Chapter 7 · English Grammar

Types of Sentences

Intermediate ⏱ 35–45 minutes 🎓 Grade 7

What you will be able to do

  • Tell apart simple, compound, complex and compound-complex sentences
  • Identify independent and dependent clauses
  • Join independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions
  • Use subordinating conjunctions to build complex sentences
  • Combine short sentences into longer, varied ones

1 Quick Introduction

English

We can sort sentences by their structure — by how many clauses they contain. A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. Learning the four structures (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex) lets you write with variety instead of a string of short, choppy sentences.

हिन्दी

हम वाक्यों को उनकी संरचना के अनुसार बाँट सकते हैं — कि उनमें कितने उपवाक्य (clauses) हैं। उपवाक्य (clause) वह शब्द-समूह है जिसमें कर्ता और क्रिया हो। चार संरचनाएँ (simple, compound, complex, compound-complex) सीखकर आप छोटे-छोटे टूटे वाक्यों के बजाय विविधता से लिख पाते हैं।

2 A Real-Life Situation

Imagine this

Compare two ways of saying the same thing:

Choppy: It was raining. We stayed inside. We watched a film.

Better: Because it was raining, we stayed inside and watched a film.

Why this form? The second version combines three short ideas into one smooth sentence using a subordinating conjunction ('because') and a coordinating one ('and'). Knowing sentence structures lets you write like this.

3 The Grammar Rule

Rule & Formula
TypeClausesExample
Simple1 independentThe dog barked.
Compound2+ independentShe sang and he danced.
Complex1 independent + 1+ dependentWhen it rained, we left.
Compound-Complex2+ independent + 1+ dependentWhen it rained, we left and went home.
Independent clause = complete thought · Dependent clause = needs more
Although he was tired (dependent), he finished the race (independent).

4 Simple & Compound Sentences

A simple sentence has exactly one independent clause — one subject-verb idea that stands alone.

  • The baby slept. / Ravi and Sita went to the market. (still one clause, even with two subjects)

A compound sentence joins two or more independent clauses, each able to stand alone, using a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semicolon.

  • She studied hard, and she passed.
  • It was late; we went home.

Put a comma before the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.

Visual — Simple & Compound Sentences
She studied hardandshe passedTwo independent clauses = compound
1
Worked Example
Simple or compound? I like tea, but I prefer coffee.
Solution

Compound — two independent clauses joined by 'but'.

2
Worked Example
Combine into a compound sentence: He was tired. He kept working.
Solution

He was tired, yet he kept working.

Key Points

  • Simple sentence = one independent clause
  • Compound sentence = two+ independent clauses (FANBOYS or ;)
  • Use a comma before the coordinating conjunction

5 Complex & Compound-Complex Sentences

A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses. A dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction (because, although, when, if, since, while, after, before) or a relative pronoun (who, which, that).

  • Although she was nervous, she spoke well. (dependent + independent)
  • The book that I read was excellent.

A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses AND at least one dependent clause.

  • When the bell rang, the students left and the teacher locked the door.

Tip: put a comma after a dependent clause when it comes first.

1
Worked Example
Complex or compound-complex? Because it rained, we stayed in and played games.
Solution

Compound-complex — one dependent ('Because it rained') + two independent ('we stayed in', 'played games').

2
Worked Example
Combine into a complex sentence: He failed. He did not work hard.
Solution

He failed because he did not work hard.

Key Points

  • Complex = 1 independent + 1+ dependent clause
  • Compound-complex = 2+ independent + 1+ dependent
  • Comma after a leading dependent clause

6 Vocabulary Builder

WordMeaningहिन्दी
Clausea group with subject + verbउपवाक्य
Independent clausestands aloneस्वतंत्र उपवाक्य
Dependent clauseneeds a main clauseआश्रित उपवाक्य
Coordinatingjoining equalsसमानता-सूचक
Subordinatingintroducing a dependent clauseआश्रयकारी
✎ Vocabulary Quick Test0 / 1
Q.A complex sentence must contain:
Explanation: A complex sentence has one independent clause plus at least one dependent clause.

7 Common Mistakes to Avoid

✗ IncorrectIt was raining we stayed inside.
✓ CorrectIt was raining, so we stayed inside.
Two independent clauses need a conjunction or semicolon (avoid run-ons).
✗ IncorrectBecause he was late.
✓ CorrectBecause he was late, he missed the bus.
A dependent clause alone is a fragment; add a main clause.
✗ IncorrectShe studied hard, she passed.
✓ CorrectShe studied hard, and she passed.
A comma alone can't join two clauses (comma splice) — add 'and'.
✗ IncorrectAlthough she was tired but she finished.
✓ CorrectAlthough she was tired, she finished.
Don't use 'although' and 'but' together.

