Sentence Types: Advanced
Compound and complex sentences
Multiple sentences can be further subdivided into compound, complex and compound-complex sentences according to whether they involve co-ordinated or subordinate clauses.
Compound sentences are composed of two or more clauses linked by co-ordination. For example
I like black tea but I prefer white coffee.
Complex sentences are composed of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. For example
When you run, the fat wobbles dreadfully!
Compound-complex sentences are composed of sentences which use both co-ordinate and subordinate clauses. For example
If you save hard, you could buy a digital camera and put photos on the web.
| REGULAR SENTENCES | ||
|
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| Simple | Multiple | |
| one clause | clause + linking word + clause | |
| I enjoy grammar | Compound | Complex |
| clause + co-ordinating conjunction + clause | clause + subordinator + clause | |
| I enjoy grammar and I'm good at it. | I enjoy grammar when I understand it. | |
| Compound-complex | ||
| both co-ordination and subordination | ||
| I enjoy grammar when I understand it and when I can see its relevance | ||
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