The 4 English Sentence Types - simple, compound, complex, compound-complex
Did you know there are only four sentence types in English? To improve your writing and reading skills in English, I'll teach you all about simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences in this grammar video. You'll learn how to identify the independent and dependent clauses. Don't worry, it's easier than it sounds! By learning to identify and use these sentence structures, you'll make your writing more interesting and dynamic. I'll also share many example sentences in the lesson, so you can practice with my help. www.engvid.com/the-4-english-s...
TRANSCRIPT
Hi. Welcome back to www.engvid.com. I'm Adam. Today's lesson is a writing lesson, but it's also a spoken English lesson. It's about anything to do with English, because we're going to be looking at sentence types. Now, of course, when you speak, you're using all kinds of sentence types. But, especially in writing, it's important to know the different types of sentences, because, especially if you're going to be writing tests, they want to see sentence variety. And even if you're not writing tests, anything you write, if you're using only one type of sentence, your writing becomes very bland, very boring, very hard to follow, because it's a little bit monotone. So what you need to do is you need to vary... You need a variety of sentence structures in your writing to give it a little bit more life. Okay?
Luckily, you only need to know four sentence types. We have simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex. Now, this is not exactly easy, but it's not exactly hard, either. If you figure out what you need to have in each one, in each sentence type, just make sure it's there. Okay? Let's start.
A simple sentence has one independent clause. A little bit of review: What is an independent clause? An independent clause has a subject and a verb, and can complete an idea. It can stand by itself, because the idea in that clause is complete. I don't need to add anything else to it. Okay.
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses, joined by a conjunction. A compound conjunction: "and", "but", "or", "so", "for" (not very common), etc. So, we join two independent clauses with a compound conjunction. You can have more, but again, you have to be a little bit careful. Once you get to three, start to look for a way to finish your sentence, because if you get to the fourth, you already have a crazy sentence that has the... Runs the risk of being a run-on sentence. Eventually, you're going to make a mistake, you're going to miss something, and the whole sentence falls apart. I don't recommend three, but you can put three.
Then we have a complex sentence. A complex sentence has one independent clause, plus one or more dependent clause. A dependent clause is a clause that has a subject and a verb, but cannot stand by itself. It is not a complete idea. It has some sort of relationship to the independent clause. We have three types of dependent clauses. We have noun clauses, we have adjective clauses, and we have adverb clauses. Okay? That's a whole separate lesson. You can look at that later. But you have to have one of these, plus one of these, and you have a complex sentence.
Next we have a compound-complex sentence. Here you have two or more independent clauses, again, joined by a conjunction, and one or more dependent clause. Okay? So you have basically all the elements in this sentence.
Then, once you have all this stuff, you can add as many complements, or basically extras, as you want. So, let's look at an example. We're going to start with the simple sentence: "Layla studied biology." Very simple. I have a subject, I have a verb, I have an object. Okay? This is a simple sentence. It's an independent clause; it can stand by itself as a complete idea. Now, I can add anything I want to this that is not another clause of any type, and it'll still be a simple sentence. So I can say: "My friend Layla studied biology in university." I'll just say "uni" for short. I have more information, but do I have a different type of sentence? No. It's still a simple sentence.
Now, let's look at this sentence. First, let me read it to you: "Even with the weather being that nasty, the couple and their families decided to go ahead with the wedding as planned." Now you're thinking: "Wow, that's got to be a complex sentence", right? "It's so long. There's so much information in it." But, if we look at it carefully, it is still a simple sentence. Why? Because we only have one independent clause. Where is it? Well, find the subject and verb combination first. So, what is the subject in this sentence? I'll give you a few seconds, figure it out. Hit the pause key, look at it.
Okay, we're back. Here is the subject: "the couple and their families". Now, don't get confused with this "and".
Пікірлер: 1 300
As a college student studying under the English major, I can't thank you enough for this video. You break down the English language in a way that is concise and easy to pick up on. I just wish most professors teach grammar the way you do.
