Sentence and Word Structure

A compound sentence is when you combine two or more independent clauses, each of which provides a complete and separate thought. The clauses are joined to each other by conjunctions, or a semicolon.

We use coordinating or subordinating conjunctions to connect the sentences. The seven coordinating conjunctions are usually used with a comma, and their initials spell the mnemonic "fanboys."

Coordinating conjunctions

• for
• and
• nor
• but
• or
• yet
• so

• after
• although
• as
• as if
• as long as
• as though
• because
• before
• even if
• even though
• if
• if only
• in order that
• now that
• once
• rather than
• since
• so that
• than
• that
• though
• till
• unless
• until
• when
• whenever
• where
• whereas
• wherever
• while

A simple subject is what or whom the sentence is about, the main noun. A simple predicate is the action the subject is doing in the sentence, a verb. These are simple, not associated with the compound subject or compound predicate, which are inverse to these. SO:

Sentence: The old dog loafs by the fire.

Simple subject: dog

Simple predicate: loafs

A complex sentence is a sentence consisting of an independent clause and a subordinating clause. Or, to put it more simply, complex sentences involve more than just a straightforward noun + verb. Complex sentences include extra phrases added to a base sentence, but which cannot stand alone as a sentence.

For example:

Simple sentence: I cannot work in the garden.

Complex sentence: Because it is snowing outside, I cannot work in the garden.

"Because it is snowing outside" is a dependent clause, and cannot stand on its own.

Another example:

Simple sentence: I intend to work in my garden this afternoon.

Complex sentence: If the weather stays fine, I intend to work in my garden this afternoon.

A complex sentence is one that contains a single independent clause and at least one dependent clause.