8 Practice Exercises

Fill in the BlanksLevel 1
Name the structure: simple, compound, or complex.
  1. The sun rose.
  2. I called him, but he didn't answer.
  3. When the rain stopped, we went out.
  4. Ravi and Sita sang together.
  5. She smiled because she was happy.
Answer Key
  1. simple
  2. compound
  3. complex
  4. simple
  5. complex
Fill in the BlanksLevel 2
Combine the sentences as instructed.
  1. He was ill. He went to school. (complex – although)
  2. It was sunny. We went to the beach. (compound – so)
  3. She studies daily. She scores well. (complex – because)
  4. The bell rang. We left. We took the bus. (compound-complex)
  5. He tried hard. He failed. (compound – but)
Answer Key
  1. Although he was ill, he went to school.
  2. It was sunny, so we went to the beach.
  3. Because she studies daily, she scores well.
  4. When the bell rang, we left and took the bus.
  5. He tried hard, but he failed.
Error Detection
  1. It was cold we stayed home.
  2. Because she was busy.
  3. He ran fast, he won the race.
  4. Although it rained but we played.
Answer Key
  1. It was cold, so we stayed home. (error: run-on)
  2. Because she was busy, she could not come. (error: fragment)
  3. He ran fast, and he won the race. (error: comma splice)
  4. Although it rained, we played. (error: but)
Sentence Correction
  1. I was tired I went to bed.
  2. When the show ended.
  3. She sang, she danced.
Answer Key
  1. I was tired, so I went to bed.
  2. When the show ended, everyone clapped.
  3. She sang and danced.
Rearrange the Words
  1. rained / because / it / we / stayed / inside
  2. and / sang / she / he / danced
  3. tired / although / he / was / he / continued
Answer Key
  1. Because it rained, we stayed inside.
  2. She sang and he danced.
  3. Although he was tired, he continued.
Match the Following
Column AColumn B
1. The dog barked.a. compound
2. She sang and he danced.b. compound-complex
3. When it rained, we left.c. simple
4. When it rained, we left and went home.d. complex
Answer Key
The dog barked. → simpleShe sang and he danced. → compoundWhen it rained, we left. → complexWhen it rained, we left and went home. → compound-complex

9 Micro Quiz

✎ Quick Check — 5 questions0 / 5
Q1.'I read a book and she watched TV.' is:
Explanation: Two independent clauses joined by 'and' → compound.
Q2.Which is a complex sentence?
Explanation: It has a dependent clause 'because he ran fast'.
Q3.A group like 'although it was late' alone is a:
Explanation: A dependent clause alone is a fragment.
Q4.'She sang.' is a:
Explanation: One independent clause → simple.
Q5.Which joins two independent clauses?
Explanation: 'and' is a coordinating conjunction.

10 Reading Practice

The match was about to begin. Because the captain was injured, the coach chose a new player, and the crowd cheered loudly. The new boy was nervous, but he played brilliantly. When the final whistle blew, our team had won, and everyone celebrated.

Comprehension Questions
  1. Find a simple sentence in the passage.
  2. Find a compound-complex sentence.
  3. Identify the dependent clause in the last sentence.
Answer Key
  1. "The match was about to begin." — one independent clause.
  2. "Because the captain was injured, the coach chose a new player, and the crowd cheered loudly." — one dependent + two independent clauses.
  3. "When the final whistle blew" — it begins with the subordinating conjunction 'when'.

11 Speaking, Writing & Daily Use

Say these aloud
  • The bell rang. (simple)
  • I wanted to go, but it was too late. (compound)
  • Because she practised daily, she improved. (complex)
  • When the rain stopped, we went out and played. (compound-complex)
  • He is the boy who won the prize. (complex)
Write four sentences about a holiday — one simple, one compound, one complex and one compound-complex.
Example: We reached the hills. It was cold, so we lit a fire. Because the view was lovely, we stayed. When night fell, we sang and slept under the stars.

12 Challenge Zone

🔥 Higher-Level Questions — 30 / 3
Q1.Identify the structure: 'Although he was rich, he lived simply, and he helped the poor.'
Explanation: One dependent ('Although he was rich') + two independent clauses.
Q2.Which sentence is a comma splice (error)?
Explanation: Independent clauses joined by only commas form a comma splice.
Q3.Combine into a single complex sentence: 'The film was long. We enjoyed it.'
Explanation: A subordinating conjunction ('Although') makes it complex.

13 Chapter Mind Map

Mind Map
       TYPES OF SENTENCES
                |
   +--------+---+----+----------+
   |        |        |          |
 SIMPLE   COMPOUND COMPLEX  COMPOUND-
 1 indep  2+ indep 1 indep+ COMPLEX
 clause   FANBOYS  1+ dep   2+ indep +
          or ;     because/ 1+ dep
                   when/who clause

14 One-Minute Revision

Remember these

  • A clause has a subject and a verb
  • Simple = 1 independent clause
  • Compound = 2+ independent clauses (FANBOYS / ;)
  • Complex = 1 independent + 1+ dependent clause
  • Compound-complex = 2+ independent + 1+ dependent