1. The Four Types of Sentences
English 3201

2. Sentence Types Declarative. Imperative. Question? Exclamation! Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound – Complex
Declarative.
Imperative.
Question?
Exclamation!

3. Independent and Dependent Clause
Words, phrases and clauses make up sentences.
Look for clauses to know type of sentence.
A dependent (subordinate) clause is part of a sentence; it cannot stand alone.
An independent clause is a complete sentence; it can stand alone.

4. Clause Subject + Verb = Clause Incomplete sentence or Dependent Clause
When the dog barked,
S V
Because she was sick,
S V

5. Independent Clause Complete sentence The cat ran away. S V
She went to the doctor.
S V

6. Simple Sentence Complete sentence / Independent Clause
The cat ran away.
S V

7. Compound Sentence
Two independent clauses joined together using these conjunctions:
For
And
Nor
But Or
Yet So
Or the semi-colon ( ; )
FANBOYS – easy way to recall coordinating conjunctions

8. Compound Sentence The dog barked, and the cat ran away. S V S V
You can study now, or you can pray later.
S V S V

9. Complex Sentence One independent clause and one dependent clause.
These sentences use subordinating conjunctions to link ideas:
after if before since unless
because while until as
although when

10. Complex Sentence (When the dog barked), the cat ran away. S V S V
The cat ran away when the dog barked.

11. Complex Sentence Because she was sick, she stayed home.
comma needed because clause begins the sentence
She stayed home because she was sick.
no comma needed

12. Complex Sentence Relative Pronouns =
Subject ( S ) in a complex sentence
who
whom
which
that

13. Complex Sentences The dog that ate my homework is a genius.
Clause = S + V
The dog is a genius.
S V
that ate my homework
S V
The dog ( that ate my homework ) is a genius.
S S V V

14. Complex Sentence The student ( who studies hard ) will pass the final.
S S V V
The novel, ( which I liked the most ), is about a spy.
S S V V
“who” and “which” are Relative Pronouns that refer to
preceding nouns / subjects

15. Compound-Complex
A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
2 independent clauses + 1 dependent clause
( compound ) ( complex )

16. Compound-Complex Sentence
Simple
We drove from St. John’s to Corner Brook in one day.
Compound
We were exhausted, but we arrived in time for the wedding.
Complex
( Although we were tired ), we danced all night.
Compound-complex
( After the wedding was over ), the bride and groom thanked everyone
for coming, and their guests went home.

17. Review Mary went to the park, but John stayed at home.
Tom wanted to exercise, so he went for a walk.
The dog that ate my homework is sick.
Mary likes reading; John likes television.
Bill is the one who usually sits here.
When the movie was over, we went to Moo Moos for ice cream, but my favourite flavour was all gone.
John who sits behind me is on the basketball team.
The girl who was looking after our cat discovered she had an allergy to them.
You can study now or pray later.
All that glitters is not gold.

18. Answers Compound Complex Compound-Complex Simple
Mary went to the park, but John stayed at home.
Tom wanted to exercise, so he went for a walk.
The dog that ate my homework is sick.
Mary likes reading; John likes television.
Bill is the one who usually sits here.
When the movie was over, we went to Moo Moos for ice cream, but my favourite flavour was all gone.
John who sits behind me is on the basketball team.
The girl who was looking after our cat discovered she had an allergy to them.
You can study now or pray later.
All that glitters is not gold.
Compound
Complex
Compound-Complex
Simple