Simple Sentence:
A simple sentence is a grammatical structure that consists of one independent clause, which contains a subject and a predicate. It expresses a complete thought and stands alone as a coherent statement. For example, "She walked to the store."
Compound Sentence:
A compound sentence is formed by joining two or more independent clauses using coordinating conjunctions (such as "and," "but," "or") or punctuation (like semicolons). Each independent clause in a compound sentence can function independently as a complete thought. For instance, "She walked to the store, and he drove to the mall."
Complex Sentence:
A complex sentence comprises one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause. The independent clause can stand alone, but the dependent clause cannot. Complex sentences often use subordinating conjunctions (such as "because," "although," "since") to connect the clauses. An example is, "Although she walked to the store, she enjoyed the exercise."
Compound-Complex Sentence:
A compound-complex sentence combines elements of both compound and complex sentences. It includes two or more independent clauses (forming a compound structure) and at least one dependent clause (forming a complex structure). This sentence type allows for the expression of more intricate relationships between ideas. For instance, "While she walked to the store, he drove to the mall, and they both reached their destinations."