Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

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What is a simple sentence?

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A simple sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and no dependent clauses. It expresses a complete thought.

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Example of a simple sentence.

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"The cat sleeps."

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What is a compound sentence?

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A compound sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

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Example of a compound sentence.

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"I wanted to go for a walk, but it started to rain."

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What is a complex sentence?

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A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

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Example of a complex sentence.

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"Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk."

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What is a compound-complex sentence?

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A compound-complex sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

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Example of a compound-complex sentence.

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"Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk, and we took our umbrellas."

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What is an independent clause?

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An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence.

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What is a dependent clause?

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A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and depends on an independent clause.