Simple, compound, complex Sentences Simple, compound, complex

Simple sentences subject + verb

Simple sentences Can have a compound subject Don’t use a comma! Ex. Mary and John rode the bus. Don’t use a comma!

Simple sentences can have a compound verb Don’t use a comma! Ex. Mary skipped and ran in P.E. Don’t use a comma!

Subject verb + subject verb Compound sentences Subject verb + subject verb Separate with a comma & a conjunction (AND, OR, BUT)! Make sure both sides have a subject and verb!

Ex. since, although, until, so that, etc. Complex sentences Subject & verb + subject & verb BUT One half has a subordinating conjunction attached to it. Ex. since, although, until, so that, etc.

Complex sentences Subordinating conjunction comes at the front of the dependent clause. The part of the sentence w/ the sub. conjunction is called the dependent clause. *It is dependent because it can’t stand alone.*

Complex sentences The part of the sentence w/ NO sub. conjunction is called the INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (because it can stand alone— independently—as a complete sentence.)

Why does this sentence have a comma? Complex sentences Before the game started, she fell. dep. clause ind. clause sub. conj. “before” Why does this sentence have a comma?

Complex sentences She fell before the game started. This sentence is like the one before EXCEPT that the dependent clause is at the end. (It’s underlined.) Does this sentence need a comma?

Complex sentences If a dependent clause comes at the beginning, put a comma after it. If a dependent clause comes at the end, DON’T use a comma.

Complex sentences Ex. She told me to study so that I would make good grades. (dep. clause underlined; no comma) Ex. So that I would make good grades, she told me to study. (dep. clause underlined; has a comma)

Complex sentences If you eat too much, you might throw up. Which is the dependent clause? The independent clause? Why does it have a comma?

I didn’t study although I knew I had a test. Complex sentences I didn’t study although I knew I had a test.

Even though Mary is tired, she does her very best. Complex sentences Even though Mary is tired, she does her very best.

If you watch too much T.V., you will go blind. Complex sentences If you watch too much T.V., you will go blind.

I fell off the porch after I laughed too hard. Complex sentences I fell off the porch after I laughed too hard.

Unless you win the lottery, you should stay in school. Complex sentences Unless you win the lottery, you should stay in school.

Complex sentences After school I took a long nap.

Will you give us time to study before the test? Complex sentences Will you give us time to study before the test?

When you walk down the street, look out for cars. Complex sentences When you walk down the street, look out for cars.

Complex sentences Remember… Each side of a complex sentence contains a subject and a verb; A prepositional phrase does not contain a verb!

Now look at your Complex Sentence handout!