Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

1. Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences SPI 0501.1.5 Identify sentences with correct use of commas (i.e., series, dates, addresses, friendly letters, compound sentences, coordinating conjunctions, and introductory words) and of colons within context. SPI 0501.1.8 Identify within context a variety of appropriate sentence-combining techniques (i.e., comma+ coordinating conjunction, use of semicolon, introductory phrases and/or clauses).

2. Simple Sentence • A simple sentence is a complete thought. It has a subject and a predicate. Example: Satchel Paige was a great athlete.

3. Independent and Dependent Clauses • A related group of words with a subject and a predicate is called a clause. • A clause that makes sense by itself is an independent clause(think of this as your parents). • A clause that does not make sense by itself is a dependent clause (think of this as yourself).

4. Compound Sentence • A compound sentence contains two simple sentences joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS). Example: Fans waited many hours to see him, but Satch never let them down.

5. Complex Sentence • A complex sentence contains an independent clause, which can stand alone, and a dependent clause, which cannot stand alone. The clauses are joined by adding a subordinating conjunction ( if, when, so, because, while, until, after, since) to the dependent clause. ******Remember to put a comma after the dependent clause if it begins the sentence.

6. Examples of Complex Sentences Dependent clause – can not stand alone Independent clause – can stand alone • Even though it was a long trip, they came to the islands in canoes. ******Remember to put a comma after the dependent clause if it begins the sentence. • They came to the islands in canoes even though it was a long trip. ******Do NOT put a comma if the independent clause begins the sentence.

10. Works Cited • By Jimmie @ http://www.squidoo.com/sentence-patterns