Simple,
Compound, and Complex Sentences
Sentences
can be classified according to their structure. The three important types are: Simple, Compound and Complex
1. Simple Sentence
A
simple sentence has one independent clause. It expresses a complete thought. An
independent clause has a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete
sentence.
Examples
Ø Rahul
plays cricket.
Ø She is
reading a book.
Ø The
children went to school.
Ø My
father works in a bank.
Ø The
sun rises in the east.
Important
point: A simple sentence can have a compound subject or compound verb, but it
still has only one independent clause.
Ø For
example: Rahul and Amit play cricket.
→ Two subjects, but one clause.
Ø Rahul
opened the door and entered the room.
→ Two verbs, but one independent
clause.
2.
Compound Sentence
A
compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined together. The
clauses are usually joined by coordinating conjunctions: FANBOYS.
F
– for
A
– and
N
– nor
B
– but
O
– or
Y
– yet
S
– so
Examples
1. I
wanted to go outside, but it was raining.
I wanted to go outside. →
Independent clause
It was raining. → Independent
clause
but → coordinating conjunction
2. She studied hard, so she passed the
examination.
3. Ravi likes tea, and his brother likes
coffee.
4. Hurry up, or you will miss the bus.
5. He is poor, but he is honest.
Formula:
Independent Clause + coordinating conjunction + Independent Clause
Example:
The sun was setting + and + the birds were returning home.
3. Complex Sentence
A
complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent
(subordinate) clauses. A dependent clause cannot normally stand alone as a
complete sentence. Common subordinating conjunctions are: because, although,
though, if, when, while, before, after, since, unless, until, as, where,
wherever, whereas, etc.
Examples
1.
I stayed at home because it was raining.
I stayed at home. → Independent clause
because it was raining. → Dependent clause
2.
Although he was tired, he continued working.
3.
I will call you when I reach home.
4.
If you work hard, you will succeed.
5.
She went to bed after she finished her homework.
Formula:
Independent Clause + subordinating conjunction + Dependent Clause
or
Dependent
Clause + Independent Clause
For
example:
Ø Because
he was ill, he could not attend school.
Here,
Because he was ill cannot stand alone, while he could not attend
school can stand alone.
Simple,
Compound and Complex: Quick Comparison
Simple One independent clause He works hard.
Compound Two
independent clauses He
works hard, and he earns well.
Complex One independent + one dependent clause He works hard because he wants to succeed.
Easy
way to remember
Simple
= One main idea
Compound
= Two equal ideas
Complex
= One main idea + one dependent idea
Exercise
1: Identify whether each sentence is Simple, Compound, or Complex.
1.
The boy is playing football.
Answer:
Simple. It contains only one independent clause.
2.
The boy is playing football, and his sister is watching him.
Answer:
Compound
The
boy is playing football. → Independent
His
sister is watching him. → Independent
and
joins them.
3.
The boy is playing football because the weather is pleasant.
Answer:
Complex
The
boy is playing football. → Independent
because
the weather is pleasant. → Dependent
4.
I went to the market, but I could not find the book.
Answer:
Compound. Two independent clauses are joined by but.
5.
When the teacher entered the classroom, the students became silent.
Answer:
Complex
When
the teacher entered the classroom → Dependent
the
students became silent → Independent
6.
The old man sat under a tree.
Answer:
Simple. There is only one independent clause.
7.
She was tired, but she continued working.
Answer:
Compound
Two
independent clauses are joined by but.
8.
Although she was tired, she continued working.
Answer:
Complex
Although
she was tired is a dependent clause.
9.
The children laughed and played.
Answer:
Simple. There is only one clause. Laughed and played are two verbs within the
same clause.
10.
The children laughed, and they played in the garden.
Answer:
Compound. There are two independent clauses: The children laughed.
They
played in the garden.
Change
Simple into Compound
1. Simple:
Being ill, he could not attend school.
Compound: He was ill, so he could
not attend school.
2. Simple:
Despite his poverty, he is happy.
Compound: He is poor, but he is
happy.
3. Simple:
Besides being intelligent, he is hardworking.
Compound: He is intelligent, and
he is hardworking.
4. Simple:
He worked hard to pass the examination.
Compound: He worked hard, and he passed
the examination.
Change Simple into Complex
1. Simple:
Being tired, he went to bed.
Complex: Because he was tired, he went to bed.
2. Simple:
Despite his illness, he attended the meeting.
Complex: Although he was ill, he attended the meeting.
3. Simple: On reaching home, I called my friend.
Complex: When I reached home, I called my friend.
4. Simple:
He worked hard to win the prize.
Complex: He worked hard so that he could win the prize.
Change Compound into Simple
1. Compound:
He was ill, so he stayed at home.
Simple: Being ill, he stayed at
home.
2. Compound:
He is poor, but he is honest.
