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You are here: Home / Lessons / Compound or complex sentence

Compound or complex sentence

October 2, 2014 - pdf

State which of the following sentences are compound and which are complex. In the case of a compound sentence, separate the coordinate clauses and mention the conjunction. If the sentence is complex, divide it into its clauses and state the principal clause and the subordinate clause.
1. Donald took out his pen and started writing.

2. The town in which I live is very large.

3. This is the house that Jack built.

4. The Commons passed the bill, but the Lords threw it out.

5. My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the sky.

6. God made the country and man made the town.

7. She must weep or she will die.

8. He must have done his duty, for he is a conscientious man.

9. Where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise.

10. I went because I was invited.

Answers

1. Compound sentence; coordinate clauses – Donald took out his pen; he started writing; conjunction – and

2. Complex sentence; principal clause – the town is very large; subordinate clause – in which I live

3. Complex sentence; principal clause – this is the house; subordinate clause – that Jack built

4. Compound sentence – coordinate clauses – the Commons passed the bill; the Lords threw it out; conjunction – but

5. Complex sentence; principal clause – my heart leaps up; subordinate clause – when I behold a rainbow in the sky.

6. Compound sentence; coordinate clauses – God made the country; man made the town; conjunction – and

7. Compound sentence; coordinate clauses – she must weep; she will die; conjunction – or

8. Compound sentence; coordinate clauses – he must have done his duty; he is a conscientious man; conjunction – for

9. Complex sentence; principal clause – it is folly to be wise; subordinate clause – where ignorance is bliss

10. Complex sentence; principal clause – I went; subordinate clause – because I was invited

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