## [Review exercise: Sentence structure](/hypergrammar-2/review-sentence-structure) ## Avertissement Ce contenu est offert en anglais seulement. By learning to name the different types of [sentences](subject-and-predicate), you will develop a more sophisticated understanding of how language works. Indicate whether each of the following examples is a [simple sentence](the-structure-of-a-sentence#sntsmp), [compound sentence](the-structure-of-a-sentence#compoundsentence), [complex sentence](the-structure-of-a-sentence#sntcpl) or [compound-complex sentence](the-structure-of-a-sentence#sntcmpsp). You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 1\. Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and Toronto is the capital of Ontario. simple sentence compound sentence complex sentence compound-complex sentence ## Oops! **Question:** Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and Toronto is the capital of Ontario. **Answer:** The answer *simple sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a compound sentence because it contains two [independent clauses](using-clauses-as-nouns-adjectives-and-adverbs#independentclause) joined by the [co-ordinating conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction#cordconj) *and*. ## Good work! **Question:** Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and Toronto is the capital of Ontario. **Answer:** The answer *compound sentence* is correct. **Explanation:** This is a compound sentence because it contains two [independent clauses](using-clauses-as-nouns-adjectives-and-adverbs#independentclause) joined by the [co-ordinating conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction#cordconj) *and*. ## Oops! **Question:** Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and Toronto is the capital of Ontario. **Answer:** The answer *complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a compound sentence because it contains two [independent clauses](using-clauses-as-nouns-adjectives-and-adverbs#independentclause) joined by the [co-ordinating conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction#cordconj) *and*. ## Oops! **Question:** Ottawa is the capital of Canada, and Toronto is the capital of Ontario. **Answer:** The answer *compound-complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a compound sentence because it contains two [independent clauses](using-clauses-as-nouns-adjectives-and-adverbs#independentclause) joined by the [co-ordinating conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction#cordconj) *and*. 2\. Democracy is a noble goal; it is important, however, to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. simple sentence compound sentence complex sentence compound-complex sentence ## Oops! **Question:** Democracy is a noble goal; it is important, however, to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. **Answer:** The answer *simple sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a special type of compound sentence where the two independent clauses (*democracy is a noble goal* and *it is important, however, to protect the minority . . .*) are joined by a [semicolon](the-semicolon) instead of a co-ordinating conjunction. ## Good work! **Question:** Democracy is a noble goal; it is important, however, to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. **Answer:** The answer *compound sentence* is correct. **Explanation:** This is a special type of compound sentence where the two independent clauses (*democracy is a noble goal* and *it is important, however, to protect the minority . . .*) are joined by a [semicolon](the-semicolon) instead of a co-ordinating conjunction. ## Oops! **Question:** Democracy is a noble goal; it is important, however, to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. **Answer:** The answer *complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a special type of compound sentence where the two independent clauses (*democracy is a noble goal* and *it is important, however, to protect the minority . . .*) are joined by a [semicolon](the-semicolon) instead of a co-ordinating conjunction. ## Oops! **Question:** Democracy is a noble goal; it is important, however, to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. **Answer:** The answer *compound-complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a special type of compound sentence where the two independent clauses (*democracy is a noble goal* and *it is important, however, to protect the minority . . .*) are joined by a [semicolon](the-semicolon) instead of a co-ordinating conjunction. 3\. I do not own a Porsche. simple sentence compound sentence complex sentence compound-complex sentence ## Good work! **Question:** I do not own a Porsche. **Answer:** The answer *simple sentence* is correct. **Explanation:** This is a simple sentence containing only one independent clause. ## Oops! **Question:** I do not own a Porsche. **Answer:** The answer *compound sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a simple sentence containing only one independent clause. ## Oops! **Question:** I do not own a Porsche. **Answer:** The answer *complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a simple sentence containing only one independent clause. ## Oops! **Question:** I do not own a Porsche. **Answer:** The answer *compound-complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a simple sentence containing only one independent clause. 4\. Call your team leader as soon as you arrive in Antigonish. simple sentence compound sentence complex sentence compound-complex sentence ## Oops! **Question:** Call your team leader as soon as you arrive in Antigonish. **Answer:** The answer *simple sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence because it contains the [dependent clause](using-clauses-as-nouns-adjectives-and-adverbs#dependentclauses) *as soon as you arrive in Antigonish*. If that information were in the form of a [phrase](building-phrases#bldphr) instead of a [clause](building-clauses), the sentence would be a simple sentence as follows: Answer: Call your team leader upon your arrival in Antigonish. ## Oops! **Question:** Call your team leader as soon as you arrive in Antigonish. **Answer:** The answer *compound sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence because it contains the [dependent clause](using-clauses-as-nouns-adjectives-and-adverbs#dependentclauses) *as soon as you arrive in Antigonish*. If that information were in the form of a [phrase](building-phrases#bldphr) instead of a [clause](building-clauses), the sentence would be a simple sentence as follows: Answer: Call your team leader upon your arrival in Antigonish. ## Good