Compound and Complex SentencesBY: LINDA EWONCE

Compound and Complex Sentences are made up of Clauses.

A CLAUSE IS A GROUP OF RELATED WORDS.  A CLAUSE HAS BOTH A SUBJECT AND A PREDICATE.  THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF CLAUSES.

Independent Clause - An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. 

Example: James sat back as the coach headed into the storm.

This sentence expresses a complete thought and can stand alone.

Dependent Clause - A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence. 

Example: but Charlotte still found the road.

This clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone. It depends on more needed information.

Tell whether the clause is dependent or independent.

She walked back to the stage.

Independent Clause

Tell whether the clause is dependent or independent.

After hours of practice.

Dependent Clause

Tell whether the clause is dependent or independent.

When Charlotte returned to the coach.

Dependent Clause

Tell whether the clause is dependent or independent.

The bridge collapsed.

Independent Clause

Tell whether the clause is dependent or independent.

While practicing a clean run.

Dependent Clause

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses that are joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

The wind wouldn’t let up, and the rain came flying in every which direction.

Compound Sentence Example: (identify the independent clauses.)

The horses jibbed, side to side, but she held tight to the ribbons.

Compound Sentence Example: (identify the independent clauses.)

The mud was so thick it reached the hubs, but Charlotte still found the road.

A complex sentence contains a dependent and an independent clauses that are joined by a conjunction.

Charlotte would drive the coach after she convinced James.

In a complex sentence, sometimes the dependent clause begins with the conjunction and comes in front of the independent clause. It is offset by a comma.

While the bridge rocked, the horses reared and whinnied.

Complex Sentence Example: (identify the dependent and independent clauses.)

When they reached the river, it had swelled almost to the bridge supports.

Complex Sentence Example: (identify the dependent and independent clauses.)

If the road was hard, the hooves made a hollow, clopping sound.

Identify the sentence as a compound or complex sentence.

The portly gentleman stayed on the coach until Charlotte convinced him to step out.

Complex Sentence

Identify the sentence as a compound or complex sentence.

Charlotte took off her gloves, and she carefully walked across the timbers.

Compound Sentence

Identify the sentence as a compound or complex sentence.

When they were safely settled on the other side, she walked back for the stage.

Complex Sentence

Identify the sentence as a compound or complex sentence.

Since no one believed in Charlotte, she had to prove herself worthy.

Complex Sentence