Is the sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex?Key

Key Notes:

📝 Sentence Types: Simple, Compound, Complex, Compound-Complex

Simple Sentence 🟢

A simple sentence has one independent clause.

It expresses a complete thought.

Structure: Subject + Predicate

Examples:

• 🐱 The cat sleeps.
• 🌞 The sun rises in the east.

Tip: Even if it has more than one subject or verb, it can still be simple if it’s one independent clause.

• Example: 🏃‍♂️ John and Mary play football and tennis.

Compound Sentence 🔵

A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses joined by:

• coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS)
• OR a semicolon (;)

Examples:

• 🌧️ It was raining, but we went out to play.
• 🍎 I like apples; I don’t like oranges.

Tip: Each part can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Complex Sentence 🟡

A complex sentence has:

• 1 independent clause ✅
• 1 or more dependent clauses ❌ (cannot stand alone)

Signal words for dependent clauses: because, although, since, if, when, after, while

Examples:

• 🌟 I stayed home because it was raining.
• 📚 She read a book while waiting for the bus.

Tip: Dependent clauses often start with subordinating conjunctions.

Compound-Complex Sentence 🟠

A compound-complex sentence has:

• 2 or more independent clauses ✅
• 1 or more dependent clauses ❌

Examples:

• 🌳 While I was walking in the park, I saw a squirrel, and my friend waved at me.
• 🐶 The dog barked loudly, but it stopped when I called it because it recognized my voice.

Tip: It’s a mix of compound + complex.

🔑 Quick Tips to Identify Sentence Types

Sentence Type	Clauses	Key Points	Example
Simple 🟢	1 independent	Complete thought	The dog runs fast.
Compound 🔵	2+ independent	Joined by FANBOYS or ;	I like tea, but he likes coffee.
Complex 🟡	1 independent + 1+ dependent	Uses because, although, if…	I slept early because I was tired.
Compound-Complex 🟠	2+ independent + 1+ dependent	Combination of compound & complex	She sang while he played, and everyone clapped.

🌈 Emoji Memory Trick:

• 🟢 Simple = 1️⃣ thought
• 🔵 Compound = 2️⃣ complete thoughts
• 🟡 Complex = 1️⃣ + 1️⃣ dependent
• 🟠 Compound-Complex = 2️⃣ + 1️⃣ dependent

Let’s practice!✒️