Compound and Complex Sentences

Definitions

100

What type of sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon?

A compound sentence

200

What type of clause has a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete thought?

A dependent (or subordinate) clause

300

What type of sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause?

A complex sentence

400

What are the two ways you can properly punctuate a compound sentence?

With a comma and a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS), or with a semicolon.

500

What are the components of a compound-complex sentence?

At least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause

Conjunction Clues

100

Name two coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) that can link two independent clauses

Any two from: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

200

Which type of conjunction is used to connect an independent clause and a dependent clause?

A subordinating conjunction.

300

• Identify the coordinating conjunction in the following sentence: "The child ate his dinner, but he still begged at the table."

"but"

400

• What type of conjunction is "unless" in the sentence: "The game will be delayed unless it stops raining"?

A subordinating conjunction.

500

Name three common subordinating conjunctions.

Any three from: since, after, although, because, when, while, unless, if, though, etc..

Identify the Sentence

100

What type of sentence is this: "John went to school today, but James remained at home?"

A compound sentence.

200

• What type of sentence is this: "After she finished her homework, Maria went to the park to play?"

A complex sentence

300

• What type of sentence is this: "When it rains, it pours?"

A complex sentence.

400

What type of sentence is this: "The sun was shining brightly, and the birds were singing cheerfully?"

A compound sentence.

500

• What type of sentence is this: "Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he enjoyed it very much?"

A compound-complex sentence.

Clause Hunters

100

• Identify the independent clause in this sentence: "Since it snowed last night, I wore a warm coat to school."

• "I wore a warm coat to school".

200

• Identify the dependent clause in this sentence: "The game will be delayed unless it stops raining."

"unless it stops raining".

300

• True or False: "I love my pet iguana" is an independent clause.

True.

400

• How many independent clauses are in a complex sentence?

One.

500

Identify the two independent clauses in the sentence: "I went outside, and I picked flowers."

"I went outside" and "I picked flowers".

Write It Out

100

• Give an example of a simple sentence.

Answers will vary. 

The dog barked.

200

Write a compound sentence using the coordinating conjunction "so."

Example: It was raining so I opened hte umbrella. 

answers vary.

300

Write a complex sentence using the subordinating conjunction "because."

Answers will vary, e.g., "I stayed inside because it was cold."

400

Write a complex sentence that starts with a dependent clause.

Answers will vary, e.g., "When I get to school, I will study for the test."

500

Write a compound-complex sentence.

Answers will vary, e.g., "After the storm passed, I went outside, and I picked flowers."