Types of Sentences

There are four types of sentences in the English language: simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences. 

Below are the definitions of the different types of sentences and an example of each:

Simple- A simple sentence is made up of a subject and a verb, and it expresses a complete thought

        Ex: I ran into the house.

Compound- A compound sentence is composed of two independent clauses (simple sentences) put together in one of three possible ways.

    Comma and a Conjunction

        Ex: I ran into the house, and I saw my mother.

    Semicolon

        Ex: I ran into the burning house; I had to save my cat.

    Semicolon, conjunctive adverb, and a comma

        Ex: I like cats; however, I don’t like to own them.

Complex- A compound sentence is composed of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. A dependent clause is a sentence that has a subject and a verb, but it begins with a subordinating conjunction (even though, because, when, as, once, while, since, etc.) so it cannot stand by itself.

        Ex: Even though the house was on fire, my cat ran into the house to save me.

Compound-Complex- As the name implies, a compound-complex sentence is composed of parts of a compound sentence and parts of a complex sentence. It has a dependent clause followed by a compound sentence.

        Ex: Even though the house was on fire, my cat ran into the house to save me, and she saved my life.