These sentences are classified based on their clause structure. Complex sentence definition, structure, rules, examples and. The most effective writing uses a variety of the sentence types explained below. This lesson plan explains important facts about complex sentences through an informative video lesson. This structure allows the writer to show a sophisticated relationship between ideas, using the dependent clause to add information about the independent or main. When you put the two together, you have a complex sentence. A dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thoughtthe meaning depends on the rest of the sentence that it.
The diagram below illustrates the basic elements of a simple sentence. Unfortunately, although simple sentences are simple. Understanding how to construct the compoundcomplex sentence will help you take your writing to a new level of complexity. The 4 types of sentence structure grammar englishclub. A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. The compoundcomplex sentence the compoundcomplex sentence combines elements of compound and complex sentences. You will learn about all the elements that need to come together to structure an accurate sentence. Dependent clauses can refer to the subject who, which the sequencetime since, while, or the causal elements because, if of the independent clause. Begin by working on subjects, predicates, and objects, and then move on to clauses.
An independent clause contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. A subordinate clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. Sentence structure complex sentences students need to elaborate and extend their ideas to make a detailed, precise and coherent piece of text. Dependent subordinating clauses on the other hand which cannot stand alone and to be meaningful they needed to be joined by an independent clause. Jan 11, 2019 in traditional grammar, a complex sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause or main clause and at least one dependent clause.
Each time they get one wrong, they are marked a point and must redo the sentence until they get it correct. The three most common sentence types are simple, compound, and complex. Complex sentences are written by using subordinating conjunctions to connect the two clauses. Only attempt these sentences if you do indeed have something complex to express, and you feel it would be best expressed within one sentence. What is a complex sentence and how do we go about writing one.
This sentence structure game is for small groups to try to classify 20 sentences as simple, compound, complex, or compound complex. The bold words can be used to begin a sentence when used correctly. A complex sentence is a type of sentence structure that combines an independent clause with at least one dependent or subordinate clause. Simple, compound, and complex notes a common weakness in writing is the lack of varied sentences.
As such, a sentence can be said to be a basic unit of communication that makes sense. Learning sentence structure will help students master punctuation and write better sentences with a greater confidence. Complex sentences sentence combining four types of sentences compound complex sentences misplaced modifiers. Complex sentences the car stopped on the street the traffic light turned red. It is the most sophisticated type of sentence you can use. This structure allows the writer to show a sophisticated relationship between ideas, using the dependent clause to add. A complex sentence contains at least one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. The complex sentence a complex sentence is made up of a simple sentence a complete statement and a statement that begins with a dependent word. In traditional grammar, a complex sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause or main clause and at least one dependent clause. Perfect for second to fifth grade, our simple, compound, and complex sentences worksheets will guide your young writers through sentence structure, using conjunctions, and even punctuation. Pdf on oct 28, 2017, adaninggar septi subekti and others published a study of. Lets break down a couple complex sentence examples into its parts. Compoundcomplex sentences a compoundcomplex sentence contains two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Simple sentences and sentence parts now that we know something about sentence parts, we can understand the difference between simple sentences and sentences of other sorts. Jan 24, 2019 complex sentences are written by using subordinating conjunctions to connect the two clauses. In this unit, we will discuss simple compound and complex sentences in english grammar. A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating. It expresses a single complete thought that can stand on its own. Writing complex sentences sentence structure worksheets.
A complex sentence has an independent clause and a dependent clause. Five examples of a compoundcomplex sentence pen and the pad. The compoundcomplex sentence evergreen state college. Some clauses are independent, and others are dependent. Use the subordinate conjunctions in the extension below for ideas. However, they still have only one subject and one finite verb.
Complex sentence we all know that there are three main types of sentences simple sentence, compound sentence and complex sentence. Complex sentences sentence combining four types of sentences compoundcomplex sentences misplaced modifiers. That word is the key to the difference between compound and complex sentences. A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. A dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thoughtthe meaning depends on the rest of the sentence that it is attached to. She drove slowly because she did not know the route well. There is a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought. Write a dependent clause that turns the simple sentence into a complex sentence.
Complex sentences sentence combining four types of. Sentence structure basics all sentences consist of one or more clauses. If, on the other hand, the sentence begins with an independent. A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. They dont know enough about the word doing the connecting. Does each sentence stand on its own as a complete idea. Complex sentences an analytical grammar for advanced esl students fl march 1995. A simple sentence is also called an independent clause.
Using your fragments to create complex sentences will improve the readability of your writing. The question words are used to vary sentence beginnings and change sentence structure. Pdf a study of the mastery of complex sentences of preservice. Difference between simple and complex sentence compare. Compound sentences contain two independent clauses thats all there is to it. Use this poster to show your students the attributes that make up simple, compound and complex sentences. A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses that are usually joined by. It contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. To understand english sentence structure it is necessary to understand what a simple sentence is. Becoming aware of the four general types of sentencessimple, compound, complex, and compoundcomplexcan help you vary the sentences in your writing. Understanding how to construct the compound complex sentence will help you take your writing to a new level of complexity. A complex sentence is made up of a simple sentence, or one independent clause, and at least one dependent clause. If a sentence begins with a dependent clause, note the comma after this clause.
Depending on the number and types of clauses they contain, sentences can be classified as simple, compound, complex, or compoundcomplex. Compound complex sentences a compound complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. Subjects, objects, and predicates with pirates worksheet. The predicate part of the sentences begins with the verb. A complex sentence contains a subordinate clause and an independent clause. Sentence types and functions san jose state university. Complex sentences definition and examples examples. Expand the following simple sentences into complex sentences using the subordinating conjunction in parenthesis.