work! **Question:** Call your team leader as soon as you arrive in Antigonish. **Answer:** The answer *complex sentence* is correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence because it contains the [dependent clause](using-clauses-as-nouns-adjectives-and-adverbs#dependentclauses) *as soon as you arrive in Antigonish*. If that information were in the form of a [phrase](building-phrases#bldphr) instead of a [clause](building-clauses), the sentence would be a simple sentence as follows: Answer: Call your team leader upon your arrival in Antigonish. ## Oops! **Question:** Call your team leader as soon as you arrive in Antigonish. **Answer:** The answer *compound-complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence because it contains the [dependent clause](using-clauses-as-nouns-adjectives-and-adverbs#dependentclauses) *as soon as you arrive in Antigonish*. If that information were in the form of a [phrase](building-phrases#bldphr) instead of a [clause](building-clauses), the sentence would be a simple sentence as follows: Answer: Call your team leader upon your arrival in Antigonish. 5\. Joe ate the sushi and left the restaurant. simple sentence compound sentence complex sentence compound-complex sentence ## Good work! **Question:** Joe ate the sushi and left the restaurant. **Answer:** The answer *simple sentence* is correct. **Explanation:** This is a simple sentence. It is easy to see why some might think that it is a compound sentence, since it contains the co-ordinating conjunction *and*. However, this [conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction) actually joins two [predicates](subject-and-predicate#simplepredicate)—*ate the sushi* and *left the restaurant*—within a single clause. The clue that you are dealing with a [compound predicate](subject-and-predicate#compoundpredicate) rather than a [compound subject](subject-and-predicate#compoundsubject) is the fact that there is only one [subject](subject-and-predicate#subject): *I*. ## Oops! **Question:** Joe ate the sushi and left the restaurant. **Answer:** The answer *compound sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a simple sentence. It is easy to see why you may have thought that it is a compound sentence, since it contains the co-ordinating conjunction *and*. However, this [conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction) actually joins two [predicates](subject-and-predicate#simplepredicate)—*ate the sushi* and *left the restaurant*—within a single clause. The clue that you are dealing with a [compound predicate](subject-and-predicate#compoundpredicate) rather than a [compound subject](subject-and-predicate#compoundsubject) is the fact that there is only one [subject](subject-and-predicate#subject): *I*. ## Oops! **Question:** Joe ate the sushi and left the restaurant. **Answer:** The answer *complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a simple sentence. It is easy to see why you may have thought that it is a compound sentence, since it contains the co-ordinating conjunction *and*. However, this [conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction) actually joins two [predicates](subject-and-predicate#simplepredicate)—*ate the sushi* and *left the restaurant*—within a single clause. The clue that you are dealing with a [compound predicate](subject-and-predicate#compoundpredicate) rather than a [compound subject](subject-and-predicate#compoundsubject) is the fact that there is only one [subject](subject-and-predicate#subject): *I*. ## Oops! **Question:** Joe ate the sushi and left the restaurant. **Answer:** The answer *compound-complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a simple sentence. It is easy to see why you may have thought that it is a compound sentence, since it contains the co-ordinating conjunction *and*. However, this [conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction) actually joins two [predicates](subject-and-predicate#simplepredicate)—*ate the sushi* and *left the restaurant*—within a single clause. The clue that you are dealing with a [compound predicate](subject-and-predicate#compoundpredicate) rather than a [compound subject](subject-and-predicate#compoundsubject) is the fact that there is only one [subject](subject-and-predicate#subject): *I*. 6\. Unless my friend in Calgary postpones her visit, I will not have time to write this report. simple sentence compound sentence complex sentence compound-complex sentence ## Oops! **Question:** Unless my friend in Calgary postpones her visit, I will not have time to write this report. **Answer:** The answer *simple sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence containing the independent clause *I will not have time to write this report* and the dependent clause *unless my friend in Calgary postpones her visit*. Note the [subordinating conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction#sbrdconj) *unless* at the beginning of the dependent clause. ## Oops! **Question:** Unless my friend in Calgary postpones her visit, I will not have time to write this report. **Answer:** The answer *compound sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence containing the independent clause *I will not have time to write this report* and the dependent clause *unless my friend in Calgary postpones her visit*. Note the [subordinating conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction#sbrdconj) *unless* at the beginning of the dependent clause. ## Good work! **Question:** Unless my friend in Calgary postpones her visit, I will not have time to write this report. **Answer:** The answer *complex sentence* is correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence containing the independent clause *I will not have time to write this report* and the dependent clause *unless my friend in Calgary postpones her visit*. Note the [subordinating conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction#sbrdconj) *unless* at the beginning of the dependent clause. ## Oops! **Question:** Unless my friend in Calgary postpones her visit, I will not have time to write this report. **Answer:** The answer *compound-complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence containing the independent clause *I will not have time to write this report* and the dependent clause *unless my friend in Calgary postpones her visit*. Note the [subordinating conjunction](what-is-a-conjunction#sbrdconj) *unless* at the beginning of the dependent clause. 