Types of Sentences Or How To Really Impress People With Your Sentence Variety Types of Sentences Sentences are classified according to the number and kinds of clauses they contain. There are four types: Simple Complex Compound Compound-Complex Let’s look at each one of these more closely. Types of Sentences The Simple Sentence A simple sentence has only one independent clause and no subordinate clauses. S V DO ADV The runner won the race easily. Types of Sentences The Compound Sentence A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses and no subordinate clauses. S V ADV S V DO ADV The runner trained for many months, so he won the race easily. Types of Sentences The Complex Sentence A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. S S V ADV V DO ADV The runner, who had trained for many months, won the race easily. Types of Sentences The Compound-Complex Sentence A compound-complex sentence has two independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses. S S V ADV V DO ADV The runner, who had trained for many months, won the race easily, S V DO but she did not attain a personal best. Types of Sentences It may be helpful to remember them in this way: Type of sentence Simple Independent Clauses One Subordinate Clauses None Compound Two or more None Complex One One or more CompoundComplex Two or more One or more Types of Sentences Identify the sentence type in the following: She smiled sweetly, and he grinned shyly. Compound Mary and Tom agreed to meet after school. Simple I had a poor background, and the subject was quite difficult; however, the teacher explained the concepts very clearly. Compound Types of Sentences Identify the sentence type in the following: Because the store was closed, we returned home. Complex The old prospector was discouraged; however, when I suggested giving up, he was indignant. Compound-complex Although my friends were lost for a while, they eventually found the restaurant that you recommended. Complex
