Generally speaking, English sentences are of three types: simple sentence, complex sentence and compound sentence. A simple sentence consists of just one clause. A complex sentence is made up of one main (independent) clause and one or more subordinate clauses. A compound sentence is made up of two or more main clauses. There is yet another variety called compound-complex, but this kind of sentence is relatively rare.
Identify the kind of sentences.
1Their front door was open, but nobody was inside.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Compound sentence" because two independent clauses are joined by "but".
2The coffee machine that I bought for my wife was not expensive.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Complex sentence" because the sentence includes the dependent relative clause "that I bought for my wife".
3She is the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Complex sentence" because the sentence includes the dependent relative clause "that I have ever seen".
4I am tired of listening to advice.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Simple sentence" because it has one independent clause and no dependent clause.
5She was punished for lying.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Simple sentence" because it has one independent clause and no dependent clause.
6John's mother asked me if I knew where he was.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Complex sentence" because the sentence includes dependent clauses introduced by "if" and "where".
7I was pleasantly surprised when she told me that she was my fan.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Complex sentence" because the sentence includes dependent clauses introduced by "when" and "that".
8My mother has wealth, fame, rank, and power.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Simple sentence" because it has one independent clause with a compound object.
9She was not very beautiful, yet she was the most popular girl in my class.
Wrong!
The correct answer is "Compound sentence" because two independent clauses are joined by "yet".
Answers
- Their front door was open, but nobody was inside. — Compound sentence
- The coffee machine that I bought for my wife was not expensive. — Complex sentence
- She is the most beautiful girl that I have ever seen. — Complex sentence
- I am tired of listening to advice. — Simple sentence
- She was punished for lying. — Simple sentence
- John’s mother asked me if I knew where he was. — Complex sentence
- I was pleasantly surprised when she told me that she was my fan. — Complex sentence
- My mother has wealth, fame, rank, and power. — Simple sentence
- She was not very beautiful, yet she was the most popular girl in my class. — Compound sentence