3rd Grade Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences Practice
A simple sentence has one independent clause. A compound sentence joins two independent clauses: “I read, and Maya draws.” A complex sentence has one independent clause and a dependent clause: in “Because it rained, we stayed inside,” we stayed inside is independent and because it rained is dependent.
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Sentences come in three main structures: simple, compound, and complex. A simple sentence has one complete thought, like The sun shone brightly. A compound sentence joins two complete thoughts with a conjunction, like The sun shone, and the birds sang. A complex sentence joins a main thought with an extra detail, like Because the sun shone, the birds sang.
10 questions · Multiple choice
10 questions · Multiple choice
10 questions · Multiple choice
10 questions · Multiple choice
10 questions · Multiple choice
10 questions · Multiple choice
10 questions · Multiple choice
10 questions · Multiple choice
10 questions · Multiple choice
10 questions · Multiple choice
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Frequently asked questions
What makes “Maya reads, and Leo draws” compound?
Which clause depends on another in “Because it rained, we stayed inside”?
Simple, compound, and complex sentences
A simple sentence has one independent clause: “Maya reads.” A compound sentence joins two independent clauses: “Maya reads, and Leo draws.” A complex sentence has one independent clause and a dependent clause: “Because it rained, we stayed inside.” Here, we stayed inside is independent; because it rained depends on it.
Use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, then browse all 3rd grade grammar skills.
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