Sentences

Simple, compound, complex

Simple sentences

subject + verb

Simple sentencesCan have a

compound subject

Ex. Mary and John rode the bus.

Don’t use a comma!

Simple sentences

can have a compound verb

Ex. Mary skipped and ran

in P.E.

• Don’t use a comma!

Compound sentences

Subject verb + subject verb

Separate with a comma & a conjunction (AND, OR,

BUT)!Make sure both sides have

a subject and verb!

Complex sentences

Subject & verb + subject & verbBUT

One half has a subordinating

conjunction attached to it.

Ex. since, although, until, so that, etc.

Complex sentencesSubordinating conjunction comes at the front of the

dependent clause.The part of the sentence w/ the sub.

conjunction is called the dependent clause.

*It is dependent because it can’t stand alone.*

Complex sentencesThe part of the sentence w/

NO sub. conjunction is called the

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE(because it can stand

alone— independently—as a complete sentence.)

Complex sentences

Before the game started, she fell.dep. clause ind. clause

sub. conj. “before”

Why does this sentence have a comma?

Complex sentences

She fell before the game started.

This sentence is like the one before EXCEPT that the dependent clause is at the end. (It’s

underlined.)

Does this sentence need a comma?

Complex sentences

If a dependent clause comes at the beginning, put a comma

after it.

If a dependent clause comes at the end, DON’T use a comma.

Complex sentencesEx. She told me to study so that

I would make good grades.(dep. clause underlined; no comma)

Ex. So that I would make good grades, she told me to study.(dep. clause underlined; has a

comma)

Complex sentences

If you eat too much, you might throw up.

Which is the dependent clause?The independent clause?

Why does it have a comma?

Complex sentences

I didn’t study although I knew I had a test.

Complex sentences

Even though Mary is tired, she does her very best.

Complex sentences

If you watch too much T.V., you will go blind.

Complex sentences

I fell off the porch after I laughed too hard.

Complex sentences

Unless you win the lottery, you should stay

in school.

Complex sentences

After school I took a long nap.

Complex sentences

Will you give us time to study before the test?

Complex sentences

When you walk down the street, look out for

cars.

Complex sentences

Remember…Each side of a complex

sentence contains a subject and a verb;

A prepositional phrase does not contain a verb!

Now look at your Complex Sentence

handout!