Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences

 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

Type              Structure                                                    Example

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.