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Simple and Compound Sentences

Last updated over 5 years ago
10 questions
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.

Whew... what the heck??

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...




10

Mary and Samantha took the bus. What type of sentence is this?

10

Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon, and they left on the bus before I arrived.
What type of senence is this?

10

The little girl was carrying a basket on her head. What type of sentence is this?

10

The boys sang and the girls danced. What type of sentence is this?

10

He is famous, yet he is very humble. What type of sentence is this?

10

The thieves not only robbed the man of his possessions, but also inflicted injuries on him.
What type of sentence is this?

10

I'm looking forward to our dinner tonight; you're going to love dining on the water.
What type of question is this?

10

I am very smart, yet I do not enjoy school. What type of sentence is this?

10

Professor Maple’s intelligent students completed and turned in their homework. What type of sentence is this?

10

Megan and Ron ate too much and felt sick. What type of sentence is this?