Read the following sentences and state whether they are simple, complex or compound.
- A simple sentence has just one clause.
- A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
- A compound sentence has two or more clauses of equal rank.
1The girl looked at her brother and smiled.
Wrong!
A compound sentence consists of two or more coordinate clauses. Clauses connected by and, but or or are coordinate clauses.
2Janet went to the library to borrow some books.
Wrong!
The given sentence has just one finite verb and one clause. Infinitives are non-finites.
3The water was so cold that we could not swim in it.
Wrong!
So…that… is a subordinating conjunction. A clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction is a subordinate clause.
4The little girl started crying when she couldn’t find her toy.
Wrong!
'When' is a subordinating conjunction. Clauses introduced by subordinating conjunctions are subordinate clauses.
5I live in a large city.
Wrong!
A simple sentence has just one clause.
6As soon as the bell rang, the children rushed out.
Wrong!
A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
7We saw a film which was based on the life of Nelson Mandela.
Wrong!
A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
8His crude remarks offended me.
Wrong!
A simple sentence has just one clause.
9Jane and Alice had their dinner and went for a walk.
Wrong!
A compound sentence has two or more coordinate clauses. Two clauses connected by ‘and’ are coordinate clauses.
10The boys and the girls were shouting loudly.
Wrong!
The given sentence has just one clause. Therefore it is a simple sentence.
11The customers were happy because they got what they wanted.
Wrong!
Because is a subordinating conjunction.
12The meeting was held in a room near the library.
Wrong!
A simple sentence has just one clause.
Done.
Score: 0/12
Answers
- The girl looked at her brother and smiled. Compound
- Janet went to the library to borrow some books. Simple
- The water was so cold that we could not swim in it. Complex
- The little girl started crying when she couldn’t find her toy. Complex
- I live in a large city. Simple
- As soon as the bell rang, the children rushed out. Complex
- We saw a film which was based on the life of Nelson Mandela. Complex
- His crude remarks offended me. Simple
- Jane and Alice had their dinner and went for a walk. Compound
- The boys and the girls were shouting loudly. Simple
- The customers were happy because they got what they wanted. Complex
- The meeting was held in a room near the library. Simple
