Sentence TypesUncovering the Secrets of

Sentence Structures

Simple Sentences• A simple sentence contains ONE

independent clause

You will learn to love these grammar

quizzes.

Subject Verb

Independent Clause Gramma

r

Be Careful!Even if the sentence has a compound subject and a compound verb, IT CAN

STILL BE A SIMPLE SENTENCE

Max and I went to Borders and bought The Scarlet Letter.

Compound Sentences• A compound Sentence contains two or more

independent clauses joined by:– A semicolon OR– A comma and a coordinating conjunction.

I tried to make a compound sentence, but I forgot how to make one.

FANBOYSFor And Not But Or Yet SoIndependent

Clause #1

Independent Clause #2

Complex Sentences (Not as complex as you thought…)

• A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one

dependent clause.

Because I wanted to ace my grammar quiz, I studied this power point from beginning to

end.

Dependent Clause

Independent Clause

I am giving you another example since I want you to do well on your

next quiz.

If you’re still not sure about complex sentences, look at this example.

Now I’m positive that you are getting the hang of this!

Green= Dependent Clause

Blue= Independent Clause

Run-On (and on and on and on) “Sentences”

• A Run-on is an improperly joined compound sentence.

Many run-ons are created from this common Comma Error:

PROBLEM: I forgot to read chapter

three, I was too tired last night.

Behold the many solutions to your Behold the many solutions to your problem:problem:

SOLUTION 1: I forgot to read chapter three; I was too tired

last night.

SOLUTION 2: I forgot to read chapter three because I was

too tired last night.

SOLUTION 3:

I forgot to read chapter three. I was too tired last night.

Compound/Complex Sentences• A Compound/Complex Sentence contains at

least TWO independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

You should enjoy reading The Scarlet Letter because Nathaniel Hawthorne practically

spells out all his symbols, and the rest of the authors won’t be as helpful.

Independent Clause #1

Independent Clause #2

Dependent Clause

Quick QuizQuick Quiz• Tired of waking up in the middle

of the night to loud, incessant barking, I made it a point to talk to my dog, Max, about his constant need to “do his business” at two

o’clock in the morning.

A)Compound B) Complex C) Simple

D) Compound/Complex E) Run-on

Wow, that was a mouthful, but the correct answer is:

C) Simple

Tired of waking up in the middle of the night to loud, incessant barking, I made it a point to talk to my dog, Max, about his constant need to “do his business” at

two o’clock in the morning.

In this whole sentence, there is only ONE Subject and ONE Verb.

(A sentence doesn’t have to be short to be a “simple sentence”)