Sentences: Types, and Common Mistakes
Sentences are classified as simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. This designation is based on the clauses used to create the sentence. Clauses: Every clause must have a subject and a verb. There are two types of clauses: independent and dependent (subordinate). An independent clause contains a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought. It is able to stand independently. Example: The class is hard. A dependent (subordinate) clause contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought, and, therefore, cannot be left alone. If a subordinate clause is left alone, a fragment will result. These clauses depend on independent clauses to express a complete thought. Example: If the class is hard, Sentence Types: A simple sentence is one independent clause with no subordinate clauses. Example: The statue is in the garden. A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses and no subordinate clauses. The two clauses are joined by either a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon. Coordinating Conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) can be easily recalled by learning the acronym FANBOYS. Example: I finished reading the book, and I returned it to the library. The girls went to the store; they bought new shoes. A complex sentence consists of one independent clause with one subordinate clause. Example: When the teacher spoke, the students were silent. A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause. Example: Because the students work hard, they will pass, and they will be happy. The class was difficult; however, the students will pass because they worked hard.

Rev. 8/07

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Common Sentence Errors:
Subject-Verb Agreement: The subject of a sentence specifies who or what the sentence is about. The subject consists of a simple subject and a