There are three types of sentences – simple, compound, complex.
Read the following sentences and mention their type.
1. Mother was busy cooking for the guests who were arriving in the evening.
A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. Clauses introduced by relative pronouns like who, which, that, whom and whose are subordinate clauses.
2. The person who was injured in the accident needed help immediately.
A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. Clauses introduced by relative pronouns like who, which, that, whom and whose are subordinate clauses.
3. Whatever you learn at school will help you in the future.
Here the clause 'whatever you learn at school' is a subordinate noun clause. Sentences that contain subordinate clauses are complex sentences.
4. Alice cooked dinner and Mike tidied the rooms.
A compound sentence consists of two or more coordinate clauses. Clauses connected by the conjunctions and, so, but, or, for, nor etc are coordinate clauses.
5. I had a headache but I enjoyed the movie.
A compound sentence consists of two or more coordinate clauses. Clauses connected by but are coordinate clauses.
6. In spite of having a headache I enjoyed the movie.
The above sentence has just one clause and hence it is a simple sentence.
7. Although I had a headache, I enjoyed the movie.
A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. Clauses introduced by the subordinating conjunctions though and although are subordinate clauses.
8. We cancelled the picnic because of the rain.
The above sentence has just one finite verb and hence it is a simple sentence.
9. He is either a fool or a lunatic.
Clauses connected by the coordinating conjunction 'either...or' are coordinate clauses and hence the above sentence is a compound sentence.
10. I don't know whether he will arrive.
The above sentence has one main clause and one subordinate noun clause and hence it is a complex sentence.
11. You should have asked me before using my computer.
The above sentence has just one finite verb and hence one clause. So it is a simple sentence.
12. The girl who won the first prize is my neighbor's daughter.
A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. Clauses introduced by relative pronouns like who, which, that, whom and whose are subordinate clauses.
Answers
1. Mother was busy cooking for the guests who were arriving in the evening. (Complex sentence)
2. The person who was injured in the accident needed help immediately. (Complex sentence)
3. Whatever you learn at school will help you in the future. (Complex sentence)
4. Alice cooked dinner and Mike tidied the rooms. (Compound sentence)
5. I had a headache but I enjoyed the movie. (Compound sentence)
6. In spite of having a headache I enjoyed the movie. (Simple sentence)
7. Although I had a headache, I enjoyed the movie. (Complex sentence)
8. We cancelled the picnic because of the rain. (Simple sentence)
9. He is either a fool or a lunatic. (Compound sentence)
10. I don’t know whether he will arrive. (Complex sentence)
11. You should have asked me before using my computer. (Simple sentence)
12. The girl who won the first prize is my neighbor’s daughter. (Complex sentence)