Vary sentence structures to pace your readers through your argument. The english teacher looking for tools, the student looking for some extra help, or the new english speaker hoping to master the language will find what he or she is looking for here. Based on the sentence structure, we classify sentences into 3 broad categories. Sentence structure revised 2014 university of manitoba. A sentence with more than one principal clause but no subordinate clauses is called a compound sentence. Complex sentence definition, structure, rules, examples. Put another way, a complex sentence is made up of a main clause with one or more dependent clauses joined to it. Its grammar time again as you test yourself on the basics. Lets start with an independent clause, one that can stand alone.
Now we can look in more detail at the four types of sentence structure. But if it happens to be a group of related words that does not contain a subject or a verb, then it is simply a phrase. But for now, take this quiz and help yourself into perfect sentence construction. Sentence structure incomplete sentences, missed periods or capitals, and a lack of varied sentence starters are a source of endless frustration in the writing process. Complex sentences are friends and neighbors to compound sentences. A simple sentence consists of one independent clause. The use of a variety of sentence structures including extended simple sentences and complex sentences create texts that are more interesting and paint a more vivid picture in the readers head. The above examples could have easily been written as one simple sentence and one complex sentence, or two or three simple sentences. An independent clause is a part of a sentence that can stand alone because it contains a subject and a verb. Simple, compound, complex, and compoundcomplex simple sentences a simple sentence contains a subject and a verb.
Dogs, the earth and, harsha are used as the subjects in these sentences. Here are a variety of worksheets to help students master sentence structure. An independent clause, as we know is a sentence which can stand alone and has a meaning. All sentences, must have at least one subject and one verb. Though jack prefers watching comedy films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he enjoyed it very much. Simple, complex, compound, and compoundcomplex sentences so far, you have encountered only simple sentences sentences with only one principal clause and complex sentences sentences with only one principal clause and one or more subordinate clauses. The compound complex sentence the compound complex sentence combines elements of compound and complex sentences. Put another way, a complex sentence is made up of a main clause with one or more dependent clauses joined to it with an appropriate conjunction or pronoun. Creating complex sentences combine each numbered sentence with the first sentence that follows to make a complex sentence. These complex sentences worksheets are free to download in pdf format. Fossils, as you may know, are the remains of plants. This is the most sophisticated type of sentence you can use. Examples although she felt guilty for missing her friends birthday, she took her out to dinner the next day, and they had a great time.
For a sentence to be complete, it must contain at least one independent clause. Simple, compound, complex, and compound complex simple sentences a simple sentence contains a subject and a verb. Writing complex sentences expand the following simple sentences into complex sentences using the subordinating conjunction in parenthesis. This sentence structure game is for small groups to try to classify 20 sentences as simple, compound, complex, or compoundcomplex. The clause must consist of both a subject and a verb. Complex sentences sentence combining four types of sentences. Academic and career skills top tips sentence structure. A twopage recording sheet is included which allows teachers to easily split the cards into two smaller sets if desired. The principal clauses are joined together by coordinate conjunctions and, but, or, yet, for, so, and nor. How many children and teachers are tired of writingreading stories in which most sentences.
A compound sentence contains two independent clauses. A simple sentence is one which has only one subject and one predicate or a simple sentence is one which has only one finite verb. Functions of simple sentences use simple sentences when presenting a limited amount of information. A complex sentence is a sentence which combines an independent clause with at least one dependent clause. Note that there are still two horizontal lines, but one of them is below the other and moved to the right. Constructing sentences 3 if you need to brush up on the difference between a misplaced modifier and a dangling modifier, or if you need to be reminded what makes a sentence simple or complex, then this resource is for you. Through oral discussion and written modelling a solid grasp of sentence structure can be laid. Simple compound and complex sentences english summary.
Although simple sentences may be shorter, they are not any less academic than other sentence types. The complex sentence a complex sentence is composed of two simple sentences, each with a subject and verb, one of which has a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun added, turning it into a dependent or subordinate clause. Written or spoken english is made up of words strung together to make meaningful sentences. When my grandmother came to visit, she taught us how to make our own holiday ornaments. Difference between simple and complex sentence is one of the basics that one should learn to be a good writer or speaker in english language. Simple, compound and complex sentences sentences are of three kinds according to their structure. A compound sentence has two independent clauses connected with the help of a coordinating conjunction.
Rather than introducing all four sentence types at once, i roll them out one at a time. Dec 02, 2018 sequence the sentence types in a scaffolded way. The kind of sentence structure you choose is up to you. Warm ups, specialized instruction, calender, writing units, conventions and more. Showing opposition or unexpected results use these three subordinating conjunctions to show that there is a pro and con or to contrast statements.
A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. Traditional, structural and generative grammar have. A complex sentence is used when you want to emphasize one idea over another in a sentence. Writing complex sentences sentence structure worksheets author. Students are able to pick out the clauses elegantly represented by blah blah blah in the example above, but they have trouble figuring out whether the sentence is compound or complex. Use the guidelines to either break an overly long sentence into shorter sentences, or join abrupt sentences together to make the writing more fluid. When the new structure was proposed in 2003, the council at first refused to discuss the plans with community groups, but the environment court overruled the decision and insisted on a full consultation process. A simple sentence, also called an independent clause i, minimally. Application exercises reinforce the concepts until mastery is achieved. We have tonnes of quizzes on the compound and complex sentences, so you can check them out as well. Focus structure in complex sentences will also be discussed in this chapter.
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