Simple Compound Complex & Compound-Complex- The 4 Types of Sentence Structure

Simple Compound Complex & Compound-Complex- The 4 Types of Sentence Structure
A sentence is a set of words that contain a subject and a predicate and they are generally 4 types. Such as...

• Simple sentences have one independent clause
• Compound sentences have at least two independent clauses
• Complex sentences have one independent clause and at least one dependent clause
• Compound-complex sentences have at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause

Now, you might be wondering about the structure of all the four types of sentences. So, here is a detail for your convenience.

Simple Compound Complex & Compound-Complex- The 4 Types of Sentence Structure

Simple Sentence Structure

1 Independent Clause

A simple sentence consists of 1 (one) independent clause. An independent clause could contain a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.)

Structure: Sub+verb+object and can expresses a complete idea/ thought. Example of the independent clause could be...

• Mike studied English Literature.
• Smith likes milk.
• I arrived at the office at 9
• I like tea.
• Mike did not go to work.

Compound Sentence Structure

2 (or more) Independent Clause joined with Conjunction

A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses, joined by a conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so, etc.) or semi-colon. Each of these clauses could form a sentence alone without depending on others. Examples:

• I like tea and Smith likes milk.
• I went to work but Mike went to the party.
• I arrived at the office at 9, and my assistant comes 10 minutes later.

Complex Sentence Structure

1 Independent Clause + 1 (or more) Dependent Clause

A complex sentence has one independent clause plus one or more dependent clause. A dependent clause is a clause, that has a subject and a verb, but, cannot express a complete idea/ thought. It has a relationship to the independent clause. There are three types of dependent clauses...

1. The noun clauses
2. The adjective clauses and 
3. The adverb clauses

Examples of Complex Sentence...

We missed the train because we were late.

Many people enjoyed the party; however, Mike did not.

Compound-Complex Sentence Structure

2 (or more) Independent Clause + 1 (or more) Dependent Clause

A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. Example-

• He left in a hurry after he got a phone call but he came back five minutes later.

Independent and Dependent Clauses

Independent Clause

An independent clause makes a statement or asks a question that can act as a complete sentence.

 Example: The dog barks.

Dependent Clause

 A dependent clause cannot act as a complete sentence because it begins with a subordinating word, such as when, because, if, whoever, etc.

 Example: When the dog barks.

Source 

Related Topics

• Past Tense Structure & Definition with Appropriate Examples
• Prepositions of Time & Place In, On, At
• Grammar For IELTS Parts of Speech