Simple, Compound and Complex Sentences.
State which of the following sentences are compound and which are complex? In the case of a compound sentence, separate the coordinate clauses and mention the conjunction. If the sentence is complex, divide it into its clauses and state the principal clause and the subordinate clause.
1. Donald took out his pen and started writing.
2. The town in which I live is very large.
3. This is the house that Jack built.
4. The Commons passed the bill, but the Lords threw it
out.
5. My heart leaps up when I behold a rainbow in the
sky.
6. God made the country and manmade the town.
7. She must weep or she will die.
8. He must have done his duty, for he is a
conscientious man.
9. Where ignorance is bliss, it is folly to be wise.
10. I went because I was invited.
Answers
1. Compound sentence; coordinate clauses – Donald took
out his pen; he started writing; conjunction – and
2. Complex sentence; principal clause – the town is
very large; subordinate clause – in which I live
3. Complex sentence; principal clause – this is the
house; subordinate clause – that Jack built
4. Compound sentence – coordinate clauses – the
Commons passed the bill; the Lords threw it out; conjunction – but
5. Complex sentence; principal clause – my heart leaps
up; subordinate clause – when I behold a rainbow in the sky.
6. Compound sentence; coordinate clauses – God made
the country; man made the town; conjunction – and
7. Compound sentence; coordinate clauses – she must
weep; she will die; conjunction – or
8. Compound sentence; coordinate clauses – he must
have done his duty; he is a conscientious man; conjunction – for
9. Complex sentence; principal clause – it is folly to
be wise; subordinate clause – where ignorance is bliss
10. Complex sentence; principal clause – I went;
subordinate clause – because I was invited