simple, complex and compound sentences by eguriase s. m. okaka

Grammar: simple, complex and compound

By Eguriase S. M. Okaka A sentence is a group or string of words that expresses a complete thought. A sentence can be used to perform different functions such as asking questions, making request, giving a command and expressing feelings like joy, pain, surprise or fear. Let me introduce you to the major component of a sentence, the subject and the predicate. The subject is the person or thing being talked about while the predicate refers to what is said about the subject. Example

However, we will take a closer look at the structure or form of sentences in English. The English sentence has three basic types – Simple, Compound and Complex. Simple sentence A simple sentence expresses a simple thought or statement. It has only one clause and one finite verb. Can you identify the finite verbs in the following simple sentences? • The dog bit the boy. • Olu rang the bell. • Taju ate the meat. • His father was ill. • My mother is a teacher. Exercise Think about what you did yesterday and what you have been doing since you woke up this morning. Write down ten simple sentences that describe the things you did yesterday and the things you have been doing today. Follow the pattern below: • I washed my uniform yesterday. • I swept the floor this morning. Compound sentence A compound sentence expresses two or more statement or thoughts. It has two or more finite verbs. In compound sentences, clauses are usually linked by coordinating conjunctions such as and, but and or. Other words that link clauses in compound sentences, clauses are neither, too, either. In compound sentences, clauses are linked so that each clause still retains its own identity and independence. Examples • The girls washed the clothes and the boys ironed them. • He swept on time but he woke up late. • Patrick will repair the shoes or buy new ones. • Bright spoke well but his opponent spoke even better and he lost the debate. • Chinwe either made the dress or bought it. • Bisola was washing the clothes and Layo too. When to use and, but, or, either….or, neither…nor 1. And is used to join two sentences that are closely related. Example: Paul came first and Peter came second. 2. But is used to express contrast. Example: Dotun worked hard but he failed. 3. Or is used to express the idea that only one of the possibilities is obtainable. Example: You can sleep in the living room or you can go to a guesthouse. 4. Too is used when the action of the second sentence is the same as that of the first sentence. Example: Kate was sleeping and Jane was too. 5. Either… or is used to join two simple sentences or clauses that express a choice between two things. Example: Either Chinwe broke the plate or Layo did. 6. Neither … nor is the negative equivalent of either … or. Two clauses with neither in the first and nor in the second are like two negative clauses joined by and Example: Chinwe neither likes Oke nor wants to be his friend. (Chinwe does not like Oke and Chinwe does not want to be his friend). Complex sentence A complex sentence is made up of at least one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. The subordinate clause is usually linked to the main clause by a subordinating conjunction such as although, because, before, when, if, as, after, unless, while. The main clause usually comes before the subordinate clause but sometimes the subordinate clause comes first. Example

• They arrived when she was sleeping. • She fell asleep because she was tired. • She goes wherever he goes. • I hate to disappoint you. In the examples above, the main clauses express a complete thought and are independent. In the contrast, the subordinate clauses depend on the main clause in order to express a complete thought. Exercise 1 This is an interesting story. All you have to do is underline each sentence in it and state whether it is simple, compound or complex. One has been done for you. I was following the crest of a ridge along one of the many old elephant trails that crisscrossed the bamboo forest. Soon, the tracks became fresh. The toe-nails were still clearly defined swarms of tiny black flies hovered about the heaps of dung. I pushed my fingers into some dung. It was still warm. Clouds drifted in and the weather, being so misty, reduced the visibility to about fifteen meters. I continued silently and carefully while trying to hear the swish of a branch and the rumble of a stomach. I tried to see the bulky forms of the elephants in this shadow less dusky world. But the only sound was the pounding of my heart. I was afraid of stumbling upon the herds for it would be dangerous to have to elude them in this mist. (From Lagos state Junior School Examination, English Language, 2006)

Exercise 2 Complete the following sentence by adding a suitable independent clause after the conjunction. One has been done for you. 1. My mother is from Cross River State and she speaks Efik fluently. 2. Plants must be watered adequately or -----------------------------. 3. We got to the store on time but -----------------------------. 4. Either Felix will eat rice or -------------------------------------. 5. Lami neither speaks Igbo nor -----------------------------------. 6. Dare mowed the lawn and -----------------. 7. Sammy is poor but --------------------------. 8. You can stay here or ------------------------. 9. He can either go to the farm or ------------------------------------. 10. Nonso can neither sing nor ----------------------------------------. Exercise 3 The following sentences begin with a main clause. Complete each one by adding a suitable subordinate clause. One has been done for you. 1. The clock struck three times just as he entered. 2. I enjoyed playing football when ----------------------------------------------------. 3. You will be late for school if ----------------. 4. Shut the door before -------------------------. 5. You will be punished because ---------------------------------------------------. 6. She went to bed as soon as -----------------------. 7. The child cries whenever --------------------------. 8. The woman has been sad since ---------------------. 9. Bayo cannot pay for the books unless --------------------------------------. 10. This is the man who --------------------------------. Eguria.blogspot.com