Simple, Compound & Complex Sentences

Master simple, compound, and complex sentences! Practice identifying clauses and building varied sentence structures.

Introduction to Complex Sentences Bell Ringer: In your own words, explain what a complex sentence is. Match the type of sentence on the left to its description on the right: Simple Sentence An independent clause with one subject and one verb. Compound Sentence Two independent clauses joined by a conjunction. Complex Sentence A independent clause joined by a conjunction to one or more dependent clauses. Identify the subject and the verb in the following simple sentences:The hungry lion stalked the gazelle. lion / gazelle lion / stalked hungry / gazelle stalked / gazelle Sarah skipped all the way to school. Sarah / school skipped / school Sarah / skipped Sarah / the way The students played calmly in the sandpit. calmly / sandpit played / sandpit students / calmly students / played The thieves took all they could. thieves / took thieves / could took / they they / could Helen was having a wonderful day. having / day Helen / wonderful Helen / was having having / wonderful Sort the conjunctions below underneath the headings coordinating and subordinating: NOTE: coordinating conjunctions are used for compound sentences (think FANBOYS) while subordinating conjunctions are used for complex sentences. Coordinating Conjunctions for and nor but or yet so Subordinating Conjunctions when while until before if since though because unless after although Finish the following compound sentences by selecting the most appropriate coordinating conjunction: The beach was unsafe yet they still went swimming.My best friend, Mia, goes to another school so I don't get to see her often.Be careful walking beside the pool or you might slip.We ate pasta for dinner and we ate jelly for dessert.Dad didn't like spiders, nor did he like bees. Match the independent clauses on the left to the coordinating independent clauses on the right to complete the compound sentences: Hillary liked eating chocolate for dessert but her sister preferred eating ice cream. The batter hit the ball a long way but it was caught by an outfielder. The couple got married in a church and they lived happily ever after. The Queen of England turned 90 years old so she had a royal party to celebrate. Grace didn't like going to church nor did her little brother, Anthony. Identify whether the underlined clauses in the following complex sentences are independent or dependent:When the hurricane had calmed, the community began to rebuild its structures. independent dependent I was up all night looking after our baby, while you were asleep! independent dependent They went out for a lovely dinner after a day of doing chores. independent dependent I'm taking away your Xbox until you finish your homework. independent dependent You won't be able to borrow anymore book unless you've returned all others. independent dependent Match the dependent clauses on the left to the independent clauses on the right to complete the complex sentences: After watching the documentary on fireflies, Amy researched more about them on her computer. Before the earthquake happened, this use to be a beautiful city. Although he didn't like olives, Henry ate them anyway. While the policeman was distracted, the burglar managed to get away. When I grow up, I'm going to join the army. Decide wether the following sentences are simple, compound or complex. NOTE: There should be 5 sentences under each heading. Simple Sentences Ben liked playing baseball. Jill was an excellent dancer. The class was well behaved for the relief teacher. He tripped down the stairs. The rain poured all weekend. Compound Sentences Nick liked chocolate ice cream, but his sister liked strawberry. Max ran as fast as he could, but he couldn't win the race. Kendra liked going to the movies and her sister did too. The family decided not to go overseas for it was too expensive. The elderly lady was feeling unwell, so she had to go to hospital. Complex Sentences Though she came first, it was a hollow victory. Make sure you're home before the sun goes down. After the game had finished, the team went and had pizza. Dogs were not permitted in the park, unless they were on a lead. When she hit the game winning shot, the entire crowd erupted. Switch the clauses that make up these complex sentences: NOTE: be sure to use a comma if the dependent clause comes first. Sam hasn't been able to visit his parents since the virus started. Since the virus started, Sam hasn't been able to visit his parents. The team lost because they didn't trust each other. Because they didn't trust each other, the team lost. Grandad was much happier before the war. Before the war, grandad was much happier. We won't make our flight if we don't leave now! If we don't leave now, we won't make our flight! The crowed booed when he threw his golf club. When he threw his golf club, the crowed booed. People ran for cover when the earthquake started. When the earthquake started, people ran for cover. Effective writers use a mixture of simple, compound and complex sentences.Read the extract below, taken from Emily Rodda's Deltora Quest: The Forests of Silence, and determine whether the sentences she used are simple, compound or complex. complex compound simple simple compound complex simple complex simple Exit Ticket:(Self-reflection) I understand the difference between simple, compound, and complex sentences. Yes! I'm super confident with simple, compound and complex sentences. Yes, but I require some assistance. I'm getting there, but I need more practice. No, I still don't understand the difference between simple, compound and complex sentences.