CLASSIFICATION OF SENTENCES

SIMPLE SENTENCES -COMPOUND SENTENCES -COMPLEX SENTENCES –

COMPOUND COMPLEX SENTENCES
The traditional definition of a simple sentence is: “A group of words that contains a
finite verb and makes a complete sense."
Sentences may be simple, compound, complex and compound complex.
A. Simple Sentences
A simple sentence is the one that contains a finite verb (and only one finite verb).
A simple sentence is composed, usually, of two parts, the subject and the predicate.
The basic sentence patterns of simple sentences:
1. S + V
2. S + V + C
3. S + V + A
4. S + V + O
5. S + V + O + O
6. S + V + O + C
7. S + V + O + A
B. Compound sentences
A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses usually connected
by coordinating conjunctions (coordinators). In a compound sentence, all the independent
clauses are of equal rank.
E.g. John bought the tickets and Mary parked the car.
There was no moon that night and, as a result, they took the wrong turning.
The picture is not an original: in other words, it’s a forgery.
Two simple sentences may be combined into one compound sentence without any
conjunction to link them together. In this case, they must be separated by a colon, a comma or
a semi-colon.
E.g. He is rich but he’s unhappy.
He is rich; he’s unhappy.
He is rich: he’s unhappy.
Sometimes, in order to avoid repetition, some parts of the compound sentence may be
omitted.
E.g. Man is guided by reason, beast (are guided) by instinct.
My father wanted me to be a doctor and my mother (wanted me to be) a teacher.
 In a compound sentence, all the clauses are of equal importance and can stand on their
own.
• The following coordinative conjunctions (and adverbs) connect the clauses of a
compound sentence.
a) Copulative: and, not only... but also..., neither... nor..., now, then and others.
Copulative conjunctions express that two ideas are connected.
E.g. She drew up the curtain and the room was flooded with bright golden light.
Not only was he dissatisfied but also he was extremely indignant.
Neither the moon was visible in this dark night nor were the stars.
b) Disjunctive: or, otherwise, else, either... or, etc. Disjunctive conjunctions indicate
choices:
E.g. We must hurry or we will miss the train.
You must carry your raincoat along, otherwise you will get wet in the rain.
Either you speak clearly or I do not understand what you say.
c) Adversative: but, yet, still, nevertheless, however, etc. Adversative conjunctions
denote that two ideas contradict each other.
E.g. You can cross the river here, but be careful of the swift flow.
I tried to persuade her to stay, still she would insist on leaving at such a late hour.
She repeated it three times, yet I could not understand what it meant.
d) Causal: for
E.g. I could not buy it, for it is impossible for me to afford it.
We cannot see the moon, for dark clouds cover the sky.
e) Resultative: so, therefore, accordingly, then...
E.g. It is getting late, then we had better go home.
She did not feel well for some days, so she decided to go and see her doctor.

C. Complex sentences
In traditional grammar, a complex sentence contains a main clause and one or more
subordinate clauses. The subordinate clause must be a finite clause and can be the Noun clause,
the Adjective clause or the Adverb clause.
E.g. He realises that he hasn't understood his father.
The man who knows no foreign language knows nothing about his mother tongue.
(Geothe)
When I was answering the telephone, he came back because he had forgotten his hat.
D. Compound complex sentences:
A compound complex sentence consists of two or more independent clauses and at least
one dependent clause
E.g. You should leave early or you have to stay overnight because the gate will be locked in
ten minutes.

PRACTICE EXERCISES: &

Classify the following sentences according to structure. If the sentence is a complex or a
compound complex, pick out the finite subordinate clause(s).
1. I'm glad that my mother made me take piano lessons when I was a child.
2. Joe jumped into the river to rescue the little girl who was drowning even though he wasn't a
good swimmer.
3. I knew that I should get some sleep, but I just couldn't put my book down because I was
really enjoying it.
4. Thomas was thirsty yet he refused to drink the water that I offered him.
5. The Comedian made people laugh by telling jokes and making funny faces.
6. Most 15th century Europeans believed that the world was flat and that a ship could
conceivably sail off the end of the earth.
7. Please tell me soon whether you will go or not so that I can decide what I'm going to do.
8. My sister can fall asleep under any conditions, but I can't get to sleep unless the light is off
and the room is perfectly quiet.
9. The cheapest way to get from an airport to a hotel is to take an airport bus, but I'm not sure
if River City has one.
10. I asked Angela to run the office while I 'm gone since I know I can depend on her.
11. You'd better give me your answer quickly, or else I 'll withdraw the invitation.
12. As long as you 're going to the fruit market, would you please pick up a few apples for me?
13. Even though Jack hates going to the dentist, he should see his dentist soon because he has
a very bad toothache.
14. Robert is totally exhausted after playing tennis whereas Marge isn't even tired despite the
fact that she ran around a lot more during the game.
15. I'm sorry you 've decided not to go with us on the river trip, but if you change your mind
there will still be enough room on the boat for you.