Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences Worksheet - Practice identifying sentence types with tips and examples.
Worksheet for identifying simple, compound, and complex sentences with examples and tips for distinguishing them.
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Step-by-step solution for: Simple Compound, & Complex Sentences worksheet
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Show Answer Key & Explanations
Step-by-step solution for: Simple Compound, & Complex Sentences worksheet
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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1. Do you want to go to the park?
- This is a single question with one independent clause.
- Answer: 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*, a subordinating conjunction).
- "he fell and hurt his knee" → independent clause.
- One independent + one dependent = complex.
- Answer: Complex
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3. Do you have a dog, or do you have a cat?
- Two questions joined by *or* (a FANBOYS word), both are independent clauses.
- This is a compound sentence (two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction).
- Answer: Compound
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4. My mom packed me an apple for lunch.
- One independent clause with a subject ("My mom") and a verb ("packed").
- No other clauses.
- Answer: 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*, a subordinating conjunction).
- Independent + dependent = complex.
- Answer: 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" and "she was sick".
- Joined by *but* (a FANBOYS word).
- Answer: 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, but it's the object of the verb "hope".
- However, this is still one main clause with a subordinate idea inside (the object clause). But grammatically, it's one independent clause with a noun clause as the object.
- Still only one independent clause.
- Answer: Simple
> Note: Even though there are two clauses in structure, the second one ("I do well...") is not independent—it depends on the first. So it's not compound.
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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*, a subordinating conjunction).
- Independent + dependent = complex.
- Answer: Complex
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9. I woke up early, and I am dressed for school.
- Two independent clauses: "I woke up early" and "I am dressed for school".
- Joined by *and* (FANBOYS).
- Answer: Compound
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1. Simple
2. Complex
3. Compound
4. Simple
5. Complex
6. Compound
7. Simple
8. Complex
9. Compound
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✔ Summary:
- Simple: 1, 4, 7
- Compound: 3, 6, 9
- Complex: 2, 5, 8
Let me know if you'd like explanations in simpler terms or visual breakdowns!
- 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:
---
1. Do you want to go to the park?
- This is a single question with one independent clause.
- Answer: Simple
---
2. While Max was at recess, he fell and hurt his knee.
- "While Max was at recess" → dependent clause (starts with *While*, a subordinating conjunction).
- "he fell and hurt his knee" → independent clause.
- One independent + one dependent = complex.
- Answer: Complex
---
3. Do you have a dog, or do you have a cat?
- Two questions joined by *or* (a FANBOYS word), both are independent clauses.
- This is a compound sentence (two independent clauses connected by a coordinating conjunction).
- Answer: Compound
---
4. My mom packed me an apple for lunch.
- One independent clause with a subject ("My mom") and a verb ("packed").
- No other clauses.
- Answer: Simple
---
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*, a subordinating conjunction).
- Independent + dependent = complex.
- Answer: Complex
---
6. Maria wanted to go to school, but she was sick.
- Two independent clauses: "Maria wanted to go to school" and "she was sick".
- Joined by *but* (a FANBOYS word).
- Answer: Compound
---
7. I hope I do well on my test!
- "I hope" → independent clause.
- "I do well on my test" → another independent clause, but it's the object of the verb "hope".
- However, this is still one main clause with a subordinate idea inside (the object clause). But grammatically, it's one independent clause with a noun clause as the object.
- Still only one independent clause.
- Answer: Simple
> Note: Even though there are two clauses in structure, the second one ("I do well...") is not independent—it depends on the first. So it's not compound.
---
8. I feed my dog before I leave.
- "I feed my dog" → independent clause.
- "before I leave" → dependent clause (starts with *before*, a subordinating conjunction).
- Independent + dependent = complex.
- Answer: Complex
---
9. I woke up early, and I am dressed for school.
- Two independent clauses: "I woke up early" and "I am dressed for school".
- Joined by *and* (FANBOYS).
- Answer: 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:
- Simple: 1, 4, 7
- Compound: 3, 6, 9
- Complex: 2, 5, 8
Let me know if you'd like explanations in simpler terms or visual breakdowns!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of simple compound and complex sentences worksheet 7th grade.
