Simple Compound Complex Sentences
State which of the following sentences are compound and which are complex?
1. The house was destroyed in the fire, but the whole
family was saved.
2. Walking through the wood, he saw a fox that was
following him.
3. If I do not get this job, I will start a business.
4. He said that he was so disappointed that he would
not try again.
5. The men who rule the world with their pens are
mightier than those who rule the world with their swords.
6. The evil that men do lives after them.
7. All that glitters is not gold.
8. Neither the colour nor the design of this cloth
appeals to me.
Answers
1. Compound sentence (Main clause 1 – The house was
destroyed in the fire; main clause 2 – but the whole family was saved)
2. Complex sentence (main clause – he saw a fox;
subordinate clause – that was following him)
3. Complex sentence (main clause – I will start a
business; subordinate clause – if I do not get this job)
4. Complex sentence (main clause – he said;
subordinate clause 1 – that he was so disappointed; subordinate clause 2 – that
he would not try again)
5. Complex sentence (main clause – the men are
mightier; subordinate clause 1 – who rule the world with their pens;
subordinate clause 2 – who rule the world with their swords)
6. Complex sentence (main clause – the evil lives
after them; subordinate clause – that men do)
7. Complex sentence (main clause – all is not gold;
subordinate clause – that glitters)
8. Compound sentence (main clause 1 – neither the
design appeals to me; main clause 2 – nor the colour of the cloth appeals to
me)