Types of Sentences

Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences for Class 5 English

Simple, compound and complex sentences are the basic types of sentences in the English language. Simple sentences are the most commonly used sentences. To explain why, how, or when something happened compound and complex sentences are used. Besides the definition of these types of sentences in English, students will also know the common mistakes that occur while writing them.

In this learning concept, students will learn :

• Characteristics of simple sentences
• Features of Compound sentences
• Compound sentence structure with examples.
• Complex sentence structure with examples.
• Common Structure of Sentences

All the learning concepts of English grammar covered for Class 5 have illustrations, mind maps, and examples. Students can assess their understanding by solving the two printable simple, compound and complex sentences worksheets in PDF. The solutions to these simple compound and complex sentences exercises are also available in PDF format.

Learn about Types of Sentences

Sentences can be of various lengths and complexity. To study sentences further, it is always best to learn about the type of sentences. Each type of sentence has its own characteristics.

A) Simple Sentence

• A simple sentence is comprised of a subject, a verb and an object. It conveys a complete thought.
• A simple sentence can also be termed as an independent sentence since it can convey complete meaning on its own without depending on other sentences.
• It is the most basic type of sentence based on which other types of sentences are usually designed.
• In the elementary stage, we use a lot of simple sentences during the learning phase.

Example

He is attending the party right now.

The above sentence consists of one subject ‘He’ and one verb ‘is’ and it can convey a complete thought on its own.

B) Compound Sentence

• When two or more sentences are joined by conjunction then we get a compound sentence.
• The conjunctions used to join sentences in this case are known as coordinating conjunctions.
• The independent sentences can exist on their own as they are simple sentences. Additionally, they are joined into a compound sentence to make a different sense like sometimes to show continuity or sometimes to contrast.
• The conjunctions that are used to join the independent sentences are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Usually, a comma is added just before the conjunction.

Example

The two independent sentences are ‘I can help you’ and ‘you have to wait’ joined by the coordinating conjunction ‘but’.

C) Complex Sentences:

a) A complex sentence is a sentence formed by joining acompletesentencewith an independent sentence. This dependent sentence depends on the complete sentence for more information.

b) Sometimes the dependent sentence can be added after the complete sentence rather than at the beginning of the sentence.

Example

The dependent sentence ‘when I was returning from school yesterday’ is connected with the independent sentence ‘I saw a new restaurant’ with the help of a subordinating conjunction ‘when’.

The first part of the sentence cannot express a meaning on its own without the second part.

Common Structure of Sentences

Common Error

Sometimes there are too many phrases orsentences placed in a sentence which leads to confusion. Usually this happens when too many incomplete sentences or conjunctions are used together in sentence.

Example

• Many years later, as Colonel Alvaris Buendia faced the firing squad courageously.
• Many years later, as whenColonel AlvarisBuendia faced the firing squad was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.