We have state testing this week [CRCT] and I'm reviewing for the Language Arts part. 8th grade students are required to know a ton of stuff by this time, but one thing I don't understand is simple, compound, and compund-complex sentences. They confuse me and I need to know how to spot them.
Btw, I might have more questions today; I need all the help I can get to pass! Thanks (=
-MC
Hmmmm I guess I should've checked google first eh? Thanks though =)
-MC
I found a really great way to spot one of these on the first site of the google url:
Simple sentences always contain a subject and verb and express complete thoughts.
For compound sentence, I just have to look for FANBOY beside a comma!
For complex sentences, I must find a subordinator like when, after, or before.
Am I on the right track?
-MC
Yes, you are on the right track.
Here are some rather simplified definitions and examples for you:
** Simple sentence = 1 independent clause
** Compound sentence = 2 independent clauses, joined by a comma and one of the FANBOYs or by a semicolon
** Complex sentence = 1 independent clause and 1 or more (usually 1 or 2) dependent clauses; dependent clauses are usually introduced by relative pronouns or subordinating conjunctions
** Compound-complex sentence = compound sentence (as above) plus 1 or 2 dependent clauses.
(Independent clause has a subject and verb and makes sense on its own. Dependent clause has a subject and verb, but does not make sense on its own.)
Hold on for some examples.
Simple sentences:
** Go home!
** I love to eat.
** When dining, be sure to eat all your vegetables.
** While dancing, she always has a smile on her face.
Compound sentences:
** Jack and Jill went up the hill, but no one was chasing them.
** Jack fell down, and Jill ran away.
** In all the thunder and lightning, one cat went racing into the closet, and the other two just looked around.
** I couldn't stop laughing; his jokes were just too funny.
Complex sentences:
** When he was eating dinner, he spilled spaghetti all over his white shirt.
** While they were dancing, the couple seemed oblivious to everyone else.
** I really admire my brother, who was an appliance repairman in Anchorage, Alaska, for many years.
** If I were you, I wouldn't put my hand on the hot stove.
Please post any specific questions you have.
I'm sorry that I saw this late but thank you for the help!
-MC
Sure, I'd be happy to help you understand simple, compound, and compound-complex sentences. Here's a breakdown of each type:
1. Simple Sentences: A simple sentence consists of just one independent clause, which means it has a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought. It contains one main idea and does not have any dependent clauses. For example: "I went to the store."
2. Compound Sentences: A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as "and," "but," "or," etc.) or a semicolon (;). Each independent clause can express a complete thought on its own. For example: "I went to the store, and I bought some groceries."
3. Compound-Complex Sentences: A compound-complex sentence is a combination of a compound sentence and a complex sentence. It contains two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. For example: "I went to the store, and I bought some groceries because I needed to cook dinner."
To spot these types of sentences, you can look for specific clues:
- A simple sentence will have a subject and a verb that express a complete thought.
- A compound sentence will have two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon.
- A compound-complex sentence will have two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
To practice identifying these sentence types, try reading different sentences and breaking them down based on the criteria mentioned above. You can also review your grammar textbook or online resources for more examples and exercises.
Good luck with your review and your state testing! Let me know if you have any more questions.