There are four sentence structures: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. Varying your sentence structure makes your writing more dynamic and interesting. Let’s look at each type of sentence to examine the differences between them.
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence consists of one independent clause. An independent clause features a subject (a noun performing an action)and a verb (the action being performed), and it expresses a complete thought. As the name suggests, this type is the simplest to form.
Ex. I went to the grocery store.
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence uses two or more independent clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction—for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so—or a semicolon.
Ex. I stayed up past midnight, but I slept in the next day.
Only use a semicolon if the two clauses are closely related.
Ex. I’m going home to rest; I don’t plan to do much else.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence consists of an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Unlike an independent clause, a dependent clause cannot stand on its own because it does not a complete thought. When the dependent clause comes first in the sentence, place a comma after it.
Ex. Because traffic was so bad, he was late to his job.
If the independent clause is first, do not place a comma after it.
Ex. He was late to his job because traffic was so bad.
In either sentence, the clause “Because traffic was so bad” cannot stand alone as a sentence. Therefore, it needs the independent clause “he was late to his job” to finish the thought.
Compound-Complex Sentences
Compound-complex sentences are the most elaborate. A compound-complex combines the two types in its name by having at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Ex. When the bus arrived at the curb, the children hurried to board it, and the driver waited for them to be seated.
Sentences come in all shapes and sizes, and how they are used makes a big difference in the reader’s experience. Too much of one sentence structure can make the writing mundane or even repetitive, but a little variety has the power to spice things up! For more support on this and other editing topics, book a free consultation with our team.
Check out some of our other grammar mini lessons!
