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Year 8 English — Simple, compound and complex sentences

Count the clauses in a sentence and name it simple, compound or complex.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Sort each joining word by whether it joins two equal clauses or makes one clause depend on the other.

    Groups: Joins two equals — coordinating · Makes one depend — subordinating

    • and
    • but
    • so
    • although
    • or
    • until
    • when
    • if
    • because

  2. 2.Which sentence is compound?

    • a) We went out when the rain stopped.
    • b) After the rain stopped, we went out.
    • c) The rain stopped suddenly.
    • d) The rain stopped and we went out.

  3. 3.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex? Write one word. "The bell rang, so the children ran out."

  4. 4.Put the parts in order to make one correct complex sentence.

    • stayed
    • it
    • we
    • raining,
    • was
    • indoors.
    • Because

  5. 5.How many clauses does a simple sentence have?

    • a) None
    • b) Two
    • c) Two or more
    • d) One

  6. 6.Match each joining word to the job it does.

    • and
    • but
    • because
    • although
    • when
    • if
    • joins two equal clauses that disagree
    • introduces a clause giving a time
    • introduces a clause giving a reason
    • joins two equal clauses
    • introduces a clause giving a condition
    • introduces a clause giving a contrast

  7. 7.Is this sentence simple, compound or complex? Write one word. "Although he was tired, he finished the race."

  8. 8.Which of these words turns two simple sentences into a complex one?

    • a) because
    • b) or
    • c) but
    • d) and

Answer key — Year 8 English — Simple, compound and complex sentences

  1. 1. and → Joins two equals — coordinating; but → Joins two equals — coordinating; or → Joins two equals — coordinating; so → Joins two equals — coordinating; because → Makes one depend — subordinating; although → Makes one depend — subordinating; when → Makes one depend — subordinating; if → Makes one depend — subordinating; until → Makes one depend — subordinating
  2. 2. d) The rain stopped and we went out.
  3. 3. compound
  4. 4. 1. Because 2. it 3. was 4. raining, 5. we 6. stayed 7. indoors.
  5. 5. d) One
  6. 6. and → joins two equal clauses; but → joins two equal clauses that disagree; because → introduces a clause giving a reason; although → introduces a clause giving a contrast; when → introduces a clause giving a time; if → introduces a clause giving a condition
  7. 7. complex
  8. 8. a) because