Four types of sentences according to
grammatical structure
The name for each type is derived by determining how many
clauses (independent and dependent) are in the entire group
of words. Don’t count phrases. The following names have
nothing to do with either the length of the sentence or its
meaning.
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex
The Simple Sentence
A simple sentence contains only one independent clause.
(anything below in green is a phrase)
Examples:
The professor wrote a simple sentence to show
his students in his grammar class in LC 353. 16 words
The professor wrote a simple sentence to show
his students in his grammar class in LC 353.
In addition to showing them the first sentence type,
he presented information on the next three types,
including more examples about each to make them better
understand the difference between structures. 31 words
In addition to showing them the first sentence type,
he presented information on the next three types,
including more examples about each to make them better
understand the difference between structures.
The Compound Sentence
A compound sentence contains at least two
independent clauses. (anything below in green is a phrase)
Examples:
The students enjoyed the grammar class, and many
of them even came to class on Fridays.
The students enjoyed the grammar class, and many
of them even came to class on Fridays.
They now had two of the four types explained to them,
so they were ready to learn about the last two, sentences
containing both types of clauses.
They now had two of the four types explained to them,
so they were ready to learn about the last two, sentences
containing both types of clauses.
The Complex Sentence
A complex sentence contains one independent clause
and at least one dependent clause.
Examples:
When he showed them the complex sentence example,
he had them refer to their subordinating conjunction/relative
pronoun handout that he gave them last week.
When he showed them the complex sentence example,
he had them refer to their subordinating conjunction/relative
pronoun handout that he gave them last week.
The professor went on to the last type because he felt
confident that the students understood the first three,
which he explained earlier.
The professor went on to the last type because he felt
confident that the students understood the first three,
which he explained earlier.
The Compound-Complex Sentence
A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent
clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Examples:
Writing a compound-complex sentences is not difficult
to do; a student needs to know the number of clauses needed,
which this PowerPoint show explains.
Writing a compound-complex sentences is not difficult
to do; a student needs to know the number of clause needed,
which this PowerPoint show explains.
After the professor explained the four sentence types,
he gave his grammar students a handout as homework; they
have to complete it for Wednesday.
After the professor explained the four sentence types,
he gave his grammar students a handout as homework; they
have to complete it for Wednesday.
Four types of sentences according to
grammatical structure
What kind of a sentence is the following?
Because of its length, the students looked at this sentence and
thought it might be compound-complex, based on its possibly
having two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause
and being too complex to understand, especially for those
who do not know the four types of sentences.
Because of its length, the students looked at this sentence and
thought it might be compound-complex, based on its possibly
having two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause
and being too complex to understand, especially for those
who do not know the four types of sentences.
Complex
Four types of sentences according to
grammatical structure
What kind of a sentence is the following?
The students were really interested in learning the four types of
sentences according to grammatical structure, which would be
important to them in successive English classes, and they knew
these might help them in future classes at ASU or U of A.
The students were really interested in learning the four types of
sentences according to grammatical structure, which would be
important to them in successive English classes, and they knew
that these might help them in future classes at ASU or U of A.
Compound-complex
Four types of sentences according to
grammatical structure
What kind of a sentence is the following?
The professor showed the last two types to the grammar class,
but he did not give them any hints about the type of this sentence
being compound or simple.
The professor showed the last two types to the grammar class,
but he did not give them any hints about the type of this sentence
being compound or simple. Compound
Four types of sentences according to
grammatical structure
What kind of a sentence is the following?
Almost ending the PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Mugford showed the
class a longer sentence than those on previous slides to emphasize
his point about the name of the type of sentence having nothing to
do with the number of words in it or the meaning of the words, an
important lesson for the students to learn about structure.
Almost ending the PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Mugford showed the
class a longer sentence than those on previous slides, to emphasize
his point about the name of the type of sentence having nothing to
do with the number of words in it or the meaning of the words, an
important lesson for the students to learn about structure.
Simple
Can you identify each grammatical structure?
Well, all the major airlines have raised their fees to
check in baggage; in fact, it's getting so expensive
now to bring bags on board, even people who aren't terrorists
are stuffing things into their underpants. C-CX
The CEO of Starbucks is asking customers to stop bringing guns
into the coffee chain’s stores; “it's our job to rob you guys.” C
Starbucks announced that they don't want customers bringing guns
into their stores while Dunkin' Donuts said there is nothing you
can bring in here that is more dangerous than what we serve. CX
The new found, smallest vertebrate from New Guinea has the tiniest
backbone on the planet, except for members of Congress. S