SIMPLE, COMPOUND, AND COMPLEX SENTENCES

1. SIMPLE, COMPOUND, AND COMPLEX SENTENCES

2. Simple and compound sentences: • So far you have studied only simple sentences. A simple sentence has a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought. Sometimes two simple sentences can be combined into one sentence called a compound sentence. The simple sentences are joined by a comma and a connecting word like and, or, or but. Simple Sentences: Compound Sentence: Mary is a scientist. Mary is a scientist, and she travels often. She travels often.

3. Do not confuse a compound sentence with a simple sentence that has a compound subject, a compound predicate, or both. A compound sentence has a subject and a predicate on each side of the connecting word.

4. “Try it out”: Which sentences are compound sentences? Which are simple sentences with compound subjects or predicates? What is the connecting word that joins the parts of each compound sentences? • Ancient people in Peru made long lines, and they drew huge pictures of animals. • Oversized images were drawn, but they are a mystery. • Some lines are forty miles long, and some pictures are the size of two football fields. • Dirt, rocks, and stones were cleared from a dark layer of earth. • A sandy layer showed up clearly, and it still shows today.

5. “On Your Own”: Label each sentence simple or compound. • Buses and planes bring tourists to Washington, D.C. • Spring is here, and its breezy. • I see cherry trees and smell their sweet blossoms. • The Capitol has Saturday tours, but the FBI is closed then. • The city is a symbol of the nation’s history, legacy, and unity. • Washington is named for George Washington, and D.C. stands for District of Columbia.

6. Conjunctions: • The connecting words and, or, and but are called conjunctions. You can use conjunctions to make subjects, predicates, and sentences compound. The conjunction that you use depends on your purpose. • Use and to add information. I can swim and dive. • Use or to give a choice. Does he sail or swim? • Use but to show contrast. I swim, but Lee sails.

7. “Try it out”: Choose the best conjunction. • Shall we sail now (but, or) wait until later? • The wind is strong, (or, and) the waves are high. • We might tip over (but, or) freeze out there! • Sailing is a joy (but, and) not in bad weather. • We could water-ski, (but, and) the sea is rough. • You (and, but) I should shoot baskets instead.

8. “On Your Own”: Write and, or, or but to complete each sentence. • John, Sue, _____ I can steer. • Help us raise the sail _____ pull up the anchor. • I brought the picnic lunch, _____ I forgot the juice. • We can sail to that island _____ stop now for a swim. • John _____ Sue both want to go there.

9. Continuation: Choose the best conjunction. • Today Joe (and, or) I sail together. • We can sail to an island (or, but) stay near the coast. • I like the island, (and, but) Joe likes the coast better.

10. Complex SentenceS: • You have learned that simple sentences can be joined by the words and, or, or but to form a compound sentence. Simple sentences can also be joined by other words to form a complex sentences. • The words and, or, and but are coordinating conjunctions. They join sentence parts that are equal in importance, such as the parts of a compound sentence. The parts of a complex sentence, on the other hand , are joined by a subordinating conjunction. Subordinating conjunctions subordinate one sentence part to another. That is, they make one part less important than another. • Coordinating Conjunction I spotted the snake, and it slid away. • Subordinating Conjunction I spotted the snake before it slid away. • Subordinating Conjunction After I spotted the snake, it slid away.

11. Conjunctions in complex sentences: TIP: If the subordinating conjunction begins the sentence, use a comma after the first part of the sentence.

12. “try it out”: • Is each sentence simple, compound, or complex? If it is compound, what is the coordinating conjunction? If it is complex, what is the subordinating conjunction? • Consider the slow, soundless, isolated life of snakes before you judge them. • Snakes have no legs, but they can slither along the ground rapidly. • Snakes cannot move forward on glass because the surface is too smooth. • The number of snakes is decreasing as people build on open land. • Although not all snakes are deadly, humans often fear them. • Treatment for certain snake bites must be quick, or the person may die. • Snakes are solitary creatures and even hunt alone. • If you come upon a snake, do not disturb it.

13. “On Your Own”: • For each sentence, write simple, compound, or complex. For each compound or complex sentence, write the conjunction. • Pythons seem scary because they can be so large. • While some pythons are only three feet long, others may grow to thirty feet. • Most pythons swim and climb with ease in their tropical environment. • Although pythons do not bite, they can be very dangerous. • Spotted pythons can be deadly, but they can also be quite beautiful. • Some of these colorful snakes change from yellow to green as they grow.