Sentence Type

Grammar
9th grade
Scott Toler
July 14th , 2009
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References
 Content 1.1 – Simple
Sentences
A simple sentence (independent clause) is formed by a noun, a verb, and a
complete thought. It is the most basic form of a sentence.
• John fed the fish.
John is the noun, went is the verb, and the sentence is a complete thought.

•What is wrong with these sentences?

• Wrote a paper.
• Alicia with the fish.
• Scott went.
Independent Clause

Subject Predicate Complete thought

 Content 1.2 – Compound
Sentence
A compound sentence is formed by joining two independent clauses (simple
sentences) together by a coordinating conjunction, or coordinator.
Coordinators are: and, but, or, yet, for, so, nor
• Susan drove to the store but her mom stayed home.
This sentence joins together two simple sentences (Susan drove to the store
+ her mom stayed home).

What is wrong with this sentence?

• Robert and Alison played guitar and sang.
In this example, we have a compound noun and verb; however, it is still only
one independent clause.
 Content 1.3.1 – Complex
Sentence
A complex sentence is formed by having a independent clause followed by
one or more dependent clauses.
A dependent clause is a sentence which relies on an independent clause
(simple sentence) for meaning. It has a noun and a verb, but it is not a
complete thought without the independent clause
A complex sentence uses subordinating conjunctions (subordinators) or a
relative pronoun.
Some subordinators are: because, since, after, although, when
Some relative pronouns are: that, who, which

All subordinators and relative pronouns

 Content 1.3.2 – Complex
Sentence
• Taylor went to the store because he had no milk.
In this sentence, “he had no milk” is the dependent clause. It has a noun (he)
and verb (had), but it is not a complete thought by itself.
• Lisa watched T.V. after she watered her dog.
• After Lisa watered her dog, she watched T.V.
Both these examples say the same thing, using the same subordinator. But
the second sentence needs a comma. Why?

What is wrong with this sentence?

• He fed because they needed food.
 Content 1.3.3 – Complex
Sentence
An Adjective, or relative, clause is another kind of complex sentence. It uses
the relative pronouns discussed earlier.
An adjective clause uses a dependent clause (thus making it complex) to
describe a noun.
• The town where I grew up is in North Carolina.
• Princeton, where I grew up, is in North Carolina.
In this example, “I grew up” is the dependent clause. It describes the town,
which makes it an adjective clause.
The second sentence requires commas because the independent clause’s
noun is specific, whereas it is general in the first sentence.
Content 1.3.4 – Complex
Sentence
In addition, an adjective clause can also describe nouns that aren’t the
subject of the sentence.
• Miranda joined the army, which defends our country.
In this example, the adjective clause follows the last noun in the sentence.
Though the dependent clause appears to have no subject, “which” is actually
the subject of the clause. As a relative pronoun, “which” is understood to be
army, just as “she” could have been used for Miranda.
 Content 1.4 – Compound-
Complex Sentence
A compound-complex sentence simply combines the ideas of both a
compound and complex sentence into one.
• Keith tried to talk to Lianna after he hung up the phone, but Lianna was
busy.
In this example, there are two independent clauses, “Keith tried to talk to
Lianna” and “Lianna was busy”. In addition, the first sentence also has a
dependent clause, “he got off the phone”.

• After Lauren finished her homework, she watched T.V., but Nathan,
who was a grade behind, was not done with his homework.
In this example, both independent clauses have a dependent clause. The
first sentence has a regular dependent clause, the second has an adjective
clause.
 What type of sentence is the
following?
Elizabeth went to the store, but she
forgot her purse.

A. Simple
B. Compound
C. Complex
D. Compound-Complex
 What type of sentence is the
following?
Stephen ate the hamburger.

A. Simple
B. Compound
C. Complex
D. Compound-Complex
 What type of sentence is the
following?
The dog which was a Poodle played
Frisbee, but he missed the Frisbee.

A. Simple
B. Compound
C. Complex
D. Compound-Complex
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 References

• http://www.eslbee.com/sentences.htm
• http://
www.chompchomp.com/terms/subordina