Simple: Despite of his poverty,
he is honest.
3. Compound:
He finished his work and went home.
Simple: Finishing his work, he went
home.
Change Compound into Complex
1. Compound:
He was ill, so he could not attend school.
Complex: Because he was ill, he
could not attend school.
2. Compound:
He is poor, but he is honest.
Complex: Although he is poor, he
is honest.
3. Compound:
Work hard, or you will fail.
Complex: If you do not work
hard, you will fail.
4. Compound:
He reached the station, but the train had already left.
Complex: When he reached the station,
the train had already left.
Change Complex into Simple
1. Complex:
Because he was ill, he could not attend school.
Simple: Being ill, he could not
attend school.
2. Complex:
Although he was poor, he was honest.
Simple: In spite of his poverty,
he was honest.
3. Complex:
When he reached home, he took a bath.
Simple: On reaching home, he took a
bath.
Identify each sentence as
Simple, Compound, or Complex.
1. The
sun is shining brightly.
2. I
wanted to help him, but he refused my help.
3. When
the rain stopped, we went outside.
4. She
opened the door and entered the room.
5. He
worked hard because he wanted to succeed.
6. The
teacher entered the class, and the students became silent.
7. Despite
his failure, he did not lose hope.
8. If you
study regularly, you will pass the examination.
9. My
brother plays cricket and football.
10. She
was hungry, so she prepared some food.
Answers
1. Simple
2. Compound
3. Complex
4. Simple
5. Complex
6. Compound
7. Simple
8. Complex
9. Simple
10 Compound
1.
Convert
Simple to Compound Sentences
1. Being
honest, he is respected by everyone.
Answer: He is honest, and he is
respected by everyone.
2. Despite his wealth, he is unhappy.
Answer: He is wealthy, but he is
unhappy.
3. Working
hard, she achieved success.
Answer: She worked hard, and she
achieved success.
4. Seeing
the police, the thief ran away.
Answer: The thief saw the
police, and he ran away.
5. To
avoid punishment, he told the truth.
Answer: He wanted to avoid
punishment, so he told the truth.
6. Despite
the heavy rain, they continued their journey.
Answer: The rain was heavy, but
they continued their journey.
7. Being
hungry, the child began to cry.
Answer: The child was hungry, so
he began to cry.
8. Without
your support, I cannot succeed.
Answer: You must support me, or
I cannot succeed.
9. Having
finished his meal, he went for a walk.
Answer: He finished his meal,
and then he went for a walk.
10. In
addition to being intelligent, she is hard-working.
Answer: She is intelligent, and
she is hard-working.
2.
Convert
Compound to Simple Sentences
1. He was
very tired, so he went to bed.
Answer: Being very tired, he
went to bed.
2. She
worked hard and won the prize.
Answer: By working hard, she won
the prize.
3. He is
poor, but he is generous.
Answer: In spite of his poverty,
he is generous.
4. He saw
the snake and ran away.
Answer: Seeing the snake, he ran
away.
5. She
completed the project and submitted it.
Answer: After completing the
project, she submitted it.
6. He
wanted to become successful, so he worked hard.
Answer: He worked hard to become
successful.
7. He had
no money, so he could not buy a ticket.
Answer: Because of his lack of
money, he could not buy a ticket.
8. The
man was very old, but he was active.
Answer: In spite of his old age,
the man was active.
9. He
heard the alarm and immediately left the building.
Answer: Hearing the alarm, he
immediately left the building.
10. She
was frightened, but she remained calm.
Answer: In spite of her fear,
she remained calm.
3.
Simple
to Complex Sentences
1. Being
late, he missed the bus.
Answer: Because he was late, he
missed the bus.
2. Despite his hard work, he failed.
Answer: Although he worked hard,
he failed.
3. On
seeing his mother, the child smiled.
Answer: When the child saw his
mother, he smiled.
4. He
went to Delhi to meet his friend.
Answer: He went to Delhi so that
he could meet his friend.
5. Without
your permission, I cannot enter the room.
Answer: Unless you give me
permission, I cannot enter the room.
6. Despite
being rich, he is not proud.
Answer: Although he is rich, he
is not proud.
7. After
completing the examination, she went home.
Answer: After she completed the
examination, she went home.
8. Because
of his negligence, he lost his job.
Answer: Because he was
negligent, he lost his job.
9. In
case of rain, the match will be cancelled.
Answer: If it rains, the match
will be cancelled.
10. He was
too weak to walk.
Answer: He was so weak that he
could not walk.
4.
Complex
to Simple Sentences
1. Because
he was poor, he could not afford the house.
Answer: Because of his poverty,
he could not afford the house.
2. Although
she was tired, she continued studying.
Answer: In spite of her
tiredness, she continued studying.
3. When
he reached the office, he found the door locked.
Answer: On reaching the office,
he found the door locked.
