TYPES OF SENTENCES

English 6 – LENG 1156

 Simple Sentence

A simple sentence has a subject, a verb, and a complement (optional) and

makes sense by itself. For example,

 The human brain is the command center for the human nervous system. 
 Visual processing takes place in the occipital lobe, near the back of the
skull.
 The parietal lobe integrates input from different senses. 
 Overall brain size doesn't correlate with level of intelligence.
 Compound Sentence
A compound sentence has two simple sentences or independent clauses joined by a
coordinating conjunction. For example,
 The human brain has the same basic structure as other mammal brains, but
Independent clause 11
Comma
it is larger in relation to body size than any other brains.
Independent clause 21
 Complex Sentence
A complex sentence has one independent clause and one dependent clause (it does
not make sense on its own) joined by a subordinator. For example,

 President Obama convened a commission to evaluate the ethical issues

involved in research on the brain whenSubordinating
the project was announced.
Conjunction

 President Obama convened a commission to evaluate the ethical issues involved

in research on the brain when the project was announced.
OR
 When the project was announced, President Obama convened a commission to
evaluate the ethical issues involved in research on the brain. 
(English Language Center – U Victoria)
 Complex Sentence
A complex sentence has one independent clause and one dependent
clause joined by a subordinator.

 Independent clause: President Obama convened a commission to

evaluate the ethical issues involved in research on the brain

 Dependent clause: when the project was announced.

 References
English Language Center - University of Victoria. (n.d.). Compound Sentences. Retrieved June
14, 2017, from http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/410-compound-
sentences.htm
Lewis, T. (2018, September 28). Human Brain: Facts, Functions & Anatomy. Retrieved August
4, 2019, from https://www.livescience.com/29365-human-brain.html