@desahussen
5 ай бұрын
❤❤❤
@elizabethulfxklptt044amush7
3 ай бұрын
No way dude you're watching this video while in college I'm studying for my test that is out of 150 marks and I'm 12, probably because I'm at the best Cambridge level private school😢😢😮
Adam, I love how precise you are while explaining grammar, especially things that are not taught at schools. Thank you for this lesson and keep up your good work!
@MuhammadRizwan-bn9db
2 жыл бұрын
It's five years old comment .Are you still here .
@kimdega1416
2 жыл бұрын
This is really an old comment.
@Omar-yj3bb
6 ай бұрын
Well Im here from December 2023 you guys are too old@@kimdega1416
He really knows his stuff. I like the occasions of incidental learning as well as the background info that he casually fills in while moving along with his lesson. He just crammed a 55 minute class in 15 minutes including reassurances for students doing the exam.
I take my addiction seriously: iv'e sensed most of my adult life that I am slow at learning, but the addiction keeps me attracted, so I keep coming back for more. I'm 74 this year and am confident that I will shortly (5 to 10 years) be able to conceptualize what I read automatically (without thinking about it), but more importantly i hope I will be able to conceptualise grammatically--that is my goal! I find the Adam Grammar series the easiest to digest--- so if , like me, you are hard of learning, stick with these videos. And if you'r young consider grammar as an exponential for learning that which you read. Thanks Adam.
I've been teaching English as a second language for about 7 months now in a locally recognized school of my town. I've recently subscribed to this channel and I find it so helpful. He gives clear and understandable explanations I think the students will capture in a better way. Thanks a lot!
@rohollahmoradi1668
5 жыл бұрын
Abby Santana Hi Abby . I need to know independent clause before this?
@abdulmaah8725
4 жыл бұрын
and I am replying your comment after 4 years now.
@salimunoordin7927
4 жыл бұрын
Hey
@roseyyxriiq4360
3 жыл бұрын
@@rohollahmoradi1668 lol
@zainlegeriesshop9532
3 жыл бұрын
They told us that independent clause has subject , verb and object E.g Abby Santana have been teaching english.
trick to remember the conjunctions: FANBOYS F- for A - and N - nor B - but O - or Y - yet S - so
@Laura-dn2bj
7 жыл бұрын
مها هدى I did say that part
@memesforlaugh1199
7 жыл бұрын
yes
@hajarpeaace948
7 жыл бұрын
+Laura Fernandez thank you so much
@maaouiabadra9969
7 жыл бұрын
Laura Fernandez
@ninjaplays1087
7 жыл бұрын
Laura Fernandez sorry you didn't finish
Who is here before his Grammar exam?
@user-st8jc1co3j
19 күн бұрын
🙋🏻♀️
@user-vk4mj8rd4j
15 күн бұрын
Ummmm😂😂😂😂
@user-vk4mj8rd4j
15 күн бұрын
Its currently 9 pl amd my exam is tmrw
@user-vk4mj8rd4j
15 күн бұрын
Pm
@Axel-nb8om
12 күн бұрын
Me 💀
Adam, you're really gifted at what you do: putting these concepts and examples in a simple way for all of us to understand and apply. You're a gift for us. Thank you with all my heart.
When a random guy on KZread is better than your teacher you've known for 3 years
@losers192
3 жыл бұрын
not enough memes in this chat disappointed don't tell me I forgot the command I know.
@justynag5025
3 жыл бұрын
Yees , you are so right!!! I am so grateful to the internet that I have found him here. I have an upcoming exam in two days, and propably you have saved my student's life Adam. Thank you so much for those videos!
