English worksheets: Sentence Structure - Free Printable

Let's solve this Sentence Structure worksheet step by step. The task is to classify each sentence or word group as:

- Simple (s): One independent clause.
- Compound (cd): Two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., *and, but, or*).
- Complex (ex): One independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
- Fragment (frag): Not a complete sentence (missing subject, verb, or both; or a dependent clause without an independent one).

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1. My best friend and I like hamburgers, and we're making them for dinner.

✔ Compound (cd)
→ Two independent clauses:
- "My best friend and I like hamburgers"
- "we're making them for dinner"
Connected by "and".

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2. Kenya and Swaziland are in Africa.

✔ Simple (s)
→ One independent clause with a compound subject ("Kenya and Swaziland").

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3. It rained, but we played football anyway.

✔ Compound (cd)
→ Two independent clauses:
- "It rained"
- "we played football anyway"
Joined by "but".

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4. Ms. Jimmerson will lead the singing, for Mrs. Simmons is ill.

✔ Compound (cd)
→ Two independent clauses:
- "Ms. Jimmerson will lead the singing"
- "Mrs. Simmons is ill"
Joined by "for" (a coordinating conjunction).
Note: "for" is less common than "and" or "but", but it still connects two independent clauses.

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5. When you are looking at work by Picasso, stand back at least fifteen feet.

✔ Complex (ex)
→ Dependent clause: "When you are looking at work by Picasso"
→ Independent clause: "stand back at least fifteen feet"
This is a complex sentence because it has a dependent clause starting with "when".

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6. You're right and I'm wrong.

✔ Compound (cd)
→ Two independent clauses:
- "You're right"
- "I'm wrong"
Joined by "and".

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7. The clock's minute hand is moving, but the second hand has stopped.

✔ Compound (cd)
→ Two independent clauses:
- "The clock's minute hand is moving"
- "the second hand has stopped"
Connected by "but".

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8. Sing louder.

✔ Fragment (frag)
→ This is an imperative sentence (command), but it lacks a subject.
It’s a sentence fragment because it doesn’t have a subject (though implied).
In grammar terms, fragments often include commands without subjects, so this counts as a fragment.

> Note: Some may argue that imperative sentences are acceptable, but since the instruction asks to identify fragments, and this has no explicit subject, it's classified as frag.

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9. Seashells filled Liz's suitcase and spilled onto the floor.

✔ Simple (s)
→ One independent clause with a compound predicate:
- "filled" and "spilled" are both verbs acting on the same subject ("Seashells").
So, this is one clause with two actions — still a simple sentence.

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10. Facebook and other social media are shaping the world's future.

✔ Simple (s)
→ One independent clause with a compound subject.

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11. Before Bill planted his garden, he made a sketch of the layout.

✔ Complex (ex)
→ Dependent clause: "Before Bill planted his garden" (starts with subordinating conjunction "before")
→ Independent clause: "he made a sketch of the layout"
So, one dependent + one independent → complex.

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12. My little brother is only seven years old, and he's fascinated by bridges.

✔ Compound (cd)
→ Two independent clauses:
- "My little brother is only seven years old"
- "he's fascinated by bridges"
Connected by "and".

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✔ Final Answers:

1. cd
2. s
3. cd
4. cd
5. ex
6. cd
7. cd
8. frag
9. s
10. s
11. ex
12. cd

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Summary of Categories:

- Simple (s): 2, 9, 10
- Compound (cd): 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 12
- Complex (ex): 5, 11
- Fragment (frag): 8

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