4. As he
was careless, he made many mistakes.
Answer: Because of his
carelessness, he made many mistakes.
5. Though
he was inexperienced, he performed well.
Answer: In spite of his
inexperience, he performed well.
6. If you
work hard, you will succeed.
Answer: By working hard, you
will succeed.
7. Because
she was frightened, she started crying.
Answer: Being frightened, she
started crying.
8. Although
he had little money, he helped the poor.
Answer: In spite of having
little money, he helped the poor.
9. When
the teacher entered the classroom, the students became silent.
Answer: Entering teacher in the classroom, the students became silent.
10. Since
he was absent, he missed the important lecture.
Answer: Because of his absence,
he missed the important lecture.
5.
Compound
to Complex Sentences
1. He was
ill, but he attended the meeting.
Answer: Although he was ill, he
attended the meeting.
2. He
studied hard, so he passed the examination.
Answer: Because he studied hard,
he passed the examination.
3. Hurry
up, or you will miss the train.
Answer: If you do not hurry up,
you will miss the train.
4. She
opened the door and saw a stranger.
Answer: When she opened the
door, she saw a stranger.
5. The
weather was cold, but the children went outside.
Answer: Although the weather was
cold, the children went outside.
6. He
saved money, and he bought a new bicycle.
Answer: After he saved money, he
bought a new bicycle.
7. He saw
his friend, so he stopped the car.
Answer: When he saw his friend,
he stopped the car.
8. Follow
the rules, or you will be punished.
Answer: If you do not follow the
rules, you will be punished.
9. She
was ill, yet she completed her work.
Answer: Although she was ill,
she completed her work.
10. The
sun set, and darkness covered the earth.
Answer: When the sun set,
darkness covered the earth.
6.
Complete
the following sentences with suitable subordinate clauses:
1. I will call you ____________.
2. We stayed indoors ____________.
3. She could not attend the meeting
____________.
4. He will succeed ____________.
5. I shall wait here ____________.
6. The children went home ____________.
7. He worked hard ____________.
8. You will miss the bus ____________.
9. She smiled ____________.
10. We cannot start the meeting
____________.
11. He bought an umbrella ____________.
12. They cancelled the match ____________.
13. I shall help you ____________.
14. She went to the library ____________.
15. He could not answer the question
____________.
Answers:
1. I will call you when I reach home.
2. We stayed indoors because it was
raining.
3. She could not attend the meeting because
she was ill.
4. He will succeed if he works hard.
5. I shall wait here until you return.
6. The children went home after the
school closed.
7. He worked hard because he wanted to
succeed.
8. You will miss the bus if you do not
hurry.
9. She smiled when she saw her friend.
10. We cannot start the meeting until
the chairman arrives.
11. He bought an umbrella because it was
raining.
12. They cancelled the match because the
weather was bad.
13. I shall help you if you need my help.
14. She went to the library so that she
could study quietly.
15. He could not answer the question because
he did not know the answer.
7.
Complete the following compound
sentences
1.
The
sun was shining, and __________________________.
2.
I
wanted to go to the market, but __________________________.
3.
Hurry
up, or __________________________.
4.
He
worked very hard, so __________________________.
5.
She
is poor, but __________________________.
6.
The
teacher entered the classroom, and __________________________.
7.
It
was raining heavily, yet __________________________.
8.
You
must study hard, or __________________________.
9.
He
was tired, but __________________________.
10. I called him several times, but
__________________________.
11. She opened the door, and __________________________.
12. The road was blocked, so
__________________________.
13. He is very intelligent, yet
__________________________.
14. We can go by bus, or
__________________________.
15. The boy fell down, but
__________________________.
16. She wanted to buy the dress, but
__________________________.
17. The bell rang, and
__________________________.
18. He missed the train, so
__________________________.
19. The weather was cold, yet
__________________________.
20. You can stay here, or
__________________________.
Answers
1. The
sun was shining, and the birds were singing.
2. I
wanted to go to the market, but I was too busy.
3. Hurry
up, or you will miss the bus.
4. He
worked very hard, so he passed the examination.
5. She is
poor, but she is honest.
6. The
teacher entered the classroom, and the students stood up.
7. It was
raining heavily, yet the children continued playing.
8. You
must study hard, or you will fail the examination.
9. He was
tired, but he continued working.
10. I
called him several times, but he did not answer.
11. She
opened the door, and she saw a stranger.
12. The
road was blocked, so we took another route.
13. He is
very intelligent, yet he is careless.
14. We can
go by bus, or we can take a taxi.
15. The
boy fell down, but he did not cry.
16. She
wanted to buy the dress, but she did not have enough money.
17. The
bell rang, and the students left the classroom.
18. He
missed the train, so he reached the office late.
19. The
weather was cold, yet the children went outside.
20. You
can stay here, or you can go home.
