Simple sentences

A simple sentence has a subject and a verb. e.g. The food is cooking The subject is the food and the verb is cooking. My uncle lives in Palmerston North The subject is ____________ and the verb is _____

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Now try these identify the subject and the verb The new teacher lost his keys. My next door neighbours play terrible music. The man asked us for directions. My sister is learning the piano. Alan went to the gym.

The following sentences are simple sentences. They are jumbled up. Work out the right word order and write the sentences out correctly. Then identify the subject and the verb in each sentence. 1 2 3 4 5 6 book. the torn Pages were from Mary We two ago. weeks saw grow Weeds garden. my in vegetable tall on hill The trees cut were the down. didnt excuse My teacher. the fool holiday. need all We another

Most simple sentences can also be changed into a question. e.g. The girl opened the window. - Did the girl open the window? The lion pounced. Did the lion pounce? The boat sank. Did the boat sink?

Compound Sentences
Compound sentences are made up of two or more simple sentences joined by a conjunction. (or separated by a semi colon) She entered the room. (one verb) She did not sit down. (one verb) These are both simple sentences and can be joined with a conjunction e.g. She entered the room but she did not sit down. (2 verbs) It is important that both parts (clauses) of the compound sentence make sense on their own. e.g. They came home exhausted because they had been on a long run. The cat slept on the couch while the dog barked.

Make compound sentences out of these pairs of simple sentences. 1 2 3 4 The girls work hard. The boys are lazy. Shall I phone him? Will you send him a text? The audience burst into applause. The hall echoed with the clapping. Carnivorous animals are predators. Herbivorous animals feed on plants. Elizabeth went out shopping. Michael helped with the dishes.

You can have more than 2 sentences that go to make up a compound sentence. e.g. Elizabeth went out shopping. Michael helped with the dishes. Hannah sat watching television. Elizabeth went out shopping and Michael helped with the dishes, but Hannah sat watching television.

Try putting these simple sentences into 8 compound sentences. 1 2 3 4 The rain is falling. The clouds are grey. It is not cold. The dog barked. The cat ran out of the open door. Mum yelled. Janet is going to the park. Aroha is meeting her there. They will be back around 4pm. The lion crouched. The hunter dropped to one knee. He raised his gun. John walked along the street. He turned around the corner. He saw his house. Mere is a good hockey player. She was chosen for the team. Hopefully her skills will help them win. The play ended. The actors bowed to the audience. The curtain came down. She came home very late. She was very tired. She went straight to bed.

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Coordinating Conjunctions and but or yet for nor so

These are usually used between 2 clauses that can stand independently.
Here are some examples of compound sentences using these conjunctions: It was almost April and the school year was going way too fast. Angela and I are going to stay here and watch the sunset. I am going to go home but I will have to wait for the bus. I have to go to school or I will have to get a job!

Complex Sentences
Complex sentences have a main clause with one (or more than one) subordinate clause, with a verb in each. e.g. After the girl had written the address on the envelope, she posted the letter. The MAIN clause is the one which can exist on its own. She posted the letter. The SUBORDINATE clause has a verb but cant exist on its own. After the girl had written the address on the envelope. Identify the verbs and the main clause in these sentences The audience burst into applause, calling for an encore. The little boy refused to go to bed when his mother told him. The fox that killed the chickens has been caught.

Subordinating conjunctions are used with a clause that depends on the rest of the sentence for its meaning. She took to the water as if she had been born to swim competitively. I caught the bus so that I wouldnt have to walk home. I will stay here unless it gets too cold. I will wait until the next bus comes. She will clean up after she cooks dinner.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions

after although as as if as long as as though because before even if even though

if if only in order that now that once rather than since so that than that

though till unless until when whenever where whereas wherever while

Sentences overview
A simple sentence has only one verb and a subject. A compound sentence is made up of 2 or more simple sentences with verbs in each, joined by a conjunction. A complex sentence has a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses, with a verb in each. Only the main clause can exist on its own. Label these as simple, compound or complex: 1 Someone will win lotto this weekend. 2 We meet every weekend because we want to keep in touch. 3 The cat came inside and ate its food. 4 She gave me a biscuit.

Compound Complex Sentences

A compound-complex sentence is made from two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. Some examples: 1. Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with. independent clause: "I haven't had the time to go lately" independent clause: "I haven't found anyone to go with" dependent clause: "Although I like to go camping... " 2. We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that we were wrong. independent clause: "We decided that the movie was too violent" independent clause: "(but) our children thought that we were wrong" dependent clause: who like to watch scary movies

Review of sentences
Simple sentences have one verb: "I was wearing my powder-blue suit, with dark blue shirt, tie and display handkerchief, black brogues, black wool socks with dark blue clocks on them." The cat sat on the mat. Compound sentences can be formed in two main ways: (1) using coordinating conjunctions (and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet); (2) using the semicolon "They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom. "Always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't go to yours." Complex sentences are sentences that contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Martina laughed when her mother dropped a pie upside down on the floor. "The Scarecrow and the Tinman stood up in a corner and kept quiet all night, although of course they could not sleep." Compound Complex Sentences are sentences with two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. "The door of the morning room was open as I went through the hall, and I caught a glimpse of Uncle Tom messing about with his collection of old silver." I know you dont have the jewellery any more, because you gave it to your sister, so maybe you wont have anything nice to wear tonight!