Simple Sentence, Complex Sentence, Compound Sentence

Types of Sentences

There are four types of sentences in English.

• Simple sentence
• Complex sentence
• Compound sentence
• Complex-compound sentence

Simple sentence

A simple sentence consists of just one clause. It has one subject and one finite verb.

• Radha is a teacher.
• Cows eat grass.
• Tigers are carnivores.
• Pigeons do not make nests.

Note that a simple sentence does not begin with a conjunction or a relative pronoun. In addition to a finite verb, it may contain a non-finite verb like a gerund, participle or infinitive.

• He went to the city to find work. (This is an example of a simple sentence. It has a finite verb (went) and a non-finite verb (to find).)

Complex sentence

A complex sentence consists of one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses introduced by a conjunction or relative pronoun. The subordinate clause can be a noun clause, an adjective clause or an adverb clause. Examples are given below.

• They suspected that he was a traitor. (Here the subordinate noun clause ‘that he was a traitor’ acts as the object of the main verb suspected.)
• Do you believe that wealth should be distributed evenly? (Here the subordinate noun clause ‘that wealth should be distributed evenly’ acts as the object of the verb believe.)
• Do you know anybody who can translate this document into German? (Here the subordinate adjective clause who can translate this into German modifies the pronoun anybody.)
• The restaurant where we went last week was nice. (Here the subordinate adjective clause where we went last week gives additional information about the noun restaurant.)
• I didn’t go to their party because I had not been invited. (Here the subordinate adverb clause of reason ‘because I had not been invited’ gives the reason for the action mentioned in the main clause.)

Compound sentence

A compound sentence has two or more clauses of equal rank connected by a coordinating conjunction. Examples are given below.

• Rahul is married but his brother isn’t.
• She came home and went straight to bed.
• I will accept this offer or I will be in great difficulty.

Compound-complex sentence

A compound-complex sentence has two independent clauses and one dependent clause.

• After he finished his studies he went abroad and found a good job there.
• Though he has several health problems he goes to work regularly and earns enough to sustain himself.

Worksheet

Say whether the following sentences are simple, complex or compound.

1. In spite of doing well in the interview, she didn’t get the job.
2. I want to know why you are angry with me.
3. She doesn’t know what to do with her money.
4. You will never learn from your mistakes.
5. This has been going on for a while.
6. She will always be a dear friend.
7. We have been good friends since our school days.
8. Their chances of success were slim but they decided to give it a try.
9. She earns well and leads a comfortable life.