The 4 Types of Sentence Structure

Simple Sentence Structure

A simple sentence consists of one independent clause. (An independent clause contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.)

• I like coffee.
• Mary likes tea.
• The earth goes round the sun.
• Mary did not go to the party.

A compound sentence is two (or more) independent clauses joined by a conjunction or semicolon. Each of these clauses could form a sentence alone.

• I like coffee and Mary likes tea.
• Mary went to work but John went to the party.
• Our car broke down; we came last.

Complex Sentence Structure

A complex sentence consists of an independent clause plus a dependent clause. (A dependent clause starts with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun, and contains a subject and verb, but does not express a complete thought.)

• We missed our plane because we were late.
• Our dog barks when she hears a noise.
• He left in a hurry after he got a phone call.
• Do you know the man who is talking to Mary?

• Compound-Complex Sentence Structure

  A compound-complex sentence consists of at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

  

• John didn't come because he was ill so Mary was not happy.
• He left in a hurry after he got a phone call but he came back five minutes later.

1. A simple sentence consists of

 one independent thought
 one independent clause

2. An independent clause contains

 a subject and a verb
 a subject and an object

3. A compound sentence consists of

 one or more independent clauses
 two or more independent clauses

4. Independent clauses can be joined by using

 a coordinating conjunction
 a subordinating conjunction

5. Which is a compound sentence?

 I like walking on the beach with my dog.
 I like walking but my dog likes running.

6. A complex sentence consists of an independent clause plus

 a subordinating conjunction
 a dependent clause

7. A dependent clause can begin with a relative pronoun or a

 a subordinating conjunction
 a coordinating conjunction

8. "I like him because he’s funny." Which is the dependent clause?

 I like him
 because he’s funny

9. Which is a complex sentence?

 I was late because I missed my train.
 We got up late so I missed my train.

10. A compound-complex sentence consists of two or more independent clauses and

 one or more dependent clauses
 two or more dependent clauses