Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences
Remember:
• Simple sentence: One independent clause (The dog barked.)
• Compound sentence: Two independent clauses joined by a conjunction like and, but, or, so (The dog barked, and the cat ran away.)
• Complex sentence: An independent clause + a dependent clause using words like because, when, although, if, since (The dog barked because it heard a noise.)
Part A: Identify the Sentence Type
Write S (simple), CD (compound), or CX (complex) next to each sentence.
1. The rain stopped, so we went outside to play. _______
2. My brother loves basketball. _______
3. Although it was late, we finished our homework. _______
4. The teacher explained the lesson, and the students took notes. _______
5. We stayed indoors because the weather was terrible. _______
6. The bird sang beautifully in the tree. _______
7. I wanted to go swimming, but the pool was closed. _______
8. When the bell rang, everyone rushed to the door. _______
Part B: Combine into Compound Sentences
Join each pair of simple sentences using and, but, or, so. Write the new compound sentence below.
1. I studied hard. I passed the test.
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2. We could watch a movie. We could play board games.
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3. The cake looked delicious. It tasted burnt.
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Part C: Combine into Complex Sentences
Join each pair using one of these words: because, when, although, if, since. Write the new complex sentence below.
1. The flowers wilted. Nobody watered them.
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2. I will help you with your project. You ask me nicely.
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3. She was tired. She kept working.
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Part D: Write Your Own
Write one sentence of each type.
Compound sentence: _________________________________________________________________
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Complex sentence: __________________________________________________________________
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