The Simple Sentence
These sentences contain only one subject-verb combo and express a complete thought.
Example: The Simple Sentence
The duck quacked.
Missy could have bought a Vaio computer or a Mac computer.
Example: Simple sentences with more than one subject
Peaches and pears are very sweet.
Example: Simple sentences with more than one verb
The boy ran and swam all day at summer camp.
Example: Simple sentences with several subjects and verbs
Every Christmas Eve, my parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins eat dinner and open presents.
Practice 1
Practice what you’ve learned. Complete the simple sentences, adding one or more subjects, one or more verbs, or both.
1.The ____________________ is usually crowded today.
2.____________________ and ____________________ are excellent toppings for pizza.
3.A have to ____________________ and ____________________ before the bank closes.
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4.After work on Fridays ____________________, ____________________, and ____________________ often ____________________ together in the park.
The Compound Sentence
These sentences contain two or more complete thoughts, which could each stand alone as an independent statement. However, to make a compound sentence, you do this by combining two simple sentences of equal importance, forming a compound sentence. Don’t forget to add a comma plus a joining word (also known as a coordinating conjunction), such as and, but, or so, between the two complete thoughts.
Example: Simple sentences combined to form a compound sentence
I am hungry.
The pizza delivery man is late.
These two simple sentences can be combined to form one compound sentence:
I am hungry, but the pizza delivery man is late.
Example: Compound Sentence
The puppies are adorable, but mom doesn’t think I know how to take care of a dog.
*But means “however”
Example: Compound Sentence
The cover is torn off this book, and the last few pages are missing.
*And means “in addition”
Example: Compound Sentence
I have to be at work early tomorrow, so I left the party an hour early.
*So means “as a result”
Practice 2
Practice making compound sentences by using a comma and a suitable coordinating conjunction to combine the simple sentences:
1.Melissa is normally outgoing. She seems quiet and shy today at work.
______________________________________________________
2. All of the Christmas presents are wrapped. I put the wrapping paper and boxes away. _______________________________________________________
3. Jacob turned sixteen a week ago. He still doesn’t have his driver’s license.
_______________________________________________________
The Complex Sentence
These sentences contain one independent statement and at least one dependent statement, which can not stand alone.
Example:
When it snows, we can’t drive our car without chains.
The second statement in this sentence is independent. It can stand alone as a simple sentence. The first statement is dependent because it can not stand alone as a simple sentence. This dependent statement depends on the rest of the sentence to complete the thought. Dependent statements begin with dependent words (also known as subordinating conjunctions) such as, after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, where, and while. A dependent statement also includes a subject and a verb.
* Don’t forget to put a comma at the end of a dependent statement that begins a new sentence, as in the example above.
Practice 3
Combine the two simple sentences into a complex sentence. Use the rules above to help you.
1. Strawberries become ripe. They must be picked quickly. _______________________________________________________
2. Jeff broke out in red blotches. He walked through a patch of poison ivy.
_______________________________________________________
3. I was nervous all morning. I had a dance recital that afternoon.
_______________________________________________________
