Sentence Structures A Guide to Understanding Sentence Structures

Simple Sentences  Only ONE independent clause!  May have a compound predicate:  Matt played tag and climbed on the monkey bars.  May have a compound subject:  Matt and Kayla play on the swings every day.

Compound Sentences  Must have TWO independent clauses!  The TWO independent clauses are joined by a COMMA and a COORDINATING CONJUNCTION or a SEMI COLON.  Independent clause, and (but, so, nor, yet, for, or) independent clause.

Complex Sentences  Have ONE independent clause and ONE OR MORE dependent clause(s).  Independent clause dependent clause.  Dependent clause, independent clause.

Simple Sentences  John walked the dog.  The dog ran.  Micala and Darrell wrote a book together.  Miss Flavian, Mrs. Verner, and Dr. McCaleb work at your school.  Jack’s mom helps with the PTO and pops the popcorn on Fridays.  In America, we watch baseball on TV.

Compound Sentences  Jack likes to ride his bike, and Drake likes to play football.  Should I do my homework, or should I play outside?  The little boy likes ice cream, but his sister asked for jell-o.  Our test is on Thursday; I hope you do well.

Complex Sentences  We all have fun when we play word-o.  When Hurricane Isaac came, we had a week off from school.  You may read an AR book after you finish your test.  Since the weather is nice, let’s play outside.

Quiz Yourself! 1. Bill won the race; the crowd cheered. 2. After Joe fell down, the teacher gave him a band-aid. 3. Mrs. Verner’s classroom is in groups, but Miss Flavian’s classroom is in rows. 4. We can’t play outside when the playground is wet. 5. My mother read a novel and slept an hour.

Check Your Answers! 1. Compound with semi colon 2. Complex 3. Compound with comma and conjunction 4. Complex 5. Simple with compound predicate