7\. Suzanne wanted to be here, but she cannot come because her car is in the shop. simple sentence compound sentence complex sentence compound-complex sentence ## Oops! **Question:** Suzanne wanted to be here, but she cannot come because her car is in the shop. **Answer:** The answer *simple sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a compound-complex sentence. First, it contains two independent clauses—*Suzanne wanted to be here* and *she cannot come because her car is in the shop*—joined by the co-ordinating conjunction *but*. The second independent clause, however, contains the dependent clause *because her car is in the shop* making the sentence complex as well as compound. ## Oops! **Question:** Suzanne wanted to be here, but she cannot come because her car is in the shop. **Answer:** The answer *compound sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a compound-complex sentence. First, it contains two independent clauses—*Suzanne wanted to be here* and *she cannot come because her car is in the shop*—joined by the co-ordinating conjunction *but*. The second independent clause, however, contains the dependent clause *because her car is in the shop* making the sentence complex as well as compound. ## Oops! **Question:** Suzanne wanted to be here, but she cannot come because her car is in the shop. **Answer:** The answer *complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a compound-complex sentence. First, it contains two independent clauses—*Suzanne wanted to be here* and *she cannot come because her car is in the shop*—joined by the co-ordinating conjunction *but*. The second independent clause, however, contains the dependent clause *because her car is in the shop* making the sentence complex as well as compound. ## Good work! **Question:** Suzanne wanted to be here, but she cannot come because her car is in the shop. **Answer:** The answer *compound-complex sentence* is correct. **Explanation:** This is a compound-complex sentence. First, it contains two independent clauses—*Suzanne wanted to be here* and *she cannot come because her car is in the shop*—joined by the co-ordinating conjunction *but*. The second independent clause, however, contains the dependent clause *because her car is in the shop* making the sentence complex as well as compound. 8\. The football game was cancelled because it was raining. simple sentence compound sentence complex sentence compound-complex sentence ## Oops! **Question:** The football game was cancelled because it was raining. **Answer:** The answer *simple sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence because it contains the dependent clause *because it was raining*. ## Oops! **Question:** The football game was cancelled because it was raining. **Answer:** The answer *compound sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence because it contains the dependent clause *because it was raining*. ## Good work! **Question:** The football game was cancelled because it was raining. **Answer:** The answer *complex sentence* is correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence because it contains the dependent clause *because it was raining*. ## Oops! **Question:** The football game was cancelled because it was raining. **Answer:** The answer *compound-complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence because it contains the dependent clause *because it was raining*. 9\. The football game was cancelled because of the rain. simple sentence compound sentence complex sentence compound-complex sentence ## Good work! **Question:** The football game was cancelled because of the rain. **Answer:** The answer *simple sentence* is correct. **Explanation:** This is a simple sentence. The second part, *because of the rain*, is a phrase rather than a clause. ## Oops! **Question:** The football game was cancelled because of the rain. **Answer:** The answer *compound sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a simple sentence. The second part, *because of the rain*, is a phrase rather than a clause. ## Oops! **Question:** The football game was cancelled because of the rain. **Answer:** The answer *complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a simple sentence. The second part, *because of the rain*, is a phrase rather than a clause. ## Oops! **Question:** The football game was cancelled because of the rain. **Answer:** The answer *compound-complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a simple sentence. The second part, *because of the rain*, is a phrase rather than a clause. 10\. When the train arrives, and if Ms. Lang is on it, she will be served with a subpoena. simple sentence compound sentence complex sentence compound-complex sentence ## Oops! **Question:** When the train arrives, and if Ms. Lang is on it, she will be served with a subpoena. **Answer:** The answer *simple sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence. At first glance, it might look like a compound-complex sentence because of the conjunction *and* joining the two dependent clauses *when the train arrives* and *if Ms. Lang is on it*. However, since there is only one independent clause in the sentence (*she will be served with a subpoena*), it cannot be compound. ## Oops! **Question:** When the train arrives, and if Ms. Lang is on it, she will be served with a subpoena. **Answer:** The answer *compound sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence. At first glance, it might look like a compound-complex sentence because of the conjunction *and* joining the two dependent clauses *when the train arrives* and *if Ms. Lang is on it*. However, since there is only one independent clause in the sentence (*she will be served with a subpoena*), it cannot be compound. ## Good work! **Question:** When the train arrives, and if Ms. Lang is on it, she will be served with a subpoena. **Answer:** The answer *complex sentence* is correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence. At first glance, it might look like a compound-complex sentence because of the conjunction *and* joining the two dependent clauses *when the train arrives* and *if Ms. Lang is on it*. However, since there is only one independent clause in the sentence (*she will be served with a subpoena*), it cannot be compound. ## Oops! **Question:** When the train arrives, and if Ms. Lang is on it, she will be served with a subpoena. **Answer:** The answer *compound-complex sentence* is not correct. **Explanation:** This is a complex sentence. At first glance, it might look like a compound-complex sentence because of the conjunction *and* joining the two dependent clauses *when the train arrives* and *if Ms. Lang is on it*. However, since there is only one independent clause in the sentence (*she will be served with a subpoena*), it cannot be compound. 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