Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences

Is this a simple, complex or compound sentence?

The house was destroyed in the fire, but the whole family was saved.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Answer explanation

This sentence contains two independent clauses ("The house was destroyed in the fire" and "the whole family was saved") joined by the coordinating conjunction "but."

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Is this a simple, complex or compound sentence?

While walking through the woods, he saw a fox that was following him.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Answer explanation

This sentence consists of an independent clause ("walking through the woods") and a dependent clause ("he saw a fox that was following him") introduced by the relative pronoun "that" and "while".

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.1.1J

Which of these is a compound sentence?

• You can come with me.

• You can either come with me now or walk home.

• In spite of the rain, it was Sam who had the choice to go with Ali or walk home.

Answer explanation

Reason: This sentence includes two independent clauses ("You can come with me now" and "you can walk home") connected by the coordinating conjunction "or."

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

CCSS.L.3.1H

Which of these is a simple sentence?

• She reads during the weekdays because she has swimming classes every weekend.

• She reads on the weekdays, and goes swimming on the weekends.

• She reads fantasy books everyday.

Answer explanation

Reason: This sentence consists of a single independent clause ("She reads fantasy books every day") and is complete in itself.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.1.1J

Is this a simple, complex or compound sentence?

Neither the color nor the design of this cloth appeals to me.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Answer explanation

This sentence has two independent clauses ("Neither the color appeals to me" and "nor the design of this cloth appeals to me") connected by the correlative conjunction "nor."

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

Is this a simple, complex or compound sentence?

I don’t care how expensive it is.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Answer explanation

This sentence consists of a single independent clause ("I don’t care") and is complete in itself.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.1.1J

Is this a simple, complex or compound sentence?

Scientists believe that Covid-19 is going to stay with us for at least a few years.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Answer explanation

This sentence contains an independent clause ("Scientists believe") and a dependent clause ("that Covid-19 is going to stay with us for at least a few years").

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.1.1J

Which of these is a complex sentence?

• The boy, who failed his exam, said that he would not try again.

• The boy said that he would not try again.

• The boy was so disappointed and so he gave up.

Answer explanation

This sentence includes two independent clauses ("The boy failed his exam" and "said that he would not try again") joined by the subordinating conjunction "who."

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.3.1H

Is this a simple, complex or compound sentence?

I have got four sisters, and each of them is quite different from the others.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Answer explanation

This sentence consists of two independent clauses ("I have got four sisters" and "each of them is quite different from the others") joined by the coordinating conjunction "and."

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.9-10.2A

CCSS.L.3.1H

Is this a simple, complex or compound sentence?

He is not tall enough to be a soldier.

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

Answer explanation

This sentence is a single independent clause ("He is not tall enough to be a soldier") and doesn't contain any dependent clauses.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1B

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.1.1J