Simple Compound Complex
DEFINITION: A simple sentence has one independent clause which means it has one subject and one verb. Either or both can be compound. Also, a simple sentence can have adjectives and adverbs. What a simple sentence can't have is an additional independent clause or any subordinate clauses. An independent clause (unlike a dependent clause) can stand alone as a sentence. • A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses. The independent clauses can be linked in one of two ways. A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses. An independent clause (unlike a dependent clause) is able to stand alone as a sentence. In a compound sentence, the two clauses are attached using: a conjunction with a comma (e.g., ", and") a semicolon a colon (This is rare because the words after a colon are not often an independent clause.) a dash a conjunction with a semicolon (e.g., "; and") • A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and as a minimum one dependent clause. The independent clause is referred to as the “main clause.” These sentences use secondary conjunctions to join ideas. HOW TO: Example of a simple sentence • Americans eat more chicken than they eat any other meat. one subject, one verb • I cannot drink warm water. • The moon reflects its glory. Example of compound sentence • Oprah Winfrey and Rosie Perez host talk shows. compound subject, one verb • Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. (Albert Einstein, 1879-1955) • There used to be a real me, but I had it surgically removed. (Peter Sellers, 1925-1980) Example Complex sentence • My daughter combs and brushes her hair. one subject, compound verb • Stay in the bed until the phone rings. • The wheel chair rolled to Mrs. Johnson, who had slipped off the pavement.? Everyday Use: Simple Compound Complex is used every day in reading and writing.
English Language Arts
