Unit 2: Types of Sentences

Kinds of Sentences

Writing skills
Kinds of Sentences
• There are 4 basic types of sentences: simple sentence, compound sentence, complex
sentence, and compound-complex sentence.

I- Simple Sentences
• A simple sentence contains a single subject-predicate combination.
Example:
• My Children play football happily.
• The game ended early.
• My friend speaks English fluently.
• A simple sentence may have more than one subject; it is called compound subject.
Example:
• Sophal and Bopha drove home.
• The wind and water dried my hair.
• My father and mother speak English well.
• A simple sentence may have more than one predicate; it is called compound predicate.
Example:
• The children smiled and waved at us.
• My older brother is a lawyer and has a good job.
• Nary went to school and had lunch yesterday.
• A simple sentence may have compound subject and compound predicate.
Example:
• My mother and father speak and write Chinese well.
• Sochet and Sreymom had breakfast and went to school.
• Bob and Jen came and talked to me about their problem.
• All examples of the simple sentences above can be written as formulas.
• SV__ simple subject with simple predicate
• SSV__ compound subject with simple predicate
• SVV__ simple subject with compound predicate
• SSVV__ compound subject with compound predicate
II- Compound Sentences
• A compound sentence contains two or more simple sentences joined by a comma and a
coordinating conjunction (FANBOY). Look at the following sentences and see how they differ:
Example:
• Dany and Sopheak sang a song and played their guitars. (Simple)
• Dany sang a song, and Sopheak played his guitar. (Compound)
1- Compound sentences with coordinators or coordinating conjunctions
Simple sentence, + Coordinator + Simple sentence

• The two simple sentences are joined by a comma (,) and one of the seven coordinating
conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. You can remember the coordinating conjunctions
by remembering the word FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So).
Example:
• I want to be a teacher, but my father wants me to be a doctor. (contrast)
• Chenda like biology, so she wants to be a doctor. (result)
• Sopheak didn’t go to the party, for he was busy with his family. (reason)
• Women follow healthful diet, and they go to doctors regularly. (Addition)
• Women don’t smoke, nor do they drink as much alcohol. (negation)
• I will go swimming or I will visit my friends. (alternative choices)
• Den is a very weak man, yet he becomes a famous boxer. (unexpected contrast)
2- Compound sentences with conjunctive adverbs
Simple sentence; + Conjunctive adverb, + Simple sentence

• The two simple sentences are joined by a semicolon (;), a conjunctive adverb and a comma. Just
like the FANBOYS coordinators, conjunctive adverbs express the relationship of the second
clause to the first clause. The chart below shows the coordinators and conjunctive adverbs which
express similar relationships.

Coordinating Conjunctions Conjunctive Adverbs Meaning

And furthermore, besides, moreover, also additional idea
but, yet However, nevertheless, still, nonetheless opposite idea
Or Otherwise choice
consequently, therefore, thus, hence,
So result
accordingly
Example:
• Studies show that cigarette smoking is dangerous to one’s health; however, millions of people
continue to smoke.

• Kakada studied very hard for the final exam; consequently, he passed the exam easily.

• Kanitha is a powerful leader; moreover, she is a successful businesswoman.

3- Compound sentences with semicolons
Simple sentence; + Simple sentence

Example:
• Sokha studies English; his brother studies Chinese.
• Adjective stands before noun; it is used to modify the noun after it.
✶ We can create a compound sentence with semi-colons when the two sentences have
related meaning.
III. Complex Sentences
• A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one (or more) dependent clause.
Formation and punctuation of compound sentences
 Subordinators (Subordinating Conjunctions)
after before than when which although even though whenever while
as how unless where who as if if until wherever whom as soon as
since what whether because so that

Example:
These are the complex sentences:
•When I arrive home, I will tell you.
•Thida met a man who just came from Australia.
•I read book before I go to bed.
•Because he was so hungry, he stole the food from the shop.
These are the independent clauses:
I will tell you.
Thida met a man.
I read book.
He stole the food from the shop.
These are the dependent clauses:
When I arrive home. (Adverbial clause)
Who just came from Australia. (Adjective clause)
Before I go to bed. (Adverb clause)
Because he was so hungry. (Adverbial clause)
IV- Compound-complex sentences
• Compound-complex sentence is the combination between two (or more) independent clauses with one (or more)
dependent clauses.
Example:
• I have planned to go abroad after I graduate; however, this plan was destroyed.
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• I go to cinema on Monday after I finish my work, I don’t go anywhere on Tuesday because I am very
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busy, and I play tennis with my friend who lives next to me on Wednesday.
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✶ If there is only one independent clause with two or more dependent clauses, it is not the compound-complex
sentence, but it is complex sentence.
Example:
• After I play football, I always drink a lot of water because I feel hot and thirsty.
DC IC DC
Kinds of Sentences Exercise

Identify the following sentences according to what you have learnt.

1. Dany stayed home from school on Friday. __________________
2. Lisa got sent to the principal's office because she was late. __________________
3. Although it was raining and the roads were slippery, we decided to go for a bike ride. ___________
4. If you want to go to the mall, you'll have to clean your room. __________________
5. Our class made $25 at the fund-raiser, and we're going to donate it to the food bank. ___________
6. I wanted to play the drums, but my teacher wants me to play the piano because there are too many
drummers already. __________________
7. When I grow up, I want to be a fireman. __________________
8. I want a new doll, but I haven't saved enough money yet. __________________
9. When I graduate, I want to go to college, but first I want to travel. __________________
10. Jamal wants to go to the movies, but he doesn't have enough money. __________________
11. If I want to get a good grade, I'll have to study more. __________________
12. I want to do well in school because I want to go to college, but I have a lot of trouble with math. _______
13. The team went for pizza after the game, but Zach had to go home. __________________
14. Ben cleaned the kitchen, vacuumed the living room, and mowed the lawn.__________________
15. This year, after the debate, they decided to take separate vacations. __________________