Page 117 - New Grammar with a Smile 8

A sentence which has a subject and only one finite verb in it is called a
simple sentence. A simple sentence is also an independent clause.

Note

A simple sentence may be modified by an adverb or an adverb phrase. For example,
 Unfortunately, dark clouds are gathering. (an adverb)
 There being no traffic, the chicken crossed the road. (an adverb phrase)

2. Compound Sentences

Read these sentences.
• He turned left, and she turned right.
• You can get well soon, or your condition can get worse.

• He went to see her, but she wasn’t there.
• I say what I mean, and you mean what you say.

These sentences are formed by joining two independent clauses with coordinating
conjunctions.

A sentence which is formed by joining two or more principal or main clauses
connected by a coordinating conjunction is called a compound sentence.

Note
If the finite verbs in a compound sentence have the same subject, then this subject is often
left out from the later coordinate clause(s).
For example,
 He went to the market and bought some vegetables. (= He went to the market and he
bought some vegetables.)
Sometimes, the finite verb is common to two or more subjects. It is, then, not repeated in
later coordinate clauses. For example,

 He or she has to meet me. (= He has to meet me or she has to meet me.)
Compound sentences may have more than two coordinate clauses. For example,
 He went to the market and bought some vegetables, but forgot to get his mobile phone
account topped up.

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