Grammatically Correct: Recognizing the Four Basic Sentence Types

Coordinating conjunction – A conjunction that is used to combine words, phrases, and clauses. It is often used to combine 2 simple sentences into a compound sentence. (Ex. – for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so [fanboys])

Dependent clause – An incomplete sentence that contains a subject and a predicate, but is preceded by a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun.

Independent clause – A complete sentence that consists of a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought

Relative pronoun – A pronoun that introduces a subordinate/dependent clause (ex. –who, that, which, whom, what, whatever, whichever, whoever)

Subordinating conjunction – A conjunction that that forces the clause to be dependent. (Ex. – because, after, since, while)

Grammatically Correct 5/16/06 A weekly grammar tip created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors.	University of Houston-Victoria 3007 N. Ben Wilson Victoria, TX 77901
Recognizing the Four Basic Sentence Types by Lisa Bullock
There are four basic types of sentences we use in our writing: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. Because we use these sentence types every day, it is beneficial to understand each type and how to use it. A simple sentence has only one independent clause, or complete thought. Thus, the simple sentence, like all complete sentences, should contain a subject and a predicate. Although a simple sentence can contain compound elements such as a compound predicate and/or compound subject [Joe and Jane like to eat spaghetti and meatballs], it is only one clause. Simple sentence – Joe likes to eat spaghetti. [subject – Joe / predicate – likes to eat spaghetti.] A compound sentence consists of two or more simple sentences (two independent clauses). Because two complete sentences are being combined, a comma along with a coordinating conjunction (ex. – and, or, but) or, under certain conditions, a semicolon is used to combine the independent clauses. Compound sentence – Joe likes to eat spaghetti, but Mary likes to eat hamburgers. [Notice that the sentences are joined with the conjunction but as well as a comma.] Compound sentence – Joe likes to eat spaghetti; Mary likes to eat hamburgers. [Here, the sentences are joined with a semicolon only. Semicolons can be used effectively when the two sentences are closely related. In this compound sentence both sentences discuss eating preferences.] A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one dependent clause. So, one clause in the sentence should be a complete thought while the other clause cannot exist as a sentence by itself. One way to identify the dependent clause is to look for the subordinating conjunction (ex. – while, because, since, when, while, after, before) or the relative pronoun (ex. - who, that, which) that precedes it. Complex sentence – Because Joe’s mother never cooked spaghetti when he was young, Joe likes to eat spaghetti. [In this example, the first clause and second clause in the sentence are dependent since they both contain a subject and verb and begin with a subordinate conjunction (because and when), and the third clause beginning after the comma is an independent clause.] Complex sentence – She likes to eat at the diner that serves free bagels on Sundays. [Here, the relative pronoun that begins the second clause and causes it to be dependent.] Last, a compound-complex sentence combines a compound and a complex sentence. A compound-complex sentence consists of at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. Compound-complex sentence – Because Joe’s mother never cooked spaghetti when he was young, Joe likes to eat it often, and Mary enjoys eating hamburgers because she used to eat them with her late father. [This sentence has two independent clauses: Joe likes to eat it often and Mary enjoys eating hamburgers. In this case, it has three dependent clauses as well (the first begins with because; the second begins with when, and the final dependent clause begins with because as well).] Remember that it is best to use a variety of sentence types when you write. If one type is overused, the writing will begin to sound repetitive and monotonous.	Definitions Coordinating conjunction – A conjunction that is used to combine words, phrases, and clauses. It is often used to combine 2 simple sentences into a compound sentence. (Ex. – for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so [fanboys]) Dependent clause – An incomplete sentence that contains a subject and a predicate, but is preceded by a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. Independent clause – A complete sentence that consists of a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought Relative pronoun – A pronoun that introduces a subordinate/dependent clause (ex. –who, that, which, whom, what, whatever, whichever, whoever) Subordinating conjunction – A conjunction that that forces the clause to be dependent. (Ex. – because, after, since, while)
Recommended Grammar Website of the Week by Lisa Bullock
The following website goes into more detail about the four types of sentences, with additional examples: http://www.cmsu.edu/x63631.xml.
Test Your Knowledge by Lisa Bullock
Read the following sentences and label them simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex. 1. Since it rained all weekend, the group decided to stay home. 2. Apples are great for improving your health. 3. The war has taken a toll on morale, but the devastation is coupled with improved living conditions for many. 4. After the wreck, John decided to turn his life around, and he promptly made some great investments and gave back to the community from which he had taken for so long. 5. The weekend was filled with walking in the park, shopping at the local market, swimming and skiing in the bay, and spending time with loved ones. Answers complex simple compound compound-complex simple
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