Sentence Types Worksheet: Practice identifying simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.
Worksheet on sentence types with instructions and examples for identifying subjects, predicates, and sentence structures.
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Sentence Types Worksheet | Sentence Structure Activity
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Sentence Types Worksheet | Sentence Structure Activity
Here is the completed analysis for each sentence on the worksheet, following the directions: circling the predicates, underlining the subjects, drawing a line to separate clauses, and writing the sentence type.
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1. When I get home from school, I'm going to take a nap.
* Subjects: `I` (in dependent clause), `I` (in independent clause)
* Predicates: `get home from school`, `am going to take a nap`
* Clause Separator: Draw a vertical line after "school,".
* Sentence Type: Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has two clauses: a dependent clause ("When I get home from school") introduced by the subordinating conjunction "when," and an independent clause ("I'm going to take a nap"). A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
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2. I got in trouble so I can't go to the party, but it would have been fun.
* Subjects: `I`, `I`, `it`
* Predicates: `got in trouble`, `can't go to the party`, `would have been fun`
* Clause Separators: Draw a vertical line after "trouble" and after "party,".
* Sentence Type: Compound-Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has three clauses. The first two are independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction "so" ("I got in trouble" and "I can't go to the party"). The third clause ("it would have been fun") is also independent and is joined to the second by the coordinating conjunction "but". Since there are multiple independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions, this is a compound sentence. However, the worksheet definition for "Compound-Complex" requires *three or more clauses joined by coordinating and subordinating conjunctions*. There are no subordinating conjunctions here. Based strictly on the provided definitions, this should be a Compound Sentence because it has multiple independent clauses joined only by coordinating conjunctions ("so", "but"). *(Note: Grammatically, this is a compound sentence. The worksheet's definition of Compound-Complex might be intended for sentences with both types of conjunctions, which this lacks.)*
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3. Being alone can be scary unless you keep yourself busy.
* Subjects: `Being alone`, `you`
* Predicates: `can be scary`, `keep yourself busy`
* Clause Separator: Draw a vertical line before "unless".
* Sentence Type: Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has two clauses: an independent clause ("Being alone can be scary") and a dependent clause ("unless you keep yourself busy") introduced by the subordinating conjunction "unless".
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4. Mr. Morton, the best reading teacher in the world, taught me sentence structure.
* Subject: `Mr. Morton`
* Predicate: `taught me sentence structure`
* Clause Separator: Not applicable (only one clause).
* Sentence Type: Simple Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has only one independent clause. The phrase "the best reading teacher in the world" is an appositive (a noun phrase that renames or describes the subject) and does not form a separate clause.
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5. Keith, Carrie, and Kyle bought donuts and ate them down by the river.
* Subject: `Keith, Carrie, and Kyle`
* Predicates: `bought donuts`, `ate them down by the river` (These are compound predicates sharing the same subject).
* Clause Separator: Not applicable (only one clause).
* Sentence Type: Simple Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has one independent clause with a compound subject ("Keith, Carrie, and Kyle") and compound predicates ("bought donuts" and "ate them"). It still counts as a simple sentence because it contains only one clause.
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6. I left early so that I could get some work done, but I'll be back soon.
* Subjects: `I`, `I`, `I`
* Predicates: `left early`, `could get some work done`, `will be back soon`
* Clause Separators: Draw a vertical line after "early" and after "done,".
* Sentence Type: Compound-Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has three clauses. The main independent clause is "I left early". The clause "that I could get some work done" is dependent (introduced by the subordinating conjunction "that"). The clause "I'll be back soon" is another independent clause, joined to the first by the coordinating conjunction "but". Because it has multiple clauses joined by both coordinating ("but") and subordinating ("that") conjunctions, it fits the worksheet's definition of a Compound-Complex sentence.
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7. Crossing the street is dangerous if you don't look both ways before you cross.
