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What are the different types of sentence?
There are three types of sentence: TOP TIP: Varying the
Simple sentence length and type of
Compound sentence sentences will add
Complex sentence interest to your writing.
1. SIMPLE SENTENCE
A simple sentence has one verb and one main idea (one complete piece of information).
Examples: I was late. My car would not start. I walked to town.
2. COMPOUND SENTENCE
Using only simple sentences would make writing dull. To make your writing more
interesting, simple sentences can be joined together using joining words called
CONJUNCTIONS to make a COMPOUND SENTENCE.
I was late because my car would not start.
SIMPLE SENTENCE + CONJUNCTION + SIMPLE SENTENCE = COMPOUND SENTENCE
Examples of conjunctions: after and although as because
but or since so then unless when whereas while
Hints for using Conjunctions:
Be careful not to use the same conjunctions over and over again - make your writing
more interesting by using different conjunctions. HOWEVER, choose your
conjunctions carefully because different conjunctions can change the meaning of your
sentence.
See how the meaning of the sentence changes with different conjunctions:
I watch TV while I eat my dinner. I watch TV before I eat my dinner.
I watch TV whenever I eat my dinner. I watch TV if I eat my dinner.
3. COMPLEX SENTENCE
You have learned that compound sentences are two complete sentences joined
together using a conjunction. However, sometimes you may wish to add information
that is not a complete sentence. To do this we use COMMAS. Depending on where the
information is added, you may need to use one or two commas to ‘glue’ the pieces
together. This type of sentence is called a COMPLEX sentence.
To add information at the beginning or at the end of a sentence we only need one
comma.
Jim wore a coat. + as it was cold
As it was cold, Jim wore a coat OR Jim wore a coat, as it was cold.
For adding the information in the middle of a sentence, you need TWO commas.
Jim, as it was cold, wore a coat.
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