Simple, Compound and Complex SentencesBy Michal Kirschneradapted by Elana Spector-Cohen

Types of SentencesSimple sentencesCompound sentencesComplex sentences

I. Simple Sentences One verb only! Must have at least a subject and a verb. May have more than one subject, object or complement.

adv adj nv adv Vadv adj nsvO/CAdv,

adv adj nv adv Vadv adj nsvoAdv,Interestingly, a very brave explorer has just found an extremely big cave.

II. Compound Sentences Two or more independent sentences that are connected together. The information in each sentence is equally important.

s v oJohn likes ice cream.

s v oMary likes chocolate.

s v oJohn likes ice cream

s v oMary likes chocolate.andbut

The south of the country is arid and hot; the north is green and lush.

Connecting expressions help us see if the connected sentences are: on the same level (equally important) not on the same level (not equally important)

Signals: Compound Sentencessignals logical relationships and, neither...nor or, either...or but addition choice contrastPunctuation: semicolon (;), commas (,)

III. Complex Sentences Two or more clauses that are connected together. The information is NOT equally important. More important = main (independent) clause Less important = subordinate (dependent) clause

Strategy for Analyzing All Complex SentencesFind the signal for the subordinate clause(s)Isolate the subordinate clause(s)Go back to what you have left that is the main clauseAnalyze the main clause (divide into rooms and find the important words and then words that describe)Go back to the subordinate clause and analyze that too

The subordinate clause is completely outside the main clause.Complex Sentence: Type AMain ClauseSubordinate ClauseSubordinate Clause

Signals: Complex Sentence Type A = CONNECTORS if, once by the time, until in order to although, despite because, sinceSignalsLogical Relationships conditional time purpose concession cause & effect

Although John loves ice cream, he doesnt eat any sweets. s v o S V O

1. We wont buy the statue, if it is so expensive.

1. We wont buy the statue, if it is so expensive.

1. We wont buy the statue, if it is so expensive. S V O s v c

S V O We wont buy the statue, if it is so expensive. S V O s v c

They got lost because they lost the map.

They got lost because they lost the map.S V Cs v o

S V C They got lost because they lost the map. S V C s v o

We will help you, as long as we can.

We will help you, as long as we can.

We will help you, as long as we can.S V Os v

S V O We will help you as long as we can. S V O s v

The subordinate clause is inside the main clause. It describes the noun group directly before it (either the subject, object or complement group)Complex Sentence: Type BS V O/CMain Clausesubordinatesubordinate

Signals:1. Relative pronouns (who, whom, that, which, that, whereby, etc.)2. Two nouns or verbs next to each other (n n v v)3. An adjective after a noun (n adj)4. A noun and then a passive verb without the helping verb (to be)5. A noun and then a verb+ing without to be

Logical Relationship:Description or identification

SignalsRelative pronounswhowhosewhomwhichthatwhereby

The ceremonial fighting routines that have developed in the course of evolution are highly characteristic of each species.

The ceremonial fighting routines that have developed in the course of evolution are highly characteristic of each species.

The ceremonial fighting routines that have developed in the course of evolution are highly characteristic of each species.

The ceremonial that have are characteristic of fighting evolved in each species. routines the course of evolution

Hilary Clinton, who served in Obamas government, wrote a book about the role of the community in educating children.

Hilary Clinton, who served in Obamas government, wrote a book about the role of the community in educating children.

Hilary Clinton, who served in wrote a book about Obamas the role of the government, community in educating children.

Paleontologists have discovered a new type of dinosaur that lived 7 million years ago.

Paleontologists have discovered a new type of dinosaur that lived 7 million years ago.

Paleontologists have discovered a new type of dinosaur that lived 7 million years ago.Paleontologists have discovered type S V O

A scientist who was trained at Harvard University discovered a gene that could account for several types of cancer.

A scientist who was trained at Harvard University discovered a gene that could account for several types of cancer.

A scientist who was trained at Harvard University discovered a gene that could account for several types of cancer.Scientist discovered gene

The first person little Jackie approached in a crowded Brooklyn shopping center two days before Christmas ignored her.In the following sentence, what doesnt follow the rules of English?

