Sentence Types

There are four different types of sentences: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. It is important to become comfortable with each type, since a variety of sentence types signals a writer's skill and maturity.

  1. The simple sentence contains one independent clause (a phrase that contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a sentence). The independent clauses in this handout are underlined.

    The Gustie ordered pizza.

    The subject or verb (or both) may be compound. However, the sentence is still considered simple. In addition, a simple sentence may include modifying words or phrases.

    The female Gustie and the male Gustie ordered a pepperoni pizza.
  2. The compound sentence contains two independent clauses. The two independent clauses are usually joined by a comma or coordinating conjunction like and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.

    The Gustie ordered pizza, but the pizza never came.

    The independent clauses can also be joined by a semicolon or a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, nevertheless).

    The Gustie ordered pizza; however, the delivery boy never delivered the pizza.
  3. Complex sentences contain one independent clause and one dependent clause (a dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but cannot stand alone). In this handout, the dependent clauses are in bold.

    If the Gustie had said the name of his dorm, the pizza would have come.
  4. Compound-complex sentences have at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

    When the pizza finally arrived, the cheese was cold and the Gustie didn't tip.