Common sentence structures
There are four common sentence structures in English: simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences and compound-complex sentences.
There are four common sentence structures in English: simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences and compound-complex sentences.
A simple sentence is made up of a single independent clause. A simple sentence doesn’t include any dependent clauses.
The most basic structure of a simple sentence is as follows:
| Simple sentence | Subject | Verb | Object |
|---|---|---|---|
| a word or group of words which represent the person, item or concept performing the action expressed in the sentence | a word that expresses an action, an occurrence, or a state of being | a word or group of words which represent the person, item or concept receiving the action expressed in the sentence | |
| Example: | The scientist | wrote | a paper. |
A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses which are linked together typically with a coordinating conjunction (i.e. for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) and a comma or just by a semicolon. In other words, a compound sentence is a combination of two separate simple sentences. Let’s take a look at the following example:
AAlexander Fleming discovered penicillin.
B He is considered to be the father of antibiotics.
Both of the above sentences are simple sentences, each containing an independent clause and expressing a full idea. These sentences can be linked together in a compound sentence in the following two ways:
In 1, the two independent clauses are linked by “, and”, and in 2, the same clauses are conjoined simply by a semicolon (i.e. “;”).
NoteCompound sentences are often used when the two combined independent clauses provide separate but related information. |
Complex sentences are made up of a combination of an independent and a dependent clause. For example:
As shown in the above examples, complex sentences can begin with the independent clause and end with the dependent clause, or they can begin with the dependent clause and end with the independent clause. The important point to note is that complex sentences are punctuated differently depending on the order of the clauses.
NoteWhen the independent clause begins the sentence, you do not need to use a comma to separate it from the dependent clause. However, when a dependent clause begins a complex sentence, a comma is used after it and before the independent clause. |
Compound-complex sentences are another type of sentence in English which are formed by a combination of at least 2 independent clauses and one dependent clause. For example,
As shown in the above examples, compound-complex sentences are like compound sentences as they have a minimum of 2 independent clauses. Compound-complex sentences are like complex sentences in that they contain at least one dependent clause. They are often used to express longer and more complex ideas and information.