1. Types of Sentences

Sentences are classified into three types according to their formation structure.

  1. Simple Sentence;
  2. Complex Sentence; &
  3. Compound Sentence

2. Simple Sentence

A Simple sentence contains only one subject with one finite verb, and the sentence expresses a complete meaning. e.g.,

  • She likes chocolate.
  • He has a dog.
  • Seeing is believing.
  • To err is human.
  • I like the poems of Byron and Shelley.

3. Complex Sentence

A Complex sentence contains one principal clause along with one or more subordinate clauses. e.g.,

  • I know when the tiger will be fed.
  • Jill stayed on until Jack arrived.
  • The thief explained how he had escaped from jail.
  • They did not know where they had come from.
  • When I was passing through the forest I happened to see a number of deer.

4. Compound Sentence

A Compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses attached together by co-ordinating conjunctions. The principal co-ordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so, then, else, however, therefore. e.g.,

  • She came here for she needed to meet me.
  • She came here and met me.
  • She neither came here nor met me.
  • I forbade her to visit me but she did not listen to me.
  • Do or die. (You do or you die.)
  • She was weak yet came here.
  • She will come here so I need some food for dinner.

Remember! When two nouns are joined by ‘and’, it represents a single subject (It may be plural in number) and the sentence generally becomes a simple one. e.g,

  • He and I are bosom friends.
  • He and his wife joined our club.
  • Bread and butter is my favourite breakfast.
  • The sum and substance of the poem makes a many cry.
  • Ram and Ravana were not friends.