RETEACH

SENTENCE VARIETY

An independent clause has its own subject and verb and can stand by itself as a
complete sentence. A subordinate, or dependent, clause has a subject and a verb
but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. There are four types of sentences:

Sentence Clauses Example

simple one independent clause We look for gold.

compound two or more independent clauses We look for gold and we don’t
find it.
complex one independent clause + one or Since we don’t find it, we must
more subordinate clauses look for gold elsewhere.
compound- two or more independent clauses Since we don’t find any gold, we
complex + one or more subordinate should look for gold elsewhere or
clauses we should give up.

Subordinate clauses are introduced by special words that include: after, although,
as, as if, because, before, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever,
when, whenever, whether, and while.

DIRECTIONS: Read the sentences. Choose the correct response.

1. If things don’t change, I will quit my job and I will look for a new job
immediately. This sentence is:
A. a simple sentence C. a compound sentence
B. a complex sentence D. a compound-complex sentence
2. I loved the job when I first started. The independent clause is:
A. I loved the job C. when I first started
B. I loved the job when D. I first started
3. I went to a recruiter because I wasn’t sure what to do. The dependent
clause is:
A. I went to a headhunter C. I went to a recruiter because
B. I wasn’t sure what to do D. because I wasn’t sure what to do
4. I felt much better after speaking with the recruiter for more than an hour
and going over my options. This sentence is:
A. a simple sentence C. a compound sentence
B. a complex sentence D. a compound-complex sentence x

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 RETEACH

5. Before I quit my current job I should have a new job lined up. The independent
clause is:
A. Before I quit C. I should have a new job lined up
B. a new job lined up D. Before I quit my current job

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 PRACTICE

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