Simple, Compound,
Complex Sentences
 Independent clauses CAN
STAND ON THEIR OWN.
They are complete sentences on
their own!
 They lived on the
 Computers are
tiny island
 Our friends were
extremely terrified
 Their car was
demolished
wonderful tools
 The calendar
needs to be
updated
 Dependent clauses do not make sense if they stand
alone.
 They begin with a subordinating conjunction (if, so,
when, after, because, before, while, until, since, etc.)
 Dependent clauses CANNOT
STAND ALONE.
They require HELP!!!
 Since she was late to
 While we are
school today
 Until we win the big
game
 After she travels to
Europe
speeding down the
interstate
 When I go to my old
elementary school
 If you like anchovies
on your pizza
Sentences
 A simple sentence consists of one independent clause.
An independent clause contains a subject and a
predicate and expresses a complete thought.
 During the game, Jasmine scored 23 points, had 6
assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots.
 Tim is a really good pitcher and hitter.
 A compound sentence consists of two or more
independent clauses that are connected by a comma
and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or,
yet, so)—or a semicolon instead of FANBOYS
 I like to be very active in my life, and my favorite sports
are football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and hockey.
 Compound sentences are formed when two
independent clauses are joined with a
comma and a conjunction (for, and, nor, but,
or, yet, or so)
 The two dogs barked at us viciously, so we
quickly rode away from them!
 Complex sentences are formed when one
dependent clause and one independent clause
are joined.
 When I watch a football game, I get very loud
sometimes.
 I get very loud sometimes when I watch a
football game.
 A complex sentence consists of an independent
clause and one or more dependent clauses.
 Using a subordinating conjunction (because, although,
even though, after, because, if, etc.) creates a dependent
clause. Using a relative pronoun (who, whom, that, or
which) creates a dependent clause.
 I would really love my English class if we didn’t have to
do so much writing.
 These also consist of more than one clause: a
dependent and an independent.
 The key is to find the subordinating conjunction in the
sentence which is either at the beginning with a
comma in the middle of the sentence before the
independent clause, or in the middle with no comma
and an independent clause at the beginning of the
complex sentence.
 After, although, as, as far as, as if, as long as, as soon







as, as though
Because, before, besides
Even though, even if, ever since
If, in order that
Since, so that
Than, that, though
Unless, upon, until
When, whenever, where, wherever, whether, while
 ABE IS TUW
 SIMPLE: INDEPENDENT
 COMPOUND: INDEP + INDEP
(AND, BUT, FOR, NOR, OR, SO, YET)
 COMPLEX: INDEP + DEP
(AFTER, ALTHOUGH, EVEN THOUGH, BECAUSE,
WHEN, THAT, WHICH, WHO, WHOM)
 Ever since I started the 7th grade at Granite Oaks
Middle School, I have changed so much as a person.
 It is a Complex sentence because “ever since” serves as
a subordinating conjunction that connects the
introductory dependent clause to the independent
clause.
 I like pizza, chicken wings, and cheerleaders very
much!
 It is a Simple sentence because even though it has the
coordinating conjunction “and” in it, there is not a
complete sentence after the word “and.”
 I don’t know why people sometimes run into poles, but
those who do so are really embarrassed.
 It is a Compound sentence because the coordinating
conjunction “but” connects two independent clauses.
 I would love to give everyone an A for all their work;
however, it would take everyone to do all of their work
and their best work.
 It is a compound sentence because the semicolon “;”
connects the two independent clauses.
 I especially like Mr. Victor’s class after we get to leave
his room.
 It is a Complex sentence because the subordinating
conjunction in the middle of the sentence “after” joins
the dependent clause with the introductory
independent clause.
 I would like to play football, basketball, baseball,
softball, soccer, or just about any other sport as well.
 It is a Simple sentence because even though it has
commas in it, the items are just a list. Plus, even
though it has a FANBOYS in it, what follows the “or” is
not a complete sentence.