Let’s go through each sentence one by one and decide if it’s
simple,
compound, or
complex.
Remember:
- A
simple sentence has just one complete thought (one subject + verb, no extra clauses).
- A
compound sentence has two or more simple sentences joined together (usually with words like “and”, “but”, “or”, “yet”).
- A
complex sentence has one main idea plus at least one extra part that can’t stand alone (often starts with words like “after”, “because”, “when”, “although”, etc.).
---
1. *The children wore their dirty boots.*
→ One subject (“children”), one verb (“wore”). No joining words or extra parts.
✔ Simple
2. *It was time for bed, yet it was still light outside.*
→ Two complete thoughts: “It was time for bed” AND “it was still light outside”. Joined by “yet”.
✔ Compound
3. *The front door was locked, so she entered through the back.*
→ Two complete thoughts: “The front door was locked” AND “she entered through the back”. Joined by “so”.
✔ Compound
4. *They took a lot of pictures when they visited Montana.*
→ Main idea: “They took a lot of pictures”. Extra part: “when they visited Montana” — this can’t stand alone. Starts with “when”.
✔ Complex
5. *After the show began, he sat very quietly.*
→ Main idea: “he sat very quietly”. Extra part: “After the show began” — can’t stand alone. Starts with “After”.
✔ Complex
6. *The girl was wearing a red dress.*
→ One subject (“girl”), one verb (“was wearing”). Nothing else.
✔ Simple
7. *He was playing on his computer.*
→ One subject (“He”), one verb (“was playing”). Simple action.
✔ Simple
8. *George would like to play, for he is the best player on the team.*
→ Two complete thoughts: “George would like to play” AND “he is the best player...”. Joined by “for” (which means “because” here).
✔ Compound
9. *Before the bell rings, the student lined up at the door.*
→ Main idea: “the student lined up...”. Extra part: “Before the bell rings” — can’t stand alone. Starts with “Before”.
✔ Complex
10. *We turned off the lights.*
→ One subject (“We”), one verb (“turned off”). Done.
✔ Simple
11. *We turned off the lights, and we went to sleep.*
→ Two complete thoughts: “We turned off the lights” AND “we went to sleep”. Joined by “and”.
✔ Compound
12. *We turned off the lights after our mom told us to go to sleep.*
→ Main idea: “We turned off the lights”. Extra part: “after our mom told us...” — can’t stand alone. Starts with “after”.
✔ Complex
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Final Answer:
1. simple
2. compound
3. compound
4. complex
5. complex
6. simple
7. simple
8. compound
9. complex
10. simple
11. compound
12. complex
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of complex sentences worksheet 7th grade.
