simple complex and compound sentence part 1

Independent and Dependent Clauses

An independent clause has one subject and one verb. 

An example of an independent clause is the sentence:

I went to the beach.

which has one subject, the pronoun 'I,' and one verb, 'went.'

A dependent clause also contains a subject and a verb, 

but it can't stand alone because it doesn't form a complete thought:

When I go to the beach

is an example of a dependent clause. 

It has a subject, 'I,' and a verb, 'go,' 

but because it begins with the word 'when,' 

it doesn't form a complete thought because 

the listener expects to hear something after 'beach.'

Simple Sentence

A simple sentence is one independent clause that has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. Notice that there are some important requirements for a simple sentence:

1. Must have a subject and a verb.

2. Must express a complete thought.

3. Must only have one clause.

I went to the beach.

compound sentence

A compound sentence is formed when you join two main clauses with a connective. In a compound sentence the clauses are linked by coordinating conjunctions / connectives (and, but, so, or).

I like bananas and I like grapes.

Zoe can be rude at times but she is a nice girl.

complex or multi-clause sentence

Complex sentences can also be referred to as multi-clause sentences.

A complex sentence is formed when you join a main clause and a subordinate clause with a connective. A subordinate clause is one that relies on a main clause to make sense.

The connectives in complex sentences are subordinating conjunctions and they tell us about the order or the place in which things happened or specify a cause or effect relationship between events. Connectives used in complex sentences include after, although, as, because, if, since, unless, when.

I love roast potatoes, although my mum prefers them mashed.

You need to prepare for the spelling test tomorrow if you want to get all your spellings right.

The big dog barked whenever I knocked on the door.

A complex sentence can be converted into a simple sentence by reducing a subordinate clause into a word or a phrase.

Study the following examples.

By reducing a noun clause into a phrase

Complex: I know that he is an honest guy.

Simple: I know him to be an honest guy.

Complex: We could not figure out what he said.

Simple: We could not figure out the meaning of his words.

Complex: I believe that God exists.

Simple: I believe in God’s existence.

By reducing an adjective clause

Complex: Those that are helpless deserve our pity.

Simple: The helpless deserve our pity.

Complex: The statue that is made of marble was bought from Jaipur.

Simple: The marble statue was bought from Jaipur.

Complex: We saw trees that were laden with fruits.

Simple: We saw trees laden with fruits.

By reducing an adverb clause into a phrase

Complex: They took shelter under a tree because they were driven by the rain.

Simple: Driven by the rain, they took shelter under a tree.

Complex: He lost all hope because he was deceived by his own friends.

Simple: Deceived by his own friends, he lost all hope.