Module 10, Clauses, Lesson 10:

Classifying Sentences

Score:

Classifying sentences is easiest if you mark the parts and then see what you have. Underline independent clauses once. Underline dependent clauses twice.

1 independent = simple
2 independent = compound
1 independent and 1(or more) dependent = complex
2(or more) independent and 1(or more) dependent = compound-complex

We might go to New Orleans on our Christmas vacation or to New York next spring.
(1 independent = simple)

Our families have been friends forever, but we haven't seen each other in years.
(2 independent = compound)

When we get to your aunt's house, you must remember to thank her for the presents that she sent you.
(1 independent + 2 dependent = complex)

Before we go to the movie, which you have been waiting weeks to see, we need to find a babysitter for your little sister, who is too young to see it.
(1 independent + 3 dependent = complex)

The Egyptians who built the pyramids were amazing architects, but the Romans who built many years later were even better because they were able to build arches, which the Egyptians hadn't figured out.
(2 independent + 4 dependent = compound-complex)

Practice What You've Learned

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Directions:
Use the toolbar to identify the independent clauses and the dependent clauses. Then decide if the sentence is simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
1.
Because those stairs are so steep, your grandmother will have to go up in the elevator, but the children would rather run up the stairs.
2.
simple / compound / complex / compound-complex
3.
Jared and Lucas want to visit the medieval towns in Italy and explore the museums there.
4.
simple / compound / complex / compound-complex
5.
I like this television show, but my father can't stand it.
6.
simple / compound / complex / compound-complex
7.
The bats in the neighborhood have moved out of the attics and into our new bat box.
8.
simple / compound / complex / compound-complex
9.
Would you rather listen to music on vinyl records, or would you rather listen to digital files?
10.
simple / compound / complex / compound-complex
11.
I don't like staying at the cabin in the woods because I don't like having to chop wood.
12.
simple / compound / complex / compound-complex
13.
We want Misha's birthday party to be a surprise, so don't tell her anything about it.
14.
simple / compound / complex / compound-complex
15.
That new car looks sleek and drives smoothly.
16.
simple / compound / complex / compound-complex
17.
Jennifer is crying because David took her jump rope.
18.
simple / compound / complex / compound-complex
19.
I love that poem, so I decided to create a graphic novel that turns the poem into a story.
20.
simple / compound / complex / compound-complex
Score: