Name _________________________ Date ____________
Sentences - Simple, Compound, Complex
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence contains a subject and a predicate, and expresses one complete
thought. The subject is the part about which something is being said. (the who or the
what) The predicate tells about the subject. (the do or the does)
SUBJECT + PREDICATE = SENTENCE
The simple subject is the main word or words in a complete subject.
Ex: The strong wind tore the buildings apart.
The complete subject includes all the words that tell who or what the sentence is about.
Ex: The strong wind tore the buildings apart.
The simple predicate is the main word or words in the complete predicate of a sentence.
Ex: Tall, snow-capped mountains reach high into the sky.
The complete predicate includes all the words that tell what the subject is or does.
Ex: Tall, snow-capped mountains reach high into the sky.
A compound subject is when two or more simple subjects have the same predicate. Join two
or more simple subjects in a compound subject with and or or.
Ex: Sun and sand make Hawaii a popular vacation spot.
A compound predicate is when two or more predicates have the same subject.
Ex: A leopard sprawls along a limb and relaxes in a tree.
Examples of simple sentences:
1. Have you seen Mr. Nelson’s garden at the back of the house?
2. Wandering aimlessly up the path, Mr. Cutter approached the house.
3. Susan sang a solo and accompanied herself on the piano.
4. The dog and the cat howled and barked.
5. Leaning first this way and that, the large tan dog with a wide collar
barked loudly at the full moon last night.
6. Lighthouses shine lights at ships.
7. Smoking is bad for your health.
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence contains two simple sentences joined by a conjunction.
SUBJECT + PREDICATE + CONJUNCTION + SUBJECT + PREDICATE = COMPOUND SENTENCE
The clauses are joined by a comma + FANBOYS or a semicolon
Coordinating Conjunctions: FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
*A semi-colon (;) acts as a coordinating conjunction.*
Examples of compound sentences:
1. The dog barked, the cat yowled, and the rabbit chewed.
2. Chewing gum is unattractive, but it is good for your teeth.
3. Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.
4. Mary and Samantha left on the bus before I arrived, so I did not see
them at the station.
5. The manager did not approve the plan; he suggested several changes.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence is created with an independent clause and a dependent clause
joined by a subordinate conjunction. A clause is a group of words that has a subject and
a predicate. An independent clause is a sentence that can stand alone. A dependent
clause cannot stand by itself. It depends on an independent clause to complete a
thought.
The subordinating conjunctions are: after, although, as, when, while, until,
because, though, whether, unless, before, if, even though, whatever,
whenever, since
Examples of complex sentences:
1. David paid his bill after eating his meal.
2. Because Mary and Samantha arrived at the station before noon, I did not
see them.
3. While he waited at the station, Joe realized that the train was late.
4. Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the station after
they left on the bus.
*** Tip: When the dependent clause comes first, a comma should be used to
separate the two clauses. When the independent clause comes first, a comma
should not be used to separate the two clauses.