Hello, everyone, and welcome back to my channel Sparkle English, where I teach you how to
improve your level of English.
In my last two lessons, I talked about simple and compound sentences and also about complex
sentences.
But there is still one other type of sentence structure which is compound complex.
So I'm going to teach teach you about the difference between all four types of sentences.
And at the end of this lesson, we will have a short quiz.
So let's begin.
So there are four types of sentence structures in English simple sentences, compound sentences,
complex sentences, and compound complex sentences.
Let's briefly review simple, compound and complex sentences first.
So first we have a simple sentence the baby giggled.
In a simple sentence, we have a subject and a predicate.
Here's an example of a compound sentence the baby giggled and the mother smiled.
Essentially, a compound sentence is two simple sentences combined or two independent clauses.
The baby giggled, the mother smiled.
We have two subjects and two predicates.
We make compound sentences by adding a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
The seven coordinating conjunctions are for and nor but or yet.
So we can also make a compound sentence by using a semicolon.
The basic be giggled.
The mother smiled.
We can do this if both simple sentences are closely related.
And next, we have complex sentences.
For example, if it snows tomorrow, we can go skiing.
In a complex sentence, we have an independent clause.
For example, we can go skiing.
We also have a dependent clause or a subordinate clause.
For example, if it snows tomorrow, you can tell a complex sentence if you see a subordinating
conjunction.
For example, if because since there are many different subordinating conjunctions, it's
easy easier to remember the coordinating conjunctions we use in compound sentences.
So what is a compound complex sentence?
Well, a compound complex sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses
and at least one dependent clause.
So, for example, let's look at this complex sentence brady didn't come to the concert
because he was in a bad mood.
In purple here we have the independent clause.
It's a sentence that makes sense by itself.
It's a standalone sentence.
Brady didn't come to the concert, but then in blue we have our dependent clause, a sentence
that does not stand alone on its own because he was in a bad mood.
So what if we add another independent clause to this?
Brady didn't come to the concert because he was in a bad mood.
So Jane was disappointed.
This would be a compound complex sentence.
We have two independent clauses brady didn't come to the concert and also Jane was disappointed.
But we also have a dependent clause because he was in a bad mood.
So essentially, it's like a mix of a compound sentence and a complex sentence.
Let's look at some more examples.
Though I wanted to watch an action movie.
My boyfriend selected a comedy and we both enjoyed it very much.
Again, in the blue, we have the dependent clause.
Though I wanted to watch an action movie and we have two independent clauses.
My boyfriend selected a comedy.
We both enjoyed it very much.
Jordan failed his driving test, so he took the test again when he felt more prepared.
Again, we have the dependent clause when he felt more prepared.
And two independent clauses.
Jordan failed his driving test, he took the test again.
And you can change the order of the dependent clause and the independent clauses depending
on the sentence.
Sometimes the sentence may start with the dependent clause.
Sometimes the dependent clause is in the middle and sometimes it's at the end.
It depends how you construct the sentence.
I finished my homework, but I couldn't turn it in since my printer wasn't working.
Again, we have two independent clauses.
I finished my homework, I couldn't turn it in.
And we have a dependent clause since my printer wasn't working.
And finally, number four.
Lisa got in trouble because she cheated on her test and her mother was very upset.
We have two independent clauses.
Lisa got in trouble and her mother was very upset.
And this time, in the middle, we have the dependent clause because she cheated on her
test.
So you can see in these examples.
Sometimes the dependent clause begins the sentence and sometimes it comes at the end
of the sentence.
And note that if we're joining the two independent clauses.
We use a coordinating conjunction and a comma.
And so but and I will do another video on how to punctuate all these sentences because
it can get complicated.
But now I just want you to focus on how to identify the four types of sentences.
So let's do a quiz.
You have to identify the simple, simple compound complex and compound complex sentences.
Number one I'd like to check out that new shop on main street.
Number two, she's having a bad day, and you are not helping.
Number three, I'm running out of ideas for my essay so I'm going to do more research.
Number four, I don't appreciate your tone of voice.
Number five my boss has a meeting in an hour and he's very stressed because he isn't very
prepared.
Number six, when I finish reading this book, I'm going to start reading Harry Potter.
Number seven we are organizing the files for our new project.
Finally.
Number eight even though my new doctor is kind, I don't think he has much experience
and I really miss my old doctor.
Okay, so let's identify these sentences.
Number one is a simple sentence.
We have a subject.
We have a predicate.
And it's just one independent clause.
Number two is a compound sentence.
We have two independent clauses.
She's having a bad day.
You are not helping.
And they're joined by a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.
And number three is also a compound sentence.
I'm going to do more research as one independent clause and I'm running out of ideas for my
essay.
Also joined by a comma plus a coordinating conjunction.
Number four is a simple sentence.
We just have one subject and one predicate.
Number five is a compound complex sentence.
We have a dependent clause because he isn't very prepared is our dependent clause.
And then we have two independent clauses.
My boss has a meeting in an hour.
He is very stressed.
So we have a compound complex sentence.
Number six.
When I finish reading this book I'm going to start reading Harry Potter.
This is a complex sentence because we have one dependent clause.
When I finish reading this book and we have an independent clause, I'm going to start
reading Harry Potter.
Number seven is a simple sentence.
It's just one independent clause.
We have one subject and one predicate.
And number eight even though my new doctor is kind, I don't think he has much experience
and I really miss my old doctor.
This is a compound complex and that's because we begin the sentence with a dependent clause.
Even though my new doctor is kind and then we have two independent clauses, I don't think
he has much experience.
I really miss my old doctor.
Okay, so the more you practice this, the easier it will become.
Let me know in the comments section how many you got correct out of eight.
And if this was difficult for you, I recommend you review my other two lessons on simple
and compound sentences.
And on complex sentences.
And then review this one again and I'm sure you'll pass the test the next time.
Thank you guys so much for watching.
Make sure to subscribe to Sparkle English for more lessons like this one.
And I hope everyone's having a great day.