Types of Sentences
Now let’s look at the 3 types of sentences in English: simple sentences, compound sentences, and complex sentences.
Slide 2 — Simple sentence
A simple sentence has 1 independent clause (IC).
Dress is casual in most American restaurants.
Slide 3 — Compound sentence
A compound sentence has 2 or more independent clauses (ICs). The clauses can be connected in 3 ways:
- IC + coordinator + IC
- IC + conjunctive adverb + IC
- IC + semicolon + IC
Slide 4
1. Compound sentence with coordinator: IC + coordinator + IC
and
but
for
nor
or
so
yet
Slide 5
Compound sentence: IC + coordinator + IC
The restaurant serves lunch, and there is music on weekends.
The food is delicious, but it isn’t expensive.
The food is healthy, for they use fresh ingredients.
They don’t serve wine, nor do they serve beer.
You can eat in the restaurant, or you can take food home.
They don’t accept credit cards, so be sure to take cash.
The restaurant is small, yet it is well known.
Slide 6
2. Compound sentence with conjunctive adverb: IC + conjunctive adverb + IC
as a result
consequently
finally
for example
furthermore
hence
however
likewise
meanwhile
moreover
nevertheless
otherwise
therefore
thus
Slide 7
Compound sentence: IC + conjunctive adverb + IC
The restaurant serves lunch; moreover, there is music on weekends.
The food is delicious; however, it isn’t expensive.
They use fresh ingredients; consequently, the food is healthy.
You can eat in the restaurant; otherwise, you can take food home.
They don’t accept credit cards; therefore, be sure to take cash.
The restaurant is small; nevertheless, it is well known.
Slide 8
3. Compound sentence with semicolon: IC + semicolon + IC
Independent clauses can also be separated by just a semicolon.
We hoped for good weather; it was terrible.
Some people learn math easily; others have trouble.
Paul loves seafood; Mary loves vegetables.
They are very busy; they do not have time to help you.
Slide 9
On the next few screens, you will see some sentences.
Decide if each sentence is a simple sentence or a compound sentence.
Slides 10-14 — Multiple Choice Questions
A complex sentence has at least 1 independent clause (IC) and 1 dependent clause (DC).
The IC may come first in the sentence, or the DC may come first.
IC + DC
or
DC, + IC
Slide 16
We watched the game while we finished our hot dogs.
You can believe whatever you like.
The server brought us coffee as soon as we sat down.
I prefer the play that we saw last week.
Even though the restaurant is near the river, it doesn’t serve fish.
Phil ordered a second drink because he was thirsty.
In each case, the independent clause (IC) is written in green.
The dependent clause (DC) is written in black.
Slide 17
On the next few screens, you will see some sentences. Decide if each sentence is a compound sentence or a complex sentence.
Slides 18-23 — Multiple Choice Questions
Slide 24 — Summary
Simple sentence: IC
Compound sentence: 2 or more ICs
Complex sentence: 1 IC and I DC
Simple sentence: The waiters are very polite.
Compound sentence: The service is slow, so we had to wait.
Complex sentence: If the food is burned, you can send it back.
Slide 25
On the next few screens, you will see some sentences.
Decide if each sentence is a simple sentence, a compound sentence, or a complex sentence.
Match the correct sentence type with each sentence.
Slides 26-30 — Questions
Slide 31 — Congratulations!
You have finished the Types of Sentences activity.
You may repeat this activity as many times as you like.
The next slide will give you your results for this activity.
Slide 32 — Summary Slide
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