Sentence Structure

An independent clause is a clause that has subject and verb and is complete in meaning.

A dependent clause is a clause that has a subject and a verb but is incomplete in meaning

The adjective clause, the adverb clause, and the noun clause are DEPENDENT CLAUSES

Where she lives because he failed whether they are wrong

That is broken if he passes that she passed the ball

Whom we like than I what he did

1- Simple: Independent clause (complete in meaning)

EX: I had lunch very early.

Before noon, they stopped working.

Running fast, I finished the race.

Jack, Jim, and Jill finished, edited, and presented their project.

We ate, drank, and celebrated Eid.

2- Compound: Independent +(, and, or, but, yet, so, for, or ; ) + independent clause

S+V S+V

They have arrived early, but they found no tickets.

I will choose the black TV, or I have to fix the old TV.

Dan accepted the deal; he gave the money

3- Complex: independent clause +dependent clause or dependent + independent clause

If I go to the store, I will choose the black TV.

The person whom I trust is my cousin.

I have the vase that I broke

Where he lives doesn’t concern me.

4- Compound complex: independent clause+ Independent clause+ dependent clause

Independent +dependent+ independent

Dependent +independent+ independent

The teacher will call my parents, and she will inform them about the results if I don’t do the
project.

The car that was bought was mine, but I gave it to my brother. Compound-complex

I work very hard; I earn a lot of money because everyone likes my paintings. Compound-
complex

Practice: Classify each of the sentences as simple (S), compound (CD), complex (CX), or
compound-complex (CD-CX).

1. When they finished their work, they complimented each other on the results.
complex

2. Cora hung colorful streamers from the ceiling, and Kareem set party favors on the
tables. compound

3. Cora waited for just the right moment to ask Kareem to the banquet, and he
promptly accepted her invitation, adding that he had been planning to ask her. CC

4. After an hour, they took a short break; then they went back to work. COMPOUND

5. They agreed not to take any more breaks; otherwise, they would be late getting
home. COMPOUND

6. Cora and Kareem bought party supplies at the mall. SIMPLE

7. Later, they drove to school and decorated the cafeteria for the Ecology Club’s
annual banquet. SIMPLE
8. Organizing the rummage sale, the Key Club requested donations from everyone at
school. SIMPLE

9. The club members accepted whatever was donated, but they welcomed housewares
most. CC

10. The principal donated a vacuum cleaner; the soccer coach contributed a set of
dishes; and several of the teachers provided towels and sheets. COMPOUND

11. Although it started to rain, we decided to continue our walk. COMPLEX

12. There were books on the floor, under the table, and all about the room. SIMPLE

13. She was going to school full-time and hoped to graduate in June. SIMPLE

14. Transportation came to a halt as the steadily falling snow accumulated faster than

the snow plows could clear it away. COMPLEX

15. Marie, Bill, and I stayed up until four in the morning. SIMPLE

16. My work is better than yours. COMPLEX

17. Finishing on time was unexpected. SIMPLE

1. That boy never stops yelling, and it hurts my ears. COMPOUND

2. Mark never lies, but I think he is hiding something because he doesn’t seem ok. CC

3. We ate spaghetti for dinner, and I didn’t really want a dessert that will make me full.CC

4. Kim rode her bicycle, and everyone else walked. COMPOUND

5. Writing all the essays, he became famous. SIMPLE

6. I will have pie, and George will have cake if I give one. CC

7. Olive has a fever, so she will not go to school tomorrow. COMPOUND

8. When it snowed all day, there was no school. COMPLEX

9. The library book is overdue, so I will return it. COMPOUND

10. Although that movie is very long, I didn’t get bored. COMPLEX
11. She likes that song that I like, and she listens to it all the time.

12. 11. Fishing all day, he got a lot of fish, but he lost the bucket on his way home.

13. 12. We looked at him as he entered the room, and we knew something was wrong.

14. 13. In the afternoon, I will call to check on him.

15. 14. She swims father than I do, but I can run faster.

16. She was nice to me, but I didn’t like her because she looked ugly.

17. None of them could explain what happened to him.

18. Everyone in this school liked the teacher who was extremely nice to the students.

19. Before writing, you need to get more ideas.

20. The subject that I had failed wasn’t easy, but I still hoped to pass.

21. She called everyone to come; no one responded since it was their vacation.

22. If they were in our place, they would do the same t.

23. I will give whoever wins a reward.

24. She kept asking us about the students, teachers, and parents.

25. I cannot explain for everyone, waiting for answers.

26. You should proceed unless you get the permission.

27. Finding the missing papers, he gave them to Mr. Ali, and he received a reward.

28. You are making a lot of noise when you eat, so please stop it.

29. The one who answered our questions isn’t a member of this committee.

30. She will go whenever I ask her, and she will not complain about it.

31. Do it , or I will punish you.

33. The printer can do scanning, copying, and printing.

34. The police arrested him and asked about his address.

35. Friday is a great day to go swimming since it will be warm.

36. I decided to decorate the whole class, so I called my friend to help.

She edited the whole essay and presented it to the