State whether the following sentences are simple, complex or compound.
1Owing to his illness, he could not attend the meeting.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Simple sentence" because the sentence has one main clause and no subordinate clause.
2The doctor said that I had to quit smoking.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Complex sentence" because "that I had to quit smoking" is a subordinate noun clause.
3That carpet needs to be cleaned.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Simple sentence" because the sentence has one main clause and no subordinate clause.
4Will you miss me when I am away?
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Complex sentence" because "when I am away" is a subordinate adverb clause.
5I miss living in the mountains.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Simple sentence" because "living in the mountains" is a gerund phrase, not a clause.
6The missing girl was found at her aunt's place.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Simple sentence" because the sentence has one main clause and no subordinate clause.
7How they reached there is unknown.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Complex sentence" because "How they reached there" is a subordinate noun clause used as the subject.
8She opened the book and started making notes.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Simple sentence" because the sentence has one subject with two coordinated verb phrases, not two independent clauses.
9He is neither intelligent nor efficient.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Simple sentence" because "neither intelligent nor efficient" joins adjectives, not independent clauses.
10The man told me to go away.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Simple sentence" because "to go away" is an infinitive phrase, not a clause.
11He stopped to say hi.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Simple sentence" because "to say hi" is an infinitive phrase, not a clause.
12I must be losing weight.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Simple sentence" because the modal verb phrase "must be losing" belongs to one main clause.
Answers
- Owing to his illness, he could not attend the meeting. — Simple sentence
- The doctor said that I had to quit smoking. — Complex sentence
- That carpet needs to be cleaned. — Simple sentence
- Will you miss me when I am away? — Complex sentence
- I miss living in the mountains. — Simple sentence
- The missing girl was found at her aunt’s place. — Simple sentence
- How they reached there is unknown. — Complex sentence
- She opened the book and started making notes. — Simple sentence
- He is neither intelligent nor efficient. — Simple sentence
- The man told me to go away. — Simple sentence
- He stopped to say hi. — Simple sentence
- I must be losing weight. — Simple sentence
