Sentence Composition: Single and Multi Clauses

Sentences can be simple, compound or complex.

A simple sentence only contains one verb or verb string.

The pig gobbled its dinner.

I have been working very hard all day.

A compound sentence consists of two or more simple sentences joined together with conjunctions such as and, but and or.

Paul loves football but Jamie likes cricket.

I might go to the cinema or I might stay at home.

Both parts of a compound sentence make sense on their own and they are equally important.

A complex sentence links two or more ideas, often with conjunctions such as because, although and if.

My granny rides a motorbike although she is nearly eighty.

We went home early because we were tired.

We will go to the beach if the sun comes out.

In a complex sentence, only one part (or clause) makes sense on its own. The underlined parts of the sentences above are called the main clause. The other part of the sentence is called the subordinate clause. It doesn't make sense on its own.

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