Sentence Types and Subordination (Simple, Compound, Complex, Compound-Complex)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to sentence structure (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex), clauses, and conjunctions from the lecture notes.

Simple sentence

A sentence that contains a single independent clause with a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

Independent clause

A group of words with a subject and a verb that can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Compound sentence

A sentence with two or more independent clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

Coordinating conjunction

A conjunction that connects independent clauses in a compound sentence; FANBOYS stands for for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

Complex sentence

A sentence consisting of an independent clause plus one or more dependent clauses; dependent clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, although, if) or by relative pronouns (who, whom, that, which).

Subordinating conjunction

A conjunction that introduces a dependent clause in a complex sentence (e.g., after, because, if, since, while, though).

Relative pronoun

Who, whom, that, or which; used to introduce a dependent clause in a complex sentence.

Dependent clause

A clause that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and depends on an independent clause to make sense.

Compound-complex sentence

A sentence that contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

Example of a simple sentence

During the game, Jasmine scored 23 points, had 6 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots.

Example of a complex sentence

I would really love my English class, if we didn’t have to do so much writing.

Example of a compound sentence

Saleh likes baseball, but Ahmad prefers basketball.

Example of a compound-complex sentence

Even though Mohammad prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest horror movie, and he enjoyed it very much.

Difference among sentence types

Simple: one independent clause; Compound: two or more independent clauses; Complex: one independent clause + one or more dependent clauses; Compound-complex: two or more independent clauses + at least one dependent clause.