Syntax

Simple

ONE independent clause = one complete idea.

The dog barked.

• Subject: the dog

• Verb: barked

• It can stand on its own.

Compound sentence

TWO independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).
The dog barked, and the cat ran away.

• The dog barked = complete sentence

• The cat ran away = complete sentence

• Joined by and

Complex sentence

ONE independent clause + ONE or more dependent clauses.
The dog barked because it was scared.

• The dog barked = independent clause ✅

• because it was scared = dependent clause ❌

• because makes it dependent.

Compound-complex sentence

TWO or more independent clauses + ONE or more dependent clauses.
The dog barked because it was scared, and the cat ran away.

• The dog barked = independent

• because it was scared = dependent

• the cat ran away = independent

• and joins the two independent clauses.

Memory

Type	What it has
Simple	1 independent
Compound	2+ independent
Complex	1 independent + 1+ dependent
Compound-complex	2+ independent + 1+ dependent