The kinds of Sentences

1.    Simple Sentences

Simple sentences is A sentence with only one independent clause (also known as a main clause).

Though a simple sentence doesn't contain any subordinate clauses, it isn't always short. A simple sentence often contains modifiers. In addition, subjects, verbs, and objects in simple sentences may be coordinated.

The simple sentence (also called a clausal sentence) is one of the four basic sentence structures. The other structures are the compound sentence, the complex sentence, and the compound-complex sentence

A simple sentence has the most basic elements that make it a sentence: a subject, a verb, and a completed thought.  A simple sentence consists of an independent clause, so it contains a subject and a verb. It does NOT contain either a dependent clause or another simple sentence.

Tip: If you use many simple sentences in an essay, you should consider revising some of the sentences into compound or complex sentences (explained below).

The use of compound subjects, compound verbs, prepositional phrases (such as "at the bus station"), and other elements help lengthen simple sentences, but simple sentences often are short. The use of too many simple sentences can make writing "choppy" and can prevent the writing from flowing smoothly.  

Why a simple sentences can be a indepentdent clause?  It is referred to as "independent" because, while it might be part of a compound or complex sentence, it can also stand by itself as a complete sentence.

2.   Compound Sentences

Compound Sentences is A sentence that contains at least two simple sentences. It can be independent and dependen clause or independent and independent clause. As long as the sentences consist of the grammatical rules.
Compound sentences can be formed in three basic ways:
(1) using a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, or, so, yet) to join the main clauses;
(2) using a semicolon, either with or without a conjunctive adverb;
(3) on occasion, using a colon.

A compound sentence refers to a sentence made up of two independent clauses (or complete sentences) connected to one another with a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions are easy to remember if you think of the words "FAN BOYS":

• For
• And
• Nor
• But
• Or
• Yet
• So

Tip: If you rely heavily on compound sentences in an essay, you should consider revising some of them into complex sentences (explained below).

Coordinating conjunctions are useful for connecting sentences, but compound sentences often are overused. While coordinating conjunctions can indicate some type of relationship between the two independent clauses in the sentence, they sometimes do not indicate much of a relationship. The word "and," for example, only adds one independent clause to another, without indicating how the two parts of a sentence are logically related. Too many compound sentences that use "and" can weaken writing.

Clearer and more specific relationships can be established through the use of complex sentences. 

3.    Complex Sentences

Complex Sentences is a sentence that contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses connected to it. A dependent clause is similar to an independent clause, or complete sentence, but it lacks one of the elements that would make it a complete sentence. 

Examples of dependent clauses include the following:

• because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon
• while he waited at the train station
• after they left on the bus

Dependent clauses such as those above cannot stand alone as a sentence, but they can be added to an independent clause to form a complex sentence.

Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Below are some of the most common subordinating conjunctions:

• after
• although
• as
• because
• before

·         even though

• if
• since
• though
• unless
• until
• when
• whenever
• whereas
• wherever
• while

A complex sentence joins an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses.

The dependent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the independent clause, as in the following:

Tip:

ü  When the dependent clause comes first, a comma should be used to separate the two clauses.

1. Because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon, I did not see them at the station.
2. While he waited at the train station, Joe realized that the train was late.
3. After they left on the bus, Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station.

Conversely, the independent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the dependent clause, as in the following:

Tip:

ü  When the independent clause comes first, a comma should not be used to separate the two clauses.

4.   The compound-complex sentence

A sentence with two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause

The complex and simple sentences may be joined by a coordinating conjunction(FANBOYS) or conjunctive adverbs.

§  Examples of Conjunctive Adverbs:

o   furthermore, meanwhile, therefore, hence, moreover, thus, however, and nevertheless

§  Examples of Coordinating Conjunctions:

o   for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

Tips

ü  Remember that a compound-complex sentence contains at least 2 complete sentences joined by a conjunction.

ü  Remember that a compound-complex sentence also contains a dependent clause (or introductory clause).

ü  Remember that the dependent clause must be introduced using a transitional word or phrase.

ü