Simple and compound sentences differ in their number of independent clauses (i.e., a group of words with a subject and verb that can stand on its own as a sentence).
Simple sentences have one independent clause. For example: “Jack went shopping.”
Note that simple sentences can have compound subjects (e.g., “Jack and Lucy went shopping”) or compound predicates (e.g., “Jack went shopping and cooked dinner”) or both (e.g., “‘Jack and Lucy went shopping and cooked dinner”).
A compound sentence, in contrast, is formed when two full simple sentences are connected.
Use QuillBot’s Grammar Checker to make sure the types of sentences you’re using are structured correctly.
An example of a compound sentence is “Rakesh likes baseball, but Simone prefers basketball.”
This sentence, like all compound sentences, has two independent clauses (“Rakesh likes baseball” and “Simone prefers basketball”). The two independent clauses are joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (“but”).
Other coordinating conjunctions (e.g., “and,” “so”) can also be used to form a compound sentence. Alternatively, a semicolon can be used (e.g., “Rakesh likes baseball; Simone prefers basketball”). An em dash or a colon can also be used to form a compound sentence, but this is less common and requires a specific relationship between the two clauses.
QuillBot’s Grammar Checker can help ensure your compound sentences are free of errors.
These pronouns often introduce an adjective clause (or relative clause), which is a type of dependent clause. When that dependent clause is connected to an independent clause, it forms a complex sentence.
Adjective clauses can be either restrictive or nonrestrictive. Nonrestrictive clauses are set off with commas.
Nonrestrictive clauses in complex sentences examplesCamila ordered an americano, which is an espresso and water.
My best friend, who is named Ana, is coming to visit me.
The CEO, whom most people assumed was going to retire, took a job at another company.
Emilio, whose apartment I am renting, has decided to move back to town.
Some good transition words and phrases for essays include “first (of all),” “initially,” “to begin with,” “for example,” “in particular,” “conversely,” “in summary,” “overall,” and “finally.”
QuillBot’s free paraphrasing tool can help you add variety to the transition words you use in your writing.
