Many English learners desire to develop the skill to make simple, compound, and complex sentences in English. A good approach to learning to make compound and complex sentences is firstly to understand how a simple sentence is framed.
The ideal next step would be to learn to expand on the basic simple sentences to make longer complex sentences. Adding in adjectives, adverbs, and additional dependent clauses to simple sentences result in compound or complex sentences.
Follow these steps with simple English explanations rather than overly grammatic terms. Learn the steps to enhance your writing skills, making the much-desired error-free long sentences in English. Score better on TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, SAT, and other tests with these writing skills.
Step 1: Make Simple Sentences in English
- A basic simple sentence is one that has a subject– who is a person or thing who the rest of the statement will be about. So, it has one main clause.
- Subjects may be: I, you, he, she, it, we, they, etc.
- The action carried out by this person or thing, i.e, the subject, is called the verb: very aptly described as the “action word”.
- Verbs are an endless list indeed: talk, listen, watch, meditate, procrastinate, decipher, etc.
- Since this pattern of using a subject and a verb constitutes a meaningful sentence, we refer to it as an independent clause.
Here are Some Simple Sentences Examples:
- The students are going on a picnic.
- The American is visiting India for his business.
- The bats make the place stink.
- The children are drinking lime juice.
- The cat is sleeping on the couch.
Refer to this article, Simple Sentences in English for a detailed analysis and understanding the myriad kinds of simple sentences, their usage and exercises.
Identifying the Subject, Verb, Object, and Complement in a Sentence.
Going by our description of a subject and verb above, we would say:
The subjects are: the students, the American, the bats, and the cat!
The verbs are: going, visiting, make, sleeping!
- Apart from the subject and the verbs, we see other words too. In a sentence where we see another person or object who receives the action, we call it the OBJECT of the sentence- that is the recipient of the action. Therefore, let’s draw the objects from our example set.
The objects are: India, place, lime juice, and couch.
- You will notice there are still a few words left, appearing toward the end of the sentence. They bring additional meaning to the sentence. You could also look at them as words providing more details. These words can be nouns, pronouns, adjectives, or adverbs. Such words are called “Complements” that you can see in bold below:
- The students are going on a picnic.
- The American is visiting India for his business.
- The cat is sleeping on the couch.
Knowing these four elements of a sentence of subject, verb, object, and complement give you the foundation of effective writing.
Step 2: How to Make Long Simple Sentences
Now that you understand the dynamics of composing a basic English sentence, you are ready to step up to making long simple sentences.
There are many ways to make complex sentences, which are basically driven by the need to communicate information.
However, we will focus on building an easy trick to draw upon your existing vocabulary to make complex sentences. if you feel stuck with being unable to move beyond making short simple sentences, these exercises will quickly upgrade your skill level!
Let’s take the last one from our simple sentence examples above. We had said:
The cat (subject) is
sleeping (verb) on
the couch (object).
Now, let’s build on this sentence and make it complex. These questions on the subject and object are a good starting point.
Add Subject Details: Adjectives
- What kind or breed of a cat is it: Indian, Siamese cat
- What color is it? – brown, white, grey
- Would you like to talk about its nature: big, tiny, gentle, nasty, lovable
- How does it look or feel? – thin, scrawny, well-fed, fluffy
Let’s pick a few details: fluffy. We now have:
The fluffy brown Indian cat is sleeping on the couch.
Notice how much longer the sentence already is!
Now, let’s go to the next step.
Add Object Details: Adjectives
- The object in the sentence is the couch.
- Let’s pick up a few more qualities about the couch this time around.
A few easy questions related to the couch could be:
- What kind of a couch is it? made of leather, cloth
- What color is the couch? – white, black, blue, yellow
- What qualities can you talk about? – old, new, torn, worn-out
- How does it look or feel? – comfortable, luxurious, cushy, plush
Let’s go for: plush blue couch
Now, your sentence will transform to:
“The fluffy brown Indian cat is sleeping on the plush blue couch.“
Our original sentence was: “The cat is sleeping on the couch.”
