Compound and Complex

Sentences

Simple SentenceA simple sentence is a complete thought. It has a complete subject and a complete predicate.

Example: Michael Jordan was a great athlete.Com

plete subject

Complete

predicate

Compound Sentence

A compound sentence contains two simple sentences joined by a comma and a conjunction (FANBOYS- see next slide).

Example: Fans waited many hours to see him, but Michael never let them down.

Complex Sentence

A complex sentence contains ONE independent clause (can stand alone) and ONE or more dependent clauses (cannot stand alone).

Example: Even though Michael Jordan was a great player, he still practiced his skills daily.

Compound-Complex Sentence

A compound complex sentence contains MORE THAN ONE independent clause and AT LEAST ONE dependent clause.

Example: Since Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team, many thought he would quit, and others thought he would persevere.

Name that sentence!

Some students like to study in the morning.

TYPE: WHY?:

simplecompoundcomplex

compound-complex

simple

contains a complete subject and a complete predicate

Name that sentence!

I tried to speak Spanish, and my friend tried to speak French.

TYPE: WHY?:

simplecompoundcomplex

compound-complex

compound

contains two simple sentences joined by a comma and a conjunction

Name that sentence!

When he handed in his homework, he forgot to give his teacher the

last page.

TYPE: WHY?:

simplecompoundcomplex

compound-complex

contains ONE independent clause and ONE or more dependent clauses

complex

III

NDE

PE

NDE

NT

II DEPENDENT

Name that sentence!

Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't found

anyone to go with.

TYPE:

WHY?:

simplecompoundcomplex

compound-complex

contains MORE THAN ONE independent clause and AT LEAST ONE dependent clause.

compound-complex

II DEPENDENT

III

NDE

PE

NDE

NT

III

ND

EP

EN

DE

NT

Let’s Practice! Choose one of the following links

to play a review game.

Harcourt Sentence Sort

Harcourt Sentence Combining

Harcourt Sentence Camp