Sentence Structure
Experienced writers use a variety of sentence structures. Use an assortment of the following
types of sentences in your writing. (See page 1214 in your textbook for more information.)
Simple – sentence has one independent clause and no dependent clauses.
Example: Most of the villagers had not traveled more than forty miles from home.
Compound – sentence has two or more independent clauses but no dependent clauses.
Tip: Look for coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) or semicolons (;).
Example: Dante is afraid, but Virgil beckons him to follow.
Example: The final circle is reserved for traitors; each one is frozen beneath the ice.
Complex – sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Example: The narrator feels that her mother died happy.
Compound-Complex – sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one
dependent clause.
Example: The chief cannot believe the men, but once they leave, his own stool speaks to
him!
Sentence Type
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-Complex
Independent Clauses
1
2 or more
1
2 or more
Dependent Clauses
0
0
1 or more
1 or more
Examples of all four types:
o I did not finish my English homework. (simple)
o I did not finish my English homework, but I will catch up in tutoring. (compound)
o Because I forgot my book, I did not finish my English homework. (complex)
o Because I forgot my book, I did not finish my English homework, but I will catch up in
tutoring (compound-complex)
Review Terms:
Clause – A group of words containing a subject and predicate
Independent Clause – A clause that can stand alone as a sentence
Dependent Clause – A clause that cannot stand alone as a full sentence and functions as a noun,
adjective, or adverb within a sentence. (also called subordinate clause)