Types of Sentences
Simple Sentence Compound Sentence Complex Sentence
• Contains a subject •Contains two • Contains an independent
and a predicate. independent clauses. clause and dependent
• Gives a complete • Clauses are joined by a clause.
meaning. coordinating • Dependent clause begins
conjunction. with a subordinating
• Coordinating conjunction.
Example: conjunctions are also • Subordinating conjunctions
• The boys went to called (FANBOYS): are also called (WAIBS):
the park. for, and, nor, but, -W:WH- Question words like
• We love pizza. or, yet, so. when, where, who, which, while,
Examples: wherever, whenever …etc +that
Note: • The boys went to the -A: after, as, as soon as, although,
A simple sentence is also park, but they did even though, though
called an independent not go to the zoo. -I: if, unless
clause/ main clause. -B: because, before
• We like pizza, and we -S: since, until, till
like spaghetti. Examples:
• Because the boys went to
Note: the park, they did not go to
A comma should be put the zoo.
before the coordinating • The boys did not go to the
conjunction. zoo because they went to
the park.
Note:
-If the complex sentence starts
with the dependent clause, we put
a comma after it to separate it
from the main clause.
- A subordinate or a dependent
clause can’t stand alone in a
sentence as it does not express a
complete thought.
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Compound Sentences:
I cooked dinner, and he washed the dishes.
coordinating conjunction
Independent clause Independent clause
(subject + predicate) (subject + predicate)
Compound Sentences Examples:
F: I didn’t go to school, for I was sick.
A: I like pizza, and I like spaghetti.
N: I didn’t do the Arabic homework, nor did I do the English homework.
B: She doesn’t like apples, but she likes oranges.
O: I might go to the beach, or I might go to the pool.
Y: It was raining outside, yet we went shopping.
S: I studied hard, so I got the full mark.
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Exercises
A- Write ‘S’ for simple sentences and ‘C’ for compound sentences.
1. They left early, so they arrived first. ________
2. They didn’t brush their teeth, nor did they comb their hair. __________
3. This building has several elevators and stairwells. _________
4. We took the city bus, but it was crowded.
5. The Marshall Islands consists of thirty-four small islands in the Pacific
Ocean. _________
6. The country is Spain, and the people are known as Spanish. ________
7. We listened to music and watched a movie. _________
8. Hockey is a fast game, and fans shriek with excitement. _________
9. Hockey players move quickly, or they miss a goal. _________
10. Players obey the rules, or they receive penalties. ________
11. Mum baked a cake for Adam’s birthday. _______
12. You can watch TV, or you can go out and play. ________
13. The dog fetched the stick for his master. _________
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14. Hot soup or crackers will help you feel better. _________
15. I didn’t eat any cookies, yet there are none left. __________
16. He finished his book, and he has nothing left to read. _________
17. The birds are singing in the trees and in the bushes. _________
18. They do not fear ghosts, nor did they fear monsters. _________
19. The goal keeper stays near the end of the football court. ______
20. Hockey is a popular sport in many countries around the world. _____
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B- Combine each pair of simple sentences
with one of the FANBOYS to create one
compound sentence and punctuate
correctly.
1. I am counting my calories. I really want dessert.
_____________________________________________________
2. Everyone was busy. I went to the movie alone.
_____________________________________________________
3. I might go to the beach. I might go to the park.
_____________________________________________________
4. I cooked dinner. He washed the dishes.
_____________________________________________________
5. She did not cheat on the test. It was the wrong thing to do.
_____________________________________________________
6. The door is locked. I don’t have the keys.
______________________________________________________
7. Mary had no milk left in the house. She went to the store.
______________________________________________________
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8. I am exhausted. I am going to bed early tonight.
______________________________________________________
9. Please proofread your essay. Turn it in.
______________________________________________________
10. The whole family worked on the puzzle for hours. They did not finish it.
______________________________________________________
11. John likes video games. He doesn’t like reading.
______________________________________________________
12. The kids must behave. They will not have a free time.
______________________________________________________
13. He didn’t return my calls. Did he respond to any of my texts.
______________________________________________________
14. Sarah doesn’t like apples. Does she like pears.
______________________________________________________
15. Sam drank water. He was thirsty.
_______________________________________________________
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Complex Sentences:
Although my friends begged me, I chose not to go to the reunion.
subordinating conjunction
dependent/ subordinate clause independent clause
Complex Sentences Examples:
WH Question words:
• while: She interrupted him while he was speaking.
