Simple and Compound Sentences

A SIMPLE SENTENCE contains 1 independent clause and no subordinate/dependent clauses. It may have a compound subject, a compound verb, and any number of phrases.

Let's take it one step at a time:

1. An independent clause (also known as main clause or sentence) is just a sentence with a subject and verb that expresses a complete thought, so it can stand alone.

John (the subject) ate (the verb) his lunch at noon (complete thought).

2. A subordinate or dependent clause is group of words that cannot form a complete sentence & cannot stand alone. A subject, verb, or complete thought is missing.

What we need to repair { it leaves us hanging.. repair what? }

3. Compound subejcts and verbs are just that- compound. In science compounds are made up of more that one component, right? It's the same in English.

* Mary, Bill, and Alice went to Birmingham High. (compound subject = more than 1)

* April laughed and cried at the romcom movie. (compound verb = more than 1)

Dad will be waiting at the train station.

You will be amazing in the role.

Making sense???

A COMPOUND SENTENCE contains two (2) or more indepedent clauses and no subordinate/dependent clauses.

So... it's just two sentence you combine.

Oh...how do you combine them, you might ask?

a. semi colon ( ;) if they are related in subject matter.

b. comma ( , ) and a coordinationg conjunction (but, or, yet, so, for, and, nor)

Ex/

• The sky is clear; the stars are twinkling.

• The waves were crashing on the shore; it was a lovely sight.

• There were white-out conditions in the town; therefore, the roads were impassable.

• Check back tomorrow; I will see if the book has arrived.

• She did not cheat on the test, for it was the wrong thing to do.

• I really need to go to work, but I am too sick to drive.

• I am counting my calories, yet I really want dessert.

LET'S SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO...