►
Independent Clause
Independent Clause
We’ll play our jazz piece during halftime and the dance team will perform.
Independent Clause
Independent Clause
The fishing party is ready, but the guide is not here.
Label the clauses
►
►
►
The independent clauses of a compound sentence can also be joined by
adding a semicolon. The semicolon replaces the conjunction.
Independent Clause
Independent Clause
►
►
;
The fish were biting everyone on the boat caught something.
Complex Sentences
►
►
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more subordinate
clauses.
Subordinate Clause
independentClause
►
Although she was nervous, Alicia hit a home run.
►
Independent Clause Subordinate Clause
►
Alicia hit a home run, although she had never played softball before.
►
Independent
►
►
Clause
Subordinate Clause
She is the one who will be elected class president.
Compound-Complex Sentences
►A compound-complex sentence
contains two or more independent
clauses and one or more subordinate
clauses.
Compound Complex Sentences