@Mr1ssalinas
3 жыл бұрын
"Random guy"?... That gives zero credit to this teacher. If this were a lesson given by your mechanic in his shop, or by a pizza delivery guy on your doorstep, then you could say "random guy" I'm a teacher of English myself, good teaching is mostly underappreciated. Giving a lesson that won't have students all confused at the end of it, or worse off than what they were before the lesson started requires thoughtful planning and flawless execution. Proper credit must be given, be fair, this is a good teacher, not a "random guy".
@mukheliphathutshedzodapsey9300
3 жыл бұрын
@@Mr1ssalinas oh OK you have time hey that long comment 👍😘😹
@abrartasin731
3 жыл бұрын
really 👍
Adam, I appreciate very much all of your classes. You always explain so well. Thank you!
Adam is a phenomenal instructor. I'm 51, english is my only language and i write all the time and i have watched almost all of his videos.
@khongkhamuanrachawong3897
6 жыл бұрын
Anthony Athanasakis that is quite awesome to hear that!
@oscarjoaquin152
4 жыл бұрын
On some gorilla shit I laughed at this... oi must be stoned none of his shit made any sense good Cush.
Adam, you are a wonderful person as well as a teacher who deserves thanks and appreciation for your manners and the way you perform.
The explanation is so precise. You not only explain what they are but teach how to create variety in sentences.
A simple sentence has one independent clause. A little bit of review: What is an independent clause? An independent clause has a subject and a verb, and can complete an idea. It can stand by itself, because the idea in that clause is complete. I don't need to add anything else to it. Okay.
I've always had problem learning the sentence types. however, this is the first video that has helped me understand the whole concept. and surprisingly, it's easier than i thought!
Thank you for your video, Adam! Your lessons are always very helpful and to the point. Looking forward to watching your next video.
This was a fantastic explanation! Easy to follow and crystal clear. Thank you very much!
out of all the youtube tutors I've watched, you are by far my fav! very natural and I feel like im learning in a class :D
Adam,you really know your stuff. I am an ESL teacher from Costa Rica and I find this explanation so helpful.
Adam, this is an awesome video! Currently, I am in a TEFL course and wanted to brush up on some English language concepts. You did an excellent job explaining things and even taught me some things I didn't learn early on in my education. Way to go and thank you so much!
@ydaddy6672
3 жыл бұрын
One more thing do not repeat the same words in one sentence.
@ydaddy6672
3 жыл бұрын
On in no bueno too wordy
Great lesson. Many Thanks. You are such great help to us.Distinguishing verbs in recognizing complex sentences was great trick.
We were told to write shorter sentences, but in order to become a better writer, all of this is what I need to know..💜🙏
This is a great lecture. I've never heard of "compound conjunctions" before, only coordinating conjunctions when forming compound sentences
Thank you for your wonderful notes on clauses. I easily understood them seeing your presentations.
Best English teacher ever.
@pranjalboruah7300
7 жыл бұрын
Please discuss about posters writing with example.
Awesome job. You make it look simple. Best regards.
@zsbmardan2346
8 жыл бұрын
+Alex S you made
@shahdashraf7157
8 жыл бұрын
+Alex S y told it
@unknownbeast9468
7 жыл бұрын
shahd alshafiy eden hazard
@cheesywiz9443
5 жыл бұрын
@@zsbmardan2346 make it is also correct He is trying to say that he makes these kinds of topic look simple
@alvaroakatico9188
5 жыл бұрын
Cheesy wiz Yes, but I think the word made makes it past tense 😬 that’s what he was trying to convey. Both are correct, of course. One is the present, and the other one is past tense. I believe I have it right. Correct me if I’m wrong.
Great, by serendipity, today I taught the conditional sentences to my pupils. Honestly this really reinforces my knowledge incredibly well. Thanks. New perspective, new learning
You are the best English teacher ever. Thank you!!!
Thank you! :) You are the best English teacher ever
@poncowibowo9319
3 жыл бұрын
Hi i am ponco from Indonesia. May i have your whatsupp number, so that we can learn english together🙏
@PrincessHarmonyMoonlight
2 жыл бұрын
@@poncowibowo9319 dont be perv!