• when: I was watching TV when she came in.
• where: I’ve hidden the money in a place where no one could find.
• who: I heard Dany asking Julie who she was talking to.
• which: I bought the car which I always dreamt of.
• whenever: You can come whenever you want.
• wherever: We can meet you wherever you want.
• that: Betty Botter is the poem that I memorized last year.
A:
• after: We will go to eat after the movie is over.
• as: As it is your birthday, I have decided to take you out.
• as soon as: As soon as he arrived, the bell rang.
• although: He wasn’t happy although he was rich.
• though: Though it was very late, students kept studying.
• even though: Even though she was very tired, she decided to go out.
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I:
• if: If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
• unless: Unless you study hard, you will not pass the exam.
B:
• because: Julia started yoga because she wanted to learn how to relax.
• before: Before I go to work, I stop at Starbucks for coffee.
S:
• since: I’ve been busy since I started my new job.
• until: I will be waiting here until she shows up.
• till: They played football till it got dark.
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Exercises
A-Underline the independent clause (main clause) in the following
sentences.
1. Because he ran, he was able to catch the bus.
2. Until the sun sets, I will stay with you.
3. She will buy the dress if it is on sale.
4. You should eat the food before it gets cold.
5. We practiced our roles in the play until we were sure of our lines.
6. After the class was over, we went out for ice-cream.
7. Hannah fell down when Kellie pushed her.
8. The hikers walked until they were exhausted.
9. The teacher prepares the lesson before she leaves the staffroom.
10. Several Chinese states began to build walls for protection.
11. I can’t help you unless you tell me the truth.
12. Emperor Shi Hung united China when he ordered the walls to be
connected.
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B-Underline the subordinate clause in the following sentences.
1. I am looking after some children who are terribly spoiled.
2. After Marisa talked to the foreign student, she wanted to visit Italy.
3. I like to have lunch outside when the sun is shining.
4. If Louisa goes to the store, she will be late for the movie.
5. A tractor is a vehicle which is used by the farmers.
6. The world will know peace when the power of love overcomes the love of
power.
7. We didn’t go to her party because we went camping that weekend.
8. Although these colours are beautiful, I don’t like painting.
9. I know the woman who owns that store.
10. Betty Botter is the poem that I memorized last year.
C-Add subordinate clauses to the following main clauses.
1- You can borrow my book ____________________________________.
2- Hedy will be kept in the principal’s office _______________________.
3- He needed to go back to the house ____________________________.
4- Everyone congratulated them ________________________________.
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D-Identify the type of sentence.
1- Although it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday. _________
2- I was really tired, and I couldn’t sleep. __________
3- We went for a walk by the sea. _________
4- While we were walking home, we talked about the accident. ________
5- I decided to find somewhere to eat as I was hungry. ________
6- We decided to go out for fun._________
7- I couldn’t contact David as he was away on holiday. _________
8- Since we have plenty of time, let’s go and have coffee. _______
9- We didn’t want to wake anybody up. _________
10- None of us had a watch. _________
11- We paused for the photograph. _________
12- As I left school, I went to work in a shop. ___________
13- Farmers pick oranges and package them for sale. _________
14- Tina and her sisters sang for the church choir. _________
15- Alex played football, so Maria went shopping. _________
16- Adrian didn’t watch the movie, nor did Sara go out with her friends.
_________
17- An architect designs buildings and roads. _________
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E- Form complex sentences using the correct punctuation.
1. The fans waited outside. They wanted a glimpse of the singer.
_____________________________________________________
2. She returned the computer. She noticed it was damaged.
_____________________________________________________
3. Prices go up. Customers buy less products.
_____________________________________________________
4. The actor was happy he got a part in the movie. The part was small.
_____________________________________________________
5. She was younger. She believed in fairy tales.
_____________________________________________________
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