Sentence is a group of words that expresses a statement, question, command or wish.

A sentence can consist of one clause (independent clause) or more than one clause
(independent and dependent clauses).

Clause is a group of related words that has a subject and a verb.

Two types of Clauses:

1. Independent Clause (Main Clause) a group of related words that has a subject
and a verb that makes sense by itself. (Sound like a sentence? It is.)

2. Dependent Clause (Subordinate Clause) a group of related words that has a

subject and a verb, but does not make sense by itself because it needs the
independent clause to make sense.

Example:
As John drove around the block, Mary went into the store.

Independent Clause Mary went into the store.

Dependent Clause As John drove around the block

Four types of sentences according to structure

1. Simple Sentence comprises only one clause (main or independent clause). A
main clause has both the subject and the verb and expresses a complete meaning.
Hence, a simple sentence is simply a main-clause. It has no independent clause.
Examples:
I bought a chair.
He ate a mango.
She goes to college.
They are laughing.

2. Compound sentence has at least two main (or independent) clauses connected
by coordinating conjunctions. It has no independent clause.
The coordinating conjunctions used to join main clauses are and, for, nor, but,
so, yet, or. Independent clauses are also sometime connected by semicolon (;)
mark. A comma may not or may be used before a conjunction in a compound
sentence.
Examples:
I wrote him a letter, but he didnt reply me.
I told him about his failure in the exam, and he became sad.
She failed many times, yet she is not disappointed.
I needed help; he helped me.
 3. Complex Sentence has one main-clause (independent clause) and at least one
subordinate-clause (dependent clause) connected by subordinate conjunctions
such as although, because, since, unless, when or a related pronoun such as
who, that, which, etc.
Examples:
I saw a man who was wearing a white shirt.
The girl bought a doll which sings a song.
She gifted me a book that has a great knowledge.
We helped a child who was crying.

In the examples above, the underlined part of each sentence is a main clause while
the remaining part is a subordinate clause.

Note: If the complex sentence starts with the independent (or main) clause, a
comma will not be used between clauses in the complex sentence. But if the
complex sentence start with a dependent (or subordinate) clause then the comma
will be used after the dependent clause in the complex sentence. Read the
examples below.
It is quite hot today although it is raining.
Although it is raining, it is quite hot today.

4. Complex-Compound Sentence has at least two main (independent) clause and

one or more subordinate (dependent) clauses. It can also be called compound-
complex sentence.

In the following examples, the underlined parts represent main clause while the
non-underlined parts represent subordinate clause.

Examples:
I like Physics, but my friend likes Biology who wants to become a doctor.
I waited for him, but he didnt come which disappointed me.
She bought a green shirt and I bought brown shirt which looks very decent.

http://www.studyandexam.com/sentence-types.html
http://teachro.publiccomputingservices.org/grammarpractice/clause/structure.htm
http://esl.fis.edu/grammar/multi/satzType.htm
Quiz.
A. Write down whether the sentences is: simple, compound, complex or compound
complex. Remember that the length of the sentence does not necessarily
determine type. It is the type of clauses in the sentence that matter.

1. A girl with brown eyes entered the room.

2. Angel and Rose entered the room just as the bell rang.
3. School starts at August 25th and I will be entering the 8th grade.
4. When I purchased my new gym clothes, I gave away my old ones.
5. Since there are so many students in my grade, English 8 will be held for Group A
on Monday, Wednesday and Friday one week, and the next week, Group A will
have it on Tuesday and Thursday.
6. Scott wrote his letter and sent it to his cousin.
7. Jim, who is in my grade, will have gym in Fridays.
8. John ran to the store and he bought five lottery tickets.
9. Flowers make beautiful gifts if they are bought from a florist.
10. When Stacey came, she walked into my bedroom and she replaced the present on
my bed.
11. This is a simple sentence.
12. I like playing basketball, and my brother likes playing tennis.
13. Ill help you if you help me.
14. Her name is Sachiko and she comes from Japan.
15. My mother cooked dinner while I was doing my homework.
16. While I was doing my homework, my father cooked the dinner and my mother
was asleep in front of the television.
17. Do you want to go swimming tomorrow, or would you prefer to play tennis?
18. Ive brought my umbrella with me in case it rains.
19. I dont know why he did that.
20. My family came to Germany when I was in grade 5, but I never learned to speak
German as well.
21. Im so pleased that you can come to my party.
22. He told me that he is returning to London next summer.
23. I have not seen my grandmother since I came to Germany.
24. We were doing a mathematics test when the fire alarm rang yesterday.
25. She runs every day, so she is very fit.
26. Because she runs every day, she is very fit.
27. The new girl in our ESL class has a brother in grade 7 and a sister in grade 9.
28. You should read every day if you want to improve your English more quickly.
29. Although it was cold and the rain was getting heavier, we decided to go fishing as
planned.
30. You should start working a little harder or you are going to fail your test.
31. I didnt know what time it was so I was very late to class.
 32. Most European countries now use the Euro, but the United Kingdom still uses the
pound.
33. To build a dolls house you need wood, a hammer, a saw, and lots of nails.
34. She failed her driving test because she didnt look in her mirror often enough.
35. He got up, walked over to the window, and jumped out.

B. Write down the independent clause in the following sentences; then, write down
the dependent or subordinate clause. BE CAREFUL! Sometimes, the dependent
clause will separate the independent clause, as shown in this sample sentence

The little boy, who bought the candy, is my brother.

Independent Clause The little boy is my brother.

Dependent Clause who bought the candy

1. Since I dont have the book, I could not do the report.

2. The well-known poet, who was immortalized, is Edgar Allen Poe.
3. Ginger, who is a girl in room 18, will run for representative.
4. Before the rain came, we were able to go swimming.
5. After we formed the carpool, Daves driving day was Thursdays.
6. Our travel plans were changed since the plane was canceled.
7. Although I am generally a confident person, I hesitated to take my first swimming
lesson.
8. The Raven is a poem which was written by Edgar Allen Poe.
9. I admire students who ask for help.
10. Mr. Jones, who is a former engineer, is our Math teacher.

Answers:
A.
1. Simple
2. Complex
3. Compound
4. Complex
5. Compound-Complex
6. Simple
7. Complex
8. Compound
9. Complex
10. Compound-Complex
11. Simple
12. Compound
13. Complex
14. Compound
15. Complex
 16. Compound-Complex
17. Compound
18. Complex
19. Complex
20. Compound-Complex
21. Complex
22. Complex
23. Complex
24. Complex
25. Compound
26. Complex
27. Simple
28. Complex
29. Compound-Complex
30. Compound
31. Compound-Complex
32. Compound
33. Simple
34. Complex
35. Simple

B.
Independent Clauses
1. I could not do the report.
2. The well-known poet is Edgar Allen Poe.
3. Ginger will run for representative.
4. We were able to go swimming.
5. Daves driving day was Thursdays.
6. Our travel plans were changed.
7. I hesitated to take my first swimming lesson.
8. The Raven is a poem by Edgar Allen Poe.
9. I admire students.
10. Mr. Jones is our Math teacher.

Dependent Clauses
1. Since I dont have the book
2. Who was immortalized
3. Who is a girl in room 18
4. Before the rain came
5. After we formed the carpool
6. Since the plane was canceled
7. Although I am generally a confident person
8. Which was written
9. Who ask for help
10. Who is a former engineer