When I watch this video, I reckon I am not in it that I supposed to be out of class but after finding out a two examples what you wrote ,I am keen on knowing what will it be like for complex sentences which are Useful for IELTS writing mock test and also others. I owe you teacher Adam.Until then😍😍
You’re a great teacher who is using verity of technique in your explanation . Thank you very much for sharing this with learners around the globe.
This is amazingly well-explained! Thanks a lot
"I learned a lot from this video because the instructor is very good explaining the type of sentences"
The best teacher ever may God protect you
@shivankmotiwal7136
6 жыл бұрын
lol
This is the lesson that I am looking to improve my writing!! Thank you!
A very interesting class, I took the test for the first time and I failed, it was a little tricky, then I came back here and watched this video again, now I have a full understanding on how to recognize a sentence when I see one, thanks Adam.
Thanks for sharing this video, Adam! It helps me a lot (:
From Brazil in 2018. Saved my day. Thanks!
I really appreciate your teaching. I would like to say thank you for your profound role you are playing to shape us
as always brilliant and to the point. i very much appreciate your clarity Adam! ♥
Thanks for this great lesson !!!
So glad that his channel has 1.4 millions sibscribers..he is a good teacher.
Thank you for your service.
This is a brilliant explanation. Perfect way to understand kind of sentences according to its use.
Adam, I think you will have a brilliant career in teaching in the future. Your explanations are easy to understand. Thank you!
@fazimasain7785
7 жыл бұрын
Hi Adam thanks for the lesons
@mohamedal246
6 жыл бұрын
I love your photo
@mohamedal246
6 жыл бұрын
Inna Zhurav I like you
Thank you! This was especially helpful here for us at 6am as my daughter tries to cram for her English quiz! Thank you for your clear explanations!
Your teaching style is unique because you taught me sentences only in 15 min , which is very great things
Adam is one of the best English teachers in this generation... His teaching is pretty clear, cool,and comprehensible... Most importantly, he never uses unnecessary words so that at the end of the class one feels comfortable and goes again to his next class....
Thank you! This helped a lot!
Hi Adam, The lesson is very insightful and lively. Undoubtedly, you are an excellent English teacher. Hats off to you. Would you oblige me a lesson about Reducing Adverb Clauses of time, causality and opposition. Anticipated thanks. With warmest regards, Fazil ( Pupil )
You are a great teacher. Thank you so much !
A very useful lesson! Thank you very much !
I wish you were my teacher 😭 kudos from the pearl of the orient, Philippines 🇵🇭 💜
@hans5641
4 жыл бұрын
Anj M. Im am a filipino but im good at English
I love your videos... they are very helpful !! I would like to know when do i have to use "that" or not ... PLEASEE thank you
@priyankahemakanthi5615
4 жыл бұрын
Wow I got clear understanding
Great explanation about the four types of sentence! Thanks.
I'm yet to completely watch the entire video at the time of writing this but had to pause it to state that your explanation of a simple sentence was an eye opener. All this while I thought have a break in the sentence with a comma "," made the sentence a compound one, now I know it doesn't. Thanks for that!
you're the best
show by hand if u still enjoying Adam in 2019?
@amanatasesay3554
4 жыл бұрын
The greatest English teacher ever listen to have move me from a low level writer to higher profency writer. Thanks Adama.
@JP-zk6qk
4 жыл бұрын
he deserves more
@aishamohammed3416
4 жыл бұрын
✋
@prod.byrandom3891
4 жыл бұрын
imagine begging for likes for self satisfaction, oh right, you dont
@helenagarcia9046
4 жыл бұрын
2020!!!!!!
Thanks for the transcript in the description box. You are awesome.
You are so great Adam.....Thanks so much.
good teacher!!
i did appreciate it
I have felt confident myself I can read Jane Austen's novels after this video. Thank you, Adam.
You're the best grammar English teacher!
