Helping English

Sentences Classified According to Structure

Depending on its structure, a sentence can be classified as SIMPLE, COMPOUND, COMPLEX or COMPOUND – COMPLEX.

1. SIMPLE sentence contains one independent clause and no subordinate clause.

A SIMPLE sentence may contain a compound subject, a compound verb, and any number of phrases.

Example:  Uncle Jim taught me how to play the piano. [SIMPLE]

The above sentence is a SIMPLE sentence: it contains subject [Uncle Jim], verb [taught], object [me] and the phrase [how to play the piano].

A SIMPLE sentence may have a compound subject:

The spotted owl and the golden warbler are found in this region. [compound subject]

A SIMPLE sentence may have a compound verb:

My old bicycle looks terrible but works just fine. [compound verb]

Note: The length of a sentence does not determine its classification. A simple sentence can be just a few words or can have many phrases.

Examples:

1. The word robot originated from the Czech word robota. [single subject and verb]
2. After the lunch the guest and the host went out for a walk in the nearby park. [compound subject]
3. Will you call the restaurant and book two seats? [compound verb]

2. A COMPOUND sentence contains two (2) or more independent clauses and no subordinate clauses.

The independent clauses in a COMPOUND sentence may be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet), by a semicolon (; ) and a conjunctive adverb (however, then, therefore, etc) or a transitional expression (as a result, in fact, by the way, etc).

Examples:

1. He was late for the lecture; consequently, the professor didn’t let him in. [joined with semicolon and conjunctive adverb]
2. Jane has graduated from the college, and she is looking for a job. [ two independent clauses joined with a comma and conjunction]
3. His story sounded incredible, but it was true. [two independent clauses joined with a comma and a conjunction]

3.  A COMPLEX sentence contains one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.

While we were on vacation in Washington, D.C., we visited the Folger Shakespeare Library. [The independent clause is we visited the Folger Shakespeare Library. The subordinate (dependent) clause is While we were on vacation in Washington, D.C.]

4. COMPOUND-COMPLEX sentence contains two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate (dependent) clause.

My mom just spoke to Mr. Jim, who runs the neighborhood watch program, and he told her about last night’s meeting. [ The two independent clauses are My mom just spoke to Mr. Jim and he told her about last night’s meeting. The subordinate (dependent) clause is who runs the neighborhood watch program]

  Exercise:

Identify each of the following sentences as simple, compound, complex or compound-complex.

1. Many Malaysians believe that sickness will follow the eating of stolen food.
2. England and France are countries in Europe.
3. After they arrived, they turned on the lights.
4. Amy Tan’s mother believed that her daughter would someday be famous.
5. Is he smarter than his brother?
6. He knew that he was well prepared for the exam, but he could not help feeling nervous on the exam day.
7. The book that my father bought me was very interesting.
8. I offered him help, but he refused to accept it.
9. You can take a train or a bus.
10. The sky is cover cast; it is going to rain.

Key: 1 complex – 2 simple – 3 complex – 4 complex – 5 simple – 6 compound-complex – 7 complex – 8 compound  - 9 simple – 10 compound