The first person little Jackie approached in a crowded Brooklyn shopping center two days before Christmas ignored her.In the following sentence, what doesnt follow the rules of English?There are two nouns and two verbs together:N1 + N2 + V1 + V2

The first person little Jackie approached in a crowded Brooklyn shopping center two days before Christmas ignored her.

The first person little Jackie approached means: The first person whom little Jackie approached....How do we know that a subordinate clause has started when we do not have a signal like who, that, etc.?

How do know that the relative clause is finished and we have returned to the main clause?When the subordinate clause is after the subject, the second verb means we have returned to the main clause. It is the verb of the main clause. For the main clause, the first noun goes with the second verb: N1 + N2 + V1 + V2

The first person little Jackie approached ...ignored her.S s v V O

The theory he developed was confirmed.

The theory he developed was confirmed.that

The people responsible for the disaster have been identified.In the following sentence, what doesnt follow the rules of English?

The people responsible for the disaster have been identified.In the following sentence, what doesnt follow the rules of English?

The adjective comes after the noun instead of before it.Therefore, the signal and the verb of the subordinate clause are missing.who are

The people who are responsible for the disaster have been identified.

Children removed from their mothers at birth for brief periods suffer much higher incidences of child abuse.In the following sentence, what doesnt follow the rules of English?

Children removed from their mothers at birth for brief periods suffer much higher incidences of child abuse.In the following sentence, what doesnt follow the rules of English?

There is a passive verb without to be.Therefore, the signal and the helping verb of the subordinate clause are missing.who were

Children who were removed from their mothers at birth for brief periods suffer much higher incidences of child abuse.

The subordinate clause is inside the main clause, but does not describe the noun before it. The subordinate clause IS the subject, object or complement of the main clause.Complex Sentence: Type C

The subordinate clause is inside the main clause, but does not describe the noun before it. The subordinate clause IS the subject, object or complement of the main clause.Complex Sentence: Type CVMain ClauseSO/C

Signals that (at the beginning of the sentence or after the verb) what, how, why, where, whether, etc. (question words) whatever, whoever, whenever starts with to + verb (infinitive clause) starts with verb-ing (gerund clause)

How you get the money is your own problem.

How you get the money is your own problem.

How you get the money is your own problem.

How you get the money is your own problem.

How you get the money is your problem. s v o V C S

The judge asked him why he had done it.

The judge asked why he had done it.

The judge asked why he had done it.

The judge asked why he had done it. S V s v o O

Whether an act is deviant depends on how other people react to it.

Whether an act is deviant depends on how other people react to it.

Vs v cs v oSO WhetherhowWhether an act is deviant depends on how other people react to it. s v c V s v v S O

In the following sentences:Where is the main verb?What part of the sentence is a whole clause?

That the world is round was discovered by Christopher Columbus.

That the world is round was discovered by Christopher Columbus.

S-V-CVS

That children seem to enjoy competitive games says nothing about the games educational impact.

That children seem to enjoy competitive games says nothing about the games educational impact.S V OV OS

These studies on anatomical asymmetries in the brain indicate that the biological sex differences in brain organization are probably dynamic.

These studies on anatomical asymmetries in the brain indicate that the biological sex differences in brain organization are probably dynamic.

These studies on anatomical asymmetries in the brain indicate that the biological sex differences in brain organization are probably dynamic.

To be recognized in the long run as an achiever means living long enough to begin to savour ones accomplishments.

To be recognized in the long run as an achiever means living long enough to begin to savour ones accomplishments.

To be recognized in the long run as an achiever means living long enough to begin to savour ones accomplishments. S V C

Releasing these people would somewhat balance the cost of long-term imprisonment for the violent criminal.

Releasing these people would somewhat balance the cost of long-term imprisonment for the violent criminal.

Releasing these people would somewhat balance the cost of long-term imprisonment for the violent criminal. S V O

I dont know why she swallowed a fly. I guess shell die.

I dont know why she swallowed a fly. I guess (that) shell die.

I dont know why she swallowed a fly. I guess (that) shell die.S V OS V O