Lesson 294

Parts of the Sentence - Compound & Complex Sentences

A simple sentence is a group of words expressing a complete thought, and it must have a subject and a verb.  A complex sentence is made up of an independent clauseA clause is a group of words having a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence.
Source: Lesson 246 and a dependent clauseA clause is a group of words having a subject and a verb. A dependent clause must be attached to the independent clause to make sense. It is always used as some part of speech. A dependent clause can be an adjective, adverb, or noun. It cannot stand alone as a sentence.  Source: Lesson 246.

A compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses.  Commas separate the clauses of a compound sentence. (A short sentence joined by and is sometimes combined without a comma.)  A semicolon can take the place of the conjunctionA conjunction is a word that joins other words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subjects and verb).  Source: Lesson 76 and comma.  Only clauses closely related in thought should be joined to make a compound sentence.

Instructions: The following sentences are either a simple sentence, a compound sentence, a complex sentence, or a compound/complex sentence.  Identify the sentences telling what kind each is.

1. Jim and his friend Ryan had planned to return to Canada.

2. Although we searched everywhere, Curtis could find no trace of his shoes.

3. Alaina wrote an original poem, and her mother corrected her spelling.

4. Since he was entrusted with the secret, Fred became very serious, and he was no longer a practical joker.

5. The real story is that he was injured while he was hiking.