SIMPLE, COMPOUND, AND
COMPLEX SENTENCES
SIMPLE AND COMPOUND
SENTENCES:
• So far you have studied only simple sentences. A simple sentence has a
subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought. Sometimes two
simple sentences can be combined into one sentence called a compound
sentence. The simple sentences are joined by a comma and a connecting
word like and, or, or but.
Simple Sentences:
Compound Sentence:
Mary is a scientist.
Mary is a scientist, and she travels often.
She travels often.
• Do not confuse a compound sentence with a simple sentence that has a
compound subject, a compound predicate, or both. A compound
sentence has a subject and a predicate on each side of the connecting
word.
Compound Subject
Ann and I do research.
Compound Predicate
We write reports and read them
aloud.
Compound Subject and
Compound Predicate
She and I study and work together.
Compound Sentence
Ann types the report, and I
proofread it.
“TRY IT OUT”:
Which sentences are compound sentences? Which are simple sentences with
compound subjects or predicates? What is the connecting word that joins the
parts of each compound sentences?
1. Ancient people in Peru made long lines, and they drew huge pictures of
animals.
2. Oversized images were drawn, but they are a mystery.
3. Some lines are forty miles long, and some pictures are the size of two
football fields.
4. Dirt, rocks, and stones were cleared from a dark layer of earth.
5. A sandy layer showed up clearly, and it still shows today.
“ON YOUR OWN”:
Label each sentence simple or compound.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Buses and planes bring tourists to Washington, D.C.
Spring is here, and its breezy.
I see cherry trees and smell their sweet blossoms.
The Capitol has Saturday tours, but the FBI is closed then.
The city is a symbol of the nation’s history, legacy, and
unity.
6. Washington is named for George Washington, and D.C.
stands for District of Columbia.
CONJUNCTIONS:
• The connecting words and, or, and but are called
conjunctions. You can use conjunctions to make subjects,
predicates, and sentences compound. The conjunction
that you use depends on your purpose.
• Use and to add information.
• Use or to give a choice.
• Use but to show contrast.
I can swim and dive.
Does he sail or swim?
I swim, but Lee sails.
“TRY IT OUT”:
Choose the best conjunction.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Shall we sail now (but, or) wait until later?
The wind is strong, (or, and) the waves are high.
We might tip over (but, or) freeze out there!
Sailing is a joy (but, and) not in bad weather.
We could water-ski, (but, and) the sea is rough.
You (and, but) I should shoot baskets instead.
“ON YOUR OWN”:
Write and, or, or but to complete each sentence.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
John, Sue, _____ I can steer.
Help us raise the sail _____ pull up the anchor.
I brought the picnic lunch, _____ I forgot the juice.
We can sail to that island _____ stop now for a swim.
John _____ Sue both want to go there.
CONTINUATION:
Choose the best conjunction.
1. Today Joe (and, or) I sail together.
2. We can sail to an island (or, but) stay near the coast.
3. I like the island, (and, but) Joe likes the coast better.
COMPLEX SENTENCES:
• You have learned that simple sentences can be joined by the words and, or, or but
to form a compound sentence. Simple sentences can also be joined by other words
to form a complex sentences.
Simple Sentence
I spotted the snake. It slid away.
Compound Sentence
I spotted the snake, and it slid away.
Complex Sentence
After I spotted the snake, it slid away.
I spotted the snake before it slid away.
• The words and, or, and but are coordinating conjunctions. They join sentence parts
that are equal in importance, such as the parts of a compound sentence. The parts
of a complex sentence, on the other hand , are joined by a subordinating
conjunction. Subordinating conjunctions subordinate one sentence part to another.
That is, they make one part less important than another.
• Coordinating Conjunction I spotted the snake, and it slid away.
• Subordinating Conjunction I spotted the snake before it slid away.
• Subordinating Conjunction After I spotted the snake, it slid away.
CONJUNCTIONS IN COMPLEX
SENTENCES:
TIP: If the
subordinating
conjunction begins
the sentence, use
a comma after the
first part of the
sentence.
after
because
since
when
although
before
unless
whenever
as
if
until
while
“TRY IT OUT”:
• Is each sentence simple, compound, or complex? If it is compound, what
is the coordinating conjunction? If it is complex, what is the subordinating
conjunction?
1. Consider the slow, soundless, isolated life of snakes before you judge
them.
2. Snakes have no legs, but they can slither along the ground rapidly.
3. Snakes cannot move forward on glass because the surface is too
smooth.
4. The number of snakes is decreasing as people build on open land.
5. Although not all snakes are deadly, humans often fear them.
6. Treatment for certain snake bites must be quick, or the person may die.
7. Snakes are solitary creatures and even hunt alone.
8. If you come upon a snake, do not disturb it.
“ON YOUR OWN”:
• For each sentence, write simple, compound, or complex. For
each compound or complex sentence, write the conjunction.
1. Pythons seem scary because they can be so large.
2. While some pythons are only three feet long, others may grow
to thirty feet.
3. Most pythons swim and climb with ease in their tropical
environment.
4. Although pythons do not bite, they can be very dangerous.
5. Spotted pythons can be deadly, but they can also be quite
beautiful.
6. Some of these colorful snakes change from yellow to green as
they grow.