My English teacher used you're video to describe sentence structure because she is too fat and lazy to do anything herself , but that was the best decision she ever made
@debbie8783
3 жыл бұрын
Lol. Sounds like u hate the teacher but love the subject.
could you make some lessens about tenses and how we use them :)
thank you very much adam, you make me easier understanding the whole sentece types lesson.
Thanks a lot for your lessons. I enjoy watching your videos and i learn a lot from them because they are so useful and practical which help me increase my knowledge. You are the best )))
I love you man ❤️
@abdullahalasmari8238
5 жыл бұрын
gaaaaaaay
@rebine778
5 жыл бұрын
@@abdullahalasmari8238 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
thanks
My name is Rosmina Zuchri from Indonesia Country. Sir. Adam. Your explanation about The 4 English Sentences Type very interesting, hope I can increase and improve my English after watching and listening to your youtube. thanks
Excellent teacher, thank you very much for your effort that you put for us.
Little tip: you can use the acronym “FANBOYS” to remember the coordinating conjunctions. F: for A: and N: nor B: but O: or Y: yet S: so
thanks man, i have exam i less then an hour hope i pass it.
@dcdailycrafter5988
7 жыл бұрын
In*
@liquidation22
7 жыл бұрын
nice mistake check
@rabieouchane4828
7 жыл бұрын
DUDE U ARE FAKING BAD ASS HAHAHAHAHAH. HIGH FIVE ME GOD DAMNIT. DIGITAL HIGH FIVE XDXDXD
Great explanation. Thank you!
great!
@fathimazakkeer8642
6 жыл бұрын
you r right
EPIC!!
I like so much, your lessons!! Because, you trying to get a student easier way to understand a lesson....Thank you!!!!
Thanks for the lesson, I'll make to keep this lesson in my mind
i want to be a teacher when i grow up
@hanaabrahmi6543
3 жыл бұрын
Me too
Adam, This lesson was very interesting and useful, but I would like to know, how can I practice it¿ Do you know a site which has exercise about it¿ Thank so much for your time and patience Best regards.
@sirmeowthelibrarycat
3 жыл бұрын
Diogo Bastos 👨🏻🏫 Hello, Diogo. Mr Teacher here in England 🏴. I have just found your question. Have you searched KZread for examples of these sentences? There are channels that cover all levels of English teaching available for you.
Very clear! Thanks!
Hi Adam, am Ivan Nairobi JUST LOVE THE WAY YOU TEACH
Great
@nadhemhasan7090
5 жыл бұрын
first comment!
At 8:30. Why isn't there a comma before the conjunction so?
@Rach113
6 жыл бұрын
Master Blaster I was wondering the same thing. Do compound sentences always need a comma, or does it just depend?
@Webusage1988
6 жыл бұрын
Not sure. Hope someone answers this question.
@katie893012
6 жыл бұрын
Same question here!!!
@nathanalgren3044
5 жыл бұрын
Maybe he just mistaken or haven't seen it
Thanks for your lessons
Adam you are the best👌🏻👍🏻
Hi everyone, could you please give me your feedback about the following sentence, to me it is a compound sentence, but your comments will help me understand better. Here its: The two presentations of Act 1, scene 2 by Juan and Kevin and Act II, scene2 by Sadaf are not sequential according to the play, but students can relate on how the two characters; lady Macbeth and Macbeth are protrayed in both scenes.
@aisad3197
Жыл бұрын
Yes, That has a conjunction like But"
@habbachlahcen619
11 ай бұрын
It is a compound sentence because it contains two independent clauses linked wit the conjunction 'but'.
5:50 i don't understand! "Even with the weather being that nasty" is a clause, because it has a subject ( the weather ), and it has a verb ( being ). please explain to me why it's a phrase and not a clause!! Thank you.
