Compound & Complex Sentences

Compound Sentences

100

What is a compound sentence?

A compound sentence is a sentence with more than one independent clause.

(An independent clause is a clause (a subject and predicate) that can stand alone as a sentence.)

300

Diagram: 'Julius Caesar failed, but Augustus succeeded.'

Independent clause: 'Julius Caesar failed'

Independent clause: 'Augustus succeeded'

600

'This sentence has two conjunctions and two clauses, and one of the conjunctions connects two phrases.'

Independent clause: 'This sentence has two conjunctions and two clauses'

Independent clause: 'One of the conjunctions connects two phrases.'

Modifying Clauses

100

What is the dependent clause in 'Tomorrow is Halloween, so people are wearing costumes.'?

The dependent clause is 'so people are wearing costumes.'

300

Diagram: 'I breathe as I run.'

Independent clause: 'I breathe'

Dependent clause: 'as I run'; 'as' links 'run' to 'breathe.'

600

Diagram: 'The recruiter has not met anyone who excels in soccer and basketball.'

Independent clause: 'The recruiter has not met anyone'

Dependent clause: 'who excels in soccer and basketball'; 'who' is linked to 'anyone.'

Noun Clauses

100

In the sentence 'I believe that we will win,' what is the noun clause?

The noun clause is 'that we will win.'

(It is the direct object of 'believe.')

300

Diagram: 'What I want is candy.'

Noun clause 'What I want' is subject of 'is.'

600

Diagram: 'Do you know "Seize the day" in Latin?'

Noun clause "Seize the day" is direct object of 'Do ... know.'