NAME: ______________________________________
Date due: 10/1
Assignment: Compound/Complex sentences
Directions: You are responsible for writing FIVE (5) Compound sentences, and FIVE (5) Complex sentences using
the TEN vocabulary words below. Remember the rules these sentence structures:


COMPOUND Sentence – joining two independent clauses with a CONJUNCTION (FANBOY)
COMPLEX Sentence – joining at least one INDEPENDENT clause and a DEPENDENT clause with a
SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTION (while, when, unless, until, even though, wherever, whether, how, no
matter, that, than, in order that, etc. (see your notes for other subordinate conjunctions). If the sentence
begins with a subordinate clause, a comma comes after the subordinate clause.
Terms
Definitions
1.
rigid
unbending, firm, inflexible
2.
misconstrues
to misunderstand the meaning of; take in a wrong sense; misinterprets
3.
secular
not pertaining to or connected with religion
4.
plausible
likely, probable, credible
5.
diligently
done or pursued with persevering attention; painstaking
6.
scrutiny
a close and searching look or examination
7.
obscured
not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain
8.
indivisible
9.
subvert
undermine the principles of; corrupt
10.
disdain
a feeling of contempt of anything regarded as unworthy; scorn
not separable into parts; incapable of being divided
ANSWER SHEET
Sentences: Simple, Compound or Complex?
Read the following sentences. Check the box marked “simple” if it is a simple sentence.
Check the box marked “compound” if it is a compound sentence. Check the box marked
“complex” if it is a complex sentence. You may use your notes.
1. We have to go to bed when the clock chimes ten o’clock.
❑ Simple ❑ Compound ❑ Complex
2. Jennifer liked William’s friend, and she also liked his cousin.
❑ Simple ❑ Compound ❑ Complex
3. The big brown dog ran after the blue and red ball.
❑ Simple ❑ Compound ❑ Complex
4. James and Eve rode their bicycles after they ate lunch.
❑ Simple ❑ Compound ❑ Complex
5. The teacher and the principal met in the hall near the library.
❑ Simple ❑ Compound ❑ Complex
6. Many brave soldiers fought in the war, and they received medals.
❑ Simple ❑ Compound ❑ Complex
7. The drummers played a long time, but the piano players stopped early.
❑ Simple ❑ Compound ❑ Complex
8. Before the queen rode in the parade, she gave a speech.
❑ Simple ❑ Compound ❑ Complex
9. After midnight the ghosts will come out of the haunted attic.
❑ Simple ❑ Compound ❑ Complex
10. She dropped the pan and the plate, but she held on to the spoon.
❑ Simple ❑ Compound ❑ Complex
1. We have to go to bed
when the clock chimes ten o’clock. Complex
a. WHEN is a subordinate conjunction
2. Jennifer liked William’s friend,
and she also liked his cousin. Compound
3. The big brown dog ran after the blue and red ball. Simple
4. James and Eve rode their bicycles
after they ate lunch. Complex
5. The teacher and the principal met in the hall near the library. Simple (Near is a
subordinate conjunction, but it is not followed by a dependent clause – remember, a
dependent clause still has a subject and a verb – “the library” is only a subject)
6. Many brave soldiers fought in the war, and they received medals. Compound
7. The drummers played a long time, but the piano players stopped early. Compound
8. Before the queen rode in the parade, she gave a speech. Complex
9. After midnight the ghosts will come out of the haunted attic. Simple (see #5)
10. She dropped the pan and the plate, but she held on to the spoon. Compound