Add Verb Details: Adverbs
Next, we will try to add an adverb in for the verb: sleeping.
- Our cat is sleeping for sure!
- But how is it sleeping? –curled up, soundly, lazily
- Let’s pick one word here, curled up, and see the sentence progression:
“The fluffy brown Indian cat is sleeping, curled up on the plush blue couch.“
Now, we are on to our way to making complex and compound sentences in English!
As you can see, it is not difficult at all!
You could keep adding adjectives and adverbs along the way.
Add Additional Clauses: Independent Clauses
We can always add in elements of place, time of the day, weather, location, etc. to bring a sentence or an idea to life. Much like a writer or a movie-maker does! You could add:
- How is the room and the lighting there? bright, dark, cozy
- What time of the day do you think it is? early morning, afternoon, sunset
- Which part of the house is it in? – in the drawing area, the yard, the hallway, the foyer
- Let us add the additional clause: “in the hallway.“
- Now Our new sentence would be:
“The fluffy brown Indian cat is sleeping, curled up on the plush blue couch in the hallway.“
- Since these additional clauses convey meaning on their own, and add depth or detail to our subject, object and verb, i.e, our cat, our couch, and sleeping action, they are called independent clauses.
These details that we have arrived on are called additional clauses, which means they are not necessary for the primary sentence to be meaning. However, they bring depth and character to our writing!
Step 3: Convert Simple Sentences to Complex Sentences
Add Dependent Clauses
Let’s take a look at the original sentence we started with and its progression into a long sentence:
- The Simple Sentence we started with is: “The cat is sleeping on the couch.”
- It has transformed to: “The fluffy brown Indian cat is sleeping, curled up on the plush blue couch in the hallway.“
Now, let us say that there are kids in the house who are playing in the yard. If we have to add in this information, we would say:
- “The fluffy brown Indian cat is sleeping, curled up on the plush blue couch in the hallway while the kids were playing in the yard.“
- The final portion of the sentence, “while the kids were playing in the yard.” would be incomplete on its own.
- It becomes meaningful only when added to: “”The fluffy brown Indian cat is sleeping, curled up on the plush blue couch in the hallway.”
Therefore, we could call it a “Dependent Clause“.
With this addition of a dependent clause, our simple sentence has transformed into a complex sentence. That really looks like much more elevated writing!
Watch the examples below and try out the exercises at the end of the chapter to be on your way to building elegant complex sentences with ease!
Complex Sentences Examples
Two things can be happening independently of one another. But words like because, since, after, when, while, though, etc. connect the two events. Now, this connecting makes events (sentences) interlinked. Due to this “dependency” of clauses, joining the individual simple sentences results in a Complex Sentence.
Words that cause the “dependency” between the two interlinked simple sentences making them a single complex sentence are in bold.
| Two Simple Sentences Examples | Complex Sentences Examples |
| 1. She woke up late. She missed the bus. | 1. Because she woke up late, she missed the bus. |
| 2. He forgot his umbrella. He got soaked in the rain. | 2. Since he forgot his umbrella, he got soaked in the rain. |
| 3. They finished their project early. They celebrated with ice cream. | 3. After they finished their project early, they celebrated with ice cream. |
| 4. The cat knocked over the vase. It shattered into pieces. | 4. When the cat knocked over the vase, it shattered into pieces. |
| 5. Sarah lost her phone. She couldn’t call for help. | 5. Since Sarah lost her phone, she couldn’t call for help. |
| 6. We ran out of milk. We had to use water in our cereal. | 6. When we ran out of milk, we had to use water in our cereal. |
| 7. The children built a sandcastle. The waves washed it away. | 7. After the children built a sandcastle, the waves washed it away. |
| 8. He left his keys at home. He couldn’t get into the house. | 8. Because he left his keys at home, he couldn’t get into the house. |
| 9. The alarm didn’t go off. They overslept for their appointment. | 9. Since the alarm didn’t go off, they overslept for their appointment. |
| 10. She burned the dinner. She ordered pizza instead. | 10. After she burned the dinner, she ordered pizza instead. |
| 11. They missed the train. They had to wait for the next one. | 11. Because they missed the train, they had to wait for the next one. |
| 12. The store closed early. They couldn’t buy groceries. | 12. Since the store closed early, they couldn’t buy groceries. |
Compound Sentences Examples
We will now look at compound sentences. The starting point will remain the same as above: we take two individual simple sentences. However, this time, we do not bring in “dependency”. We simply use a conjunction that brings the two sentences together. The two clauses will make total meaning without having to relate to one another.
