Simple Sentence, Complex Sentence, Compound Sentence. | Classification of Sentences According to Their Structures.

 Earlier we've read that sentences are of five types (Assertive, Imperative, Interrogative, Optative Exclamatory) each of which is further subdivided into two (Affirmative and Negative). 

Now, we'll be discussing the other types of sentences.

Sentences are of three classes according to their structure —

Simple Sentence,

Complex Sentence and 

Compound Sentence.

Simple Sentence: 

A simple sentence contains only one subject and one finite verb.

Examples-

I. She swims. 

II. I read newspaper. 

III. She told us the story yesterday.

IV. John and Tom play tennis everyday.

In every sentence above, there is one subject and one finite verb:

Read more: Finite Verbs.

Example (I)

Subject – She

Finite verb – swims

Example (II)

Subject – I

Finite verb – read

Example (III)

Subject – She

Finite verb – told

Example (IV)

Subject – John and Tom (it a single subject consisting of two nouns.)

Finite verb – play

Complex Sentence: 

A complex sentence contains one principal clause and one subordinate clause.

Examples-

I. I cannot remember what his name is.

II. The boy helped the lady who had shambled out of the room.

III. She saw me when I was buying fruits.

IV. As I am your captain, you have to obey my instructions.

V. Though I was ill, I attended the meeting. 

Example (I)

Principal Clause – I cannot remember.

Subordinate Clause – what his name is.

Example (II)

Principal Clause – The boy helped the lady.

Subordinate Clause – who had shambled out of the room.

Example (III)

Principal Clause – She saw me.

Subordinate Clause – when I was buying fruits.

Example (IV)

Principal Clause – you have to obey my instructions.

Subordinate Clause – As I am your captain.

Example (V)

Principal Clause – I attended the meeting.

Subordinate Clause – Though I was ill.

See more: Transformation of  Simple and Complex Sentences

Compound Sentence:

A compound sentence contains more than one independent clauses joining together with co-ordinating conjunctions like and, or, but etc.

Examples-

I. She is my sister and I have to take care of her.

II. Go home or you will be punished.

III. I love to swim, but the water is so cold now.

IV. I am your captain yet you don’t follow my words.

In every example above, tow clauses are conjoined by a co-relative conjunction. In every example above I, II, III, IV, the co-relative conjunctions are and, or, but, yet respectively.

Example (I)

Clause 1 – She is my sister.

Clause 2 – I have to take care of her.

They are joined by and.

Example (II)

Clause 1 – Go home.

Clause 2 – you will be punished.

They are joined by or.

Example (III)

Clause 1 – I would love to swim.

Clause 2 – he water is so cold now.

They are joined by but.

Example (IV)

Clause 1 – I am your captain.

Clause 2 – you don’t follow my words.

They are joined by yet.

Remember,

In a sentence, if only two nouns or pronouns are joined by a co-relative conjunction, then this sentence is not a compound sentence. Rather, to make a compound sentence, two independent clauses are joined.

E.g.-

Jack and Harry sing well. – this sentence is not a compound sentence. 

Jack sings well and Harry plays guitar well. – This is an instance of a compound sentence.

Thank you...