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English sentences involve 4 types of sentences which are simple, compound, complex, and compound complex. The level of complexity depends on the number of clauses a sentence contains and whether those clauses are grammatically equal or not. A simple sentence, therefore, possesses one independent clause while a compound sentence has 2 independent clauses. Complex sentences possess two unequal clauses – an independent clause plus a subordinate clause. And finally, a compound-complex sentence contains 2 independent clauses plus a subordinate clause.
These definitions are simple enough, but you need further explanation and examples if you want to master the 4 types of sentences like a native speaker. Read on for more.
The 4 Types of Sentences are Rarely Taught to Non-Native Speakers
When it comes to teaching English to non-native speakers, too little attention is paid to sentence structure and the types of sentences included. You even start learning the simplest forms of complex sentences without even knowing – the zero conditional.
Additionally, you learn different ways of connecting ideas such as linking contrasting sentences with linking words such as however, but, although, and despite. However, I have yet to see an ESL coursebook accurately differentiate between these linking words in a way that connects these linking words to the types of sentences they connect.
It’s one thing to teach conjunctions and other similar linking words, but ESL learners also need to learn the types of sentences that they connect. These grammatical differences show in punctuation, intonation, and the emphasis that comes with grammatical hierarchy.
Simple, compound, and complex sentences: these are the three main types of sentences in English. For ESL learners, understanding the differences between these types is essential for building more varied and sophisticated sentences.
This post will decode the different sentence types, focusing on the concepts of grammatically equal and unequal clauses.
Sentence Type 1: Simple Sentences are the Foundation:
A simple sentence is the most basic type. It contains only one independent clause. An independent clause is a group of words that has the basic components of a sentence. These sentence parts are the subject and a verb or verb phrase and can stand alone as a complete thought. 1
Reference: differbetween.com
Let’s look at some examples now:
- Example: The dog barked. (Subject: dog, Verb: barked)
- Example: My sister enjoys reading novels. (Subject: sister, Verb Phrase: enjoys reading novels)
More Simple Sentence Examples
Now, let’s bring in some examples of base clauses with a simple subject (noun phrase) and predicate (verb phrase).
- The chef prepared the meal.
- The dog chased the ball.
- The gardener planted a tree.
- The thief started the car.
- .The student answered the question.
Extending Simple Sentences with Modifiers - Adjectives and Adverbs
Sentences (or independent clauses) possess a subject and predicate which are the 2 basic components of a sentence. However, that doesn’t mean simple sentences need to be short. You can extend a simple sentence by adding modifiers (adjectives or adverbs) and additional information blocks (adjective or adverbial phrases).
Adjectives and adverbs can add additional information to the nouns and verbs in your base clause. Let’s revisit those 5 base clauses and add some modifiers to them.
- The (experienced) chef (expertly) prepared the meal.
- The (young) dog (enthusiastically) chased the ball.
- The gardener (carefully) planted a tree (outside).
- The thief (quietly) started the car.
- .The (nervous) student answered the question.
Direct modifiers come before the thing it modifies, so the revised base clauses have modifiers added either before the noun or verb.
Pay attention to the adverbs specifically. Most of the adverbs that come before the verb express “how” the action was done. In fact, adverbs can state how (carefully), where (outside), or when (yesterday).
Extending Simple Sentences with Indirect Modifiers - Adverbial Phrases
Furthermore, adverbs can be expressed in more descriptive phrases called adverbial phrases. These adverbials do the same job as adverbs except they are phrases, giving you more detail.
As the below examples will show you, you can add multiple adverbs or adverbial phrases to your base clause. However, you must keep in mind that adding multiple adverbials need to adhere to the rules of word order. You can learn more with my full post on word order.
Let’s expand on our base clauses even further:
Let’s revisit those 5 base clauses and add some modifiers to them.
- The (experienced) chef (expertly) prepared the meal (how) with the list of ingredients given (why) to win the reality tv series competition.
- The (young) dog (enthusiastically) chased the ball (where) in the back yard..
- The gardener (carefully) planted a tree (outside) (how) according to the instructions he found on the Internet..
- The thief (quietly) started the car (how) by hotwiring the ignition.
- .The (nervous) student answered the question (where) at the whiteboard (where) in front of the whole class.
As you can see from the further revised examples, simple sentences can be extended by adding more phrases. If you want to review your understanding of phrases and clauses, you can read the previous post with the link.
Sentence Type 2: Compound Sentences and Grammatical Equal Clauses:
A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined together by a coordinating conjunction. Think of it as two simple sentences combined. These clauses are grammatically equal in importance. Common coordinating conjunctions include and, but, or, so, yet, for, nor.
- The girl studied hard, but she didn’t pass her math test.
- You can wait for the manager to return, or you can come back in the afternoon.
- The weather was beautiful, so we decided to have a picnic.
In each example, you have two independent clauses that can stand along.
