These simple compound and complex sentences worksheet sets will hone your grammar as well as English writing and speaking skills to the next level. Remember, with practice you can overcome the most persistent problems in English language.
This article is a supplement to the main article that explains the concepts around Simple Compound and Complex Sentences at length. It also features 10 detailed sets to lead you through the sequence of building them, centering around a single topic each time.
However, you can use these simple compound and complex sentences exercises as a standalone if you understand the differences between simple compound and complex sentences well enough.
Free free to check out these related lessons at EnglishGeni.
Simple Sentences in English
Simple English Sentences for Practice
Before you get some deep practice, here’s a helpful quick summary of what the three main types of sentences are:
- Simple
- Compound
- Complex.
- A simple sentences has one main clause, with a subject, and verb. It may also be interpreted as a subject and predicate form of sentence. The predicate part may have the object and the complements.
- A compound sentence will have two main clauses, connected by conjunctions like and, or, but.
- A complex sentence has a main clause and a dependent or subordinate clause as well, brought together by words like while, because, when, etc.
This image below offers a quick summary of how the simple, compound and complex sentences differ from one another.
Instead of using excessive grammar jargon, let’s look at their functions in layperson’s terms.
| Complex Sentences have– | Compound Sentences have– | Simple Sentences have- | |
| A main clause | (Inter-linkers) | Two main clauses (Conjunctions) | A main clause |
| A subordinate clause/dependent clause | since | and | (Expanders) |
| after | though | but | A subject |
| although | unless | Or / nor | A predicate |
| as | until | for | An an object |
| because | when | yet | A complement |
| before | whenever | so | Adjectives |
| even though | where | either…or | Adverbs |
| if | whereas | neither…nor | |
| once | while | not only…but also |
Simple to Complex Sentences Exercises with Answers: Set 1
In 1.a and 1.b, you are provided with two and three simple sentences respectively. Convert them into complex sentences.
| 1.a) The rain stopped. The sun emerged. |
| 1.b) The rain stopped. The sun emerged. The sun cast a golden hue over the landscape. |
| Simple to Complex Sentences Answer Key |
| 1.a) After the rain stopped, the sun emerged. |
| 1.b) After the rain stopped, the sun emerged, casting a golden hue over the landscape. |
Simple to Complex Sentences Exercises with Answers: Set 2
In 1.a and 1.b, you are provided with two and three simple sentences respectively. Convert them into complex sentences.
| 2.a) She was feeling tired. She continued working diligently. |
| 2.b) She was feeling tired. She continued working diligently.She was fueled by her determination. |
| Simple to Complex Sentences Answer Key |
| 2.a) Despite feeling tired, she continued working diligently. |
| 2.b) Despite feeling tired, she continued working diligently, fueled by her determination. |
Simple to Complex Sentences Exercises with Answers: Set 3
In 1.a and 1.b, you are provided with two and three simple sentences respectively. Convert them into complex sentences.
| 3.a) The temperature dropped. He wrapped himself in a warm blanket. |
| 3.b) The temperature dropped. He wrapped himself in a warm blanket. He savored its coziness. |
| Simple to Complex Sentences Answer Key |
| 3.a) As the temperature dropped, he wrapped himself in a warm blanket. |
| 3.b) As the temperature dropped, he wrapped himself in a warm blanket, savoring its coziness. |
Simple to Complex Sentences Exercises with Answers: Set 4
In 1.a and 1.b, you are provided with two and three simple sentences respectively. Convert them into complex sentences.
| 4.a) The children played outside. Their parents prepared a delicious meal indoors. |
| Simple to Complex Sentences Answer Key |
| 4.a)While the children played outside, their parents prepared a delicious meal indoors. |
Simple to Complex Sentences Exercises with Answers: Set 5
In 1.a and 1.b, you are provided with two and three simple sentences respectively. Convert them into complex sentences.
| 5.a) The task seemed daunting. She tackled it with confidence. |
| 5.b) The task seemed daunting. She tackled it with confidence. She knew success awaited her. |
| Simple to Complex Sentences Answer Key |
| 5.a) Although the task seemed daunting, she tackled it with confidence. |
| 5.b) Although the task seemed daunting, she tackled it with confidence, knowing success awaited her. |
Simple to Complex Sentences Exercises with Answers: 4 Interactive Image Sets
(a) Look at these images and write at least two simple sentences. They must have at least one adjective or adverb. (b) Make at least one complex sentence. Get thinking and expressing! Sample answers provided below the images.
Simple to Complex Sentences Exercises with Answers: Image 1
(a) The little boy is sitting in a comfortable couch.
(a) The cheerful little boy is sitting outstretch in a plush sofa.
