Simple, Compound, and

Complex Sentences
AP English Language and
Composition
1. Simple Sentence
A simple sentence is one independent
clause.
The classroom is cold.
The classroom is humid.
NFHS tends to be either too cold or too
humid.
Mrs. Alexander hates being cold and
complains if hot.
2. Compound Sentence
A compound sentence is when at
least two independent clauses (no
dependent clauses) are properly
combined into one sentence.

There are three ways to combine two
independent clauses

Combining ICs, Part One
Two independent
clauses can be
connected by a
coordinating conjunction
and a comma:
Ms. Rust forgot the
graded impromptus at
home, and the
students were angry.
Mr. Carruthers loves
his Hug Me shirt, so
he wears it as
pajamas every night.
Combining ICs, Part One (cont.)
Coordinating Conjunctions are also
known as FANBOYS:
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
Combining ICs, Part Two
Two independent
clauses not connected
by a coordinating
conjunction can be
separated by a
semicolon:
Mr. Carruthers is quite
bald; he is much
balder than I.
Everyone loves Mrs.
Morses classroom;
she has stained-glass
windows.


Combining ICs, Part Three
Two independent
clauses separated with a
semicolon could also
contain an adverbial
conjunction and a
comma:
Mrs. Alexander tells
great grammar jokes;
nevertheless, her
students rarely find
them funny.
Ms. Rust has a
classroom cow;
however, her
students, at times,
steal it.



Combining ICs, Part Three (cont.)
Some common adverbial conjunctions (also
known as conjunctive adverbs) include:
Additionally, Comparatively, Consequently,
Conversely, Furthermore, Hence, However,
Instead, Likewise, Moreover, Namely,
Nevertheless, Nonetheless, Otherwise, Rather,
Therefore, Thus, etc.
3. Complex Sentence
A complex sentence contains only one
independent clause and one or more
dependent clause(s).
When the classroom is cold, Mr. Carruthers
dances to warm up.
Mrs. Morse makes her students sing if the
classroom is humid.
Note: When a DC comes before an IC (like in
this exact sentence), there should be a comma.
There should be no comma when the IC comes
before the DC (like in this exact sentence).
So, any guesses on what a
compound-complex sentence is?
They are exactly what they sound like:
Compound-complex sentences have
at least two independent clauses and
one or more dependent clauses.
Mrs. Alexander was happy to make this
PowerPoint because she loves grammar,
and she could guarantee there were no
embarrassing photos of her included.