Simple, Complex and Compound Sentences

Sentences can be divided into three classes according to their structure. They are:

• Simple sentence.
• Complex sentence.
• Compound sentence.

a) Simple Sentence: The sentences that contain a subject and a finite verb, are called simple sentences.

Eg: He goes to school every day.

I like flowers.

b) Complex Sentence: The sentences that contain a principal clause with one or more subordinate clause, are called complex sentences.

Eg: I know the man who said this.

Since you are ill, you need not come.

* A Complex sentence may have two or more subordinating clause joined by co-ordinating conjunctions like 'who, which, what, when, where, that, if, as, though, as much as, etc'.

c) Compound Sentence: The sentences that have two or more independent clause joined together by co-ordinating conjunctions, are called compound sentences.

Eg: He not only made a promise, but he also kept it.

I am weak, but I can walk.

* A Compound sentence is generally joined by 'and, but, because, or, for, yet, not only…but also, either or…neither nor, therefore, thereafter, then, so, still yet, so for, etc'.