* Subjects: `Crossing the street`, `you`, `you`
* Predicates: `is dangerous`, `don't look both ways`, `cross`
* Clause Separator: Draw a vertical line before "if".
* Sentence Type: Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has two clauses: an independent clause ("Crossing the street is dangerous") and a dependent clause ("if you don't look both ways before you cross") introduced by the subordinating conjunction "if". (Note: "before you cross" is itself a subordinate clause within the larger dependent clause, but for this level, we treat the entire "if..." phrase as one dependent clause).
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8. If you don't want to study, you should stay home, but you may regret it.
* Subjects: `you`, `you`, `you`
* Predicates: `don't want to study`, `should stay home`, `may regret it`
* Clause Separators: Draw a vertical line after "study," and after "home,".
* Sentence Type: Compound-Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has three clauses. The first clause ("If you don't want to study") is dependent (introduced by "if"). The next two clauses ("you should stay home" and "you may regret it") are independent and joined by the coordinating conjunction "but". It contains both coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, fitting the worksheet's definition of Compound-Complex.
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9. Every time I go to mall, I spend all of my money on things that I don't need.
* Subjects: `I`, `I`, `I`
* Predicates: `go to mall`, `spend all of my money on things`, `don't need`
* Clause Separators: Draw a vertical line after "mall," and before "that".
* Sentence Type: Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has three clauses. The clause "Every time I go to mall" is dependent (introduced by the subordinating conjunction "every time"). The main clause is "I spend all of my money on things". Within that main clause, "that I don't need" is a dependent adjective clause modifying "things". Since the sentence has one independent clause and multiple dependent clauses, it is complex. (Note: The worksheet's definition focuses on the number of clauses and the type of conjunctions joining them. The presence of subordinating conjunctions "every time" and "that" makes it complex).
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10. Mom said that I can go to the museum with you but I have to be home early.
* Subjects: `Mom`, `I`, `I`
* Predicates: `said`, `can go to the museum with you`, `have to be home early`
* Clause Separators: Draw a vertical line after "said" and after "you".
* Sentence Type: Compound-Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has three clauses. The main independent clause is "Mom said...". The clause "that I can go to the museum with you" is a dependent noun clause (object of "said"), introduced by the subordinating conjunction "that". The clause "I have to be home early" is another independent clause, joined to the previous clause by the coordinating conjunction "but". It uses both coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.
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11. Modern Warfare is a fun game but no game is better than Ms. Pac-Man.
* Subjects: `Modern Warfare`, `no game`
* Predicates: `is a fun game`, `is better than Ms. Pac-Man`
* Clause Separator: Draw a vertical line before "but".
* Sentence Type: Compound Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has two independent clauses ("Modern Warfare is a fun game" and "no game is better than Ms. Pac-Man") joined by the coordinating conjunction "but".
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12. Todd and Nick are eating chips and salsa on a park bench before dinner.
* Subject: `Todd and Nick`
* Predicate: `are eating chips and salsa on a park bench before dinner`
* Clause Separator: Not applicable (only one clause).
* Sentence Type: Simple Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has one independent clause with a compound subject ("Todd and Nick") and a single predicate. The phrases "on a park bench" and "before dinner" are prepositional phrases modifying the verb, not separate clauses.
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Try it yourself:
*(Example answers - you can write your own)*
Two Simple Sentences:
1. The dog barked loudly. (Subject: `The dog`; Predicate: `barked loudly`)
2. She finished her homework. (Subject: `She`; Predicate: `finished her homework`)
Two Compound Sentences:
3. I like pizza, but my brother prefers pasta. (Subjects: `I`, `my brother`; Predicates: `like pizza`, `prefers pasta`; Clause separator: after "pizza,")
4. We went to the beach, and we swam in the ocean. (Subjects: `We`, `we`; Predicates: `went to the beach`, `swam in the ocean`; Clause separator: after "beach,")
Two Complex Sentences:
5. Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk. (Subjects: `it`, `we`; Predicates: `was raining`, `decided to go for a walk`; Clause separator: before "Although")
6. I will call you when I arrive at the station. (Subjects: `I`, `I`; Predicates: `will call you`, `arrive at the station`; Clause separator: before "when")
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1. When I get home from school, I'm going to take a nap.