“The girl studied hard” can stand along as a full sentence while “She didn’t pass her math test” can also stand alone.
The conjunction connects these two sentences, merging them into one sentence with the two ideas contrasted. Therefore, the coordinating conjunction acts like a bridge between the two clauses, showing a relationship between the ideas.
Sentence Type 3: Complex Sentences and Grammatical Hierarchy:
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clause. A dependent clause, unlike an independent clause, cannot stand alone as a sentence. It starts with a subordinating conjunction and needs an independent clause to complete its meaning.
These clauses are grammatically unequal, meaning the independent clause is the higher of the two ideas. This is especially important because you can communicate your ideas “strategically” if you understand how to organize your ideas with grammatical hierarchy.
Ex: My brother wants to go to a private university although our parents can’t afford the tuition.
Ex: Although my brother wants to go to a private university, our parents can’t afford the tuition.
These two seemingly equal sentences are, in fact, different due to grammatical hierarchy and emphasis. The independent clause in each sentence is the emboldened clause. In spoken English, we would place rising intonation on or around the verb phrase while the subordinate clause intonation dips around the verb phrase (see the graphic representation).
The intonation, therefore, matches the grammatical hierarchy.
The 5 Types of Complex Sentences and their Subordinating Conjunctions
There are 5 types of complex sentences that are adverbial in nature plus 1 type that is adjectival (relative clauses). Those types of complex sentences are as follows:
- Contrast: although, even though, even if, as much as
- Purpose: so that
- Reason: because, as, since
- Sequence: after, before, until, by the time, when, while
- Conditions: if, when, as long as, provided, supposing, unless
Now, let’s bring in some examples to practice:
Contrast Example: We won the tournament although our best player missed the final.
Purpose Example: Let’s make a to-do list so that we don’t forget to pack anything important.
Reason Example: Since we have some time before our train, let’s get something to eat.
Sequence Example: You can go home as soon as you have finished the last exercise.
Condition Example: You can wait for the manager if you have a few minutes to spare.
Now you know how to structure each type of complex sentence. At this point, you will want to get some practice with these types of sentences.
Sentence Type 4: Compound-Complex Sentences, Combining Equal and Unequal Clauses
A compound-complex sentence combines elements of both compound and complex sentences. It has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
- Example: Although the weather was bad, we decided to go for a walk, and we had a great time. (Dependent clause: Although the weather was bad; Independent clauses: we decided to go for a walk, and we had a great time)
The above example shows you how to build a compound-complex sentence. However, you need to follow word order so that you don’t confuse your listener or reader.
The word order of modifiers states that the modifier must be near or point to the thing it modifies.
Subordinate clauses are actually indirect modifiers of independent clauses. You don’t need to worry about where to place the subordinate clause when it is only part of a complex sentence. Yet, when there are 2 independent clauses, you must take care where you place the subordinate clause.
A subordinate clause can go in the front position or at the end, but the middle position should be avoided. Otherwise, your listener or reader cannot be sure which of the two independent clauses is being modified.
More Examples of Compound-Complex Sentence Types
In order to truly understand compound-complex sentences, let’s revisit our examples from compound sentences and add a subordinate clause to them.
- The girl studied hard, but she didn’t pass her math test because she studied the wrong chapter.
In this first revised example, we add a reason to why she didn’t pass. This is the only logical arrangement of this sentence because you can only apply the “reason” to the clause that says she didn’t pass.
- If you have 20 minutes to spare, you can wait for the manager to return, or you can come back in the afternoon.
(Or) You can wait for the manager to return, or you can come back in the afternoon if you don’t have the time to spare at the moment.
Notice in both examples how the condition can be added either in the front position or at the end position but not in the middle position.
Why Learning the 4 Types of Sentences Matters for ESL Learners:
Mastering the four sentence types—simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex—demonstrates fluent and articulate English. As my book, English Grammar Explained, reveals, understanding these sentence types is not just about grammar; it’s about unlocking your ability to express complex thoughts and truly “think in English.”
By learning how to construct and identify these sentence types, you gain grammatical flexibility, allowing you to adapt and adjust your language while maintaining accuracy and meaning. This, in turn, enhances the complexity and sophistication of your speech and writing.
Understanding the different sentence types is essential for:
- Writing with greater variety and complexity.
- Improving your reading comprehension.
- Expressing your ideas more precisely.
- Greater grammatical flexibility and fluency.
- Improved ability to think in English.
Conclusion: Improve your English with the 4 Types of Sentences
By understanding the difference between simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences, you can significantly improve your English writing and speaking skills.
Practice identifying and constructing these different sentence types to enhance your fluency and confidence.
English Grammar Explained
English Grammar Explained provides a comprehensive 33-lesson course that breaks down sentence building, sentence types, and grammatical flexibility in a clear and accessible way. Whether you're an ESL learner, a native speaker looking to refine your skills, or a teacher seeking valuable resources, this book offers a structured path to mastering the art of sentence construction.
