Sentence Types

Sentence Types

Using a variety of sentence types will make your writing more interesting to your reader.

Simple

Independent

• 1 Independent clause (can stand on its own)
• May contain phrases

Example: I wore a raincoat.

Compound

• 2+ Independent clauses
• Connected by a ; OR a comma and a coordinating conjunction

Example: I wore a raincoat, but I still got wet.

Independent

Complex

Dependent

• 1 Independent clause & 1 dependent clause
• Punctuation determined by order
• Look for subordinating conjunctions

Example: When it rained, I wore a raincoat.

Compound-Complex

• 2+ Independent clauses & 1+ dependent clause(s)

• Look for subordinating conjunctions

Example: When it rained, I wore a raincoat, but I still got wet.