Sentence Types

 

Simple: A simple sentence, also called an independent clause, contains a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a verb (an action or state of being), and it expresses a complete thought.

 

Examples:

John likes to eat chocolate cake.

My friend lives in Chicago.

 

Compound: A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinator (also called coordinating conjunctions). The coordinators are as follows: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. (Helpful hint: The first letter of each of the coordinators spells FANBOYS, which is why they are sometimes called the FANBOYS words.)

 

Examples:

Francis is a hardworking student, and he is also kind to his classmates.

I love going to the beach, but I hate it when I get sand in my shoes.

Theresa had worked all day on her assignment, so she decided to take a break.

 

NOTE: Whenever there are two independent clauses, coordinators are always preceded by a comma.

 

Complex: A complex sentence has an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. A complex sentence always has a subordinator such as because, since, after, although, or when (and many others) or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which. 

 

Examples:

After they had completed all their homework, Sam and Kelly went out for ice cream.

When I am in the mood, I can really get into writing poetry.

Liam applied for a job at Fortinos because he needed to earn money for university.

 

 

NOTE: When the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, a comma is required after the dependent clause (just like this sentence.)  However, if the dependent clause follows the independent clause, a comma is not required.