Some words that help join simple sentences to result in compound sentences are: and, so, but, etc.
| Two Simple Sentences Examples | Complex Sentences Examples |
| 1. The sun is shining brightly. The birds are singing in the trees. | 1. The sun is shining brightly, and the birds are singing in the trees. |
| 2. She finished her homework early. She went out to play with her friends. | 2. She finished her homework early, so she went out to play with her friends. |
| 3. We studied hard for the exam. We still didn’t get good grades. | 3. We studied hard for the exam, yet we still didn’t get good grades. |
| 4. The dog barked loudly. The cat ran away quickly. | 4. The dog barked loudly, and the cat ran away quickly. |
| 5. Sarah loves to dance. Sarah performs in competitions regularly. | 5. Sarah loves to dance, and she performs in competitions regularly. |
| 6. He enjoys cooking. He often experiments with new recipes. | 6. He enjoys cooking, so he often experiments with new recipes. |
| 7. They went hiking in the mountains. They encountered a bear on the trail. | 7. They went hiking in the mountains, but they encountered a bear on the trail. |
| 8. The rain poured heavily. The streets flooded within minutes. | 8. The rain poured heavily, and the streets flooded within minutes. |
| 9. She bought a new dress. She wore it to the party last night. | 9. She bought a new dress, and she wore it to the party last night. |
| 10. The movie was entertaining. The ending left us disappointed. | 10. The movie was entertaining, but the ending left us disappointed. |
Primary Difference between Complex and Compound Sentences
In the case of complex sentences, there is a dependent clause that makes the other clause convey incomplete meaning, as with words like because, since, after, when, while, though, etc..
In the case of compound sentences, there are two independent clauses just joined together with conjunctions like and, so, but, etc. The two clauses make complete meaning on their own in the conjoined sentence.
Simple Compound and Complex Sentences Examples
For further clarity, here are some more Simple to Complex Sentences Exercises for you to observe and note the transformative process. Each set will therefore have simple, compound, and complex sentences examples. A good learning resource on these terms is at the BBC.
Watch the subject, verb, object and independent and dependent clauses bringing in complexity and depth!
Words that indicate the complex sentence’s dependent clause are in red. Words that indicate the compound sentence’s conjunctions are in green.
