Glossary: simple sentence


A sentence containing only one main clause, with no subordinate clauses inside it, e.g. Kate visited her cousins yesterday. It may also be referred to as a single-clause sentence. This terminology is preferred in the National Curriculum.

Writing with different sentence types


Sentence types: Simple, compound or complex?

Simple, compound or complex? Look at each of the following examples, and click on the right sentence type. Remember that the current National Curriculum prefers single-clause and multi-clause instead of the simple / compound / complex distinction.

Clauses: Further guidance for teachers


Clauses: Main and subordinate clauses


  • My brother phoned my cousin on Tuesday night.



Sentence types: simple, compound, complex




