Simple sentence - is one independent clause — a group of words that has a subject and a verb and can stand by itself as a complete thought. (Example: The dog chased the ball.) A simple sentence may have a compound subject or a compound verb or both. Compound sentence - consists of two or more independent clauses linked by a word such as and, if, but, so, or or. (Example: Mr. Roberts was a teacher, but he also coached soccer.)

Complex sentence - contains one independent clause and one or more dependent or subordinate clauses—a group of words that has a subject and a verb but is not a complete thought. (Example: Although he was a science teacher, Mr. Roberts also taught math.)

Compound-complex sentence - contains two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. (Example: Although he was a science teacher, Mr. Roberts also taught math and he was the dean of students.)

DIRECTIONS: For each sentence, tell whether the sentence is a simple sentence, compound sentence, a complex sentence, or a compound-complex sentence.
1. Every ethnic minority, in seeking its own freedom, helped strengthen the fabric of liberty in American life.
2. “Then I discovered that the immigrants were American history.”
3. Even the American dinner table has felt the impact.


DIRECTIONS: Change each compound or complex sentence below into a pair of shorter sentences. Use correct punctuation. You may add words if necessary.
1. More than that, it infused the nation with a commitment to far horizons and new frontiers, and thereby kept the pioneer spirit of American life, the spirit of equality and of hope, always alive and strong.
2. But the very problems of adjustment and assimilation presented a challenge to the American idea — a challenge which subjected that idea to stern testing and eventually brought out the best qualities in American society.