@AbbySantana
8 жыл бұрын
Hello! even though "being" is a verb form, it is not a "tense" verb aka not conjugated. For a sentence to be what it is, it's mandatory to use a conjugated verb. A gerund (ending in ing) is equivalent of an infinitive verb sometimes, making it, therefore, a not conjugated verb.
@AchrafCrazyNass
8 жыл бұрын
+Abby Santana Hello! thank you for explaining. are you saying that if we wanna make it a clause, we need a conjugated verb?!
@AbbySantana
8 жыл бұрын
DDaDDeSS MaN a sentence and a clause are not the same. A clause differs on not having a complete thought. But yeah, that's basically what I wanted to say.
@AchrafCrazyNass
8 жыл бұрын
***** Okay thank you :)
@yassineself-motivation5190
8 жыл бұрын
When we talk about the present tense, participial phrases can be equal to gerunds in terms of the structure, but their function is completely different. Participial phrases modify nouns or pronouns; whereas, gerunds replace nouns or pronouns. "Even with the weather being that nasty." That's a phrase. I firmly believe there is no gerund phrase, nor is there a participial phrase in this sentence. " Even with the weather being that nasty" A prepositional phrase functioning as an adverb phrase modifying the verb "to decide;" hence, I state that the subject of the sentence is compound: "The couple and their families." In a nutshell, I think if we reverse the sentence, it will make sense, " The couple and their families decided to go ahead with the wedding as planned even with the weather being that nasty." See! Note that there is no comma in the last example.
Mr Adam, you are so a great tutor that i have had learn much more knowledge after saw most of your english lesson video. anyway, thank you very much
I couldn't say how enlighting your video was for me, I need to dive deep into the concepts of grammar to develop a more complex writing skill, thanks a lot¡
7:58 should we put a comma in front of "so I told her..."?
@motionxd5984
4 жыл бұрын
2020 gang
@cobra_yt7032
4 жыл бұрын
yes i think we should
k
Wonderfully explained. Thank you.
hey Professor, I always got confused about this issue, but now I got it, you made it so clear. thanks and stay blessed.
I still dont get it
@vincentperea3223
7 жыл бұрын
neither did i
@mohitbhole6781
7 жыл бұрын
learn what a clause is, then. cuz its perfectly clear.
@bekratos4514
6 жыл бұрын
Beefy Owl334
@meenusingh3645
6 жыл бұрын
Nor do I.....
Even with the weather being that nasty is a dependent clause which makes that sentence complex not simple.
@tatianasabana232
6 жыл бұрын
Blade_GGA_0203 chmMCnggx
@HaileyGreens
6 жыл бұрын
"Even with the weather being that nasty" is a phrase and not a clause. A phrase is a component of a clause. "Being" is a present participle and not a verb so "Even with the weather being that nasty" is a phrase and not a clause. There is no verb in that phrase. Arrange the sentence as such: The couple and their families decided to go ahead with the wedding as planned even with the weather being that nasty. This is my understanding. Can an English teacher clarify whether my understanding is correct or wrong, please? ☺
@sarahmahamid3031
5 жыл бұрын
@@HaileyGreens dude/girl I LOVE YOU!!!! I was puzzled by thinking that "being" was a verb I completely forgot that it is a present participle THANK YOU!!!! for real thank you
Tahnk's for your explanations Mr. Adam...
Hi Adam. You are well done. I respect you and your way of teaching. YOU have a kind personality. Thanks.
even with the weather being that nasty..........I thought that one was a dependent clause
@cobra_yt7032
4 жыл бұрын
i agree
@ReckDemon
4 жыл бұрын
We can't call it a clause because it has no verb. "Being" is not a verb.
@ReckDemon
4 жыл бұрын
@Voice people I look at it this way: The -ing form is either a present participle or a gerund, and to form a verb, it needs the auxiliary verb "To be" before. -Being rich, he bought two cars. (I would see that there is no subject and no auxiliary verb before the comma, means it's a simple sentence "He + bought") -I am being happy. (Present continuous)