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.