Sentence Types

What is a simple sentence?

The most basic explanation of a sentence is that a sentence in its simplest form is:

Examples: Dogs love bones.

Caltex sells petrol.

Jimmy won Lotto!

The most basic sentence has a subject and a predicate (verb) and expresses a complete thought. This is also called a “main clause” or “independent clause”.

If a main/independent clause exists in the sentence, you can attach whatever other sentence elements you need. Look at the additions to the main/independent clause below. All of the additions keep the original main/independent clause complete.

MAIN CLAUSE: A bumblebee flew into Peter's open mouth.

• • Buzzing around the picnic table, a bumblebee flew into Peter's open mouth.

  • A bumblebee flew into Peter's open mouth, stinging the poor boy's tongue, which swelled up as big and as blue as an eggplant.

  • Because it smelled the peach-flavoured bubblegum, a bumblebee flew into Peter's open mouth.

  • A bumblebee flew into Peter's open mouth and tickled the poor boy's tonsils.

  • Taking a wrong turn, a bumblebee flew into Peter's open mouth, but it buzzed back out before Peter swallowed.

.What are compound and complex sentences?

To make a COMPOUND sentence just join two simple sentences (two complete thoughts/two “independent clauses”) with a conjunction such as…

for

and

nor

but

or

yet

so

(use the anagram FANBOYS to help you remember)