IXL | Is the sentence simple or compound?

Which is a compound sentence?

The average American eats three pounds of sugar each week.

The captain saw storm clouds, so he steered the ship back to shore.

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

Which is a simple sentence?

Shelley forgot to bring her dictionary, so she will borrow mine.

The average American eats three pounds of sugar each week.

A simple sentence is a sentence with only one subject and predicate.

The pitcher threw the ball to first base.

A compound sentence is two simple sentences joined by a comma and a conjunction such as and, but, or, or so.

The pitcher threw the ball, and the batter hit it.

Some simple sentences have a compound subject or a compound predicate, but they are not compound sentences.

Anna and James will watch the fireworks tonight.

This simple sentence has a compound subject, Anna and James.

The singers bowed and walked off the stage.

This simple sentence has a compound predicate, bowed and walked off the stage.

Some simple sentences have introductory phrases, but they are not compound sentences. The introductory phrase is part of the predicate.

In the winter, Farmer Ben wears his heavy coat.

This is a simple sentence. There is one subject, Farmer Ben, and one predicate, wears his heavy coat in the winter.

The second sentence is the simple sentence. It has one subject and predicate.

The average American eats three pounds of sugar each week.

$Confetti$

Now entering the Challenge Zone—are you ready?

hr	min	sec
00	00	06

Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help: