Grammar Video Project – “Types of Sentences (complex, compound/complex)”

By: Katerina Vink and Stella Maltcheva

There are many different types of sentences (ex. simple, compound, complex, compound/complex), but in this video, we will be discussing complex and compound/complex sentences. 

Important things to remember when working with these types of sentences, are the independent clause, the dependent clause, coordinating conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions. 

To review, a simple sentence is made up solely of an independent clause, and a compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction.  

COMPLEX SENTENCES: Complex sentences are made up of an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. The dependent clause will always stat with a subordinating conjunction.  

For example; Stella likes dogs because they are energetic is a complex sentence. Stella likes dogs is an independent clause, and because they are energetic is a dependent clause starting with a subordinate (because). It is also possible to flip the order of the sentence, and for it to still make sense. For example; Because they are energetic, Stella likes dogs still makes sense and is still a complex sentence. 

COMPOUND/COMPLEX SENTENCES: Compound/complex sentences are made up of at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. This type of sentence incorporates cooperating conjunctions as well as subordinating conjunctions. It is called a compound/complex sentence because it uses elements from both a compound sentence and a complex sentence.  

For example; Kate doesn’t like snow because it’s too cold, so she doesn’t go outside during the winter is a compound/complex sentence. Kate doesn’t like snow and so she doesn’t go outside during the winter are independent clauses, while because it’s too cold is a dependent clause. Using two independent clauses and two dependent clauses, one could also say: Although it’s beautiful, Kate doesn’t like snow because it’s too cold, so she doesn’t go outside during the winter.  

In conclusion, using two types of conjunctions and two types of clauses, we can make complex sentences and compound/complex sentences. 

Types of Sentences: complex, compound/complex – TEST QUESTIONS:

1. Using these sentence structures can sometimes help reduce _____ and _____.
2. What does a complex sentence consist of?
   1. ) 1 _____ clause + 1 _____ conjunction + 1 _____ clause.
3. What does a compound/complex sentence consist of?
   1. ) 2 _____ clauses + 1 _____ conjunction + 1 _____ conjunction + 1 _____ clause.
4. What sentence is an example of a complex sentence?
   1. ) The boys went to the park, but they did not go to the zoo.
   2. ) Because they went to the park, the boys did not go to the zoo.
5. What sentence is an example of a compound/complex sentence?
   1. ) After they went to the park, the boys did not go to the zoo, so they went home.
   2. ) Since they went to the park because they were tired, the boys did not go to the zoo.

1. Using these sentence structures can sometimes help reduce choppiness and repetition.
2. 1 independent clause + 1 subordinating conjunction + 1 dependent clause.
3. 2 independent clauses + 1 subordinating conjunction + 1 coordinating conjunction + 1 dependent clause.
4. (2.) Because they went to the park, the boys did not go to the zoo.
5. (1.) After they went to the park, the boys did not go to the zoo, so they went home.