Types of Sentences

IGCSE English 0500

Simple Sentence

• A simple sentence is also called an independent clause. It contains a

subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.
• Eg: Scott plays tennis in the morning.
Compound Sentence

• A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a

coordinating conjunction. [FANBOYS]
• Eg: Scott was playing tennis, so Mary went to the beach.
Coordinating Conjunctions

• A coordinating conjunction is a conjunction that connects words, phrases,

and clauses that are coordinate, or equal to each other.
• There are seven coordinating conjunctions. They can be remembered
using the acronym FANBOYS.
• For,
• And,
• Nor,
• But,
• Or,
• Yet,
• So
Complex Sentence

• A complex sentence combines an independent clause with one or

more dependent clauses. A complex sentence always has a
subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun.
• E.g.: I did not see Scott today, because he was playing tennis.
• Have you seen the dress, which Mary bought for the party?
Subordinating Conjunctions

• Subordinating conjunctions are words and phrases that connect

dependent clauses to independent clauses.
• They usually show a cause-and-effect relationship or a shift in time or
place.