Sentence Types
Simple Sentence: A sentence that contains one and only one independent clauses and no dependent clauses.
The young boy smiled at the big dog.
Compound Sentence: A sentence that contains at least two independent clauses and no dependent clauses. Essential to the compound sentence is its punctuation, as it must contain either a comma and a coordinating conjunction (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) or a semi-colon that conjoins the two independent clauses. Joseph taught the students about delivering speeches, and Sarah taught them composition skills.
Complex Sentence: A sentence that contains one and only one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Because the weather forecaster announced the threat of an impending hurricane, the students canceled their luxurious boat cruise to the Azores.
Compound-Complex Sentence: A sentence that contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. Because the weather forecaster announced the threat of an impending hurricane, the students canceled their luxurious boat cruise to the Azores, but the cruise line would not refund the students’ money.
Independent/dependent clauses
Independent Clause: Typically thought of as a sentence, offering its readers a complete thought and containing a subject, verb, and its complement (Prepositional Phrase, Direct Object, Adjectival, or Adverbial). The grammar book was thick.
Dependent Clause: A clause that cannot stand alone and does not offer its reader a complete thought. A dependent clause will typically be an Adjective, Adverb, or Noun clause.
When the frost is on the pumpkin, farmers often know that the harvest season is almost over. (Adverb Clause and Noun Clause, respectively)
The book that was on the table was thick. (Adjective Clause)