Do you know that English has four main types of sentences? They are simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. Each type comes with unique characteristics. In addition to helping you to express ideas more effectively, it’s a way to take one step forward in mastering English!
Simple Sentence
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The name suggests its nature—direct, straightforward, uncomplicated. It consists of a clause so that you can effortlessly create a complete thought. This trait also makes the ultimate choice for instructions, statements, or basic information.
Generally, it has subject + verb + object. Example: Diana drinks a cup of coffee.
However, this is not the only way to make a simple sentence—it doesn’t always consist of two or three words. Feel free to add more elements to it, such as adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases, such as:
- Diana drinks a cup of bold coffee.
- Diana drinks a cup of coffee every morning.
- Diana slowly drinks a cup of coffee.
Compound Sentences
So, what will happen if you put two independent clauses together in one statement? It’s called a compound phrase.
However, you have to make the ideas easier to understand by putting a conjunction between them. For example:
- My mother doesn’t like spicy food, nor does she like curry.
- I have lived in Queensland for years, yet I never knew all the places in this city.
In addition to using a conjunction, you can use a semicolon. However, you need no conjunction if a semicolon is your choice.
- Diane felt cold; it was raining – which can be “Diana felt cold, for it was raining.”
- Farhan ran fast; the professor had already left – which can be “Farhan ran fast, but the professor had already left.”
Complex Sentences
To make a complex phrase, you need an independent clause and a dependent clause in one sentence. Thus, a subordinate conjunction has to be between the ideas.
- I can handle your shift until she leaves.
- If the rain doesn’t stop in 10 minutes, we postpone the presentation.
Additionally, combining two simple sentences also works to create a complex phrase. For example:
- Diana got a migraine this morning. She went to work early. – which can be “Although Diana got a migraine this morning, she went to work early.”
- My pit bull got slapped by your orange cat. They took a nap together in the backyard. – which can be “My pit bull and your orange cat took a nap together in the backyard even though the cat slapped him yesterday.
Besides subordinate conjunctions, complex sentences work with relative pronouns—such as whose, who, which, and that.
Compound-Complex Sentences
The sentence structure makes compound-complex sentences the hardest to understand. It needs two independent clauses and a subordinate. Using the right structure and proper conjunction makes your writing easier to understand while providing a cohesive phrase.
Example 1
I took you for a ride, and we enjoyed the city light at night even though it was pouring.
“I took you for a ride” and “We enjoyed the city light at night” are the independent coordinates, while “It was pouring” stands as the subordinate. Moreover, it has “and” and “even though” as consecutive coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.
Example 2
Martha was reading her book while her husband was playing a video game in the living room, and none of them bothered to make dinner.
The phrase “none of them bothered to make dinner” is the subordinate since it cannot stand on its own.
Meanwhile, “Martha was reading her book” and “her husband was playing a video game in the living room” are two independent clauses. To link the ideas, the sentence utilizes “while” as the coordinate and “and” for the subordinate conjunction.
The key is to take as many exercises as you can, since writing is not a skill that you get overnight. Or, join us at Fun English Course. We offer age-appropriate classes, from kindergarten to test preparation, to match your needs. Sign up today and start mastering the types of sentences that will elevate your skills!