Types of Sentences

By using different sentence types, the writer will engage the reader by creating variety. This will add interest and hold the reader's attention.

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Common Core standard L.7.1.b

Simple Sentence

What it is: A simple sentence has only one subject and one verb, though either of those may have compound elements.

Examples: The dog ran. (simple subject, simple verb) The dog and cat ran. (compound subject, simple verb) The dog ran and jumped. (simple subject, compound verb)

How to identify it: A simple sentence will only contain one independent clause. If you find a dependent clause, or multiple independent clauses, in the sentence, it is not a simple sentence.

Why it matters: Simple sentences are particularly effective as last lines. They lend themselves to wrapping up thoughts – or stating sudden ones. By using simple sentences mixed with those of longer structure your writing will have more variety and thus be more enjoyable to read.

Compound Sentence

What it is: A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined with a comma and a coordinating conjunction or with a semicolon. In other words, simple sentence + simple sentence = compound sentence. There will not be any dependent clauses in a compound sentence.

Note: When writing a compound sentence, make sure to have a comma and coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) OR a semicolon between the clauses. Having nothing between the sentences creates a run-on, and only a comma between clauses creates a comma splice.

Warning: Don’t confuse a simple sentence with compound elements with a compound sentence. A compound sentence will have a subject (simple or compound) that goes with a verb (simple or compound) and then ANOTHER subject / verb pair.

Examples: Stuart likes to eat cheese, but Jimothy likes to eat bacon. The dog and cat run, and the horse and goats sleep. I didn’t do my homework, so now I have detention.

How to identify it: If a sentence has two independent clauses, it is compound. Either of the clauses can contain compound elements.

Why it matters: Too many simple sentences in a row can get repetitive and boring. Joining two simple sentences together is a great way to add sentence variety to your writing. (Of course, be careful not to overuse these sentences either!)

Complex Sentence

What it is: A complex sentence has one dependent clause and one independent clause. The independent clause is known as the main clause and would be a complete sentence if it stood alone. The dependent clause can go before or after the main clause. If the dependent clause comes first, there is a comma after it.

Examples: (Dependent clause is underlined) Because Stuart ate his vegetables, he gets dessert. I don’t know why he did that. We will see the movie after the previews.
How to identify it: Most dependent clauses start with subordinating conjunctions. There’s no good way to remember them, so I use the acronym AAAWWWWUUBBIS: after, although, as, when, while, whenever, wherever, until, unless, before, because, if, since. If you see one of these words, what follows is usually a dependent clause. Other words that start a dependent clause are relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, what, which) and relative adverbs (when, where, why). The trick to identifying complex sentences is to first find the dependent clause. If there’s more to the sentence (a main clause), then the sentence is complex.

Be careful: Not every sentence that contains one of these words is complex. For example: Where are you? This sentence is complete by itself – it has only one main clause, making it a simple sentence.

Why it matters: Adding dependent clauses is a great way to provide more context around the main clause. They show temporal (time) or causal relationships between ideas, and they can further describe a concept in the sentence.

Compound-Complex Sentence

What it is: If you’re familiar with compound sentences, and you’re familiar with complex sentences, then you already understand compound-complex sentences. These are sentences that take elements from both compound sentences (two independent clauses) and complex sentences (at least one dependent clause).

Examples: After filing for bankruptcy, Stuart sold his house, and he moved to Florida. (dependent clause + independent clause + independent clause) Jimothy swam in the ocean, and Stuart built a sandcastle when they went to the beach. (independent clause + independent clause + dependent clause) While they waited for their porridge to cool, the three bears went for a walk, and Goldilocks broke into their house because she wasn’t well-versed in manners. (dependent clause + independent clause + independent clause + dependent clause)

How to identify it: Start by finding the dependent clause. If there isn’t one, you can’t have a compound-complex sentence. Once you have found a dependent clause, identify all the independent clauses. If there are two, you have a compound-complex sentence.

Why it matters: Compound-complex sentences are great for adding length to your writing. However, just like simple sentences shouldn’t be overused, neither should compound-complex sentences. Just because you can write three very long sentences in a row doesn’t mean you should. However, compound-complex sentences are a good choice when several ideas go together, especially when showing time- or cause-relationships between them.

Sentence Types: Practice!
Identify the type of sentence for each of the examples. Bonus: Find and label the clauses.

The dog ran.

Mares and does eat oats.

No one ate the meatloaf because it was green.

Please open your books to page fifteen, but do not start reading until I give directions.

The grass was too long, so Jimothy mowed it.

Answers

Simple (one independent clause)

Simple (one independent clause, though it has a compound subject)

Complex (No one ate the meatloaf = independent clause; because it was green = dependent clause)

Compound-Complex (Please open your books to page fifteen = independent; do not start reading = independent; until I give directions = dependent; “but” is a coordinating conjunction)