Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences February 15, 2012

Read and Observe • It was my birthday. I asked for a bike. My parents bought me a red bike. It had white stripes on the fenders. I like to ride my bike everywhere. I like to ride on smooth pavement best. I am not allowed to ride on the sidewalk. People walk on the sidewalk. I ride on the bike trail in the park.

I. Simple Sentences • All of the sentences in the paragraph above are simplesentences No, that’s not an insult; it is the grammatical term for them . • These sentences are also called independentclauses—they are independent because they can stand alone.

I. Simple Sentences cont. • Simplesentences have the components that all independent clauses need to possess: • A subject • A verb • Express a complete thought

II. Compound Sentences • -There are absolutely no compoundsentences in the paragraph above. If the author had used a few compoundsentences, the flow of the paragraph would likely be less choppy for the reader. • Compound sentences combine two independentclauses.

Compound Sentence Type One • Mr. Goldberg drove to Malley’s Chocolate Shop, and he purchased a box of chocolates for Ms. Long. • How are the independent clauses combined?

Compound Sentence Type Two • Ms. Long purchased a Circus Devils record for Mr. Goldberg’s birthday; he loves listening to music. • How are the independent clauses combined?

Compound Sentence Type Three • Ms. Long loved the chocolates Mr. Goldberg gave her; however, she had to work out an extra thirty minutes the next time she went to the gym. • How are the independent clauses combined?

Writing Compound Sentences • Compound Sentences can be successfully written in three ways: • Type One: Insert a comma and a coordinating conjunction between the two independent clauses. • Examples of coordinating conjunctions: • For, and, nor, but, or, yet, so: FANBOYS

Writing Compound Sentences • Type Two: Insert a semicolon between two independent clauses that are closely related.

Writing Compound Sentences • Type Three: Insert semicolon and a conjunctive adverb followed by a comma between the two independent clauses. • Examples of conjunctive adverbs: • Therefore, instead, meanwhile, still, also, nevertheless, or however.

Complex Sentences • A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses connected to it. • A dependent clause cannot stand on its own because it does not express a complete thought.

Examples of Dependent Clauses • Examples of dependent clauses include the following: • because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon • while he waited at the train station • after they left on the bus

Dependent Clauses • Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. • Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions: • After, although, as, because, before, how, if, once, since, than, that, though, until, when, where, whether, while, etc.

Complex Sentence Type One • Although Alejandro despises asparagus, he ate it to please the chef. • How is the sentence constructed? Where is the dependent clause located? How is it attached to the independent clause?

Complex Sentence Type Two • Pilar has earned an A in language arts since she began working with a tutor. • How is the sentence constructed? Where is the dependent clause located? How is it attached to the independent clause?

Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences