Sentences

Review of Simple Sentences Simple sentences usually follow this order: Subject + Verb = Simple Sentence

Reminder! The subject is a noun (who or what is the sentence about?). The verb is an action or linking word (what did the person or thing do?)

Compound Sentence: A compound sentence is two simple sentences that have come together to form one large sentence. It is usually joined together by a comma and conjunction or a semi-colon.

Compound Sentences: Examples To make a compound sentence, you must combine two simple sentences: I ate a hot dog. I burned my mouth. I ate a hot dog, and I burned my mouth.

The following formula will help you understand compound sentences: Subject + Verb + Conjunction + Subject + Verb = Compound Sentence OR S+V+C+S+V=compound sentence

Definition A complex sentence is made up of two parts: an independent clause and a subordinate clause. The independent clause is a complete sentence that can stand alone, all by itself. The subordinate clause cannot stand alone, it would be a fragment if it was by itself.

Examples of Complex Sentences: When I was younger, I liked Blue’s Clues. Subordinate clause: When I was younger Independent clause: I liked Blue’s Clues.

Another Example: She became famous after she sang on American Idol. Independent clause: She became famous Subordinate clause: after she sang on American idol

Practice: Underline the independent clause twice and the subordinate clause once. When the girl started studying, her grades began to improve. She won a prize when she got the right answer in class. When he was only twenty, he became a famous singer. While I drove the car, my cousin went to sleep.