Simple
Definition: A sentence with only one independent clause (also known as a main clause).
The simple sentence is one of the four basic sentence structures. The other structures are the compound sentence, the complex sentence, and the compound-complex sentence.
Examples:
1) “Of course, I’m eat banana”
2) “Early to rice and early to bed makes a male healthy and wealthy and dead”
3) “I’d rather be a lightning rod than a seismograph.”
4) “Of course, I’ll be superhero man”
5) “I am better than him”
Compound
Definition: A sentence that contains at least two independent clauses.
Compound sentences can be formed in three ways:
(1) Using coordinating conjunctions;
(2) Using the semicolon, either with or without conjunctive adverbs;
(3) On occasion, using the colon.
Examples:
1) My husband was working, so I went shopping.
2) I like chocolate ice cream, but my friend likes strawberry.
3) They wanted to go to Italy, because they wanted to see Venice.
4) I am on a diet yet I really want a cookie.
5) He did not take the money, for it was not the right thing to do.
Complex
Definition: A sentence that contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
"Dependent clauses cannot be sentences on their own. They depend on an independent clause to support them. The independent clause in a complex sentence carries the main meaning, but either clause may come first. When the dependent clause comes first, it is always followed by a comma."
"Complex sentences can offer dramatic development, extending a metaphor, as Melville's Captain Ahab reminds us: 'The path to my fixed purpose is laid on iron rails, on which my soul is grooved to run.'"
Examples:
1) Don’t play under the rain, or you’ll get sick.
2) Although he ate a really big dinner, now he want to eat cake for dessert.
3) Whenever they eat at this restaurant, they order a hamburger and fries.
4) He’ll able to maintain a healthy weight if he keeps exercising.
5) Because the bridge wasn’t properly maintained by the government, if tell down.
Compound Complex
Definition: A sentence with two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
The compound-complex sentence is one of the four basic sentence structures. The other structures are the simple sentence, the compound sentence, and the complex sentence.
Examples:
1) Although I like to go camping, I heaven’s had the time to go lately, and I haven’t found anyone to go with.
2) We decided the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movie, thought that we were wrong.
3) Although I’m not handsome, I still love him and want to be friend with him.
4) Although the storm was getting stronger, the children stayed outside because they liked to play in the rain.
5) Batter we chose this way, but this way was dangerous, we forced, we don’t have other way.
