Simple,+Compound,+and+Complex+Sentences

=Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences 1298344769=

A simple sentence contains one independent clause.
An **//independent clause//** is a stand-alone group of words that has a subject and a verb. Basically, it's a sentence. Example: Ms. Joy laughed hysterically. (//Ms. Joy// is the subject; //laughed// is the verb.)

A simple sentence can have more than one subject (a **//compound subject//**): //Ms. Joy and Ms. Lulua// laughed hysterically in office 13. ...or more than one verb (a **//compound verb//**): Ms Joy //laughed// hysterically and //choked// on her coffee.

Even if the subject and/or verb are compound, the sentence itself is not compound. What makes it a "simple sentence" is that it is ONE subject (even if it's compound) and ONE verb (even if it is compound). A simple sentence can be:
 * subject verb
 * subject subject verb
 * subject verb verb
 * subject subject verb verb
 * ...and so on.

A compound sentence contains two (or more) independent clauses, joined appropriately.
Independent clauses are joined by:
 * comma plus a coordinating conjunction (also known as FANBOYS--//for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so//)
 * Ms. Joy laughed hysterically, and her office mates stared at her strangely.
 * a semicolon, sometimes with a conjunctive adverb (such as //however, therefore, as a result//)
 * Ms. Joy laughed hysterically; her office mates stared at her strangely.
 * Ms. Joy laughed hysterically; therefore, her office mates stared at her strangely.

A complex sentence contains a main independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.
A subordinate clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb, but, unlike an independent clause, it cannot stand alone as a sentence. Subordinate clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions (such as //because, although, while, since, as soon as//). The following is a subordinate clause: //While her office mates stared at her strangely//. This couldn't be a sentence on its own; therefore, you'd have to attach it to an independent clause, like this: //Ms. Joy laughed hysterically __while her office mates stared at her strangely__//.

Punctuation changes in complex sentences, depending on where you put the subordinate clause. Watch the difference between the two sentences (the subordinate clause is underlined):
 * You'll never learn to write better __unless you practice__.
 * __Unless you practice__**,** you'll never learn to write better.

=Quiz yourself!= Decide if these sentences are simple, compound, or complex. (Write your answers on a separate piece of paper.) 1: The teacher walked into the classroom, greeted the students, and took attendance. 2: Juan played football while Juanita went shopping. 3: Juan played football, yet Juanita went shopping. 4: Although Mexico has the better football team, it lost. 5: The island was filled with many winding trails, a small lake, and dangerous wild pigs. 6: Naoki passed the test because he studied hard and understood the material.

Answers
=Sources:= "Sentences: Simple, Compound, and Complex." // Advanced Composition for Non-Native Speakers of English //. Web. 21 Feb. 2011. []. Back to GrammarWiki page