Sentence Structure
Simple: 1 Independent Clause
Compound: 2+ Independent Clauses
Complex: 1 Independent Clause + 1+ Dependent Clauses
Compound-Complex: 2+ Independent Clauses + 1+ Dependent Clauses
Two fundamental clause types:
Independent Clause: Contains a subject and a predicate, expresses a complete thought, and can stand alone as a grammatical sentence.
Example: "The rain stopped."
Dependent (Subordinate) Clause: Contains a subject and a verb, but begins with a subordinating connector that leaves the thought incomplete. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Example: "Although the rain stopped..."
1. Simple Sentences
A simple sentence consists of exactly one independent clause. It contains a subject and a verb, and delivers a single complete thought.
Formula: 1 Independent Clause (Subject + Predicate)
Examples:
Joe waited for the train. (Subject: Joe | Verb: waited)
Mary and Samantha took the bus. (Compound subject: Mary and Samantha | Verb: took)
She leaned out of the window.
Common Pitfall: Do not confuse sentence length with complexity. A simple sentence can have a compound subject (two nouns sharing one verb) or a compound predicate (one subject doing two actions). As long as there is only one independent clause and zero dependent clauses, it remains a simple sentence.
2. Compound Sentences
A compound sentence joins two or more independent clauses of equal grammatical weight.
Formula: Independent Clause + , [FANBOYS] + Independent Clause
OR: Independent Clause + ; + Independent Clause
Coordinating conjunctions are easy to remember using the acronym FANBOYS:
F – For
A – And
N – Nor
B – But
O – Or
Y – Yet
S – So
Examples:
Joe waited for the train, but the train was late.
Mary arrived before noon, and they left on the bus before I arrived.
The project was difficult; the team completed it on time. (Joined by semicolon)
Avoid the Comma Splice: Never connect two independent clauses with only a comma (e.g., "The bus arrived, we boarded it." — Incorrect). Always insert a coordinating conjunction after the comma, or replace the comma with a semicolon.
3. Complex Sentences
A complex sentence pairs one independent clause with one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses. These are used to show cause and effect, contrast, or conditional relationships.
Pattern 1: Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent Clause + , + Independent Clause
Pattern 2: Independent Clause + Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent Clause
Common subordinating conjunctions include: after, although, as, because, before, even though, if, since, though, unless, until, when, whenever, whereas, while.
Examples:
Because Mary and Samantha arrived early, I did not see them at the station.
Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at the train station.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
Comma Rule: When the dependent clause comes first, use a comma to separate it from the independent clause. When the independent clause comes first, no comma is required in standard usage.
4. Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence combines both structures: it contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Formula: Dependent Clause + , + Independent Clause + , [FANBOYS] + Independent Clause
Examples:
Because it was raining, we stayed inside, and we watched a documentary.
• Dependent: Because it was raining
• Independent 1: we stayed inside
• Independent 2: we watched a documentary
Joe waited at the station because the schedule changed, but Samantha walked home.
Self-Check Practice Quiz
Identify whether each sentence is Simple, Compound, Complex, or Compound-Complex:
We were playing in the garden when the guests arrived.
She put on her coat and went out.
They tried very hard, but they couldn't win the match.
While the tea was brewing, Alex answered emails, but Maria prepared breakfast.
Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
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