INTRODUCTION TO SENTENCES

 Sentences, Simple, Compound and Complex

A. Simple Sentence

 A sentence which has only one finite verb in it  is called  a simple sentence.

Example- He  finished his work. 

In the above sentence there is only one finite verb, finished. So this is a simple sentence.

Let's see the sentence given below:

He, wearing big spectacles and loose shirt,finished his work, not noticing the people sitting nearby or moving on the road.

It is a long sentence. Still it has only one finite verb: finished. Other words like wearing, noticing, sitting and moving are non finite verbs. So it is still  a simple sentence. A simple sentence doesn't mean a small sentence but it means a sentence with only one finite verb.

B. Compound sentence; Coordinate Clauses:

 A sentence made up of two or more principal or main clauses is called a Compound Sentence. The clauses of a compound sentence are called coordinate clauses.

Example-The thief ran away and the fat woman was left alone.

There are two finite verbs in this sentence: ran( with thief as its subject) and was left( with woman as its subject) This sentence is made up of two clauses, each containing a finite verb, and linked by the conjunction and.The clauses are:

1. The thief ran away.   2. The fat woman was left alone.

Neither of the above clauses depend on the other. Both of them are equally important. 

So this type of sentence is called a compound sentence.Since the clauses make complete sense on their own, they are called main /principal clauses

The coordinate clauses of a compound sentence are joined by  a coordinating conjunction like:

and, as well as, but, still, yet, while, only , or , whereas , so , therefore, for, either----or, neither---nor,,else, not only but also, no less than, nevertheless etc.

Example-

The weather was fine and the sea was calm.

The bus was fully packed but we had comfortable seats.

She as well as her mother is sincere.( She is sincere. Her mother is sincere.)

I am alright, only I am tired.      etc.

Note:  If a compound sentence is made of two clauses and  the subject of the second clause is the same as the first, the second subject is omitted:

    Roma went home and she took rest.

    Roma went home and took rest.( The second subject she is omitted.)

Complex Sentence: subordinate clauses

 A sentence made up of a principal ( main) clause and one or more subordinate clauses is called a complex sentence. A subordinate clause is joined to the principal clause by a subordinating conjunction.

Example- Preeti  took some medicine  because she was not well.

There are two finite verbs in this sentence: took (with Preeti as its subject) and was not feeling (with she as its subject) There are thus two clauses:

    1.Preeti took some medicine

    2. Because she was not feeling well

The first clause makes complete sense and is capable of standing on its own as an independent sentence.This clause is called the main or principal clause.

The second clause makes sense but not complete sense. Besides , it cannot stand on its own as an independent clause.It has to join the first( principal) clause to convey its full meaning. And this clause is called the subordinate clause. The sentence itself is a complex sentence.

Some subordinating conjunctions:

that,if/whether, when,whenever,before, after,till.since,as soon as, while, as, because,,so--- that,  such----that, so that, lest, if, unless, as if,though, although etc.

Note.A subordinate clause can be a noun clause, an adjective clause or an adverb clause.

Revision exercise:

Find out simple sentences,compound sentences and complex sentences.

1.She knows that I am a hard working person.

2.They hate towns and always keep to country places.

3.The bike is quite old, still is in good condition.

4 .You will not get good marks unless you study really well.

5. It is a well known story told in  very interesting manner.

6.Kapil goes to school,watches television and loves street cricket.

7.We must check brain drain,or the country will remain backward.

8.Should  I get wealth, I would give it away to the poor.

>>to learn more about sentences click the given link : https://youtu.be/maic9tYxE3k  &  https://youtu.be/h68kmCRqVMA