SIMPLE SENTENCE

A simple sentence is a sentence that consists of just one independent clause

A simple sentence has no dependent clauses
EXAMPLES
1. I cannot drink warm milk.
2. A day without sunshine is like night.
3. The prisoner escaped.

A simple sentence is not always a short, basic sentence like the four examples
shown above. A simple sentence could have a compound subject (i.e., a subject with
two or more simple subjects). For example:
 Jack likes walking.
(This is a simple sentence with one simple subject ("Jack").)
 Jack and Jill like walking.
(This is a simple sentence with a compound subject made up of two
simple subjects ("Jack" and "Jill").)
A simple sentence could also have a compound predicate (when two or more verbs
share the same subject). For example:
 Jack likes fishing.
 (This is a simple sentence with a normal predicate, i.e., there's just
one main verb ("likes").)
 Jack likes fishing but hates hunting.
(This is a simple sentence with a compound predicate. The subject
"Jack" is the subject of two verbs ("likes" and "hates").)
 Jack likes walking and fishing but hates running and hunting.
(This is still a simple sentence with a compound predicate. The
subject "Jack" is still the subject of two verbs ("likes" and "hates"), but
you can see how a simple sentence could start to get quite busy.)

Exercise
1. The company offers freebies. It wants to attract customers.
2. James Mathews is the president of the club. He is an eloquent speaker.
3. You press this button. You can operate the machine.
4. The patient was given the best medical attention. Still doctors couldn’t save him.
5. He gave up his studies. He did so with reluctance.
6. The batsman was hurt by a bouncer. He went back to the pavilion.
7. The sea was rough. We cancelled the voyage.
8. It was a small cot. I couldn’t sleep on it.
9. He was deserted by his friends. He lost hope.
10. The girl was carrying a basket on her head. She walked towards the market.
Answers
1. The company offers freebies to attract customers.
2. James Mathews, an eloquent speaker, is the president of the club.
3. You can operate the machine by pressing this button.
4. In spite of giving the patient the best medical attention, the doctors couldn’t save him.
5. He reluctantly gave up his studies.
6. Hurt by a bouncer, the batsman went back to the pavilion.
7. The sea being rough, we cancelled the voyage.
8. The cot being small, I couldn’t sleep on it.
9. Deserted by his friends, he lost hope.
10. Carrying a basket on her head, the girl walked towards the market.
 COMPOUND SENTENCES

Before we dive deeper, a few clarifications:

 A compound sentence is a sentence that has two independent clauses

and a conjunction (FANBOYS). (FOR, AND, NEITHER, BUT, OR, YET, SO)

 F - For: reasons
 A - And: addition/next action
 N - Nor: not one or the other
 B - But: contrasting and unexpected results
 O - Or: choices and conditions
 Y - Yet: contrasting and unexpected results
 S - So: actions taken

1. A compound sentence is a group of two or more sentences that are

combined together by a coordinating conjunction.
2. Coordinating conjunctions are used to join two or more independent
clauses.
3. Examples of coordinating conjunctions: FANBOYS

4. Below are two simple sentences. Both are independent clauses because they

each have their own subjects and verbs.

I have a pet iguana. His name is Fluffy.

5. To combine them into a compound sentence, we simply add a comma plus

the coordinating conjunction and.

I have a pet iguana, and his name is Fluffy.

6. Alternatively, we can make a compound sentence by adding only a semicolon

and the sentence is still correct.

I have a pet iguana; his name is Fluffy.

7. Be careful of sentences with two subjects or two verbs—these are not the

same as compound sentences. The following sentence is not a compound

sentence because there is only one subject and because what comes after

the conjunction “and” is not an independent clause:

I came here to chew bubble gum and study grammar.

8. However, you can turn this sentence into a compound sentence by adding

another independent clause with a second subject:

I came here to chew bubble gum and study grammar, but I’m all out of gum.

COMPLEX SENTENCES AND COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCES

A complex sentence contains both a dependent clause and an independent

clause.
A complex sentence is comprised of a dependent clause and an independent clause
that begins with a subordinator.
Subordinators(SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS) include words such as
although, because, unless, until, and though.
DEPENDENT CLAUSE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
1. a complete thought such as 1. cannot stand alone and does
'stay outside'. not make sense by itself for
example 'until it rains'

COMPOUND COMPLEX: A compound sentence that has a subordinate or

dependent clause

Compound sentences are formed when two independent clauses (also called a
simple sentence) are joined by a coordinating conjunction

The seven coordinating conjunctions are; for, and, nor, but, or yet, so.

 The study group was getting tired, but they kept on working.

HOW TO WRITE A COMPOUND COMPLEX SENTENCES:

1. Choose your main clauses. Compound-complex sentence structure

always includes two independent clauses. Your independent clauses
should contain a subject and a verb phrase, enabling them to stand
on their own. “I’m going to the mall” and “I need to grab my wallet”
are two examples of simple sentences that are also independent
clauses.
2. Choose your dependent clause. Attaching a dependent clause to
your sentence turns it from a compound sentence to a compound-
complex sentence. Modifying the independent clause “I need to grab
my wallet” with the dependent adverbial clause “before I go” will turn
one of your clauses into a complex sentence.
 3. Join the clauses with a conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions
such as “for,” “yet,” “and,” and “but” are the connectors that help link
your main clauses together. “I’m going to the mall but I need to grab
my wallet before I go.”
4. Add your punctuation. A comma usually precedes the coordinating
conjunction. In this case, your coordinating conjunction is “but”,
before which you will add a comma to make the final sentence “I’m
going to the mall, but I need to grab my wallet before I go.” If the
phrase starts with a dependent clause, the comma should come right
after your clause.

EXAMPLES:

 When he woke up, he was late for work, and his boss was very upset.
 He will get to read a book, but first, he has to complete an assignment after
he finishes eating.
 They performed very well, but their dresses were wet because it rained the
whole time.
TIPS FOR COMPLEX:

AS, ALTHOUGH, AFTER, WHILE, WHEN, UNLESS, BECAUSE, BEFORE, IF,

SINCE, IN ORDER TO, AS LONG AS

TIPS FOR COMPOUND:

FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, SO

ACTIVITY 1: (COMPLEX SENTENCES)

FIND YOUR PAIR!

DEP
because my
although my
many people
although the
if the ozone l
although I am
when we go
before we lea
unless you h
while Max wa

ACTIVITY 2: COMPOUND COMPLEX

MULTIPLE CLAUSES!

1. Mia left for school _____ her mother could tell her the good news, _____
fortunately she came back a minute later.
2. _______ Ali ____Kamal cannot go to the school, ______ they are suspended
from school.
3. Kate doesn’t like cartoons ______they are loud, ___ she doesn’t watch them.
4. He enjoys playing badminton ______ watching television during his free time,
____________ no one disturbs him.
5. Birds fly south _____ the worms rejoice _________ they are free from
hunting.
6. Jimmy _____ makes his own life miserable, decided to change for the better
________ Mrs Siti was absolutely delighted.
7. ______ I grow up, I want to be a doctor, ___ my mom will be proud of me.
8. There was heavy traffic in the neighbourhood, ______I used the GPS to find
a quicker route, __________ get there on time.
9. _______ she was a vegetarian, she refused to eat the meat, ______ she
was more than happy to eat the potatoes.
10. She was sad ____ lost her appetite, ____ her favourite celebrity died last
month.
11. I’d only ask a bike from my father _____ commuting to work, _______ he
could buy me a car.