Examples Set 1
| The cat is sleeping. | Simple sentence |
| The fluffy cat is sleeping. | ” |
| The fluffy grey cat is sleeping. | ” |
| The fluffy grey cat is peacefully sleeping. | ” |
| The fluffy grey cat is peacefully sleeping on the cozy couch. | ” |
| The fluffy grey cat is peacefully sleeping on the cozy couch while her master was out shopping. | Complex sentence |
| The cat is sleeping peacefully. | Simple sentence |
| The dog is barking loudly. | ” |
| The cat is sleeping peacefully, and the dog is barking loudly. | Compound sentence |
| The fluffy cat is sleeping soundly. | Simple sentence |
| The fluffy dog is playing in the yard. | ” |
| The fluffy cat is sleeping soundly, and the fluffy dog is playing in the yard. | Compound sentence |
Examples Set 2
| The boy is running. | Simple sentence |
| The energetic boy is running. | “ |
| The energetic little boy is running. | “ |
| The energetic little boy is joyfully running. | “ |
| The energetic little boy is joyfully running in the sunny park. | “ |
| The energetic little boy is joyfully running in the sunny park while his dog is tearing his backpack.. | Complex sentence |
| The boy is running energetically. | Simple sentence |
| The girl is skipping happily. | “ |
| The boy is running energetically, and the girl is skipping happily. | Compound sentence |
| The energetic boy is running swiftly. | Simple sentence |
| The energetic girl is jumping joyfully. | “ |
| The energetic boy is running swiftly, and the energetic girl is jumping joyfully. | Compound sentence |
Examples Set 3
| The bird is singing. | Simple sentence |
| The colorful bird is singing. | “ |
| The colorful bird is happily singing. | “ |
| The colorful bird is happily singing in the tall tree. | “ |
| The colorful bird is happily singing in the tall tree near the river. | “ |
| The colorful bird is happily singing in the tall tree near the river in spite of the dangerous snakes around. | Complex sentence |
| The bird is singing melodiously. | Simple sentence |
| The squirrel is chattering loudly. | “ |
| The bird is singing melodiously, but the squirrel is chattering loudly. | Compound sentence |
| The colorful bird is singing cheerfully. | Simple sentence |
| The colorful butterfly is fluttering nearby. | “ |
| The colorful bird is singing cheerfully, and the colorful butterfly is fluttering nearby. | Compound sentence |
Examples Set 4
| The dog is barking. | Simple sentence |
| The big dog is barking. | “ |
| The big brown dog is barking. | “ |
| The big brown dog is loudly barking. | “ |
| The big brown dog is loudly barking in the backyard. | “ |
| The big brown dog is loudly barking in the backyard though there is no one. | Complex sentence |
| The dog is barking loudly. | Simple sentence |
| The cat is meowing softly. | “ |
| The dog is barking loudly, but the cat is meowing softly. | Compound sentence |
| The big dog is barking fiercely. | Simple sentence |
| The small dog is yapping excitedly. | “ |
| The big dog is barking fiercely, and the small dog is yapping excitedly. | Compound sentence |
Examples Set 5
| The car is driving. | Simple sentence |
| The shiny car is driving. | “ |
| The shiny red car is driving. | “ |
| The shiny red sports car is driving. | “ |
| The shiny red sports car is swiftly driving down the winding road. | “ |
| The shiny red sports car is swiftly driving down the winding road though the road is slippery after the rain. | Complex sentence |
| The car is driving smoothly. | Simple sentence |
| The bicycle is pedaling swiftly. | “ |
| The car is driving smoothly, and the bicycle is pedaling swiftly. | Compound sentence |
| The shiny car is driving elegantly. | Simple sentence |
| The old truck is rumbling loudly. | “ |
| The shiny car is driving elegantly, and the old truck is rumbling loudly. | Compound sentence |
Examples Set 6
| The girl is reading. | Simple sentence |
| The studious girl is reading. | “ |
| The studious girl is quietly reading. | “ |
| The studious girl is quietly reading a fascinating book. | “ |
| The studious girl is quietly reading a fascinating book in the library. | “ |
| The studious girl is quietly reading a fascinating book in the library because it is noisy at home. | Complex sentence |
| The girl is reading quietly. | Simple sentence |
| The boy is playing noisily. | “ |
| The girl is reading quietly, and the boy is playing noisily. | Compound sentence |
| The girl is reading quietly. | Simple sentence |
| The curious boy is exploring the woods. | “ |
| The studious girl is reading intently, and the curious boy is exploring the woods. | Compound sentence |
Examples Set 7
| The author wrote a book. | Simple sentence |