* Subjects: `I` (in dependent clause), `I` (in independent clause)
* Predicates: `get home from school`, `am going to take a nap`
* Clause Separator: Draw a vertical line after "school,".
* Sentence Type: Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has two clauses: a dependent clause ("When I get home from school") introduced by the subordinating conjunction "when," and an independent clause ("I'm going to take a nap"). A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
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2. I got in trouble so I can't go to the party, but it would have been fun.
* Subjects: `I`, `I`, `it`
* Predicates: `got in trouble`, `can't go to the party`, `would have been fun`
* Clause Separators: Draw a vertical line after "trouble" and after "party,".
* Sentence Type: Compound-Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has three clauses. The first two are independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction "so" ("I got in trouble" and "I can't go to the party"). The third clause ("it would have been fun") is also independent and is joined to the second by the coordinating conjunction "but". Since there are multiple independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions, this is a compound sentence. However, the worksheet definition for "Compound-Complex" requires *three or more clauses joined by coordinating and subordinating conjunctions*. There are no subordinating conjunctions here. Based strictly on the provided definitions, this should be a Compound Sentence because it has multiple independent clauses joined only by coordinating conjunctions ("so", "but"). *(Note: Grammatically, this is a compound sentence. The worksheet's definition of Compound-Complex might be intended for sentences with both types of conjunctions, which this lacks.)*
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3. Being alone can be scary unless you keep yourself busy.
* Subjects: `Being alone`, `you`
* Predicates: `can be scary`, `keep yourself busy`
* Clause Separator: Draw a vertical line before "unless".
* Sentence Type: Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has two clauses: an independent clause ("Being alone can be scary") and a dependent clause ("unless you keep yourself busy") introduced by the subordinating conjunction "unless".
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4. Mr. Morton, the best reading teacher in the world, taught me sentence structure.
* Subject: `Mr. Morton`
* Predicate: `taught me sentence structure`
* Clause Separator: Not applicable (only one clause).
* Sentence Type: Simple Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has only one independent clause. The phrase "the best reading teacher in the world" is an appositive (a noun phrase that renames or describes the subject) and does not form a separate clause.
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5. Keith, Carrie, and Kyle bought donuts and ate them down by the river.
* Subject: `Keith, Carrie, and Kyle`
* Predicates: `bought donuts`, `ate them down by the river` (These are compound predicates sharing the same subject).
* Clause Separator: Not applicable (only one clause).
* Sentence Type: Simple Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has one independent clause with a compound subject ("Keith, Carrie, and Kyle") and compound predicates ("bought donuts" and "ate them"). It still counts as a simple sentence because it contains only one clause.
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6. I left early so that I could get some work done, but I'll be back soon.
* Subjects: `I`, `I`, `I`
* Predicates: `left early`, `could get some work done`, `will be back soon`
* Clause Separators: Draw a vertical line after "early" and after "done,".
* Sentence Type: Compound-Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has three clauses. The main independent clause is "I left early". The clause "that I could get some work done" is dependent (introduced by the subordinating conjunction "that"). The clause "I'll be back soon" is another independent clause, joined to the first by the coordinating conjunction "but". Because it has multiple clauses joined by both coordinating ("but") and subordinating ("that") conjunctions, it fits the worksheet's definition of a Compound-Complex sentence.
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7. Crossing the street is dangerous if you don't look both ways before you cross.
* Subjects: `Crossing the street`, `you`, `you`
* Predicates: `is dangerous`, `don't look both ways`, `cross`
* Clause Separator: Draw a vertical line before "if".
* Sentence Type: Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has two clauses: an independent clause ("Crossing the street is dangerous") and a dependent clause ("if you don't look both ways before you cross") introduced by the subordinating conjunction "if". (Note: "before you cross" is itself a subordinate clause within the larger dependent clause, but for this level, we treat the entire "if..." phrase as one dependent clause).
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8. If you don't want to study, you should stay home, but you may regret it.
* Subjects: `you`, `you`, `you`
* Predicates: `don't want to study`, `should stay home`, `may regret it`
* Clause Separators: Draw a vertical line after "study," and after "home,".
* Sentence Type: Compound-Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has three clauses. The first clause ("If you don't want to study") is dependent (introduced by "if"). The next two clauses ("you should stay home" and "you may regret it") are independent and joined by the coordinating conjunction "but". It contains both coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, fitting the worksheet's definition of Compound-Complex.
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9. Every time I go to mall, I spend all of my money on things that I don't need.
* Subjects: `I`, `I`, `I`
* Predicates: `go to mall`, `spend all of my money on things`, `don't need`
* Clause Separators: Draw a vertical line after "mall," and before "that".
* Sentence Type: Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has three clauses. The clause "Every time I go to mall" is dependent (introduced by the subordinating conjunction "every time"). The main clause is "I spend all of my money on things". Within that main clause, "that I don't need" is a dependent adjective clause modifying "things". Since the sentence has one independent clause and multiple dependent clauses, it is complex. (Note: The worksheet's definition focuses on the number of clauses and the type of conjunctions joining them. The presence of subordinating conjunctions "every time" and "that" makes it complex).
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10. Mom said that I can go to the museum with you but I have to be home early.
* Subjects: `Mom`, `I`, `I`
* Predicates: `said`, `can go to the museum with you`, `have to be home early`
* Clause Separators: Draw a vertical line after "said" and after "you".
* Sentence Type: Compound-Complex Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has three clauses. The main independent clause is "Mom said...". The clause "that I can go to the museum with you" is a dependent noun clause (object of "said"), introduced by the subordinating conjunction "that". The clause "I have to be home early" is another independent clause, joined to the previous clause by the coordinating conjunction "but". It uses both coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.
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11. Modern Warfare is a fun game but no game is better than Ms. Pac-Man.
* Subjects: `Modern Warfare`, `no game`
* Predicates: `is a fun game`, `is better than Ms. Pac-Man`
* Clause Separator: Draw a vertical line before "but".
* Sentence Type: Compound Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has two independent clauses ("Modern Warfare is a fun game" and "no game is better than Ms. Pac-Man") joined by the coordinating conjunction "but".
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12. Todd and Nick are eating chips and salsa on a park bench before dinner.
* Subject: `Todd and Nick`
* Predicate: `are eating chips and salsa on a park bench before dinner`
* Clause Separator: Not applicable (only one clause).
* Sentence Type: Simple Sentence
* *Explanation:* This sentence has one independent clause with a compound subject ("Todd and Nick") and a single predicate. The phrases "on a park bench" and "before dinner" are prepositional phrases modifying the verb, not separate clauses.
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Try it yourself:
*(Example answers - you can write your own)*
Two Simple Sentences:
1. The dog barked loudly. (Subject: `The dog`; Predicate: `barked loudly`)
2. She finished her homework. (Subject: `She`; Predicate: `finished her homework`)
Two Compound Sentences:
3. I like pizza, but my brother prefers pasta. (Subjects: `I`, `my brother`; Predicates: `like pizza`, `prefers pasta`; Clause separator: after "pizza,")
4. We went to the beach, and we swam in the ocean. (Subjects: `We`, `we`; Predicates: `went to the beach`, `swam in the ocean`; Clause separator: after "beach,")
Two Complex Sentences:
5. Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk. (Subjects: `it`, `we`; Predicates: `was raining`, `decided to go for a walk`; Clause separator: before "Although")
6. I will call you when I arrive at the station. (Subjects: `I`, `I`; Predicates: `will call you`, `arrive at the station`; Clause separator: before "when")
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of sentence construction worksheet.
