Types of Sentences: Simple, Complex, Compound and Compound Complex Sentences

What is a Sentence?

A sentence is a group of words that gives a complete thought and makes sense. Sentences must have a verb; however, most sentences have a subject and a verb.
There are three main categories of sentences:

1. Simple Sentences
2. Compound Sentences
3. Complex Sentences
4. Compound-Complex Sentences

A Simple Sentence:

A simple sentence is a sentence that does not contain a dependent clause. That means that the sentence can stand on its own. For example:
Mary is a girl.

A Compound Sentence

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. For example:
Mary is a girl, and she likes to dance.

Independent clause	comma	conjunction	Independent clause
Mary is a girl	,	and	she likes to dance

Complex Sentence

A compound-complex sentence is a sentence that consists of both an independent clause and a dependent clause. Complex sentences usually have subordinating conjunctions. For example, sentences that begin with subordinating conjunctions will have a comma at the end of the dependent clause.
While Mary was doing the dishes, the phone rang.

Dependent clause	comma	Independent clause
While Mary was doing the dishes	,	the phone rang

A Compound-Complex Sentence:

A compound-complex sentence is a sentence that consists of both a compound sentence and a complex sentence. For example:

As I drank my coffee, Tom ate his sandwich, and Mary walked her dog.

Dependent clause	Comma	Independent clause	Comma	Coordinating Conjunction	Independent Clause
As I drank my coffee	,	Tom ate his sandwich	,	and	Mary walked her dog

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