English grammar explained in plain language simple enough to be understood.
Sometimes a compound sentence is combined with a subordinate clause. That makes a compound-complex sentence. Here is a compound sentence:I can mow the lawn, and you can rake the leaves.Now let’s add a subordinate clause to the beginning of this… Read more728. The Compound-Complex Sentence
With active voice, the subject does the action. Look at these sentence examples and notice the subject doing something:Bob built a sandcastle. Bob is the subject. He builds.Mary found a seashell. Mary is the subject. She finds.The ocean waves flattened… Read more809. Using Active and Passive Voice with Verbs
A complex sentence contains a simple sentence and a subordinate clause. The subordinate clause must be attached to a simple sentence or it is a sentence fragment. Look at these examples of a subordinate clause written as a sentence. Each… Read more888. A Subordinate Clause without a Complete Clause is a Fragment
An interrogative sentence is an asking sentence. Because an interrogative sentence asks a question, it always ends with a question mark. An interrogative sentence can ask who?Who is knocking at the door? An interrogative sentence can ask what? What did… Read more957. Sentence Purpose: Interrogative Sentence
An exclamatory sentence shows excitement, fear, or surprise. An exclamatory sentence ends with an exclamation point (!). Exclamatory sentences showing excitement:Look at that big horse!We won the championship! Exclamatory sentences showing fear: Look out for the falling tree!The house is… Read more958. Sentence Purpose – Exclamatory Sentence
An imperative sentence gives an order. This type of sentence always begins with a verb. The subject is not stated, but it is understood that the subject is You. The order is being given to the person who receives the… Read more959. Sentence Purpose – Imperative Sentence
A simple sentence has a subject doing something. Only one thing happens in a simple sentence. Sometimes the simple sentence has a compound subject. In that sentence, two subjects are doing something together. Look at these examples of a simple… Read more962. Simple Sentence with a Compound Subject
A simple sentence tells about one thing. It usually has one subject and one verb. However, it can have one subject doing two actions. When that happens, it is a simple sentence with a compound verb. Look at these examples… Read more963. Simple Sentence with a Compound Verb
Sometimes a simple sentence is long, and we want to think it is more than just simple. However, a sentence is always simple if it has just one subject doing one thing. Look at these simple sentences that contain multiple… Read more964. Simple Sentence with a Phrase
An independent clause is the same thing as a simple sentence. An independent clause has a subject and a verb – someone or something doing an action or showing existence. Here are examples of an independent clause:Bob has a dog.Mary… Read more966. Independent Clause