Sentence structures refer to the different ways words, phrases, and clauses are arranged to form sentences. The four main types are simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences, each serving a unique purpose in communication.
- Simple: Contains one independent clause.
- Compound: Contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinator.
- Complex: Contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
- Compound-Complex: Contains two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex are the main sentence structures.
Compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences can contain multiple clauses.
Complex sentences contain an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
A simple sentence is one that contains a single independent clause.
Compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences can express more complex ideas.
A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence contains just one independent clause, which has a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought.
- Example: "She dances."
- Can include compound elements but remains one clause (“She dances and sings.”).
A simple sentence has one independent clause.
Yes, as long as it's still one clause.
Compound Sentences
Compound sentences have two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinator (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semicolon.
- Example: "She dances, and he sings."
Independent clauses in compound sentences are linked by coordinators or a semicolon.
FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) are coordinating conjunctions.
Complex Sentences
Complex sentences contain one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause. Dependent clauses use subordinators like because, although, if, when, etc.
- Example: "She dances because she loves music."
A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Subordinators include because, although, if, when...
Compound-Complex Sentences
Compound-complex sentences have at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause, combining features of compound and complex sentences.
- Example: "She dances because she loves music, and he sings at concerts."
Compound-complex sentences have multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Compound-complex sentences contain both independent and dependent clauses.
Conclusion
Understanding sentence structures—simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex—helps us see how ideas are built and connected in English, improving both comprehension and expression.
- Simple: One independent clause.
- Compound: Multiple independent clauses.
- Complex: Independent + dependent clause(s).
- Compound-Complex: Multiple independent + dependent clause(s).
Compound-complex sentences show both coordination and subordination.
Knowing sentence structures improves clarity, variety, and communication.