Spring Compound and
Complex Sentences
A clause is a group of words that contains a verb (action) and a subject
(the person or thing that does an action).
There are two types of clauses, main and subordinate.
• A main clause is the key part of a sentence. Every sentence
has a main clause. A main clause can form a complete sentence;
it makes sense on its own.
• A subordinate clause gives us more information about the main clause.
If we removed the main clause, a subordinate clause would not make
sense on its own, it is not a ‘full’ sentence.
Clauses and types of sentence
• A simple sentence has just one main clause.
• A compound sentence will have two or more main clauses that are
linked by a conjunction (joining word). The clauses would all make
sense on their own, even without the rest of the sentence.
• A complex sentence has a main clause and one or more
subordinate clauses.
Task 1
Read each spring-themed sentence and decide whether it is an example of a
simple, compound or complex sentence. The first one has been done for you.
1. The birds began the dawn chorus and Elaine heard their song.
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Spring Compound and Complex Sentences
Compound
There are two main clauses:
The birds began the dawn chorus. Elaine heard their song.
The word ‘and’ is the conjunction that joins the clauses.
2. The hedgehog emerged after its hibernation.
3. Many animals are born in spring when the weather is warmer and food is
more plentiful.
4. The Irish hare is found across the island of Ireland, but nowhere else.
5. If there is a late frost, the flowers in the garden may die.
6. When Mark heard the breeze blowing, he ran to fetch his kite.
7. St Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th.
8. I love walking among colourful wildflowers, so spring is my
favourite season.
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Spring Compound and Complex Sentences
Task 2
Write the main clause in each sentence.
1. The lambs, which were born in March, raced around the field.
2. Bluebells, David’s favourite flowers, carpeted the woodland floor.
3. If there is an April shower, I will race outside to stomp in the puddles.
4. Many migrating birds, such as swallows, chiffchaffs and swifts, return to
Northern Ireland in the springtime.
5. There is a cherry tree in our garden that my brother planted.
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Spring Compound and Complex Sentences
Task 1
Answers
Read each spring-themed sentence and decide whether it is an example of a simple,
compound or complex sentence. The first one has been done for you.
1. The birds began the dawn chorus and Elaine heard their song.
Compound
There are two main clauses:
The birds began the dawn chorus. Elaine heard their song.
The word ‘and’ is the conjunction that joins the clauses.
2. The hedgehog emerged after its hibernation. Simple
3. Many animals are born in spring when the weather is warmer and food is more
plentiful. Compound
4. The Irish hare is found across the island of Ireland, but nowhere else. Complex
5. If there is a late frost, the flowers in the garden may die. Complex
6. When Mark heard the breeze blowing, he ran to fetch his kite. Complex
7. St Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th. Simple
8. I love walking among colourful wildflowers, so spring is my favourite season. Compound
Task 2
Write the main clause in each sentence.
1. The lambs, which were born in March, raced around the field.
The lambs raced around the field.
2. Bluebells, David’s favourite flowers, carpeted the woodland floor.
Bluebells carpeted the woodland floor.
3. If there is an April shower, I will race outside to stomp in the puddles.
I will race outside to stomp in the puddles.
4. Many migrating birds, such as swallows, chiffchaffs and swifts, return to Northern Ireland
in the springtime.
Many migrating birds return to Northern Ireland in the springtime.
5. There is a cherry tree in our garden that my brother planted.
There is a cherry tree in our garden.
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