Types of Sentences

Grade 5 Intro to Sentence Fluency

Simple Sentences
Contains a subject (who/what) and a predicate (what
they person or thing is doing).
Expresses a complete thought.
A simple sentence is also called an independent clause.

Simple Sentences
Examples:
We like pizza.
The boys went to the park.
Your examples?

Compound Sentences
Contains 2 or more independent clauses (simple
sentences).
Clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction.
Whats a conjunction?

Compound Sentences
Examples:
The boys went to the park, but they did not go to the
zoo.
We like pizza, and we like spaghetti.

Compound Sentences
Tip:
To identify a compound sentence, look for these conjunctions:
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So

Compound Sentences
Worksheet Practice

Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains an independent clause and
at least one dependent clause.
An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence
and makes a complete thought and a dependent
clause can not stand alone, even though it has a subject
and a verb.

Dependent Clauses
Dependent clause begins with a subordinating
conjunction.

Dependent Clauses
Examples
When the president arrives
Because I cant wait for the bus
As if he knew what was going to happen
Than his sister can
If you can work on Sundays

Complex Sentences
Contains an independent clause and a
dependent clause.
Dependent clause begins with a subordinating
conjunction.
What is a subordinating conjunction?

Complex Sentences
Examples
Because the boys went to the park, they did not
go to the zoo.

The boys did not go to the zoo because they

went to the park.

Complex Sentences
Find the subordinating conjunction in these complex
sentences:
1. When he handed in his homework, he forgot to
give the teacher the last page.
2. The teacher returned the
homework after she noticed the error.
3. The students are studying because they have a test
tomorrow.

Complex sentences
4. After they finished studying, Juan and Maria went to the
movies
5. Juan and Maria went to the
movies after they finished studying.

Practice: Simple, Compound, or

Complex?
The weather has been nice but it may
snow again any day.

Practice: Simple, Compound, or

Complex?
Ever since the big blowout, she and I
havent gotten along.

Practice: Simple, Compound, or

Complex?
Dad brought candy because he felt bad.

Practice: Simple, Compound, or

Complex?
If you want to go on the trip, you should
bring your signed permission slip and Ill
collect it before we go.

Practice: Simple, Compound, or

Complex?
I left before the fight started.

Practice: Simple, Compound, or

Complex?
Candy rots your teeth and TV makes you
lazy, but I still like them.

Practice: Simple, Compound, or

Complex?
He will call your home unless you are passing.