The international School of Elite Education

Key Stage 2 - Year 6 September 2020

Types of sentences

Simple Sentences

- A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb.

Examples:
1. The baby cried for food.
2. The students completed their homework.
3. Megan and Ron ate too much and felt sick.
4. You can take the bus or a taxi.

Compound Sentences

- A compound sentence has two independent (main) clauses. A compound contains two
simple sentences.
- These independent clauses (main clauses) are joined by the following:
 Coordinating Conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) FANBOYS
 A semi colon (;)
 Conjunctive adverbs: accordingly, also, besides, still, furthermore, however, indeed,
instead, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, then, next, otherwise, therefore.
 Transitional expressions: as a result, for example, for instance, in addition, in fact, in
other words, on the other hand.

Examples:
1. The shoplifter had stolen clothes, so he ran once he saw the police.
2. They spoke to him in Spanish; he responded in English.
3. Alan studied well for the exam; therefore, he scored the highest grade.
4. Jane is so gullible; in other words, she believes every word she is told.
Complex Sentences

- A complex sentence is an independent clause joined by one or more dependent

OR
 Relative pronouns (who, that, which, whose, whoever, whosever, whichever, whom,
whomever)

Examples:
1. After he ate his lunch, Tim went to the gym to exercise.
2. The bait fish, which is caught from the reef, is used to catch tuna.
3. Mandela, who fought for the rights of the black people, was sent to prison.
4. You will not go to the party until you finish the house chores.

Practice:

A) Identify whether the sentences are simple (s), complex (cx) or compound (cd).

1. “Vampires Dairies” is my favorite television show, but I also love “True Blood”. Compound

2. The student wiped the white board that was filthy with last week’s notes. Complex

3. The trendy fashion designer released her new line on Wednesday. Simple

4. Trina and Harry went to a restaurant in Hollywood to celebrate their anniversary. Simple

5. Wicked Regina cast a spell on the entire city, so the citizens decided to rebel. Compound

6. While I was waiting for the paint to dry, Angela went to fix the fence. Complex
7. After listening to the Frank Sinatra CD, I have new respect for his music. Simple

8. As the teacher chose groups, John and Sara were selected as partners for a project.

Complex

9. It takes about half a gallon of water to cook spaghetti and about a gallon of water to clean

the pot. Simple

10. The World Wildlife Fund is urging people to support their campaign and protect

dolphins. Simple

11. Apes are big and powerful, but they can also be gentle. Compound

12. A gorilla, at an Illinois zoo, picked up and carried a young boy to safety. Simple

13. The waves were enormous, yet the expert surfer rescued his new surfboard. Compound

B) Underline the subordinate clauses and circle the main clauses in these complex
sentences. Highlight the subordinating conjunctions or the relative pronouns.

1- As the curtain rose, Clay was feeling nervous.

2- When Jane was ill, she read Michael Morpurgo’s “War Horse".

3- After I had overcome my stage fright, I remembered what my next line was.

4- Mr. Habeb, who is a superb teacher, answers all difficult questions.

5- Last summer, Mona visited Washington, which is her birthplace.

6- Toni Morrison wrote a book that won the Pulitzer Prize.

7- When you plan a garden, you must take into account the annual temperature range.
8- Alan attended many of the meetings although he is not a member of the association.

C) Combine each of the following pairs of sentences into a complex sentence.

(N.B: There could possibly be other correct answers.)

1- John Martins speaks Spanish fluently. He lived in Mexico for two years.

John Martins, who lived in Mexico for two years, speaks Spanish fluently.

John Martins speaks Spanish fluently because he lived in Mexico for two years.

2- My friend helped me with my serve. She is an excellent tennis player.

Since my friend is an excellent tennis player, she helped me with my serve.

My friend, who is an excellent tennis player, helped me with my serve.

3- J. K. Rowling will be at the bookstore. She will be signing copies of her new book.

J.K. Rowling will be at the bookstore where she will be signing copies of her new book.

4- That organization works to protect whales. They are threatened with extinction.

That organization works to protect whales that/which are threatened with extinction.

5- The firefighters will be honoured by a parade. They rescued six children from a
burning building.

The firefighters, who rescued six children from a burning building, will be honoured by a
parade.

The firefighters will be honoured by a parade as they rescued six children from a burning
building.

6- Dogs and cats see only in black and white. They are colourblind.

Dogs and cats see only in black and white because they are colourblind.

Dogs and cats, that/which are colourblind, see only in black and white.
7- Nikki was not at school. It was her turn to pass out papers.

Nikki, whose turn was to pass out papers, was not at school.

8- The teacher told the rules of the test to the students. They listened carefully.

The teacher told the rules of the test to the students who listened carefully.

As the teacher told the rules of the test to the students, they listened carefully.

9- The sun was suddenly hidden by clouds. It had been shining brightly all day.

The sun, which had been shining brightly all day, was suddenly hidden by clouds.

The sun was suddenly hidden by clouds after it had been shining brightly all day.

10-I don’t have money. I will not buy anything.

Because I don’t have money, I will not buy anything.