(b) The happy little boy is grinning widely at the camera and he seems to be in a good mood. (compound sentence). (c) The naughty-looking boy is grinning at someone while sitting outstretched in the sofa. (complex sentence)
Simple to Complex Sentences Exercises with Answers: Image 2
(a) There’s a young lady standing on the wooden deck.
(a) The curious lady is pulling on the old-fashioned bell.
(b) The lady is standing on the deck and pulling on the bell while the sun is setting. (complex sentence)
Simple to Complex Sentences Exercises with Answers: Image 3
(a) Two cheerful little girls are grasping each other’s hands.
(a) The perky little girls are dressed in summer dresses.
(b) Dressed in pretty summer dresses, the little girls are playing merrily while their mother seems to be sitting at a distance. (complex sentence)
Simple to Complex Sentences Exercises with Answers: Image 4
(a) An adorable little girl is holding up a hand-drawn picture.
(a) She drew many cute little things in her colorful picture.
(b) A little girl is holding up her hand-drawn picture while standing by the stairs. (complex sentence)
Simple to Compound Sentences Exercises with Answers
You are provided with two simple sentences. Combine them into one compound sentence. Answers follow the questions.
- She enjoys hiking. He prefers swimming in the lake.
Answer: She enjoys hiking, and he prefers swimming in the lake
2. They laughed together. Yet tears glistened in their eyes.
Answer: They laughed together, yet tears glistened in their eyes.
3. He studied diligently. He still struggled with the exam.
Answer: He studied diligently, but he still struggled with the exam.
4.She baked a cake. She decorated it with frosting.
Answer: She baked a cake, then she decorated it with frosting.
5.The concert was electrifying. They danced until dawn.
Answer: The concert was electrifying, so they danced until dawn.
6. He likes coffee. She prefers herbal tea. (whereas/while)
Answer: He likes coffee, whereas she prefers herbal tea.
7.The movie was thrilling. It left them with unanswered questions.
Answer: The movie was thrilling, yet it left them with unanswered questions.
8.She practiced yoga daily. She still felt stressed at times.
Answer: She practiced yoga daily, yet she felt stressed at times.
9. He wanted to go out. She preferred staying in.
Answer: He wanted to go out, but she preferred staying in.
10. The road was long. They enjoyed every moment of the journey.
Answer: The road was long, yet they enjoyed every moment of the journey.
Simple Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet 1
Recognize the sentence type
Use the hints above and nail the answers. Answers provided at the end of all exercises.
| 1. The cat slept peacefully on the windowsill. |
| 2. After finishing her homework, Sarah went to bed. |
| 3. She loves hiking, but she hates camping. |
| 4. While the children played outside, their parents cooked dinner. |
| 5. The sun sets in the west every evening. |
| 6. He wanted to go swimming, yet the pool was closed. |
| 7. Despite feeling tired, she continued working on her project. |
| 8. Dogs bark loudly when they hear unfamiliar noises. |
| 9. They went to the beach, and they built sandcastles. |
| 10. She sang beautifully, although she felt nervous inside. |
| 11. Birds chirp happily in the morning. |
| 12. He enjoys playing basketball, but he’s not very good. |
| 13. Before going to sleep, she brushed her teeth. |
| 14. The moon shines brightly in the night sky. |
| 15. They watched a movie, yet they fell asleep halfway through. |
Answers key
| 1. Simple | 2. Complex | 3. Compound | 4. Complex | 5. Simple |
| 6. Compound | 7. Complex | 8. Simple | 9. Compound | 10. Complex |
| 11. Simple | 12. Compound | 13. Complex | 14. Simple | 15. Compound |
Simple Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet 2
Compound sentences exercises: Identify the two main clauses
| 1. She loves to read, but he prefers sports. |
| 2. The sun was shining, yet the air felt chilly. |
| 3. They went for a walk, and they enjoyed the scenery. |
| 4. He cooked dinner, and she set the table. |
| 5. She sang beautifully, and the audience applauded. |
| 6. They danced under the stars, and they laughed joyfully. |
| 7. He studied diligently, and he achieved top grades. |
| 8. The flowers bloomed brightly, and the bees buzzed around. |
| 9. She painted the sky, and she captured its beauty. |
| 10. He ran swiftly, and he reached the finish line first. |
Answer key
| 1. Main Clause 1 | She loves to read, | Main Clause 2 | but he prefers sports. |
| 2. Main Clause 1 | The sun was shining, | Main Clause 2 | yet the air felt chilly. |
| 3. Main Clause 1 | They went for a walk, | Main Clause 2 | and they enjoyed the scenery. |
| 4. Main Clause 1 | He cooked dinner, | Main Clause 2 | and she set the table. |
| 5. Main Clause 1 | She sang beautifully, | Main Clause 2 | and the audience applauded. |
| 6. Main Clause 1 | They danced under the stars, | Main Clause 2 | and they laughed joyfully. |
