Simple, Compound, Complex Sentences

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Answer It is a Complex sentence because

“ever since” serves as a subordinating conjunction that connects the introductory dependent clause to the independent clause.

What kind of sentence is below?

I like pizza, chicken wings, and cheerleaders very much!

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.”

What kind of sentence is below?

I don’t know why people sometimes run into poles, but those who do so are really embarrassed.

Answer It is a Compound sentence because

the coordinating conjunction “but” connects two independent clauses.

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.

Answer It is a compound sentence because

the semicolon “;” connects the two independent clauses.

What kind of sentence is below?

I especially like Mr. Victor’s class after we get to leave his room.

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.

What kind of sentence is below?

I would like to play football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, or just about any other sport as well.

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.