| The acclaimed author wrote an engaging book. | “ |
| The acclaimed author meticulously wrote an engaging book. | “ |
| The acclaimed author meticulously wrote an engaging novel. | “ |
| The critically acclaimed author meticulously wrote an engaging novel exploring complex themes and characters. | Complex sentence (includes a subordinate clause: “exploring complex themes and characters”) |
| The critically acclaimed author meticulously wrote an engaging novel exploring complex themes and characters, garnering widespread praise from literary critics. | Complex sentence (includes a main clause and a subordinate clause: “garnering widespread praise from literary critics”) |
| The acclaimed author meticulously wrote an engaging novel though his publisher was being difficult. | Complex sentence |
| The critically acclaimed author wrote an novel. | Simple sentence |
| It garnered widespread praise from literary critics. | “ |
| The critically acclaimed author wrote an novel and it garnered widespread praise from literary critics. | Compound sentence |
Examples Set 8
| The chef prepared a dish. | Simple sentence |
| The innovative chef prepared an exquisite dish. | “ |
| The innovative chef meticulously prepared an exquisite dish. | “ |
| The innovative chef meticulously prepared an exquisite culinary masterpiece. | “ |
| The innovative chef meticulously prepared an exquisite culinary masterpiece, incorporating rare ingredients sourced from around the world. | “ |
| The chef meticulously prepared an exquisite culinary masterpiece while the manager worried it would end up too expensive on the menu. | Complex sentence |
| The innovative chef prepared an exquisite dish. | Simple sentence |
| The manager worried about how expensive it would be. | “ |
| The innovative chef prepared an exquisite dish but the manager worried about how expensive it would be. | Compound sentence |
Simple Compound Complex Sentences Exercises with answers: Set 9
Now is the time to tap in to your vocabulary and attempt these exercises. For more complete practice, do visit our Simple Compound Complex Sentences Exercises page. [link]
1.The flower is blooming.
2.The ..(a)……….. flower is blooming. (color or kind)
3.The …(a)………. …(b)………. flower is blooming. (color and kind)
4.The …(a)………. …(b)……….(c) ………. flower is blooming. (description of look, color, kind)
5.The …(a)………. …(b)……….(c) ………. flower is blooming …(d)……….in the garden. (adverb for blooming)
6.The …(a)………. …(b)……….(c) ………. flower is blooming …(d)………. (adverb for blooming) in …(e)………… (location)
6.The flowers bloom in the pot ………… I water regularly. (complex sentence dependent clause)
7.The flowers bloom in the pot ………… I love it! (conjunction for a compound sentence)
Answer Key
(a). red (b). red rose (c). vibrant red rose (d). beautifully (e). in the garden 6. when/if 7. and.
Simple Compound Complex Sentences Exercises with answers: Set 10
- The ..(a)………….. architect ..(b)………….. designed a ..(c)………….. building. (simple sentence)
- The architect designed a skyscraper, ………….the boundaries of architectural innovation. (complex sentence)
- The architect designed the mall ………. it became widely-known. (compound sentence)
Answer Key
- (a) brilliant/talented/visionary/exceptional (b) meticulously (c) sustainable/an iconic/an incredible
- pushing/challenging
- and
Frequently Asked Questions
Long sentences are not a grammatical concept. Why do we have to learn them?
The objective at EnglishGeni is to impart better English writing and speaking skills. Plus, college entrance exams like the TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, and SAT and others gauge your writing abilities where the appropriate usage of adjectives and adverbs definitely amps up your score.
Should I always make highly descriptive, compound and complex sentences?
Not at all! The cornerstone of good writing is appropriateness. Go by that measure. Else, your sentences would seem bloated. Where descriptive writing has its place, brevity is a highly regarded writing skill as well.
Conclusion
Mastering sentence construction techniques is essential for effective communication. Start with crafting simple sentences, and step by step, incorporate adjectives, adverbs, and additional clauses.
With each additional element, you add depth and clarity to your writing. Practice creating sentences of varying lengths and complexities to hone your skills. Following these techniques will certainly help you master the art of sentence construction. Plus, you’ll enhance the impact and readability of your writing. EnglishGeni wishes you happy writing!
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