| 7. Main Clause 1 | He studied diligently, | Main Clause 2 | and he achieved top grades. |
| 8. Main Clause 1 | The flowers bloomed brightly, | Main Clause 2 | and the bees buzzed around. |
| 9. Main Clause 1 | She painted the sky, | Main Clause 2 | and she captured its beauty. |
| 10. Main Clause 1 | He ran swiftly, | Main Clause 2 | and he reached the finish line first. |
Simple Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet 3
Complex sentences exercises: Identify the main clause and the subordinate clause
| 1. She went to the store, after finishing her work. |
| 2. They decided to go camping, when the weather improved. |
| 3. He studied hard, because he wanted to succeed. |
| 4. The cat ran away, when the dog barked loudly. |
| 5. Sarah cooked dinner, while John set the table. |
| 6. The birds chirped happily, as the sun rose. |
| 7. I read a book, before going to bed. |
| 8. The students listened attentively, while the teacher explained. |
| 9. They traveled to Europe, because they wanted an adventure. |
| 10. She felt tired, after working long hours. |
Answer key
| She went to the store, | Subordinate Clause | after finishing her work. | 1. She went to the store, after finishing her work. |
| They decided to go camping, | Subordinate Clause | when the weather improved. | 2. They decided to go camping, when the weather improved. |
| He studied hard, | Subordinate Clause | because he wanted to succeed. | 3. He studied hard, because he wanted to succeed. |
| The cat ran away, | Subordinate Clause | when the dog barked loudly. | 4. The cat ran away, when the dog barked loudly. |
| Sarah cooked dinner, | Subordinate Clause | while John set the table. | 5. Sarah cooked dinner, while John set the table. |
| The birds chirped happily, | Subordinate Clause | as the sun rose. | 6. The birds chirped happily, as the sun rose. |
| I read a book, | Subordinate Clause | before going to bed. | 7. I read a book, before going to bed. |
| The students listened attentively, | Subordinate Clause | while the teacher explained. | 8. The students listened attentively, while the teacher explained. |
| They traveled to Europe, | Subordinate Clause | because they wanted an adventure. | 9. They traveled to Europe, because they wanted an adventure. |
| She felt tired, | Subordinate Clause | after working long hours. | 10. She felt tired, after working long hours. |
Simple Compound and Complex Sentences Worksheet 4
Compound sentences exercises: Identify the sentence type and fill in the blank with the right word from the bracketed pool.
| 1. The cat slept ____ on the windowsill. | 1. (emerged, distanced, peacefully, fought, dived) |
| 2. After finishing her homework ____, Sarah went to bed. | 2. (whispered, painted, explored, hurriedly giggled) |
| 3. She loves hiking, but she hates camping ____. | 3. (climbed, analyzed, sang, intensely, discovered) |
| 4. While the children ____ played outside, their parents cooked dinner. | 4. (planted, constructed, debated, merrily, cheered) |
| 5. The ____ sun sets in the west every evening. | 5. (wandered, sculpted, gorgeous, swam, debated) |
| 6. He wanted to go swimming, but the pool was closed ____. | 6. (sketched,permanently, raced, hiked, invented) |
| 7. Despite feeling tired, she continued working on her project ____. | 7. (created, investigated, diligently, danced, sailed) |
| 8. Dogs bark ____ when they hear unfamiliar noises. | 8. (built, cooked, sang, loudly, discovered) |
| 9. They ____ went to the beach, and they built sandcastles. | 9. (explored, dreamed, laughed, swam) |
| 10. She sang ____, although she felt nervous inside. | 10. (exercised, meditated, wrote, pondered) |
| 11. Birds chirp ____ in the morning. | 11. (performed, crafted, discussed, researched, happily) |
| 12. He enjoys playing basketball, but he’s ____ bad at it. | 12. (played, sculpted, hopelessly, wandered, imagined) |
| 13. Before going to sleep, she brushes her teeth ____. | 13. (drew, composed, religiously, pondered, surfed) |
| 14. The moon shines ____ in the night sky. | 14. (brightly, photographed, cooked, explored, joked) |
| 15. They watched a movie, yet they ____ scrolled through their phones. | 15. (designed, ran, impatiently, analyzed, sang) |
Answer Key
| 1. Simple | 2. Complex | 3. Compound | 4. Complex | 5. Simple |
| peacefully | hurriedly | intensely | merrily | gorgeous |
| 6. Compound | 7. Complex | 8. Simple | 9. Compound | 10. Complex |
| permanently | diligently | loudly | merrily | beautifully |
| 11. Simple | 12. Compound | 13. Complex | 14. Simple | 15. Compound |
| happily | hopelessly | religiously | brightly | impatiently |
Conclusion
These simple, compound and complex sentences worksheet sets are sure to have given you complete clarity on the three types of sentences- simple, compound and complex. If you are hooked on to these and want to try more exercises, click to visit this good resource!
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