Sentences: Structures and Types
Sentences may be classified according to their purpose or meaning: assertive (positive/negative), interrogative, imperative and exclamatory.
Another way to classify sentences is according to their construction, the kind and number of their clauses:
Simple Compound Complex
What is a Simple Sentence?
Look at the examples of simple sentences below. Notice that a simple sentence may have a compound subject (sentence 2) or a compound predicate (sentence 3) or both (sentence 4). A compound subject consists of two or more connected subjects that have the same verb. A compound predicate consists of two or more connected verbs that have the same subject.
- Bangladesh has some beautiful tourist spots.
- The tea gardens in Sylhet and the forests of the Sundarbans are favourite tourist attractions. đĄ The two parts of the compound subject have the same verb, are.
- We planned to go to Sylhet but then went to the Sundarbans instead.
- Paban and Sara brought some bananas and fed the monkeys.
What is a Compound Sentence?
The independent clauses are usually joined by connecting or linking words such as and, but, or, nor, for, yet, however, therefore, etc. We can also join the independent clauses by using a semicolon.
Following are some examples of compound sentences:
- ▸I like jogging, but I like swimming better.
- ▸Razzak graduated last year, and now he works in a private bank.
- ▸I wanted to go to the concert, but I didn't get the ticket.
- ▸The giraffe has a long neck and long legs, but it is a very graceful animal.
- ▸Fruits and vegetables should be a part of everyone's diet, for they supply necessary vitamins.
- ▸It was a good day for outing; I went cycling in the countryside.
What is a Complex Sentence?
- ▸We had lunch at the student cafeteria when we visited the college.
- ▸He gave her a pair of bangles which belonged to his mother.
- ▸While we walked along the beach, it started raining.
Bold = subordinate clause.
Key Takeaways
| Type | Independent clauses | Subordinate clauses |
|---|---|---|
| Simple | One | Zero |
| Compound | Two or more, linked by coordinating conjunctions or semicolons | None |
| Complex | One | One or more |
Quick Practice
Identify whether the following sentences are simple, compound, or complex. Leave your answers in the comments below!
- Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
- She baked a cake, and he washed the dishes.
✅ Tap to check your answers
- Complex “Although it was raining” is a subordinate clause.
- Compound Two independent clauses joined by “and”.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a simple sentence and a compound sentence?
A simple sentence contains only one independent clause, whereas a compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon.
Can a simple sentence have multiple subjects?
Yes, a simple sentence can have a compound subject consisting of two or more connected subjects that share the same verb.