Types of Sentences Created By, Ms. Jennifer Duke

There are three basic types of sentences: 1) Simple Sentences2) Compound Sentences3) Complex Sentences

Simple SentenceA simple sentence consists of a single independent clause (IC), which itself contains a subject (noun) part, a predicate (verb) part, and an appropriate mark of punctuation. (An object part, which generally follows the predicate part, is optional.) Simple sentences can range from very short to very long independent clauses.

Examples of Simple Sentences

Lisa drove. Lisa drove her car from Minneapolis

to Milwaukee. Lisa drove her 13-year-old, rusty

Mustang, which had 150,000 miles and no air conditioning, from Minneapolis to Milwaukee on a steamy July day.

Compound Sentence

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses (IC’s). These clauses are connected either with a semi-colon or with a comma and coordinating conjunction such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (think "fanboys" to remember these).

Examples of Compound Sentences

Toby wanted to become a doctor; he applied to medical school.

Toby wanted to become a doctor, so he applied to medical school.

Complex SentenceA complex sentence consists of one independent clause (IC) connected to one or more dependent clauses (DC’s). A dependent clause, like an independent clause, contains a subject and a predicate; however, the dependent clause begins with one of the following words: as, after, although, because, if, since, or while.

Examples of Complex Sentences

oBecause I couldn't fall asleep last night, I'm very tired today.

o I'm very tired today because I couldn't fall asleep last night.

Directions: Identify whether each of the following sentences is simple, compound, or complex.

#1

The snow bank is tall.

#2

I ate the yellow snow, and I got sick.

#3

Because I ran into a tree while sledding, I

got a concussion.

#4

After I woke up this morning, I brushed

my teeth.

#5

I went snowshoeing in the mountains.

#6

Snowboarding is my favorite sport.

#7The cold

temperature gave me frostbite; my

fingers almost fell off.

#8

Dogs pull sleds in Alaskan dog sled

races.

#9As I started a fire in my igloo, I noticed

that the walls began to melt.

#10

It was cold in the house, so I started a fire in the fireplace.

#11

I turned on the computer.

#12

I jumped in the snow bank.

#13

My stomach was full, but I still ate another

slice of pizza.

#14

I wanted to buy the blue sweater, yet my brother wanted me

to buy the red sweater.

#15

As I drifted off to sleep, snow fell

lightly outside of my window.

Answers

#1

The snow bank is tall.

Simple

#2

I ate the yellow snow, and I got sick.

Compound

#3

Because I ran into a tree while sledding, I

got a concussion.Complex

#4

After I woke up this morning, I brushed

my teeth.Complex

#5

I went snowshoeing in the mountains.

Simple

#6

Snowboarding is my favorite sport.

Simple

#7The cold

temperature gave me frostbite; my

fingers almost fell off.

Compound

#8

Dogs pull sleds in Alaskan dog sled

races.Simple

#9As I started a fire in my igloo, I noticed

that the walls began to melt.Complex

#10

It was cold in the house, so I started a fire in the fireplace.

Compound

#11

I turned on the computer.

Simple

#12I jumped in the snow

bank.

Simple

#13

My stomach was full, but I still ate another

slice of pizza.

Compound

#14

I wanted to buy the blue sweater, yet my brother wanted me to buy the red sweater.

Compound

#15

As I drifted off to sleep, snow fell

lightly outside of my window.

Complex