SENTENCES Classified by
Structure
Simple, Compound, Complex, and Compound-Complex
According to English Composition and Grammar, Benchmark Edition and Analyzing
English Grammar By Klammer, Schulz and Volpe
Some Definitions
1. Clause--A sequence of words containing a subject and a
predicate/verb. It may be dependent or independent.
2. Sentence—A word or group of words that usually consists
of at least one subject and verb/predicate.
3. Dependent Clause—A clause that is unable to stand
independently as a sentence.
4. Independent Clause—A clause able to stand alone as a
sentence.
SIMPLE SENTENCES
A SIMPLE SENTENCE IS A SENTENCE WITH WE LIVE IN FAYETTEVILLE. IN THIS SENTENCE,
ONE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE AND NO WE IS THE SUBJECT AND LIVE IS THE VERB
SUBORDINATE CLAUSE.
A COMPOUMD SENTENCE IS A SENTENCE
COMPOSED OF TWO OR MORE
INDEPENDENT CLAUSES BUT NO
SUBORDINATE CLAUSES.
Example: A strange dog chased us, but the
owner came to our rescue.
COMPOUN In the above example, “A strange
dog chased us” is one independent clause.
D It stands alone as a complete thought.
Likewise, “the owner came to our rescue” is
also a complete thought or an independent
SENTENCE clause. Thus, this is a compound sentence,
or two sentences fastened together to
create one sentence.
(If you don’t remember what an
independent clause or a dependent clause
is, go back to the second slide).
Complex A Complex sentence is a sentence containing one independent clause
and at least one subordinate clause.
Sentences Examples:
1. As evening descended, the storm reached its climax. In this
sentence, As evening descended is the dependent clause
because it cannot stand on its own. It is dependent on the
second part of the sentence, the storm reached its climax, for
meaning.
2. Javen sang old songs, while he prepared for his boat launch. In
this sentence, Javen sang old songs is the independent clause
because it stands alone. It has meaning. The clause while he
prepared for his boat launch is a dependent clause. It depends
on the first part of the sentence for meaning.
3. Because Thomas forgot his wallet, he couldn’t order dinner out.
(When the dependent clause is first, a comma is required).
4. Thomas couldn’t order dinner out because he had forgotten his
wallet. (But when the dependent clause is second, NO comma is
needed).
Compound-Complex Sentences
This type of sentence
contains two or more
independent clauses
and at least one
subordinate (or The clause beginning
dependent) clause. with “because”, is
• We won the game, but my subordinate or
uniform was muddy dependent for
because it rained the
entire time. The meaning on those
underlined clauses are first two clauses.
both independent—they
can stand alone and make
sense.
Make your OWN
Sentence
Examples
1. Simple
2. Compound
3. Complex
4. Compound – Complex
A Different Now that you have reviewed simple,
compound, complex and compound-
Type of complex sentences, it is time to
Sentence review Sentences classified by
PURPOSE, rather than sentences
classified by structure.
SENTENCES CLASSIFIED
BY PURPOSE
Sentences may be classified according to their purpose, and
there are four kinds of sentences:
1. Declarative—ends with a period (.)
2. Imperative—may end with a period OR an
exclamation mark (!)
3. Interrogative—ends with a question mark (?)
4. Exclamatory—ends with an exclamation mark (!)
Declarative—ends with a period. We need more
flowers in our garden.
SENTENC
Imperative—may end with a period OR an
ES exclamation mark. Walk this way. Walk this
way!
CLASSIFIE
Interrogative—ends with a question mark. Did
D BY she walk the correct way?
PURPOSE: Exclamatory—ends with an exclamation mark.
Get out!
Important Note
1. All these sentences (declarative, imperative, and
interrogative) may be spoken or written in such a way that it
is really an exclamatory sentence and should end in an
exclamation point or mark.
• You did a good job. You did a good job!
• Please sit here. Please sit here!
• Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me!
2. Academic Writing usually uses ONLY declarative
sentences.