Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences
WALT: understand the different types of sentences and using a variety of them can have an effect on our writing.
Simple
Compound
Complex
A simple sentence is a sentence that consists of just one independent clause. A simple sentence has no dependent clauses. (An independent clause (unlike a dependent clause) can stand alone as a sentence.)
E.g. It was a sunny day today.
A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so) and a comma or by a semicolon alone.
E.g. The pirate captain lost her treasure map, but she still found the buried treasure.
A complex sentence is a sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. It works best when you need to provide more information to explain or modify your sentence's main point.
E.g. Because the soup was too cold, I warmed it in the microwave.
Complete the sentences. Colour the left hand hand side of the comma yellow. This is the Dependent Clause. (Doesn’t make sense on its own.)
Before I go to bed, I always brush my teeth.
As I entered the room,
Patiently,
Once in a while,
Complete the sentences. Colour the right hand hand side of the comma red. This is the Independent Clause. (Makes sense by itself.)
With my feet up, I had a nice rest on the couch.
Raising the blanket,
Behind the trees,
Jumping for joy,
Complete the sentences. Highlight the Dependent clause (doesn’t make sense on its own), yellow in each sentence
Every time I looked in her eyes,
Running as fast as I could,
I made lots of money because
I always have ice cream for dessert after
After the car went off the road,
Complete the sentences. Highlight the Independent clause red in each sentence
She sang a song when it was her turn.
Though the weather man said rain,
He hugged her,
Before the dance,
The boys help out,
Using the picture on the previous slide, have a go and writing some simple, compound and complex sentences about the picture.
Simple:
Compound:
Complex: