Simple Compound, & Complex Sentences worksheet - Free Printable

Let's go through each sentence and determine whether it is simple, compound, or complex. Here's a quick review of the definitions:

- Simple sentence: One independent clause (a subject and a verb that can stand alone as a complete thought).
- Compound sentence: Two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So) or a semicolon.
- Complex sentence: One independent clause and at least one dependent clause (starts with a subordinating conjunction like AAWWUBBIS: As, Although, After, While, When, Unless, Because, Before, If, Since).

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Now let’s analyze each sentence:

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1. Do you want to go to the park?

- This is a single question with one independent clause.
- No conjunctions or dependent clauses.
- ✔ Simple

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2. While Max was at recess, he fell and hurt his knee.

- "While Max was at recess" → dependent clause (starts with "While", which is in AAWWUBBIS).
- "he fell and hurt his knee" → independent clause.
- One independent + one dependent = complex.
- ✔ Complex

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3. Do you have a dog, or do you have a cat?

- Two questions joined by "or".
- Each part ("Do you have a dog?" and "Do you have a cat?") is an independent clause.
- Joined by "or" (FANBOYS), so this is a compound sentence.
- ✔ Compound

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4. My mom packed me an apple for lunch.

- One subject ("My mom") and one verb ("packed").
- No other clauses.
- ✔ Simple

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5. My favorite subject is reading because I love good books.

- "My favorite subject is reading" → independent clause.
- "because I love good books" → dependent clause (starts with "because", which is in AAWWUBBIS).
- One independent + one dependent → complex.
- ✔ Complex

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6. Maria wanted to go to school, but she was sick.

- Two independent clauses:
- "Maria wanted to go to school"
- "she was sick"
- Joined by "but" (FANBOYS).
- ✔ Compound

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7. I hope I do well on my test!

- "I hope" → independent clause.
- "I do well on my test" → another independent clause.
- However, "I hope" is followed by a noun clause ("that I do well..."), not a separate independent clause.
- The whole sentence has only one main subject and verb: "I hope".
- "I do well..." is the object of "hope", not a separate clause.
- So it's one independent clause.
- ✔ Simple

> Note: Even though it contains a subordinate idea, it's still considered simple because there's only one independent clause.

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8. I feed my dog before I leave.

- "I feed my dog" → independent clause.
- "before I leave" → dependent clause (starts with "before", AAWWUBBIS).
- One independent + one dependent → complex.
- ✔ Complex

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9. I woke up early, and I am dressed for school.

- Two independent clauses:
- "I woke up early"
- "I am dressed for school"
- Joined by "and" (FANBOYS).
- ✔ Compound

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Final Answers:

1. Simple
2. Complex
3. Compound
4. Simple
5. Complex
6. Compound
7. Simple
8. Complex
9. Compound

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✔ Summary:

| Sentence | Type |
|--------|-------------|
| 1 | Simple |
| 2 | Complex |
| 3 | Compound |
| 4 | Simple |
| 5 | Complex |
| 6 | Compound |
| 7 | Simple |
| 8 | Complex |
| 9 | Compound |

Let me know if you'd like these explained further!