Types of Sentences According To Structure
Types of Sentences According To Structure
The four types of sentence structures are simple, compound, complex, and compound-
complex. The quantity and arrangement of clauses determines the makeup of each type
of sentence structure. A clause is a grouping of words with both a subject and a verb
that can (but doesn’t always) form a sentence. If the clause can form a complete
thought on its own, it’s considered an independent clause. If the clause depends on
another part of the sentence to complete the thought it expresses, it’s called
a dependent clause. For example, “when he got home from school” is a dependent
clause. It isn’t a complete thought even though it contains a subject and a verb.
Simple Sentence
In a simple sentence, there’s only one independent clause. “I like coffee” and “Dave
works at the library” are both examples of simple sentences. They each contain one
subject (I and Dave) and one verb (like and works).
Compound Sentence
A compound sentence contains two independent clauses linked by a conjunction. “The
dog ran around in the backyard, and now he’s taking a nap” is a compound sentence.
Both of the clauses are complete thoughts, and could stand alone if the conjunction
(and) was removed.
Complex Sentence
A complex sentence links one independent clause with at least one dependent clause.
A common example of this type of structure is the if/then sentence. For example, “If I
won the lottery, then I would buy a new car” is a complex sentence. If I won the
lottery is a dependent clause that can’t stand alone because it’s not a complete thought.
When you add a comma and the independent clause then I would buy a new car, it
becomes complex.
Compound-Complex Sentence
In a compound-complex sentence, there’s more than one independent clause and at
least one dependent clause. For example, “Randy is in a band, but he’s the singer
because he can’t play an instrument.” This is a compound-complex sentence. It
contains two independent clauses (Randy is in a band and he’s the singer) and one
dependent clause (because he can’t play an instrument).
Drill. Identify whether the sentence is simple, compound, complex, compound-
complex.Write your answer on the ½ crosswise
1. The girl looked at her brother and smiled.
2. Janet went to the library to borrow some books.
3. The water was so cold that we could not swim in it.
4. The little girl started crying when she couldn’t find her toy.
5. I live in a large city.
6. As soon as the bell rang, the children rushed out.
7. We saw a film which was based on the life of Nelson Mandela.
8. His crude remarks offended me.
9. Jane and Alice had their dinner and went for a walk.
10. The boys and the girls were shouting loudly.
11. The customers were happy because they got what they wanted.
12. The meeting was held in a room near the library.
13. We took a taxi home after the theatre.
14. As soon as I heard the news, I rushed straight to the police.
15. Amy watches football on television, but she never goes to a game.8. If you give
your details to our secretary, we will contact you when we have a vacancy.