Sentence Types

Use simple, compound and complex sentences

Types of Sentences

There are three main sentence types: • Simple sentence: one independent clause — 'The dog barked.' • Compound sentence: two independent clauses joined by a conjunction — 'The dog barked and the cat ran.' • Complex sentence: an independent clause with a dependent clause — 'The dog barked because it saw a stranger.'

Example

Building Sentences

Simple: 'Naledi loves music.' Compound: 'Naledi loves music, but she also enjoys art.' (joined by 'but') Complex: 'Although Naledi loves music, she chose to study art.' (starts with a dependent clause) Conjunctions for compound: and, but, or, so, yet Words for complex: because, although, when, while, if

Note

Why This Matters

Using different sentence types makes your writing more interesting. If you only write simple sentences, your work sounds boring and choppy. Mix sentence types to show your skill and keep the reader engaged.

Key Vocabulary

Simple sentenceA sentence with one main clause

Compound sentenceTwo simple sentences joined by a conjunction

Complex sentenceA sentence with a main clause and a dependent clause

ConjunctionA linking word like 'and', 'but', 'because'

ClauseA group of words with a subject and a verb

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Simple sentence

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