Lesson 293 - Parts of the Sentence - Compound/Complex Sentences

View lesson on Daily Grammar

A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause.

 

A compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses. Commas separate the clauses of a compound sentence. (A short sentence joined by and is sometimes combined without a comma.) A semicolon can take the place of the conjunction and comma. Only clauses closely related in thought should be joined to make a compound sentence.

 

Instructions: The following sentences are made up of two independent clauses with one or more dependent clauses. You are to identify the clauses telling what kind each is. The choices are independent clause, noun clause, adjective clause, or adverb clause.

1. We enlarged our house, and after we had finished the work, we moved to Hawaii and never returned.

2. The vacation should be restful, but many people take vacations that are never restful.

3. James said that will be enough, and everyone agreed.

4. Dad went fishing, but Mom stayed home because she wanted to be there when Terri arrived.

5. Although the children were running everywhere, closer observation indicated that they were playing a game, and they had created it themselves.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. We enlarged our house = independent clause

after we had finished the work = adverb clause

we moved to Hawaii and never returned = independent clause

2. The vacation should be restful = independent clause

many people take vacations = independent clause

that are never restful = adjective clause

3. James said = independent clause

that will be enough = noun clause

everyone agreed = independent clause

4. Dad went fishing = independent clause

Mom stayed home = independent clause

because she wanted to be there = adverb clause

when Terri arrived = adverb clause

5. Although the children were running everywhere = adverb clause

closer observation indicated = independent clause

that they were playing a game = noun clause

they had created it themselves = independent clause

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.