Simple, Compound, Complex Sentences

1. Simple, Compound, Complex Sentences

2. The Rules • 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.

3. Simple Sentence • It can have a FANBOYS in it; just check to see if what comes both before and after the FANBOYS are complete sentences. If they are, it can’t be a simple sentence. • It can have a comma in it with a series, some interrupting information offset by two commas, or an introductory prepositional phrase with a comma.

4. The Rules • 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.

5. Compound Sentences • They have two complete sentences that can stand on their own as two independent clauses • The key is to find one of the FANBOYS with a comma before it and a complete sentence on both sides of the FANBOYS. • It may also be identified by having a semi-colon without FANBOYS joining the two sentences.

6. The Rules • A complex sentence consists of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. Using a subordinating conjunction (because, although, 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.

7. Complex Sentences • 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.

8. Subordinating Conjunctions • 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

9. What kind of sentence is below? • Ever since I started the 7th grade at Granite Oaks Middle School, I have changed so much as a person.

10. Answer • It is a Complex sentence because “ever since” serves as a subordinating conjunction that connects the introductory dependent clause to the independent clause.

11. What kind of sentence is below? • I like pizza, chicken wings, and cheerleaders very much!

12. Answer • 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.”

13. What kind of sentence is below? • I don’t know why people sometimes run into poles, but those who do so are really embarrassed.

14. Answer • It is a Compound sentence because the coordinating conjunction “but” connects two independent clauses.

15. What kind of sentence is below? • 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.

16. Answer • It is a compound sentence because the semicolon “;” connects the two independent clauses.

17. What kind of sentence is below? • I especially like Mr. Victor’s class after we get to leave his room.

18. Answer • 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.

19. What kind of sentence is below? • I would like to play football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, or just about any other sport as well.

20. Answer • 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.