Types of sentence in English grammar. Kinds of sentences and examples. Simple sentence, compound sentence and complex sentence with examples.
In this post we will learn English grammar for competitive exams. Sentence formation and examples. We also gave examples to types of sentence
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Types of Sentences
Sentences are of three types, namely
1. Simple sentence:
e.g., Standing at the foot of the stairs Pepe stopped the angry men.
2. Compound sentence:
e.g., Pepe stood at the foot of the stairs and he stopped the angry men.
3. Complex sentence:
e.g., Pepe stopped the angry men as he stood at the foot of the stairs.
• A simple sentence has one finite verb (e.g.: stopped) and only one independent clause.
• A compound sentence can have more than one finite verb (e.g: stood, stopped) and more than one independent clause.
• A complex sentence can have more than one finite verb (e.g: stood, stopped) but only one independent clause.
Compound Sentence:
Read the following sentences. Some words are underlined.
• The Devil laughs but God is dumb.
• They are simple men, and they must have their relaxation.
• These sailors misbehave, for they are drunk.
• Santa Maria shall turn her helm towards Spain, or (else) we are not men.
• Columbus was full of hope, (and) so was Pepe.
• The crew was angry, (and) yet Columbus remained calm.
Note how the underlined words join the independent clauses (sentences) to make a compound sentence in each example. They are called co-ordinating conjunctions.
Complex Sentence:
Read the following sentences. Some words are underlined.
• Although Pepe was a boy, he was very useful to Columbus.
• Columbus was furious when he heard the song.
• They sailed until they reached the island.
• We sail because it is God’s will.
• I hope that we are not entertaining mutinous thoughts.
• This is the vision which God has given me.
• Friendship breaks as a mast is hollowed by worms.
Look at the first sentence. It has two clauses.
Pepe was a boy — He (Pepe) was very useful to Columbus.
The word ‘Although’ is added to the first clause, reading; “Although Pepe was a boy.” Now this does not make complete meaning. So, it is a dependent clause. The clause, ‘He (Pepe) was very useful to Columbus’ can stand on its own, and so, it is an independent clause.
So, the given sentence has two parts.
Although Pepe was a boy —— dependent clause
He (Pepe) was very useful to Columbus——— independent clause.
The entire sentence is a complex sentence. ‘Although’ is a subordinate conjunction.
Watch this video for explanation of Types of sentence in English grammar.